Too Much Reflex?

[Huntrdfk]

I have been working on and off on this hickory stave for the last month or so, a little here and there. It had a significant amount  of reflex in both limbs when I started, but one limb was out of alignment so I heat straightened it, which took some of the reflex out of that limb. Now what will be the top limb has more reflex that the bottom. My question is, do I reduce reflex in the top limb to match the bottom, common sense tells me yes.....but I'd like the opinin of the experts that are here.  Here is a pic of the stave, the top limb is on the left.

 

Thanks,

David

[Pat B]

If you have a form clamp the handle to the form and start out one limb heating and clamping as you go then do the other limb. When the whole thing is clamped go along the whole belly with the heat gun getting it good and hot then let it sit over night before removing it from the form. This should even up the reflex.

[Bowjunkie]

I would not. I would just make the bow. BUT, how I would advise YOU would depend on your tillering/timing knowledge, experience, and techniques.

If you expect to be near certain results and effects after tillering to predetermined brace height measurements... i.e. 1/8" positive tiller, then yes, I would advise you to heat and bend one of the limbs to match the other in side profile. (Not preferred).

If instead you hold the bow in the tree the way it will be held when shot, tiller the bow with limb timing as your guide and goal throughout the process, and let the brace height measurements be whatever they be, purely a result, then there is no reason to change the side profile. (Preferred)

Actually, the latter is the method of tillering I prefer regardless of whether the side profile of the limbs match or not.