Ash logs for bow staves

[Matt Stuckey]

I am hoping to cut and split an ash log this weekend.  I believe the trees are white ash.  There are several to choose from.  If I have a choice, what size is best.  larger to reduce crown on the back, smaller for ease of splitting and handling.  Also will the bark come off well this time of year?  Should I seal just the ends or any cut/split surface?

Thanks
Matt

[Danny Roberts]

I use 5-6" logs and have had real good results. 3" ones, you have to deal with that crown. You will have to get the bark off with a draw knife. In the late spring and summer, it will peel off. The good part of having to draw it off is, it leaves a thin layer of inner bark as a design on the back of your bow. In the summer, it peels off with the bark and the back of your bow is more white looking. I like working with ash. I just gave some to nephews for Christmas presents.
So far all the ones I've made had the 1" end on them. The next one will be 1/2". I'm switching to black and honey locust and hickory on my next few bows. I seal all my ends with wood glue as soon as I split them. Good luck !
DR

[formerbutcher]

Just make sure it isn't black ash, talking form experince here !

[brettlandon]

Matt,  I harvested several white or green (still trying to learn this arborist thingt) trees this last summer and the bark peeled right off with just the point of my knive and then my hands.  I suspect that the bark will remain on without the sap in the wood.  This, however, is good news for you as the log sections will split out quite nicely.  As such, I would encourage you to harvest the straightest and largest (in that order) tree you can find and manage.  I seal the ends of all my staves with pariffin wax.  I use an old rice cooker to heat the wax and then dip the end of the stave into it.  In this temperature it takes only 4 to 5 seconds to cure.  :D  
 I then stack the staves in an unused grain bin for drying.  This system produces workable staves in as little as three months.  A person could also use an old crockpot (not crackpot, there are enough of us in this game already) readily availible from the nearest garage sale.  At any rate, you must seal the ends with something (wax, glue, shellac, paint...) or the ends will check.    
 Happy harvesting, and be safe.  Brett

[Matt Stuckey]

Thanks for the info guys.
Matt

[mmgrode]

Find the biggest and straightest(w/out propeller twist) Ash you can to reduce crown on the back. Ash is very easy to split in my experience especially in the summer so big logs aren't much of a problem.  Also, by cutting in the summer the bark can be peeled off straight away cleanly leaving you with an established back.  Make sure to coat the ends and a few inches down the sides to prevent checking.  I also would suggest  backing the finished bow with rawhide, sturgeon, linen, or other protective backing to prevent splintering.  Also, be careful using Ash bows in extremely cold weather-they don't hold up too well when the mercury plummets(don't ask me how I found that out       Good luck Matt!