Question about osage staves

[Country Boy]

I am relatively new to trad archery and have successfully cut hickory staves, but I simply don't know how to cut osage staves. Some of the questions I have are- approximately how many inches in diameter should the piece of wood be before I split it? Do you separate the heartwood from the sapwood before you dry it? Can you seal just the ends of the stave or seal the whole thing? Also, does anyone know of a good website with directions for osage bows?

Any comments are appreciated.


~Happiness is flying brass! -Country Boy

[Lilhunter]

www.osageorange.com Talk to James, great guy...spent a ton of time talking to him as was nothing but impressed!

[hedgeapple]

Howdy,
I build Osage Bows, ive found 8 to 12in. logs are the best size bigger is better then smaller, Seal the ends.. elmers glue or latex paint will both work, after the wood sets a few days to weeks, it will develop splits in the ends. Take a wedge and start it in one of the cracks.. once you get it started work it too the other end.you want pieces of wood 2 to 4 in wide.. and 2 to 4 in thick.. sprinkle your staves with seven dust. the borers will eat up the sap wood..some times gettin into the growth rings.
Pick the thickest growth ring and take the whole backside down the this ring! this is the side of the bow that points away from you.
there are several sites online that have info on building osage bows..the one mentioned above is a good one!!
the Best book Ive found is the Traditional bowyers bible #1, it gives real good intstruction on the subject!!
Patience!!!! need lots of Patience and Free time...
I spent most of 3months in the evenings and free time building it.
it is 65#@29 in and shoots really Sweet!!
Never owned a wheelie bow!
My arrows I built myself and found that 5# spline less the weight of bow shoots the best.. 5 to 10 lbs is what is recommended.
Bow, Arrows, Fletch jig, glue,tips, nocks,broadheads,and quiver, only have $160 in the whole shootin match!
Traditional Archery has been apart of my life since age 6, 34 yrs now..
good luck to ya, If i can be of any assistance you can email me at
Larrythewrench@hotmail.com