Hi everyone, this is my first post on the site and I have some questions regarding bow making.
So I recently cut my first stave, It's either some sort of elm, or hop-hornbeam, the bark is loose and is in narrow strips. It's rings seem really small. I split it and started chasing a ring, which I was told after, was a bad idea for such a wood. I chased a ring along the entire half stave, so should I see how it ends up, or what?
So my first question is, for HHB or elm do I chase a ring?
I am around 5'11 maybe 6ft so how long should my bow end up being? The stave is around the 7ft mark.
If needed how do I "back a bow" and what materials should I use?
Thanks to who ever has answers, bow making is a really interesting hobby for me, I'm 16 and want to start my hobby off right!
![Smiley :)](http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/Smileys/default/smiley.gif)
If anyone has anything else to recommend I'm happy to take any sort of advice!
Thanks again, Brent.