I've made kids bows from HHB branches that were no wider than 3/4". Most of them pulled between 10-20lbs @ 20". That was HHB which has a bit more kick than ash, but they were also all quite short, the longest being around 50" long I think. They were all bend through the handle bows.
Pat, I think he meant that it was dead straight, as in very very straight, not dead and straight.