I can't speak to how it would work in compression, but I wouldn't want to make a bow out of it just because of how hard it is to work with. I use it for a lot of tip overlays, and hate every minute of making them, but I do it because the wood is so beautiful when its fresh. I think tillering be a slow, difficult process scrapping the belly, but if it all holds together the bow would be stunning. And if it blows up, you would sure have a lot of overlays for the future.