my build along with loefflerchuck (finished)

[Tyke]

hope this is better

[loefflerchuck]

Thats better.

[Tyke]

so I hope this is salvageable but when I woke up this morning there was a crack on the belly about 8 inches long doesn't look too deep though

[loefflerchuck]

Thats why we have sinew and rawhide. when moisture excapes too fast from a stave this can happen. That is why I mentioned shellac on the steamed part. I only use it on the back though and your crack is on the belly. Putting the steamed stave in a cool humid place for a bit after bending keeps this from happening. I have a sinew backed bow with a crack running up 22" of a limb. Still shoots 3 years later. Maybe start by just reflexing the handle. After heating have one tip on the ground and hold the other. With your other gloved hand push the center into a reflex. If the crack gets bigger stop and it will just be a recurve later. Pretty advanced shape for one of your first bows but lots of good lessons here

[Tyke]

so when I got home to take a look at it the crack wasn't that bad so I put superglue on it and when it dried I tillered it down a little bit more here's what it looks like after failed steaming

[Tyke]

Back,belly and crack

[Tyke]

Im only using one of my homemade cabinet scrapers til im done with bends and final tiller

[loefflerchuck]

I think you should go with a more mellow 5 curve bend. I would not attempt as much bend as you have in that form unless I just cut down the tree last week

[Tyke]

Small bend in handle deflex in limbs will do tips next

[loefflerchuck]

Looking good! I like the shape. Ya, put some recurve in the tips. When they are heated enough you can feel they want to bend. If it feels like they don't want to bend heat them more. I would at least wrap the crack with sinew or rawhide

[Tyke]

Time for the finish tiller i really like its profile

[loefflerchuck]

I like that shape

[Tyke]

Tillered out at 45#@24

[Tyke]

I did pull it to 27" but only plan on shooting it at 24"

[loefflerchuck]

Wow! Nice bend. I can't even tell where the knot is.