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Author Topic: Gray Yew sapwood  (Read 4068 times)

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Offline DC

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Gray Yew sapwood
« on: October 30, 2015, 03:18:25 pm »
I'm pretty sure this isn't good news but how bad is it. This is on an otherwise new perfect stave. It would be right in the middle. It's about a foot long in a 77" stave. I could cut it out and splice the ends together and get rid of most of it or I could cut the sapwood off and Bamboo back it. It won't be a total loss but I would prefer a one piece bow
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2015, 03:24:42 pm »
Does the wood seem sound? If so I'd go ahead with it. Yew is pretty rot resistant.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline wizardgoat

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2015, 03:44:01 pm »
Yew heartwood is super rot resistance but not the sapwood.
Was this salvaged yew? Sometimes there's discolouration in yew sapwood
and if it's punky or rotten I can smell it once it's been worked
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Offline DC

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2015, 04:11:11 pm »
I don't think it was salvaged but not 100% sure. The bark in the area is perfect, no sign of a ding. The stave is 2 1/2" wide and there is no sign of grey on the other side.  If I'm real lucky maybe I can move the bow over an inch. I'll let it dry and take a closer look later.
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2015, 04:16:43 pm »
Knife it off and make a sinew backed rocket ship.
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Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline DC

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2015, 04:18:35 pm »
Is sinew that much better than Bamboo. It's awfully damp here.
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Offline Del the cat

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2015, 04:19:29 pm »
How does the grey stuff feel under a spokeshave or draw knife?
If it's waxy/cheesy then it's ok, if its limp,chalky or dry feeling cut it all off and back the heart wood.
Listen to the little voice in your head or gut that knows... don't talk yourself into using bad wood. I've regretted it before now.
A little discolouration can be ok, but I think feel tells you what you need to know.
Del
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Offline Aaron H

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2015, 04:22:27 pm »
Is there not enough room for an all heartwood bow?
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Offline DC

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2015, 04:35:28 pm »
Quote
How does the grey stuff feel under a spokeshave or draw knife?
It cuts just like the rest of the sapwood.

Quote
Is there not enough room for an all heartwood bow?
Yes there is. May be an option.
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2015, 04:40:22 pm »
Delamination would bother me, I believe that's what happened on your last bow. Unless that damaged hump was at the grip, I wouldn't use it as is. I'd rip it off and add 3 layers of sinew and HIDE GLUE and make a killer bow.


http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,46041.msg626156.html#msg626156

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Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline sieddy

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2015, 06:29:13 pm »
Gotta love that Hippy Yew stick- man that is smoking!  :D
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Offline ravenbeak

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2015, 10:39:26 pm »
I would say you will be alright,  (although I usually say that)

I would guess it was elk scrape years ago that has grown over,  I have seen lots of staining like that,  especially on the north island where there are lots of elk.

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Offline DC

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #12 on: October 30, 2015, 10:45:42 pm »
When I get a minute I'm going to scrape the bark off in that spot just to see if there is a wound. Like I said the bark looks pristine but Yew appears to shed some bark and that may cover some faults.
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Offline PatM

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #13 on: October 30, 2015, 11:07:24 pm »
I'll trade you for a better piece of Elm.  >:D
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Offline Weylin

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Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2015, 12:40:12 am »
I think Del's got the right idea. If you think it feels good than it's likely fine. I've make several yew bows with a little discoloration with no ill effect.
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