I have some highly figured wood that's either osage or mulberry, and I am uncertain it can make a self bow due to the figuring. I am going to try however with one piece. I have other pieces that would make good belly laminates with a bamboo backing. Because of how the figuring shows up 1000xs better with a chased ring, vs on a cut belly, I am considering chasing a ring on two pieces, splicing them to make one, then tillering normally out to say, 20 inches. Then I will flip them over, making the chased ring the belly, and the flat part the glue surface for a pre tillered and tapered bamboo backing. Now, instead of seeing all the rings on the belly of a bow, you will see only the chased ring with all the beautiful tigers eye figuring in it.
Whatchall think?