Wedges

[Bret]

What are your ideas for buying or making wedges to make bow staves. I put up a hickory log a year ago and painted the ends. I now want to try to split it to make a selfbow.

[FarmboyBill]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Sorry. I thought you were talking bout log wedges.

[Bret]

Originally Posted by FarmboyBill

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Sorry. I thought you were talking bout log wedges.

Maybe they are the same.

[||Downhome||]

Most guys use a band saw to make their staves.

Making a wedge should be none to hard, not sure what you have for tools though?

I'd take a bit of rerod, grind of the "webbing" so its smooth,then cut to wedge length,crudely forge a wedge on one end (mostly cause I don't have forge or anvil,but do have sledge, fire pit and railroad rail), and weld a nut to the other.
you'll probably need to grind the wedge a bit to "true" it up a bit.

When I was a kid I took a church key (old style bottle/paint can opener) and simply bent the end flat, and but a bit of edge on it, was not good for large stuff but functioned as a chisel and wedge.
With that and a pocket knife I made some really nice ax handles while listening to the ball game on AM pocket radio.

I would of fashioned a blank for the stave well it was still green.

[1shotwade]

Hey Bret! The traditional way to split a log for staves is to use a "fro" but not everyone had one so what the did is use wooden wedges usually made out of oak or locust.Start at an end and drive a wooden wedge into the larges "check" until it starts opening up down the side of the log.At that point wedge the side continuing to insert another wedge until it's half way down the legnth. At that point drive another end wedge to start splitting the other side of the check until it starts splitting down the other side.Rotate sides of the log to keep the stave as straight as possible.
It's the same process to take the log down to the size you need.Hickory was traditionally used for "flat bows",Yew for english half round long bows and osage or elm for self bows.Either way it'll be a great project! Wish I had time to build one! Good luck!

Wade

[Bret]

Thanks team. It won't be a fancy one. Just a simple one to shoot and take at least one deer with.

[clovis]

Every time I see the title of this thread, I keep thinking 'wedgies'.

Why would anyone start a thread about wedgies on a homesteading forum, I ask myself.

On a serious note, I've used an old lawn mower blade to split small logs. It is much harder to hold than a froe once it gets started in the wood, but if you are just looking for something cheap, it will get you started, and then use wedges to finish the split.

[Bret]

"At Homesteading Today, We Have Something for Everyone."

Thanks Clovis.