I tried an American elm project 4 years ago, one of my first recurve attempts. Steamed and bent pretty unmethodically by pushing against the floor. Most pulled out, particulary on what is now the upper limb. Tree cut in 2003. I dry heat treated for some reflex over an open fire then, but I didn't know what I was doing and it didn't amount to much. Tips were broad and the grip was ill-contoured. Still it shot pretty nicely. 63" ntn, 52# at 27", took moderate deflex. This was posted "here" in summer of 2004.
So, for a week-end project I heated some of the deflex out of the outer part of the limbs and dry heated more curve into the end of what is now the upper limb (formerly the lower). Slimmed the tips, overlaid with brown osage, shaped up the handle and added black horn arrow pass guard. Touched up with some stain and urethane. Brought it up to 58# at 27". A sweety. This may be too limited a reworking for the bow to be in the BOM contest. I'm not concerned.
Dave
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