Best osage cross section

[Axes bows n knives]

Hey guys I have been making bows for a while now what do you think is the best cross section on the belly of a bow for a white wood bow like elm or hackberry and more importantly what is the best cross section on the belly of a bow for an osage bow with about an inch and a half wide back? thanx for any replies

[Pat B]

All whitewoods should have a flat belly. They are weak in compression and the flat belly will help distribute the stresses throughout the working portion of the limb. Osage will work with a flat belly but I prefer a slightly rounded belly with osage. It can generally take the concentrations of stresses down the crown of the rounded belly.

[Axes bows n knives]

Thanks Pat that explains why my red elm broke lastnight I had a v crossection on it