HBI layout advice?

[kevinsmith5]

I've done the preliminary glue up on a second Hickory Backed Ipe blank. Right now it is 72" long, the limbs are 5/8" total, 1/8" of which is the hickory backing. The width of the Ipe is 1 1/4", I overdosed the backing by 1/4" because of a slight bow in the Ipe. It has 3/4" of reflex glued in right now. The riser is 9 1/2" long and tapers up to 1 7/8" over 2 1/2". Before I start cutting the limb profile I thought I might seek the advice of someone who had successfully made an HBI, since my last attempt ended in a rather spectacular failure during tillering. I really don't ha e a specific draw weight in mind at this point, but I do have either a 28" (to the cheek) or 30" (to the ear) draw.

[lesken2011]

I have only made a couple of successful backed ipe bows. One hickory and one white oak back. Both were a slight bend in the handle design. I made one 66" and one 60" for my 27" draw and both had a pyramid taper from the end of the hand fade. With a stiff handle and 28 to 30 in draw I would leave it at least 68". If you have limited tillering skills and want the option of piking the bow if it is too light, I would probably leave it at 70" or so. Just my 2 cents.

[Marc St Louis]

The handle will most likely give you grief. 

[adb]

Ipe excels at being narrow. I like making narrow ELB type profiles with ipe. Last one I did was 72" long, 1 1/8" wide at the grip, tapering to 1/2" tips. Round tiller.