I shoot a 50lb martin savannah, 60lb Zipper recurve, a 66lb Black widow longbow, and also started making bows this year. I have two osage selfbows, and almost finished with a yew english longbow.

Osage is the king of bow wood, but need experience on the first one or two before tackling it. You have to chase a ring which is not difficult but tedious and you need to know how. You need a good design and again, not difficult but an experienced hand makes all the difference. You can't cut thru a ring and you have to stay with the grain.

This was my first Yew bow, and I have to say, I don't like yew. Works very strange. Doubt I will use it again.

Hickory is great for learning and an experienced bowyer can make one zip. No ring chasing. And grain or ring violations are not the end of the world

I read thru all 4 editions of the traditional bowyers bibles, and still couldn't effectively build a bow. But I got a book by Jim Hamm that helped alot. Step by step. Lots of books out there. Go to www.tradgang.com or primitive archer mag webpage, and tons of resources.

http://www.amazon.com/Arrows-Native-Americans-Step-Step/dp/1599210835/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224755507& amp;sr=1-5