If you're only going to make a light bow why not bandsaw off the belly inch and make a backed bow with that piece?
Not a bad idea. But it seldom pays to get to greedy with a stave... you wind up ruining the stave. Or at least I do. :embarassed:
My plan is to proceed as planned while keeping an eye on it. If it presents a problem, I'll back it with rawhide, or wrap the ends of that area with nylon serving thread and epoxy. I'd be more inclined to a wrap than back the bow.