I usually billet and the reason I started doing it was because I read in many posts that the wood on each limb will more closely match. It is true. It is significantly easier for me to tiller out a billeted bow than a full length stave . Sometimes the grain is actually bookmatched (mirrored) and looks totally beautiful when completed. I am always a bit hesitant internally of a failure in the splice, but as of yet, that has never once happened. I don't even bind the splice. Even a simple V-splice, when long enough and glued well is more than sufficient to work as a splice on a higher poundage bow. Plus, if you are into collecting your own wood from the forest, you have SO many more options for finding and utilizing wood. My suggestion to every archer is: Learn to billet. It can even be done with hand-tools if you practice a bit (that's how it was done for ages anyway before the advent of the bandsaw).
