working on a hickory stave, and was wondering what the general consensus is about knots in the area of the handle.logic tells me that i should ideally treat them as i would in a working portion of the limb, leaving enough material so they dont become weak points. is this right or would it be safe to work the wood around them down to the dimensions they should be since that area is thicker and not working? the bow im building is based on the eastern woodlands style, and will bend slightly into the handle on full draw. if i leave the knot im looking at about 1/2" or more thickness in the center of my handle.
