4" natural reflex. Should I deflex it first?

[Hojo]

Hello all.  I've been building bows for a little over a year now and have benefited much from reading your posts.  I'm in need of some specific help now:

I have an osage stave that has 4" of natural reflex and I'm wondering if I should deflex it a little in the handle or go for it as it is.  Would like to hear your opinions on the matter.  The stave is 63" tip to tip and about 1 5/8" wide.  It has a couple of knots in the handle area and that is adding to my uncertainty about whether to deflex it or not.

Pics of the stave and the handle area follow.  I also added a pic of my bow rack with some of my bows as well as a pic of my three boys with their bows.  

This is my first time posting pics, so I will apologize in advance for any snafus.

Thanks, Howard

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[knightd]

The rings look good at the handle.. I would go for it just the way it is.. .. If you dont want to I will trade you one that has already got the deflex..

[FlintWalker]

Nothing wrong with deflexing it a bit, but I'd leave it like it is and tiller it. Of course, I like my finished bows to hold at least a couple inches of reflex.

[Ryano]

If it were me I'd go for it the way it is....I'm like Shannon though, I don't like bows that follow the string.

[Okie]

I'm with the pro's... go for it as is. Looks like you've been busy the past year. Lots of nice bows on that rack.

[Hojo]

Looks as though we have a consensus.  Thanks for the input, guys.  I will give it a go as is.

knightd--I'd take you up on your offer, but, as a rookie, I already possess a couple of nicely deflexed bows!

Howard