Osage "Character" Elb

How to make a Bow, a String or a Set of Arrows. Making equipment & tools for use in Traditional Archery and Bowhunting.

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
Message
Author
hunterguy1991
Posts: 859
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:18 am
Location: Woodford Queensland

Osage "Character" Elb

#1 Post by hunterguy1991 » Tue May 16, 2017 9:21 pm

Evening gents!!

Been a little while since I've posted any of my work but I can assure you I have not stopped! Haha

This post will be about a bow I have just started and as the name suggests, an Osage English longbow.

I purchased a stave of Osage from the states some time ago, maybe 2 years now, and have resisted the temptation to touch it... Until this arvo!!

I wanted to get as much as I could from the stave so split some rings off the belly side of the stave before bandaging two more staves from the remaining stave.

Gave me a really gnarly belly wood piece that I can chase a ring on and make a nice kids elb from, a slightly cleaner but still very curvy stave, suitable for a mid weight elb and a larger stave for a hunting weight bow (possibly for a customer)

This thread will focus on the middle stave.

Came in 72.5" total so settled on 71" ntn and got 25mm of width in the handle so should go 45-50lbs If I'm good enough.

The stave is fairly straight on average but has a reflexed tip one end and a kink and some twist in the other. All good, I like a bit of a challenge!!

I have roughed out the bow to basic dimensions, leaving in as much character as possible along its length. And paralleled it with the back ready to start on the belly taper. I then rounded the belly over and started working the tips down a bit, closer to where they need to be.

Think I will steam or heat bend the twist out tomorrow and take out a bit of the reflex.. ( or should I give it the Mick Kay treatment and reflex the other to match?!! Haha)

Will get pics up when I can for you all.

Cheers

Col.

User avatar
Stickbow Hunter
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 11637
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2003 8:33 pm
Location: Maryborough Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#2 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Tue May 16, 2017 10:14 pm

I look forward to seeing photos of your progress Colin. I like bows with some character.

Jeff

User avatar
Outbackdad
Site Admin
Posts: 478
Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:46 pm
Location: Dalby

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#3 Post by Outbackdad » Wed May 17, 2017 11:59 am

Will be great to see.

Eddie

hunterguy1991
Posts: 859
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:18 am
Location: Woodford Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#4 Post by hunterguy1991 » Wed May 17, 2017 3:46 pm

Here's a look at the stave guys... Lots of character in this one!

Took a bit of the reflex out of one end and took the twist out of the other but added a little reflex so its more even.
Osage Stave elb (360x640).jpg
Osage Stave elb (360x640).jpg (125.69 KiB) Viewed 8184 times
Next will be to take the corners down on the back a bit and give it a bit of a crown, cut some nocks and then start the tillering process.

Col

User avatar
Stickbow Hunter
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 11637
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2003 8:33 pm
Location: Maryborough Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#5 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Wed May 17, 2017 4:45 pm

So you have taken it down to a growth ring? It certainly does have some character.

Jeff

hunterguy1991
Posts: 859
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:18 am
Location: Woodford Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#6 Post by hunterguy1991 » Wed May 17, 2017 6:31 pm

Back was sealed under a clear lacquer so I'm stripping it back and making sure it's down to one ring. If it's not I will chase it then re round the edges before tillering.

Going to be a looker if it shoots! Have a few people scratching their heads at least haha.

User avatar
Stickbow Hunter
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 11637
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2003 8:33 pm
Location: Maryborough Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#7 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Wed May 17, 2017 7:22 pm

I thought there was a finish on the back. It sure does have some lumps and bumps and bends. :lol: It should look fantastic when finished.

Jeff

hunterguy1991
Posts: 859
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:18 am
Location: Woodford Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#8 Post by hunterguy1991 » Thu May 18, 2017 6:57 am

Just a quick scrape will get it off and I'll be good to keep going.

Rings are only fairly thin so I'm not asking for much weight out of it. Around the 40-45 mark will be plenty.

Loving all the lumps and bumps!! Just looks Cool!

User avatar
bigbob
Posts: 4098
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2010 8:55 pm
Location: sunshine coast

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#9 Post by bigbob » Thu May 18, 2017 10:12 am

should be a real head turner when you get it done Col. Just love osage myself, like the way it handles steam, like working it and like its great properties as a bow. Looking forward to end result!
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
razorbows.com

hunterguy1991
Posts: 859
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:18 am
Location: Woodford Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#10 Post by hunterguy1991 » Thu May 18, 2017 10:28 am

Bends well using dry heat too Bob. That's how I got this straightened up.

Makes just about every type of bow I think... Great timber!

