Reflexed Ocean Spray

[Badger]

  Pappy explained it very well. It is hard to pull that shape off on any kind of bow if you don't get the bend just right. The string tension longwise is huge and will break the string as soon as you brace it if not overbuilt from what you are used to. If the string doesn't break it will want to bend sideways and flip over. You really have to get the bend just right and don't even think about starting with a low brace height. You will likely need at least 7". The good news is that if you pull it off it will shoot like a rocket.

[Doug509]

Thanks everyone for guidance and suggestions.  I put a long string on and pulled it to brace heigth.  I have some string alignment issues to deal with before i go any further.

Last winter I found 3 nice unbranched ocean spray growing in shaded north facing slopes in eastern cascades.  I believe being in shade they reach for light and stay kind of straight and unbranched.  This one didnt check or split like most do.  It also has a perfectly swollen knuckle 30 x 40 mm in the middle.  Makes a perfect handle.  Hope I dont mess this one up.

[willie]

Last winter I found 3 nice unbranched ocean spray growing in shaded north facing slopes in eastern cascades.  I believe being in shade they reach for light and stay kind of straight and unbranched.  This one didnt check or split like most do.  It also has a perfectly swollen knuckle 30 x 40 mm in the middle.  Makes a perfect handle.  Hope I dont mess this one up.

Do your staves dry into more reflex than as found when on the stump?
Maybe you could strap them to a 2x caul when green and "train" them as they dry.

[superdav95]

You nailed it with the profile.  Looks great.  Follow pappys advise and it’s be fine.  Lookin good so far. 

[bentstick54]

Really liking what you’ve done with it so far. Hoping things go smoothly from this point on. Will definitely be following.

[Doug509]

Willie I dont notice a change in reflex as the staves dry out
  I do like your suggestion of strapping to a board or caul. 

I managed to use heat on lower limb to achieve decent string alingment.  Put on a long string and exercized a bit to 30 lbs.  I think the profile looks decent. 

Should my next step be to remove wood from the end of the limbs to flatten out the bend at brace height?  Or should I make string knocks and move to a real bow string?  It's currently 74" OAL

[Robert Pougnier]

This is looking really great! I've never made a true R/D bow so not sure what the desired finished profile is but it looks like nocks and a real string? It's coming out super sweet so far though!

[Pappy]

I would cut to length, cut nocks and get to low brace, it stresses differently when on a long string. Looking good so far. Pappy

[Doug509]

I put knocks in and had quite a bit of difficulty with string alignment with such a long narrow bow.  Finally aligned and put on the tiller tree for some exercise.  Its currently 72" NTN.  At 28" draw its only pulling 27 lbs.  If I reduce length to 66" shouldn't that increase draw weight to about 45 lbs? 

[Pappy]

Not prefect but usually they will pick up 2 to 3 lbs per inch taken off, so will probably pick up 12 to 15 lbs maybe a little more. 
 Pappy

[Doug509]

Pappy thanks for your insight and encouragement. I removed the spongy center pith handle to tip reducing the draw weight a bit more.  Then shortened limbs to 64" NTN.  Final draw wt is 42# at 28".  Tiller isnt perfect but Im calling it done.  Ill do some light sanding, leave the bark on and seal with tru oil.  I will say ocean spray has amazing flexibility.  Ill be looking for more staves this winter.  A 1.5" diameter tree would be perfect.  I have some shafts harvested ready to make arrows.