bend in handle tillering question

[jturkey]

never attempteed a bend in handle bow. how do you go about the tillering process is it limbs and then the handle or is it more to that i do not want the limbs to over power the handle i guess something new kind of worrys me. so let me nkow what i need to watch out for will post pictures it will be a 55" t2t osage with a little reflex already in the stave been dried for 3 yrs now with the sap wood still on but in very good condition. roughed into a pyramid style bow.

[Pat B]

Most of the leverage forces on a drawn bow are at the fades and handle area. You want to get your limbs bending then work them back into the fades and handle. When I build one I like to feel the handle give right at full draw.
  For an Eastern Woodland style bow I start with 1" thick at the handle and taper to the tips. As I tiller the limbs and get good even bending I work beck towards the fades with the bending. The limbs will taper in width and in thickness.

[toomanyknots]

I agree with pat. It's really easy to take off too much at the handle and instead of a bend in the handle bow you get a break in the handle bow. You should get the limbs bending and then, very carefully, take a little of the handle area and exercise very good before you take off anymore.

[George Tsoukalas]

Start with the leaving the handle about an inch and 1.5 in wide. Later you may be able to narrow the handle to 1 3/8  in wide. I always tiller handle to nocks. There are buildalongs on my site. Jawge