Jax this thread got out of hand from the start. After a few pages of replies it doesn't all get read and people jump to conclusions having not followed the entire thread. It was never about ERC's ability to make a bow in general. It was about an overbuilt unbacked piece blowing up into 8-9 pieces at 22", including shearing the handle in half. Go ahead an make one. Make it 1.25-.50 wide with a "D" cross section and very, very long with either rawhide or silk on it. Im sure it will make a bow that way, most often. Just don't build a self bow and expect it to last long, some will, most wont.