I reduced a recurve for a my wife once, a few pounds by sanding the belly glass, and a few pounds more by tapering the limbs more. she has a short draw so stacking was not an issue. I sold to one friend and another hunting buddy bought it from him on a garage sale, he told me about this great bow he picked up and how great it shot. I told him that it was not really 50 pounds like the said because I trimmed it, he does not quite believe me and still calls it his 50 pounder. I would suggest writing the real weight under the new finish.