Critical input welcomed!

[DarkSoul]

That was one tough project for a "first bow". Even tough for an advanced bowyer. I'm not surprised it broke in the fade. Others have expressed their concerns about the handle fades, and for good reason. I'm sorry your bow broke, but I think you've learned a lot from it!

Start a new bow, a more simple one. Get the basics of shaping and tillering first, before you consider a difficult design such as a Holmegard or Mollegabet (as this one is called). Just a simple flatbow.

[Knoll]

This was not actually the first.  It was the 3rd.

I had beginners luck on the first.  It was a mollegabet too.  Made from a PINE board with fibreglass drywall tape as backing.  I was incredibly lucky as it stayed together and ended up at 31# @ 28".

Next one and this one were boards also . . . RO.  Both failing at handle fades.  This one made it much further than the previous before the dreaded "craaaack".

Am having fun and definitely view as learning experiences.  Unfortunately, I've always been a slow learner.  The critiques and encouragement have been positive influence on the experience.

Next week will see the start of another.

Stay safe,
Michael