Gentleman,
I am working on a hickory stave that has stumped me somewhat. It's got one limb that is reflexed about 1.5 inches or maybe a little more and the other limb is board flat. The specs are as follows, 72 in tpt, 1 3/4 wide at fades to midlimb tapering to a heavy 3/8 tip at the tips. I roughed out 5/8 thick at fades tapering 1/32 every 4 inches (limb divided in 8 equal sections along length) to 3/8 thick at tips. Thickness has been reduced some but has remained consistent. I have it braced now at 3 inces and pulling it to about 35 lbs (can't remember draw lenght right now).
On my tillering board the reflexed limb sits at rest about 1 1/2 higher than the flat limb but when working the bow the reflexed limb moves about 1/4 inch more at the tips than the flat. I have cut the reflexed limb a little thinner than the flat limb and judging by the tip movement when working the bow I assume it is actually weaker than the flat limb dispite the crazy look when braced.
My question is how should I deal with this phenomenon? I've thought of a few options. I'll list what I've considered.
1 Heat the reflexed limb up and flatten it out.
2 build a caul and reflex both limbs to match.
I am really not wanting to go to all that trouble though.
3 Tiller it on out, watching the taper closely and making sure both limbs are similar in strenght with the reflexed limb just a shade weaker and use for the top limb. Although this option may make for a lopsided braced profile.
4 Tiller it out making both limbs equal strength and use the reflexed limb as the bottom limb.
What is your folks opinions? I'll post some pics if necessary but I think this is pretty well explained. I've checked TBB, all 4 volumes and The Bent Stick. Comstock recommends flattening out the reflexed limb.
Thanks,
JY
Pics added in subsequent replies.
