No need to wrap the leading edge. Like Gordon says burnish or smooth down the leading part of the quill! When I started shooting selfbows in 1988, Gary Davis told me about this technique. Works great. As far a a shelf, use a piece of wood or heavy sole leather and shape or trim, and wrap over with whatever you prefer. If you've every seen or shot any of Gary's bows, you will see he doubles over the leather at the shelf.
Smokeu, how's that Black Locust bow shootin? Good shootin, Steve