I have a black locust stave with several inches of natural reflex approximately 3.5 inches.  My question is should I go with that or after working the stave down to the rough shape try to take it out?

Go with it

Bill that's all messed up, just send it to me:)

Roy don't need it , he has a Osage one he needs to work on don't you roy boy?

you will lose some during the tiller, go with it

Work with it as it is. By the time it's tillered and shot in the bow will probably flat or 1" of reflex.
What ya gonna make?

Be forewarned, the natural reflex will fool you on poundage at first and tempt you to take off too much wood. I would shoot it in before you make the final poundage adjustment because a bunch of that reflex will pull out.

I agree with Eric.

Thanks to all who responded.  Very good advice and I will certainly be mindful as I continue to work with this stave.  I'll keep you guys updated as I go along.  Again, thanks.

I just want to give an update on this post I started some time ago.  I have nearly completed the bow from this black locust stave and it has turned out well, at least for now.  I've only put about 50 arrows through it so time will tell if turns out to be a keeper or not.  Like someone said, all the natural reflex was lost in the tillering process.  It ended up 62" NTN and weighs in at 45# at 28".  I'll try to get a picture or two up in the coming days.

 

Great. 45# is a good weight for a young man of 70:)

Certainly is Roy.  Thanks.

Here's a few photos of that black locust stave that had lots of natural reflex.  The top limb has two knots at about mid limb which keeps it from bending somewhat.  Shoots real good.  Don't think I'll tinker anymore with the tiller.

The tiller of your bow........ not good, hinged with straight limbs from the hinges out.

Do you have a tillering gizmo? This neat little tool will show you the error in your ways and prevent hinges in the future.

Go to the Primitive Archer site and look in the how to section, I have a complete how to make and use one tutorial posted there.

I did have the same tutorial here but got banned for telling the truth, (quickly reinstated when the facts came out). Who ever banned me (thanks Rob) deleted a multitude of bow making tutorials I had posted here, including the gizmo one.

This is a tillering gizmo, one of the fancy ones I put on the St Jude Auction.

Agree with Eric.

The tiller should look more like the yellow overlay line.

[attachment=1]

I saw it.  Thanks guys