Author Topic: I See Why People Love Yew  (Read 6522 times)

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Offline Dean Marlow

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I See Why People Love Yew
« on: December 13, 2010, 05:01:59 pm »
Here is a Yew selfbow in the flat bow design that I finally got around to finish. It is 66" long. It is 1-1/2" wide at the fades to midlimb then tapers down to a little less than 1/2" wide knocks. This is a wood that I have not much experience with. It does not grow in Illinois and to get a good piece does take some cash. This stave came from  Ted Fry Raptor Archery and has just one small pin knot in the whole thing. What a wondeful wood to work with.  I  live in Osage country and this wood is quite a bit different to handle. I thinned the sap down to about 3/8" thick on the back. It is 47lbs. at 28" after shooting around 50 arrows threw it. First thing I notice about this bow is it feels like it weighs nothing compared to Osage. The second thing is the elasticity of this wood. It really likes to bend. When you launch an arrow friom it is smooth. The biggest mistake I made with this Yew stave was not using sandpaper to get my final tiller. I used to much rasp. I lost a little more poundage than I wanted. Next time I will know. Use sandpaper and scrapers when finishing Yew. The biggest didadvantage I see is it doesn't take much hard punishment and will dent very easy.  I will post full draw when my wife gets home. Dean

Offline Dean Marlow

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2010, 05:06:56 pm »
I see I doubled up my pictures. Sorry about that. Here are a few more.

Offline youngbowyer33

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2010, 05:10:46 pm »
Gorgeous looking bow!
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us"

Offline Pat B

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2010, 05:13:02 pm »
Very nice bow, Dean. I love yew too!  ::)  :-[    I have been fortunate to work a few pieces of yew over the years and love how it works, shoots and looks. Well done!  8)
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Dean Marlow

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2010, 06:19:50 pm »
Here is the full draw.

Offline Del the cat

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    • Derek Hutchison Native Wood Self Bows
Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2010, 06:37:40 pm »
Nice bow... I love the stuff.
Del
Health warning, these posts may contain traces of nut.

Offline NTProf

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2010, 06:43:31 pm »
Stunning!!

Offline bcbull

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2010, 06:57:55 pm »
you made that yew proud dean good job  brock

Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2010, 07:25:51 pm »
That is outstanding! Jawge
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If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!

Offline Gary Mac

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2010, 08:09:10 pm »
If only we could get hold of Yew in the UK >:(

Very nice bow!

Offline ErictheViking

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2010, 08:43:24 pm »
sweet bow Dean! Love the look of the sap/heart wood contrast in yew. Wish I had some to play with. Are the tips horn?
"He that but looketh on a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it hath already committed breakfast with it in his heart"  C.S. Lewis

Offline adb

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2010, 08:57:09 pm »
Nice bow, with excellent tiller. I agree... yew is king!!

Offline Keenan

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #12 on: December 13, 2010, 09:26:46 pm »
I love yew to Dean. ;D ::)  It has become my favorite as well as juniper, vinemaple, cascara, and and and,, :D   

 All kidding aside, very nice bow.  Yes yew is soft when your used to working with osage. Most make the same mistake when going from hard woods to white woods.  On the flip side I am working some osage now and I am starting to understand why all you osage guys love a rasp. ::)  You will fine some variances from tight ringed to wider ringed when working but its all great wood. My offer still stands in you want to try some nice tight ringed yew I'll trade for a very snaky osage ;D

Offline bcbull

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #13 on: December 13, 2010, 10:10:37 pm »
hey guys  someone needs get josh a heads up get that one in for bom haha brock

Offline John K

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Re: I See Why People Love Yew
« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2010, 11:30:21 pm »
Looks great !
The only way to fail is to never start !