Tri Lam Handle Help

[Dan Landis]

Had the handle pop off of my bamboo backed trilam.  I suspect that the handle was too thin, about 1" in the center, which allowed it to bend at the rest and eventually cracked the glue joint. The center lam was tapered hackberry with an 5/16" osage belly lam, and a walnut handle.  My question is:  If I make the handle deeper and use edge grain osage will that work, or are there other options?

[J. Holden]

Where did you start the fade into the limbs?  If the fade is started at the joint where the handle meets the limb I've heard they'll pop off.  If the fade starts after that joint, on the limb, it's supposed to be alright.

Maybe some one can attach a picture to give a better description.  Check out the red oak board bow build along in the how to section of Trad Gang.  You should find a picture of what I'm describing.

[Roy from Pa]

Handle should never bend in a trilam. I'm betting you had it bending too much into the end of the riser.

Pictures?

[Dan Landis]

The fades start 1-1/2 to 2" from the glue joint and taper slowly to the joint.  The reason I thought it might be from the handle being too thin is I also cut in a slight shelf, this made the width at that area less than 1" wide.