It's just a fissure in the wood. Not quite a knot, more of an irregularity. My friend starts off with osage logs, 6" or so in diameter and around 6' long. He splits them lengthwise into quarters, then dries them for awhile.
His shop is full of bows in various stages of completion, from raw staves with the bark still on, to finished units. He claims the most heartbreaking aspect of construction is when you pour countless hours into shaping a bow, only to uncover
a critical defect in the wood that renders it junk... it goes from a functional work of art to kindling for the stove in just a few minutes.
He assured me that the fissure in my bow would have no impact on it's functionality, since it ran with the grain. So far so good after 7 years. I have wondered about the bow drying out, though. I need to ask him if I should treat it with something.
P.S.... Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Pondmeisters. I hope you all get to enjoy time with family and friends.
Last edited by sprkplug; 11/24/11 08:34 AM. Reason: Thanksgiving wishes.
