Tillering Question

[Oldvol]

Working on a 66” hickory asymmetrical self bow. As I have removed wood from the belly some discolored areas have surfaced in the top limb. Don’t know what they are. Will this affect the tillering? The bow is 17/8” wide and has some natural reflex in the top limb. I hope to fire harden the bow and put reflex in the bottom limb before tillering. I am concerned about the discolored spots.

[Pat B]

What's the source of your wood? Discoloration could be a sign of fungus infection.

[Oldvol]

Wood stave cut from a tree about a year ago.

[Pat B]

Was the tree live standing?
 I think I'd make both limbs the same using heat and a form.

[Oldvol]

Tree was alive and standing. I tried to make the bottom limb match the top by steaming over a form. It worked for a short time but has gradually lost about 90%. I intend to try again by fire hardening.

[Pat B]

Try it with dry heat and temper it at the same time. Take to a dark brown color and let it stay on the form overnight.

[Oldvol]

Will do. Thanks