Never used it for a bowl but I've got some small pieces for bowls and other projects and it is very heavy. A quick web search shows it has been used for fence posts and tool handle. Its growing structure is weak but it is listed as not prone to breaking except for at weak crotches. I would probably do a SG test and maybe bend a sliver to see how it breaks to see how it handles tension/compression. You might try it with a hickory or bamboo backing.
