Eastern Woodland (Cherokee) bow

[BowHunterGA]

So I started carving on a Dogwood Stave that I cut back in Late January or so. My goal being a Cherokee style, bend through the handle bow. I have been reading and researching this style some and had one question that I wanted to run by you all here and perhaps on another forum or two.

Most of the drawings I have seen (Traditional Bowyers Bible and online ) show the design to be a straight, bend through the handle bow. Nothing fancy at all really. However I have seen a few older drawings and paintings, one of which is in the Bowyers bible, that shows what appears to be a slight reflex in the limbs. So my question is, what have you seen in this style? My stave has a good bit of backset already. I am very excited about this bow.

On a side note. The wood is much tougher than I anticipated. This is going to be some work!! :-)

[PEARL DRUMS]

How much set back? How long of a bow are you thinking? Draw length and weight?

[BowHunterGA]

Looks like around 1-1 1/2" of back set. Stave is 76" long, will cut that back to around 70". Draw length is 28" and I am hoping for 55-60# but if this one comes in lighter that is fine.

[PEARL DRUMS]

At 1.5" you will likely end up with the tips behind the handle maybe 1". If you want to hold reflex Id heat temper it into 4" of reflex and go from there. The length sounds healthy for your draw and desired weight.

[Pat B]

I think if you heat tempered  it at 1 1/2" of back set you could come out flat or just under that.
With the leverage of the limbs it is not hard to get the handle bending too much. One trick I use when working bendy handle bows it to leave the center 1/3 of the bow a bit stiff until the end of the tillering process then bring the bend back into and/or through the handle. I like to feel the handle give a bit just as I hit full draw.
  The Cherokee use the 70" bows for war bows with weights up to 100#. Their hunting bows(35#-60#) were between 60" and 65".

[BowHunterGA]

Thanks guys, I thought about going shorter with this bow but since I am accustomed to longer hill style bows I figured the length would not seem cumbersome and would be beneficial regarding durability of the finished bow. Since this is my first attempt I figured perhaps better longer. I do plan a shorter version at some point though.

[Pat B]

Longer is less stress on the bow and easier to see good tiller, IMO. Looking forward to seeing your new bow when completed.