OK, I think I've pretty much read everything there is to read regarding self-bowyery over the last 5 or 6 years, but I have yet to take the plunge.
I have a bit of a dilemma right now; I have 2 staves to start on & I don't know which of the 2 would be the most suitable.
Number 1 is a 69" Black locust. No knots, shakes, cracks, splits or weirdness other than it's not totally straight, OR
Number 2, a 72½" Hackberry. No knots or other faults & pretty much totally straight.
Both have good late to early growth, wide rings (the BL is 9 per inch, the Hackberry is 14 rings per inch)
As far as I understand it (although I've been wrong before) Hackberry is more forgiving to work, BL makes for a faster, more resilient bow.
My target weight & drawlength is 45# - 75# at 31"
I'm thinking a simple Pyramid style bow may be the easiest to begin with, but I'm totally open to advice on that!
I have zero experience at this, but I'm a pretty quick learner & way too ambitious!
What would y'all suggest?