Thanks guys, yeah Razorsharp, I've done a couple Osage stave bows carving the belly to have this concave cross section. Initially, I was interested in the HLD idea, but after having done these stave bows this way, I'm questioning if the benefit outside of it being good looking really comes into play in performance. I don't know that the concave belly is flattening at all at full draw the way it would when made from a sapling instead of a split stave. In the future I'm thinking my stiff handle stave bows will be flat limbed and I would give HLD a go with the already trapped back of saplings and a just breaking handle. But, I just don't know. Its always fun to try something new!
When I roughed the bow out I left the limbs a fraction thicker than normal then carved the initial belly depression with chisels, then go in and clean it up with rough sandpaper, etc. I press the tiller by trapping the bows back and reducing width instead of scraping the belly.
Well, I've decide that the tiller is done. I made a new string for her the other night. No leather for this carved grip so all that needs done is finish sand and sealing her up.
I'll post her soon.
