Thanks! looks like I'll be finishing this one my self. Frank, decrowning means to flatten out the back of your bow when the crown is to high(to rounded across the back) in order to spread the tension out across more wood. For your A-list bow woods like Osage, hickory, locust, and oak to name a few, decrowning is not only unnecessary, but reducing potential efficiency. A high crown on those tension strong woods balances out the tension and compression forces at work in a full drawn bow. It also prevents overpowering the belly causing set and reduces mass. With tension weak woods like cherry, walnut, ERC and a few others, it is neccessary to spread the tension out over as much surface as possible or back with rawhide, sinew, silk or what have ya'. Otherwise, you have a tension failure (explosion).
With this one, most of the decrowning was pretty straight forward. I followed a growth ring down the center for the majority of it. You may have noticed the big knot in the upper limb. If I had simply followed the ring over it, I would have had major grain violation. Instead, you have to visualize how the longitudinal grain flows around the knot and follow it as close as possible. It is the same principal as chasing a ring except for the lack of early wood contrast to guide your draw knife. If you decide to try this practice on scrap pieces until you can train your eyes and hands to see and feel your way around the knot. With most woods, a quick swipe with a wet rag will show if you cut through the grain or not. In most cases, it would make more sense to simply back it with something, but for me, I like to push limits as far as I can. It absolutely tickles me to make a bow that never should have been.
As far as the heating grease into ERC goes, it works good. But don't do it if you plan on backing it. Nothing will stick to it once you've greased it up. I hope at least some of this made since. Sometimes I confuse myself. Thanks again, Josh
