Even before I did the burnishing I've never had a bow lift a splinter. I know that sounds obsured. I've had bows come in underweight and I've had a couple explode. But making sure your back is baby butt smooth is an important step:)
I can't credit bnurnishing, but I haven't broken many bows, either. My first 20 or so all survived. But I sure made a LOT of kids' bows back then!
So, I'm late to the party, but as an old hat, I am both learning and noticing things on your build. A few comments ok?
Gopod to know ipe can be bent. I gave up pre-bending tropicals, but will try again.
I am NOT good at the thickness layout thing where you scribe the line. I have to use a caliper or homemade spanner for initial layout. Probably because I mostly work with lumpy sapling staves of small diameter. But, any tips?
And, also because of the 3" dia sapling thing, I usually just try to start with straight bark on a tree, and lay the bow out following the crown more than the grain. Any tips for following grain on a white, non-grainy wood like V-maple?
Burnishing helps. I learned to do it before tillering on some elm staves with pin knots and stick-ups, and it helps.
