Wow! that was worth the wait. My wife said it was a long package, but it was a loooonngg package. The address said Pender Island, BC, so I am assuming the gift is from Penderbender. When I opened it I found over 6 feet of yew waiting for me. Beautiful straight, nearly knotless yew. That would have been more than enough by any standard, but in the package was also two nice pieces of horn for knocks, and a wide variety of shoots for arrows --including over a dozen ocean spray, some dogwood, wild rose, pacific ninebark, and some serviceberry. I have never mentioned how I like experimenting with different arrow materials, but I really enjoy making arrows, so this gives me some new types to play with.
But I guess that wasn't enough. There is also a 55" stave of either ocean spray or ironwood or vine maple (I am not familiar with any of these, so I am just guessing) and a block of red colored wood for tips or handle work.
This is a kingly gift and I feel like I have won the lottery. Thank you so much. When Brendan mentioned earlier what he planned to send out, I secretly (and not so secretly, maybe) hoped it would come my way. I got to work on a piece of yew this summer that passed through my hands on the bow trade, and I have been wanting to work another piece of yew ever since. This will ease the pain of letting that piece go. Now I have to research ELB designs or something Pacific Northwest-y style like Wizardgoat's designs. Whatever I end up with, I need to make the most of the length.
Thanks again. This was well worth the wait.
