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Joe(thebow)M
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How I Build A Longbow Part 2
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Once your bow wood is shaped out so that each end (looking from the middle of the bow) has the appearence of train tracks heading off into the horizone, you need to begin your shaping of the bow it'self.
Good dark pencil lines to go by are very important. Once you work your 'TOP' center line off with your plane or surform tools, "PUT THE LINE BACK ON THE TOP WHERE YOUR SHAPING WILL TAKE PLACE"...
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Looking at the end(s) of your bow wood, your 'GRAIN' lines should 'Cup' up towards your center line on the wood... Imagine a smile. This is good. I have even found that a 45 degree smile at the end of your bow wood works well.
Your side grain is important to run straight, but if it doesn't, don't panic. You could use a backing to correct a potential problem area (using the length of the bow) or you can rely on the 30 to 45 degree edge you will work onto the sides of the bow wood as your last step in shaping the bow. This should help direct the grain layers into a more compressed state when drawing your bow.
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Here is where your top center line pays off when working your bow wood into an R/D design. Don't rush your work. Take your time, there's no need to rush. I like to use my cabinet file for the R/D shaping.
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Until next weekend my friends, good luck and good building! 
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