First buildalong ever, silver maple selfbow

[hova]

i would put it on a 2x4 caul to straighten it out and maybe put a little more reflex there.

i have tried some test pieces of silver maple as we have 3 huge ones in the yard , and toasting the belly helped immensly with set. the wood may have been too wet or not seasoned , but it held up fine as long as you dont pull it too far. splinters came up on the edges a lot for me , but i was just using some straight 1/2" sticks about 3' long , just a crude test of the wood since we have so much of it.

and yeah , follow the grain or back it.

-hov

[Pat B]

I agree with George about not having a straight center line on a not so straight stave. You should follow the grain with a selfbow layout even if you are planning to sinew it. For maximum durability there are certain rules you adhear to when building selfbows and next to getting a good clean back ring, following the grain(s) is way up there.

[JJB]

Very interesting, nice buildalong.