I've got this thin belly split that I chased a ring on tonight. I'm not sure which way I want to go with it. It will have to bend in the handle. The total length is 71". The straight end is 52" to the line drawn on the swoop. Its around 3/4" thick for most of the way. Its about 2" wide except for that shaded area about halfway down the straight part. There is a crack there and it will have to be removed. It will leave a width of 1.5"there. The back is very flat and there are a few spots where it is slightly concave.
Here are a few ideas that I've tossed around.
1. Cut it to the mark at 52" and make an unbacked D-bow
2. Cut it to 52" or slightly less and sinew back it.
3. Make it longer and leave the swoop in it. (least favorite)
If I cut it to 52" I could narrow the grip area and have it centered on the damaged spot so I could still get 2" wide limbs if I wanted to. I could make kind of a paddle shape bow. Or I could make it narrow the entire length. I just can't decide which way to go. I'm open for suggestions.