First off I am new to making bows. I just started on a piece of osage. I have almost got the back down to a single ring. I am beginning to notice that although the grain is fairly straight, ther are places where there some curve to it. When I begin to lay out the back of the bow do I need to follow this grain or just make the limbs straight?
Draw a line right down the hight spot on the back, following the grain the whole way. Then lay out your bow from that centerline. It will assure the high spot is centered as it should be and it will assure the grain is followed. A sharp pencil will follow a grain line from end to end if you don't fight it and let it ride.
This may help also..
https://sites.google.com/site/onemississipp/tips
Sometimes you may have a snaky grain on one side of your limb but not the other, follow even the slightest undulation or you will have a grain violation that may cause a bow failure.