GREEN WOOD,STEAM
SEASONED WOOD, DRY HEAT
You can do it if you really go slow but don't over heat.
You steamed the seasoned wood. The cracks started because of over heated the moisted had to go some where and it did were you over heated,steamed.
Heres the only way I build selfbow recurves. MY WAY TAKES A FEW YEARS.
At one time I was into RECURVES. Probley built 10 osage recurves.
When the stave is green I ruff it down to bow fourm. I steam been the curevs past where I need. TIE THE CUVES DOWN LET SEASON A FEW YEARS.
After it's seasoned I'll pick it up one day when the timeing right. I build it onto more bow fourm. And dry heat the limbs if needed,tiller as needed.
I have 2 friends that use to made some SWEETTTTTTTTTTT BOW'S. Each killed elk bulls with there bows.