I got this stave from the Tenn. Classic 2 years ago. Maybe from Clint but I don't remember. I removed the bark and sapwood a few weeks ago but was waiting for new bandsaw blades before I proceeded. The blades came in a few days ago so I started reducing the stave to look like a bow.
Here are a few end grain pics first...
here the stave has been reduced to 2" wide. You will see some prop twist. I may try to build the bow without heat correction but I'll just have to see.
this is what I use to mark out the center line. It is similar to a Gizmo with some changes. The dowels ride along the sides of the stave.
I cock the tool one way and draw the line...
then cock it the other way and draw the line. Where the line doubles I split the difference. This does a pretty good job of determining the center line.