Too much character for reflex/recurve?

[Jon_W]

Is there "too much character" in a bow for it to take reflexed tips? I am working on an HHB bow that has a large knot and a crook on the same limb. I don't have a good picture of it right now but am wondering if reflex will put too much stress on a weirdly shaped limb?

[Pat B]

If you do your part tillering there shouldn't be any problem with the knot and crook.

[Del the cat]

Depends if you are willing to risk all your work going BANG!
It's as simple as that.
Del

[Jon_W]

Thanks guys, I have the bow out to 10" at 55lbs so I have a lot of work to do before I reflex it. Del, I am definitely a little worried about that! But I am looking for a mild reflex in the tip for that little extra zip and a smoother draw. I'll probably risk it if the bow has been holding up fine when I get it pulled farther.

[Onebowonder]

I generally have found that most anything I’ve done to a bow limb that has extra character runs a risk of creating a compromise.  What I would have to check would be how the limb will be stressed when drawn.  By that I mean, what vector plane(s) will be stressed on the wonky limb during the draw.  If there’s going to be a lot of torsion type stress that would make me nervous.  ...but if the limbs will move in a single plane as the bow is drawn it’s not as concerning.

OneBow

[Jon_W]

If some propeller twist was taken out and the bow seemed to be bending along a single plane, that should help then?

[Pat B]

Any corrections will help.

[Marc St Louis]

If the stave has quite a bit of character then it's best not to introduce a substantial amount of reflex of recurve....keep it mild

[bownarra]

Yes you've got to realize that character bows are always a compromise. They carry more limb wood to do the same job as clean wood.

[Selfbowman]

Pic???

[Jon_W]

Sorry, I don't have a pic of it right now, it's up north where I can work on it. Next time I do work on it I'll snap some more pictures.

[Jon_W]

Alright, here is my bow I am working on.

HHB
68" ntn
looking for 55-60# @ 30"
2" at fades and tapers down where I thought it could
Bottom limb is the one with a lot of character

Any thoughts on putting general backset in the bow while heat treating the belly or doing a mild reflex in the tips? 

[bambule]

Hmm, for me 68“ would be to short for reliable 30“ draw - even with that drawweight…

Greetz
Cord

[bownarra]

Yes it is a bit short for a 30" draw. Make it work into the fades a little (fine line stuff but it will help get the drawlength). I wouldn't recurve the tips due to the tips and handle not lining up. It will still make a flatbow though, you could mildly flip the tips but I wouldn't. A heat treat and reflex the whole limb, maybe only an inch or so. Remember fresh low set wood will give you a fast bow. Adding reflex etc makes that goal harder and you can end up chasing your tail. Keep it simple to start with

[HH~]

Looks good. Question is Why?

HH~