Cutting staves?

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Nock
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Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2018 8:03 am

Cutting staves?

#1 Post by Nock »

Is there a certain time of year when best to cut staves? I’ve read several different things. I’ll be cutting Osage and maybe hickory. Thanks.
Happiness is a tight chain!

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Graps
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Re: Cutting staves?

#2 Post by Graps »

I've heard that hickory is best cut in August because the bark will slip that time of year. But I have never tried it.
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

stumper
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Re: Cutting staves?

#3 Post by stumper »

Depends on wood.
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

Nock
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Re: Cutting staves?

#4 Post by Nock »

Flemish Dave wrote: Fri Aug 24, 2018 3:58 pm Depends on wood.
Far as what? When to cut it?
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stumper
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Re: Cutting staves?

#5 Post by stumper »

From what little I understand yes. The ideal time to cut the tree changes with the wood and climate.
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

Carpdaddy
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Re: Cutting staves?

#6 Post by Carpdaddy »

I’m thinking yes, when the sap is down, but I really can’t remember for sure. Just be sure to seal the ends soon after cut to prevent cracking as it dries.

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Shadowhntr
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Re: Cutting staves?

#7 Post by Shadowhntr »

Have you cut staves before?
The element of surprise can never be replaced by persistence.

Nock
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Re: Cutting staves?

#8 Post by Nock »

Shadowhntr wrote: Sun Aug 26, 2018 7:01 am Have you cut staves before?
No sir.
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Shadowhntr
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Re: Cutting staves?

#9 Post by Shadowhntr »

Ok. If you haven't already and before you go to all the work I'd do a lot of study on chosing the right trees. Especially Osage can be tricky and not all regions will provide good bow wood from them. There's an art, method, and a finely tuned eye involved with picking bow woods. Knowledge about picking trees for bow wood will be key. Otherwise there may be a lot of work to find out there is little to no good bow wood in the pile. If you're already privy to all this just disregard. I'd hate to see you work for nothing so thought I'd mention it.
The element of surprise can never be replaced by persistence.

stumper
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Re: Cutting staves?

#10 Post by stumper »

Learn from my mistake... Read hunting the osage bow, prior to cutting or carving.
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

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