You know that is true Pappy, take two staves that look to be identical in most ways and one might just have all the right stuff to become a sweet bending stick and the other may just be mediocre. You can't always tell until after you make a bow out of it.
Your'e right about a d/r design shooting smooth Aaron, if done well they are like silk.
I"m not sure what that target material is Bill. Excelsior maybe? Those pics were at a state park not far from home.
Not my first stiff handled bow Bub but first I've made for myself in a while. I may just stay here on the dark though.
Thanks again for the kind comments guys.