Really, I never owned a bow till I started making bows. You all are a great help, without all the info and insight I wouldn't know what is right or wrong when it comes to bows. My one arrow broke the day I got it so I still can't shoot the dang things. I suspect they work just like bows should work.
But, here's the deal. I work with wood all day every day. I saw and carve and bend and scrape full time, just not on bows. I am a full time, working violinmaker, so I have all the tools and benches and lighting and dustpans I need to do this work. It is a relief to build something out of one piece of wood. Violins are comprised of up to 72 individual pieces, fitted and matched and scraped and tuned, etc. So, bowmaking is a kick!
I have pics of the finished bow and handle close ups etc. I'll get them up later.
thanks, Piper