User avatar
perry
Posts: 1925
Joined: Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:59 pm
Location: morayfield qld australia

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#11 Post by perry » Thu May 18, 2017 1:55 pm

Watching with interest as always Colin

regards Perry
"To my deep morticication my father once said to me, 'You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat catching, and you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.' "

- Charles Darwin

hunterguy1991
Posts: 859
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:18 am
Location: Woodford Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#12 Post by hunterguy1991 » Fri May 19, 2017 3:43 pm

Well gents,

Here she is so far. Still unfinished but tillered. came un pulling around 48-52lbs (my scales have gone to S#*t) at 28". Its 71" ntn and has taken no string follow at all. Perry came round today as I had a day off due to weather and gave me a hand in getting this one done. Cheers for the help and chat mate!! :biggrin:

Stoked with how its coming out so far. Needs some nice horn tips and a good sand up to 400 or so to really make the grain come out and then a coat of varnish. Didn't lose any of its character in tillering, in fact I think it may have even got a bit more!

Brace Profile (left limb is top)
brace profile (640x360).jpg
brace profile (640x360).jpg (144.87 KiB) Viewed 8103 times
Belly Character
Belly character (360x640).jpg
Belly character (360x640).jpg (136.45 KiB) Viewed 8103 times
Back Character
back character (360x640).jpg
back character (360x640).jpg (131.58 KiB) Viewed 8103 times
Let me know what you think

Col
Last edited by hunterguy1991 on Fri May 19, 2017 4:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Stickbow Hunter
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 11637
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2003 8:33 pm
Location: Maryborough Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#13 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Fri May 19, 2017 4:05 pm

That looks excellent!!! :clap: I look forward to seeing it some day.

Jeff

little arrows
Posts: 2856
Joined: Sun Feb 29, 2004 2:14 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast QLD

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#14 Post by little arrows » Fri May 19, 2017 4:29 pm

You've done a brilliant job working with all the "character" as you say, to bring out the best from the original stave. As always, well done.

cheers
sue

User avatar
perry
Posts: 1925
Joined: Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:59 pm
Location: morayfield qld australia

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#15 Post by perry » Fri May 19, 2017 8:30 pm

G/Day Colin, thanks for the invite Mate, thoroughly enjoyed the visit. The Staves looking good, I figured you'd do a little more work on it :smile: I just spent a while searching for what that interesting combination Round Rasp / Gimlet Tool you where cutting your string Grooves with. They are called a Stickleback Rasp. They are about, reasonable priced oversea's just not so available in Australia from my searches.

regards Perry
"To my deep morticication my father once said to me, 'You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat catching, and you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.' "

- Charles Darwin

User avatar
bigbob
Posts: 4098
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2010 8:55 pm
Location: sunshine coast

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#16 Post by bigbob » Sat May 20, 2017 11:35 am

that is a terrific outcome from such a 'gnarly' stave Col. I know the work involved so great result. :clap: i have returned to a stave I started on some time ago as moisture content is better. Might have some shots of it in next few days too.Currently at 68 NTN and 40# @ 21''
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
razorbows.com

User avatar
jindydiver
Posts: 1333
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2004 3:06 pm
Location: ACT

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#17 Post by jindydiver » Sun May 21, 2017 6:25 am

Love it :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Looking forward to seeing how it shoots
Mick


Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

Abraham Lincoln

hunterguy1991
Posts: 859
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:18 am
Location: Woodford Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#18 Post by hunterguy1991 » Sun May 21, 2017 9:08 am

Cheers guys!! Will post up more photos when it's all finished up completely.

Thanks for the advice along the way Perry, and I'm really keen to see what that Osage gets turned into!

Thanks Bob! I'm sure yours will be a beauty! Loved working with the Osage as well. Such a responsive timber!

Jeff, I will bring it along when I get up there for a visit mate!

Col

User avatar
Stickbow Hunter
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 11637
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2003 8:33 pm
Location: Maryborough Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#19 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Sun May 21, 2017 4:13 pm

hunterguy1991 wrote:Jeff, I will bring it along when I get up there for a visit mate!
I look forward to seeing it.

Jeff

User avatar
cmoore
Posts: 204
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:35 am
Location: Melbourne VIC

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#20 Post by cmoore » Tue Jan 23, 2018 4:26 pm

Love it :dance: ..... how'd you go with the sinew I sent you? Did you get onto the arduous task of splitting it all down yet
Set Happens

hunterguy1991
Posts: 859
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:18 am
Location: Woodford Queensland

Re: Osage "Character" Elb

#21 Post by hunterguy1991 » Tue Jun 26, 2018 9:18 pm

No mate, have not yet split that up but I got my hands on some full buff horns so I'm going to make a Magyar composite bow with it. May even need more yet!

Post Reply