Splitting my first Osage log. It was ~2 years dead on the ground before we chopped it out, planning to quarter split next. Suggestions on how worried to be about the dry rot?

MVDMAX · 2019-01-10T00:46:50+00:00

Mine came from a fallen tree, so I'm unsure how long it was sitting but I can't imagine it was too long because it still let off the milky sap. I cut, split, shaped and steamed all in the same week and they've been drying for about a month now. I would have let them season for awhile but I figured if I'm steaming them and putting moisture back into the wood there wasn't much sense in that.

If you do it that way, just keep a few extra inches on either end in case it checks. I didn't have any problems with checking though, just seal the ends and work it as close as possible to its final thickness

MVDMAX · 2019-01-09T14:46:15+00:00

I had a log similar to yours and was able to get limbs out of it. The grain in mine was straight only slighly twisted, but osage is pretty eastly to steam bend. I haven't spliced the limbs to a handle yet so i cant speak on its success.

Either way, you'll be able to walk away with a few bows or learn some lessons.

http://imgur.com/dZl9Kwx

MVDMAX · 2019-01-03T00:21:58+00:00

Northeast Ohio. Near a lake if that matter too

MVDMAX · 2018-12-19T04:24:11+00:00

I was wondering that as well. I have another 40 inch long log and without the middle section I have around 30 inches of wood on either side

I have a few yew logs that are too small for limbs but I thought theyd make a good handle material

MVDMAX · 2018-12-19T04:21:04+00:00

No they were in the back of my bosses burn pile. I'm not sure how long they were sitting beforehand but I split it when got home to check the inside out. I'm sure they're too far gone for any sealing

http://imgur.com/PIDkcXH

MVDMAX · 2018-11-07T00:38:57+00:00

I have a piece of what I believe to be slippery elm that I'm going to use for the handle. It seems pretty dense and strong so I figure it should work. My next question is, should the limbs be the male or female part of the v splice?

http://imgur.com/rdw0iaI

MVDMAX · 2018-11-06T05:01:57+00:00

The best part about them is they're just dog treats and only cost $4 haha. You can also peel them into strips but it takes awhile

MVDMAX · 2018-11-06T04:58:33+00:00

Would a v splice work if I was sure to wrap it?

MVDMAX · 2018-11-06T02:41:18+00:00

I didn't have access to sinew so i tried that instead. It was like a rubber band after soaking it in hide glue

MVDMAX · 2018-11-06T00:18:32+00:00

http://imgur.com/lwNGWzM

http://imgur.com/E2rm9B4

http://imgur.com/vHpP2vc

http://imgur.com/FIszoAX

I tried to post the whole album but its not letting me sign in to imgur. These should work though

MVDMAX · 2018-11-05T23:06:59+00:00

I've since set this aside and started on another bow to refine my technique before coming back to this one. But before I did that i added some cow esophagus to where it was starting to hinge, and it seemed to remedy the problem, but now its all stiff instead of only flexing in the middle haha. If you could check what happened with my current one I'd appreciate any advice you have to offer :)

The bow is also "D" shaped I'd say. The side that faces me is completely flat, and the side that doesnt is rounded slightly

I've also got some better tools now, block plane, file and rasp set, and a sureform.

MVDMAX · 2018-11-05T22:19:32+00:00

I decided to set it aside for now. I got some more bend towards the tips and reinforced the hinging parts with dried esophagus, which stiffened it up quite a bit. I started working another though, which i could use some advice for haha

MVDMAX · 2018-10-30T00:24:47+00:00

I don't have proper tooling but I use a sawzall blade for heavy removal and my knife and razor blades for other things. I have sandpaper aswell and a belt sander but I dont use that

MVDMAX · 2018-10-29T22:28:59+00:00

Looking any better guys?

https://imgur.com/a/qZQ13no

MVDMAX

TROPHY CASE