Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: radius on July 21, 2009, 11:37:45 am

Title: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: radius on July 21, 2009, 11:37:45 am

strong enough?  or does it need an overlay?

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: bigcountry on July 21, 2009, 12:52:31 pm

I shot a yew long time without overlays, but started noticeing string was indenting the heartwood.  I still haven't put any overlays on, but I would if I was you.

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: Pappy on July 21, 2009, 12:53:09 pm

Never made one but from all I have read and heard it needs overlays. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: adb on July 21, 2009, 02:16:44 pm

I don't think it's 100% necessary, but that being said, I would.

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: Dano on July 21, 2009, 04:06:18 pm

Both yew bows I made, started cutting into the nock at short string, I'd overlay em. Thus the reason for all those cool horn nocks.

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: radius on July 21, 2009, 08:13:52 pm

yeah, i knew  you'd say that...

i might try something cool like imitating the horn nock shape, using rosewood and yew together.  If i file the grooves so that the string holds on the full thickness of rosewood, it'll hold and the yew colour will simply look cool...

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: radius on July 21, 2009, 08:50:04 pm

what about elm as overlay?  i've got a few scraps of that around....

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: Del the cat on July 28, 2009, 06:21:12 pm

My self Yew longbow (English Yew) pulls 75 lb @28" 90 lb @ 31 1/2".
Self nocks are fine...horn nocks are pretty and some Warbow guys say that at high draw weights (over 100 lb you need them. I don't think so, keep it simple. I've usesd mine to rake the grass looning for arrows, it's fine.
Also don't believe people who say you can't make a longbow from lowland Yew.
Del

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: radius on July 28, 2009, 09:58:18 pm

thanks Del, i don't.   Check out the holmie i just made, taken at practically sea level.

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: mullet on July 28, 2009, 10:55:50 pm

 I would just build up the string in the loops, a little extra padding. You could also try to lightly heat and soak in some thin Super-glue into the nock area.

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: radius on July 28, 2009, 11:06:20 pm

Have you tried that, Mullet?  Me, i don't believe everything i hear, but i don't wanna shear the end of my bow off, either...or worse, the bow of someone who i give or sell it to.  Usually one end of my string has thicker string, from the timber hitch...

How about this?  I could add a few extra strands 8" long or so to the end that gets the braided loop...they'd be integral, but the string wouldn't get any thicker...

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: mullet on July 28, 2009, 11:13:13 pm

 I've tried the thicker loops and it has been OK. As far as the glue, it's just a thought, but should make it harder. I know the Warbow guys are using FF string and they are putting those bows through more abuse than we will with lighter weight bows.

Title: Re: heartwood yew self nocks
Post by: radius on July 28, 2009, 11:23:00 pm

sho nuff...

that CA is pretty good stuff...i dripped some into knots that were checking and they are some solid now!  i guess just a couple drips and let it soak in