Do This BEFORE Storing Your Staves

I clean and seal an Osage Orange bow stave in preparation for the drying/curing process. This will protect the stave from borer beetles which can live in the bark, as well as protecting the wood from cracking and becoming useless.
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[@austinveatch6993]

Just to make note…. I know you’re dealing with Osage here, but it should be said that removing the sapwood may not be ideal for all species. Some staves you will want the sapwood as your back.

[@thewayidoit6312]

Absolutely, great point.

[@OsborneExploration]

Is the sapwood needed for an ash bow??
Thank you.

[@OsborneExploration]

Cool thanks

[@michaelmorris1865]

Do you let them sit 2-3 weeks before splitting or immediately split? We don't have Osage here but a lot of invasive black locust.

[@thewayidoit6312]

They need to be split immediately or as soon as possible or the log will begin to split on its own. This will form cracks in places you don't want them and can ruin or reduce the useable parts of the stave. Whether you choose to split or not, seal the ends of the logs/stave to slow the moisture loss.

[@ToddMitchell62]

Have you ever gone from this stage and then used a stave dryer? If so, how long has it taken to dry them down?

[@thewayidoit6312]

I've never done this and would be hesitant to try on Osage. It likes to split too much. Slow and steady is best.

[@ToddMitchell62]

@@thewayidoit6312 Thx!

[@benchase7537]

Would the process be the same if I wanted to season the whole log? Just strip the bark and sapwood and seal the ends? Would you still need to seal the back as well?

[@thewayidoit6312]

I recommend splitting the log first because a whole log will split some on its own and form cracks where you may not want them. Splitting the log relieves these internal stresses

[@benchase7537]

@thewayidoit6312 I see. I guess the only problem is that I'd want to keep the wood whole since it's a small diameter log for a walking stick. Maybe it'd be best to carve out the rough dimensions then seal it?

[@thewayidoit6312]

@@benchase7537 if it's for a walking stick than what you said.

[@thewayidoit6312]

@@benchase7537 I would actually let it dry with bark on and then strip bark after it's dry for a walking stick.

[@mikeford5931]

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[@thewayidoit6312]

Thank you