Rookie Mistake

[clemson2fan]

First bow break. This is my third red oak long bow. Was tillering the bow working my way down, taking little bit off at a time. After taking some wood off I was exercising the limbs. I was pulling the tillering string to about 18" and then I heard one brief cracking sound then pop I had two pieces.

I don't know if it was something I did or if the wood was bad. When looking at the end of the board in the store it was much more late growth than early growth, however, where it broke it was very porous.

Here's the link to the album. I left the pictures large so the break would be easier to view.

   Photos

[Pat B]

Looks like it broke straight across the grain. I'd say bad wood.