from what i know boo is supposed to be pretty resilient, surprised to hear about it lifting a splinter, but then again thats whats so great about building bows, each one poses new challenges.45 @ 26 is still pretty good.i saw a rawhide patch done somewhere on a longbow that might help you get it to your full draw length too, but that would mean youd have to remove the artificial sinew and redo it.