Morning Sam - interesting question; two parts, the first has to do with the force/draw curve, pounds versus draw length. Although idealy it is uniform throughout the draw, there can be variations, whether slight or more noticeable, throughout the length of the draw. If a bow dramatically gains weight in the last several inches, it is said 'to stack'. Although there are many causes for it, it often is design and usually is tiller in wood bows.
The one and half inch set is about average. Some backset in the handle will build in some follow so the bow can end up with zero when at rest. Reflexing the tips sort of does the same thing and seems to give a bit of boost to cast.
It's a series of tradeoffs, durability vs. design vs. wood type vs. cast vs. smoothness vs. shockiness etc. The flat bow is a durable design that has stood the test of time.
Hope this has helped. Experimentation is fun, grab another board and have at it. :-)
Morning!
Yeah, I think the flat bow is a great design, it has to be. I gather from reading the "bibles" that it is also a very ancient design.
The stave I used for this bow was about the last one I had left, has nearly a vertical grain, well, more like a 45 degree belly to back grain, which I'm sure is contra indicated. Shoots good anyway, at least to my uninformed opinion.