Making my own recurve from Osage.

GMO44

FNG
Joined
Oct 29, 2015
Messages
90
Looking for some insight on self made recurve bows. How to get the desired draw weight? How long does Osage need to be dried for? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks


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Not that there are not a few people on here with knowledge on this subject, but you would have much better success on a site with much more trad traffic such as tradgang.com. Also, a google search will turn up the info you are after very quickly.
 
If you can pick up a copy of the traditional bowyers bible, there are three volumes, I believe Vol 1 is the one you want. The best way is to find someone in your area that builds them and spend some time with them. Osage is tough because the back has to be chased down to one growth ring, you might start with hickory or another white wood. You peel the bark and that is the back. You can also back it with rawhide to make it more durable. It's an art but you can learn it.
 
Making a recurve out of osage is a TOUGH task. It is difficult to get that much bend into the limbs without the limbs checking (cracking). It doesn't matter if use use wet or dry heat. Can it be done, yes but to dive in and try it on your first bow is IMO asking for failure. There are a lot of factors that can effect the stave, such as time of year cut, humidity, thickness of stave and it even varies on each tree. I have take some staves from cut to bow in under 2 months, I have some staves still seasoning after 10 years.
I have really pushed the limits of osage to see what I could get away with, luckily only had one break on me.

Thanks,
Boswell
 
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