hazel shorty design advice

[stuckinthemud]

So I climbed up a hazel tree to cut a sucker that looked perfect for a longbow. When I got down out of the tree the stem was a lot shorter than it looked from ground level, at 60" long. I have a 24" draw. Anything I need to consider designing a short bow from hazel?

[leonwood]

With that stave you can make a bendy handle for sure, keep the belly relatively flat and hazel loves heat treating!
Then again, with a 24 inch draw you can also make a flatbow out if it. Hazel is super easy to work with and you can get away with lots of designs. Just make sure you keep the tiller even during the build because it will chrysal on a hinge fast.

[Del the cat]

Belly as wide as the wood will allow, crowned back using the natural surface of the wood, leave the bark on if you can get away without it popping off
I'd keep the poundage down to below 40 on a bow that short else she'll tend to chrysal... (IMO)
Del

[stuckinthemud]

I seem to remember reading that hazel doesn't take too well to heat shaping; if I go with a r/d are the curves likely to pull out?

[leonwood]

I made a few hazel recurves and when I only steamed them they flattened out a bit. Now I always use dry heat to set the recurves after steaming. Usually the day after steaming and about ten minutes per curve. They keep the shape well for me now

[Del the cat]

Here's one I made ages ago... mind it isn't short. I think short rather precludes recurves and flipped tips, unless you splice 'em on... and then maybe add a horn belly and sinew back 
https://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/paint-job-and-tiller-video.html
Actually I had trouble doing those hooks and ended up patching thin slivers of pre-shaped Hazel onto the belly side of the hooks. It's a nice punchy bow tho'
Del

[stuckinthemud]

Thanks Del, what length is that bow?

[Del the cat]

Thanks Del, what length is that bow?

Its 66" end to end... e.g it would fit in a box 66" long, but the hooks at about 2.5" to each end if you measured along the belly and round the hooks.
Del

[simson]

some dimensions can be found here: http://primitive-bows.com/tag/hazel/