I made a reflex/deflex longbow a couple of years ago and it's a good'un. Lately I've been more into making selfbows from red oak boards. I''ve made a couple of good ones, a couple that turned out 'not as planned' and more than a couple that did well for a few weeks before breaking. The ones that broke were ones were not backed with something. I used hickory veneers, silk and linen backings on the bows that did not break.