Paul Stahl's bow - Page 4 this month - hole in the limb

[uscg4good]

I'm still only working on my first Osage stave, but I would love to make a bow similar to this one someday.  I am curious, how does the limb not fail with that hole in it? 

[Pat B]

The wood around these knots and knot holes is thicker than the other wood in the stave and this, along with the grain continuing around the knot, gives it the strength to not fail. You should give the area around these maladies a bit more meat  for a little more insurance.

[uscg4good]

Thanks