Now that I've got the bow braced I can check the string alignment. This can be a frustrating set back on an otherwise cooperative bow. Luckily on this bow the stave was pretty darn straight and as I check the alignment I find that the string passes pretty much directly through the center of the handle. I left the handle full width until this point in case I needed to offset it slightly to one side to compensate.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QGMF5QVYSdY/VPyiqFz_UsI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/N594eWQ6bw0/w433-h577-no/DSCN8739.JPG)
Since I like what I saw with the alignment check I can finally reduce the handle. I like to do it at this point as opposed to later because Even though it theoretically shouldn't effect the tiller of the bow I don't really like the idea of taking off a lot of wood anywhere on the bow when the bow is well tillered and close to the target weight. First I freshen up my lines on the back to show me where to take off wood. This layout is just to get me on the right track with my handle shape I will reduce it to be smaller than these dimensions when it's all done.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C5oHgUefmvs/VPyi5qmFk_I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/XJP7l3NdEgg/w769-h577-no/DSCN8740.JPG)
I hog off some wood with my microplane and get it down to the lines to start with.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g1ELQlUQg-Q/VPyjGr-nw8I/AAAAAAAAA_g/owb7refYKWs/w769-h577-no/DSCN8741.JPG)
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-edTTiATMwFg/VPyjK9CqZ6I/AAAAAAAAA_o/zOrlGiUn05o/w769-h577-no/DSCN8742.JPG)
Then I start rounding it off. I like to move it around taking little bits off here and there and reduce it as a whole, checking as I go, instead of working it down to the final dimensions in one spot and then trying to make the other side match. That's a recipe for a wonky handle.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pEW6PWEeebs/VPyjZi3zF3I/AAAAAAAAA_w/Mapy9C0KagM/w769-h577-no/DSCN8743.JPG)
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TtCl8n58d9w/VPyjlSz7aaI/AAAAAAAAA_4/z77m5Mnnr-8/w769-h577-no/DSCN8744.JPG)
With a finer tool I gently round the edges on the back being careful to leave an untouched strip of the natural back going down the middle to maintain the integrity of the bow.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8j8Vlxpqets/VPykMCna7FI/AAAAAAAABAY/59-cY7LBKKE/w769-h577-no/DSCN8748.JPG)
Getting closer, I'll refine it further later I just wanted to get it close to the final dimensions so there weren't any surprises later.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N1N97zyTENg/VPyj6ut-zjI/AAAAAAAABAI/8KFbF1kxNtY/w769-h577-no/DSCN8746.JPG)