Thanks Snufkin!
I know the sapwood should be thinner, but due to my inexperience and clumsy splitting of the log, i wasn't left with much choice.
And you're right! it is very stiff near the handle, can't tiller anymore as i can't afford to lose any draw weight, and i can't go shorter because, due to an awkward knot, the bow ended up shorter than i'd have liked anyway.
Still, I learned a lot from this one and i'm eager to start another bow.
The wood came from a local churchyard, my brother is in charge of maintenance of the grounds and the wood would have been shredded
![Eek! :eek: :eek:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
if i didn't have it.
I'll try and get a pic up of full draw soon.