i got stated on the small one. they don't look as good now,but worse come to worse i can get a bunch of billits out of them. 2 of them had limbs coming out the side and thats the one i started spliting first . i think there are some bows hidden in there. at least i hope so!!!
You need to remove that ring before you start next time! I get that sometimes too and I have thick calluses. Something about holding on to a sledge handle. The fun starts when you start flinging arrows and not a minute before. Don't let anybody fool ya. Making wooden bows is hard work and it ain't for the weak willed individual. Its work and thats as simple as it can be stated. The hardest work is the splitting and roughing out part, it gets easier as you go through the process. But you know all that already. There appears to be quite a few good staves in those logs. The one in the second pic has 2 straight staves in it, one reflexed, one deflexed. The rest will need to be straightened out to make bows but thats what they make heat guns for. The one with the limb sticking out will hold a few bows as well. I'd split it so the limb ended up on the edge of a big piece then try to split off the limby edge. Might make a character stave out of it once you get the bulk of the limb busted out. Don't pay for it anymore. theres tons of osage around free for the asking. Get a hold of me when yer through all those staves ( won't be as long as you think!) I know some folks that know some folks. Course when you get 'em that old they are pre seasoned for ya. No waiting.
