I also want to make a nylon cable backed bamboo bow. If I can ever manage to get that bamboo shipped...
I saw this:
http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/19738I really think this could be done without the fancy Bhutanese bamboo if you cable back it, which is what I'm planning to do. Could probably do a weaker one with regular thinner bamboo and no cable backing.
Reverse brace, then cable back?
I didn't think of fitting the "belly" to the "back" in the handle area being an issue... or if it matters which is the 'forward' piece. more forward being more towards the back of the bow, right? I see both top and bottom limb being forward in pictures. Maybe it'd be better to have the bottom limb go forward so as to make it easier for the top limb to 'bend' more? Maybe it doesn't matter.