Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: radius on June 26, 2009, 11:48:03 am

Title: CURING yew staves
Post by: radius on June 26, 2009, 11:48:03 am

Hi everybody,

Q:

To cure my yew staves, is it best in the sun or out of the sun?  In the open air or indoors, somewhere dark?

I'm totally new to working with staves, despite my practice with boards and self-made laminations...any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: adb on June 26, 2009, 12:08:55 pm

I do NOT cure any staves in direct sunlight. I have all of mine stacked on a moveable steel shelving unit inside my shop, which allows air flow all around the staves.

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: Gordon on June 26, 2009, 12:12:45 pm

What adb said - store indoors with good circulation. If you expose the wood to direct sunlight for extended periods while the wood is green you will likely end up with checking.

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: radius on June 26, 2009, 09:19:43 pm

thanks guys

I haven't been able to split my log yet, but i will this weekend...AFTER i go collect a couple more!

now!

how about curing them standing on end?  is that ok or will they bend...?

my storage space is limited...

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: sailordad on June 26, 2009, 10:07:30 pm

if you have a garage put them up in the rafters
i keep all mine there,the seem to comes out nice and dry
plus its an often overlooked,under used space

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: ravenbeak on June 26, 2009, 10:09:58 pm

hey tim,

how are you making out with that stave i sent you?

your feathers were great,  they were the fletching on the arrow i got my buck with last year,

jamie

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: sailordad on June 27, 2009, 12:05:17 am

HEY JAMIE ;D

i have a profile drawn on it and thats it so far.i havent really touched a bow since about mid-late feb.
got the knapping bug back in january,and just cant seem to shake it.every time i think i am gonna go scrape some wood
i end up grabbing a slab of obsidion or something and try to make a point,next thing i know its late and i made a lot of gravel.
but summer wont last forever here in mn.so once the weather ets cold its back to working on bows in the basement

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: Gordon on June 27, 2009, 01:00:34 am

Standing your staves on end while curing is not a problem.

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: Pat B on June 27, 2009, 12:03:17 pm

I stand all my wood on end.

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: radius on June 27, 2009, 12:15:06 pm

you guys don't find that it bends?  i guess the staves are pretty thick...

Gordon, what about the difference between low and high elevation yew?  Notice any?  I remember reading that high elevation, growing slower, is better wood...the stuff i have is basically sea level...

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: AKAPK on June 27, 2009, 02:08:42 pm

How many Growth rings are there besides the sap wood guy?

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: radius on June 27, 2009, 02:51:54 pm

lots

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: shamus on June 27, 2009, 03:01:42 pm

indoors, around 50% RH.

More thoughts of mine on drying wood: http://analogperiphery.blogspot.com/2008/08/drying-and-seasoning-wood.html

more on yew: http://analogperiphery.blogspot.com/2008/06/evaluating-yew-wood.html

hope it helps

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: Gordon on June 27, 2009, 04:07:55 pm

High elevation yew is certainly the prime stuff, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at low elevation yew - it's still good bow wood.

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: AKAPK on June 27, 2009, 06:08:56 pm

thats cool, are ya in california I would be willing to trade a bow for a stave without big knots.

Title: Re: CURING yew staves
Post by: shamus on June 27, 2009, 07:02:28 pm

Quote

High elevation yew is certainly the prime stuff, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at low elevation yew

absolutely. You just have to match the right desing to it.  :)