im not really sure what caused it, but might just have been bad wood. some very dark spots in the heartwood that im not sure were normal. as far as whether i always have a bow underway, i try to, just for sake of keeping myself busy when i have some free time, but i sometimes only have the design figured out then when i can i get the wood and start from there. usually id cut off the handle, then finish it as if it suceeded, and hang it with my other ones, however im using whats useable off this one for various other projects i have(not bows of course).