Do you guys have any issue keeping the tips from wanting to straighten back out?
I practiced steaming and bending some scrap pieces and was curious if bend would work it's way out eventually after shooting?
I'm not an expert. By far. But I have bent quite a few tips. The bend holding itself in place, is dependent on several factors. Soft white woods or heavier woods like Osage? Length and degree of recurve. Thickness of the wood expected to hold the bend. Static or working recurve? I typically use dry heat if flipping the tips a small degree. I find it quicker and just as effective. Others will disagree. Over time, most of the recurve I put in has held. Some for decades, losing a small amount early on, and then settling in for the long run.
Done properly the bends are permanent..... (http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0914.jpg)
This sinew backed RC was done 000's of arrows ago.
The tips were boiled for an hour and bent without a form-just vice jaws on a workbench.
Dry heat on seasoned wood, steam on green wood.
You tips are non working the been will stay.