Paul,
I put the lower notch in the bottom limbs for a bow stringer. I do this to keep customers from breaking them while stringing as well as even limb strain during this process.
Lesken,
These bows are all hickory, two dark stained for hunting and the other has linen on the back. The two longer ones are 68" ttt, the 55lber is 66". Hope this clears things up.