I've always strove to make my FG bow risers with and edge grain to the belly and the plain sawn side to the sides.
My opinion is that the edge grain is stronger to take the strain of the draw weight.
What are your all's take on this? Does it really matter when there is an accent strip running through the riser? Is it preference or just good practice?
OK, gentlemen, I need your imput on this subject.
Is your accent strip something other than wood?
If so it should make the riser block very tough.
I made a all wood riser once (from bingham) no strip and the grain as you described it was action wood. It broke at a angle with the grain.
I prefer the grain flat that is edges are on the sides. And I'll never make another without phenolic or something similar like fiberglass through it.
Ron
I always make mine with the edge grain oriented perpendicular to the back and belly. That's the way Jack Harrison recommends in his book too. Lately, I tend to go for the simple Hill style without any accent strips. No problems yet.
macbow - you must have had a bad piece of actionwood. Actionwood is typically much stronger than natural woods and I just can't understand why it would have broken if oriented with the edge grain perpendicular to the back and belly :dunno: