To shave a node or not to shave ...?

[Kenboy]

I want to put a mahogany and walnut (or maybe phenolic) overlay on a 72" r/d osage belly, bamboo backed longbow. The overlay will be the width of the riser and run roughly 10", from fade-tip to fade-tip. The problem is that there is a node on the bamboo backing almost in the middle of the bow, just in the middle of where I want to put the overlay. (Coincidentally, there's also a node about 1" from one of the tips, where I'll also be putting an overlay for the nocks.)

I know that sanding down a node on a bamboo backing is taboo. My question is whether I would weaken anything by flattening the node where I intend to glue on the overlay(s)? The bow won't be bending at the riser, and I figure the entire area will be reinforced by the handle below and the overlay above, so my best guess is, what the heck. I figure that it will be fine to sand down the other troublesome node near the bow tip with veneers of ipe, mahogany and phenolic for the nocks covering the flattened node. I'm more worried about the node over the riser.

I considered carving a groove on the bottom part of the overlay to account for the node, but it would make the glue line look funky and the node, of course, isn't perfectly straight so the tolerances would be tricky. I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thanks

[7 Lakes]

If you flatten the bamboo all the way to the edge it will be removed.  I have a cabinet scraper that is slightly concave on one end and the same convex on the other.  It's some trouble to scrape the under side of the overlay but the fit is worth it.  PM me if you need one.

[macbow]

I would not have a problem with removing the node in the riser area. Like Mike says to get it flat enough to put a phenolic overlay you would have to remove most of the bamboo to get it flat. by using the curved scraper on the overlay you might match the rounded portion to glue on the back.

I have a bamboo backed Osage right now that had a splice in the handle area that the glue joint failed. I cut the bamboo out to get to the splice. filled it in with osage and glue. then flattened the edges of the bamboo on each end of the spliced area. and have added two layers of overlay to fix the area. There is still a little flex in this part of the handle(the original problem) so I'm wrapping with thread and glue to keep it from flexing enough to pop the glue joints. Won't know if I saved it till everything is dry.
Ron