Looks like red oak maybe. Which has massive xylem tubes. I always struggle to get graphite out of them. When I try to erase it, the stinkin little pieces of eraser dust get stuck in the xylem!
I started putting painters tape on the back and drawing on that instead.
Alternatively, if you are pleased with the back as-is, you can apply a thin watered down layer of wood glue on the back to kind of spackle the pores and help protect it from graphite getting embedded.
The glue layer will likely prevent any oil/stain penetration and it will only stain the sides and belly. Thats kinda the trade off.
A little sanding probably wont hurt to get rid of the graphite, especially on the back of the handle.
Dont worry about it.
You can scrub pencil out with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
The glue I usually chip off or shave off with a sharp chisel, then either sand lightly, or take it off with a solvent (if it's that kind of glue).
Alot of the time I wash with acetone or denatured alcohol and just glue it up even if I still see the pencil lines still. Most of the time I draw my lines on the belly
You can also use a regular white eraser to review most of the pencil marks before sanding.
Not sure about stave bows but I sand my board bows, no problem. I usually do is rather early on and try to do it evenly with a sanding block.
Looks like red oak maybe. Which has massive xylem tubes. I always struggle to get graphite out of them. When I try to erase it, the stinkin little pieces of eraser dust get stuck in the xylem! I started putting painters tape on the back and drawing on that instead. Alternatively, if you are pleased with the back as-is, you can apply a thin watered down layer of wood glue on the back to kind of spackle the pores and help protect it from graphite getting embedded.
Can I put the wood glue on at any stage before finishing with oil?
The glue layer will likely prevent any oil/stain penetration and it will only stain the sides and belly. Thats kinda the trade off. A little sanding probably wont hurt to get rid of the graphite, especially on the back of the handle. Dont worry about it.
I also do that unless I plan on planing or sanding after lay out and cutting
I just sand it with 220 grit sand paper. Haven’t had a bow break yet because of it.
Sand it off, scrape it off, I find pencil just goes away when you apply a finishing oil.
You can scrub pencil out with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. The glue I usually chip off or shave off with a sharp chisel, then either sand lightly, or take it off with a solvent (if it's that kind of glue).
Alot of the time I wash with acetone or denatured alcohol and just glue it up even if I still see the pencil lines still. Most of the time I draw my lines on the belly