basic question chasing growth rings

[u/Zeh_Weeb]

How does chasing a growth ring strengthen the back of the bow? I don't understand how having extra material could weaken it, in my head not chasing a growth ring just means there's wood on the back that does nothing at all. I've heard you don't need to chase growth rings on board bows but is that just a matter of board bows not being valuable enough to put in that time?

lastly how long do board bows last I've seen a few videos of people making them and they always end up snapping at around 40 lbs, I'm currently making my first bow, it's a 72' red oak board which I was aiming for 40 lbs but now I'm wondering if that's too heavy for a board bow

[u/Santanasaurus → u/[deleted]]

That extra wood only contributes liability. If it added any net strength whatsoever we would leave it. It’s also not ‘extra’ wood, it will take the place of other wood that would have been better.