layout question: knot or twist?

[jeffp51]

How would you lay out this stave?  If I start all the way at one end, I would place the knot pictured in the final 10 inches of one limb--but have to deal with the reflex and 45+ degrees of twist at the end.

On the other hand, if I cut the stave below the reflex, I have a relatively straight stave with a knot about 10 inches from the handle section.

On the other other hand, I could cut off the final 6 inches or so, use the natural reflex as the recurve in one limb and bend the other to match, and have a knot right about mid-limb, and an the need to remove some twist.

The wood is elm, by the way.  Please share your opinions.

[SLIMBOB]

Don't know the length, but leave it long and heat straighten.  That knot 10 inches from the tip is less of a concern than 10 inches from the handle.

[crooketarrow]

  I cut that stwist off the knots not a problem.

  Unless you have a problem makeing shorted bows.
  That stwist will come out in elm. Use dry heat. But go slowwwwwwww bending and tillering so you won't get checks.

[George Tsoukalas]

If you cut off the twist how long will the stave be? Jawge

[jeffp51]

Now I have two opposing opinions--both of which I have thought at one time or another.    Anyone else care to chime in? If I cut off the twist, I can still get 70 inches if I wanted.  I was aiming for about 66-68 with a stiff handle.

[SLIMBOB]

No one right answer. If it were me, I would want the knot where it would be under the least stress and less likely to cause problems. Closer to the tip will do that. 70 inches is a lot to work with, so cutting the twist off is an option, but you just need to consider where it places the knot if you do so. Every move is a trade off in some way.

[alwayslookin]

Can't tell for sure but it looks like you have a knot on the edge near the twist. I would be worried about a knot on the edge than the middle. Like I Said I Could Be Seeing it Wrong though.

[jeffp51]

There is a knot there too, but between thinning and narrowing, I am pretty sure that one will be gone before I am done.  For what it is worth, I have 58 inches shy of the big knot--I could also do a short bendy handle bow and avoid the knot altogether--but I would have to deal with the twist and bend.

[alwayslookin]

As long as you leave the area around the knot a little wider the knot shouldn't be a issue. Imo  I'm still a newb  but that's my take on it

[jeffp51]

George, what do you think?  I have gone back and forth several times in the last couple of days.  What is the best place in a limb for a knot like this?  I am nervous because my last stave with a knot blew up in spectacular fashion.