thanks everybody! - right now i'm working on the finish of that bow and she's really going to be a beauty, i'll post some pictures later.
some of you guys warned me to be carefull with black walnut fretting easily; thanks for that, it made go be very carfull! - i can say i'm pleased with the results of all three bows, no frets at all! well, they are all 35#-only but also only 62" ntn for a 26" pull, and all shooters have been surprised with the bows so far. i guess the key is to make the hickory-backing very thin and tapered and - of course - go slow!
frank