enough wood left?

[horsebackhunter]

Hey everybody, I'v got an elm stave that I might have moved too fast on. I cut it green the other day and am drying it in the basement now to about 4" of reflex. I decrowned it cause I read you could do that with elm. Its 2" wide 1" thick and72" long. I was thinking parallel limbs tapering down the last 4 or 5 inches to about a 1/2" or so. Any ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks

[takefive]

You have enough wood for even a very heavy draw weight bow at those dimensions.  Mine are in the 40-45# range and usually are around 5/8" to 1/2" thick at the end of the fades, depending on the type of wood.  If you want a rigid handle, you can glue a piece of wood on or build it up with thick leather.  I start my taper to the tips about mid limb.

[Pat B]

I don't know where you read that elm needs to be decrowned. I've been building wood bows for almost 30 years and never decrowned a stave. Also, after splitting and reducing any green stave it is a good idea to strap it to a form(2x4 or whatever) to prevent too much reflex. I would rather dry the wood flat and add the reflex I want later with heat.
  Elm is an excellent bow wood. For a 28" draw, 68" is plenty long enough and a 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" at the fades with a straight taper to the tips or go out 6" to 8"out from the handle before tapering to the tips.

[BowWright]

A high crown with elm actually works better because its so high in tensile strength.  Are you going for a rigid, or bendy handle?