Cool video, it had a good old bend on it before giving way.
On the subject of 'band aids' I think it depends on the wood and the philosophy.
Ages a go I visited a private bow museum. It was a real eye opener, a lot of Victorian target bows, mostly Yew, they had tiny nocks and some had Yew backs on Yew bellies, many had belly patches.
What is the difference between a band aid, a belly patch, a back patch and a backed bow?
Is plugging a knot a band aid?
What about a crack across the belly? The bow will draw up fine even with a crack half way through! But it's prudent to patch it. I think the ability to make effective well thought out repairs is a vital part in the bowyer's armoury.
Not everyone has a huge stash of seasoned Osage to choose from! Sometimes you have to work with what you have, and that's the challenge.
It's also that trade off between the slightly obsessive compulsive that makes us take on those character staves, the desire to finish what we started tempered with wanting perfection. Bow making like life is a compromise, just 'cos something isn't perfect you don't just chuck it....else Mrs Cat would have ditched me long ago
I think each bow is unique, breaking one on purpose is fine, I'm all for experimenting and pushing the boundaries, but I also feel that experimenting with what a fix will acheive is also valid.
I had a long running debate with a respected bowyer as to whether a thin linnen binding soaked in glue did anything to support a chrysalled area. We remained in dissagreement, and that's part of the fun. I argued that next time he fractures his arm, he shouldn't bother with the plaster cast
Anyhow, I'm not trying to argue, but to maybe open up a discussion or a can of beer.
Cheers
Del
