I really like this HHB selfbow I just finished. I cut the tree, in the woods where I deer hunt, in January 2011, squared out the stave and let it sit for a year. In January 2012 I removed the bark, cut it down to rough bow dimensions and dry heated it into reflex. April 2012, tillered the bow, toasted the belly and had about 1" of reflex left. After shooting several hundred times, it still holds 1/2" of reflex at rest. Toasting made the limbs "feel" lighter and quicker. this bow throws an impressive arrow without handshock or vibration. No string silencers needed.