Tiller question...

[Jakesnyder]

I came across this picture and was curious about the tiller on these bows. Out toward the tips seem to be bending more than how I would tiller a d bow. Are they maybe deflexed there a li little?

[Jakesnyder]

This is how I thought a good d bow tiller should look like.

[gutpile]

whip tilled bows are quieter and more forgiving... speed is less.. but easier to shoot ... at least I have found that to be true....gut

[George Tsoukalas]

I have seen that photo before. I think the reason is the bows were made from willow which is a terrible bow wood  and the Native Americans determined that was the best tiller for them.
Jawge

[lleroy]

could they be reverse-strung?
with recurves, I have seen that the string is just long enough to string the bow "backward" without putting stress on the bow:
we hang the bows on the wall like that in the archery club.

[PatM]

  "Decurved"  tip selfbows were common in dry regions with poorer bow wood.  There is also the benefit of the bow being  capable of being strung all the time.  The bows are probably shaped that way, not tillered.

 Those Mojave bows pictured were said to be made of Willow but the willow  mentioned is likely not actually a true willow.

[Jakesnyder]

So is whip tiller the picture of the tiller I would think of as a d bow tiller or the Mojave bows?

[PatM]

Whip tiller is a bow that bends more in the tips  from bracing and drawing.   It's not even what you are thinking of as a typical D bow tiller. 
  Those Mojave bows are shaped that way and probably relatively static in that tip  shape while drawn.