I reflex my hickory staves to 2, 3 inch of reflex. Any more puts to much exture stress on limbs. Over 3 inchs will cause this and you can end up with string follow and to much set. With 2,3 I'll use'ly end up with around a inch or so reflex. Even down to a mid 50's bow. I use'lly keep it to 1 1/2 to 1 5/8 wide. Here's something helps out with set and string follow.
As you know hickory likes to pick relitive hummity. When I get to tillering when you start beening limbs. Each time I work on the bow clear through finishing tillering. I'll but the bow in a hot box for 15 or so min's. before I start beening the limbs. This will get rid of the surface moisture.
Don't put a seasoned stave ( bow ) in for hours. Leave it to long ( over 1/2 hour to long) it will make the thin limbs to brittle.
