Yea Pat,Nothing wrong with sapwood.I like the contrasp it gives a bow. I have several more staves such as this that are waiting,(they whisper at me everytime I walk by them)
Knocker, I used liquid hide glue on this one.I thinned the (dried )skins some on a belt sander,and then gave them a good soak in warm water,before I applied them. Didn't wrap the bow, just babysit them until they set. hardest thing I found was trying to trim the access skins off! Very tough! I just got them cut close and then filed the edges after dry. I use T-bird finish.
I didn't notice any tiller change, but these skins definatetly have backing strength properties. Reminded me of catfish, and paddlefish skins in that respect.
Again thanks all for the good words,makes a fella feel warm coming from you guys.