Started working on an old piece of ERC that I cut last summer and then threw in the wood pile cause it had lots of knots.  Dug it out last week and thought i would just try it for practice as I recently cut some pretty clean ERC I will work later.

Anyway, I thought I would get about 1/2 way to my 27 1/2" draw and it would break. (I haven't read too many good things about ERC other than it is pretty).  To my surprise, I have it tillered to my draw length and 48#.  It is 68" ttt.  Shooting it just with the tillering string tonight it really is a quick wood and zips the arrow well.
I made it wide - 1 7/8" to mid limb and then tapered to 5/8" at tips.  I made a rounded  or crowned belly to save as much heart wood as I could - but most of the bow will be sapwood.  The back is just under the bark.

When I started peeling off the "cambium" layer just under the bark I was surprised to find a pretty yellowish colored sapwood.

I think it is worth finishing out and backing with some rawhide I have.

Here are a couple of pics - it is still rough.


left side has been peeled away to sapwood - right side still has a layer on top of the sapwood.


lots of knots (i think 22 total) so had to use mostly a scraper and sandpaper to work the belly.


rounded belly with just a bit of heartwood remaining.

Love trying new things!

Mitch

ERC bows are SO pretty as long as you dont ask them to bend.

I agree.

Awe the heck with it!!!  Ask it to bend!!! (just back it first like you said )

Going to be a pretty one if it stay together