I have been workin on a sassafrass elb, I have it tillered to brace height using boots on the string. Will sassafrass hold up to self nocks or do they need to be horn or other reinforcement?

Depends on bow length, draw length, draw weight, etc. Sassafras is medium tough wood and should do all right up to 50/55# draw. For heavier draw or thin strings I would do tip overlays of horn or antler.

Any chance of seeing some specs/pics of this bow when done? I have 2 sass. staves and your post gave me an idea!

It is 76 inches I have worked on it some since I posted this, I have it braced and drawing about 14 inches. I cut nocks in it and figured on cutting it down to 74 and putting horn nocks on it. It has about four inches of natural reflex in it. I will try to post pics in a while.