Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Del the cat on March 03, 2011, 12:27:26 pm

Title: Re working a Yew longbow
Post by: Del the cat on March 03, 2011, 12:27:26 pm

My trusty old Yew longbow (75#) is too much for me these days, I'm thinking of working it down to about 55-60#.
Now it's pretty old (30yrs!) but hasn't had that much use.
I want to try to keep the speed up so I'm considering heating out the considerable set it's taken over the years (it's only 70" and has been pulled to 31.5").
If I tackle this with care, getting it good and hot before any force is put on it, and doing it before I drop the weight will I get away with it?
Or should I leave my venerable old pal for the occaisional demo', save it from the indignity and just make myself a new one?
It will be V trickly anyway as there is a giant knot on the grip and a few interesting features.
Del

Title: Re: Re working a Yew longbow
Post by: dwardo on March 03, 2011, 01:28:02 pm

I suppose the question should be "is it worth loosing her over?"

Title: Re: Re working a Yew longbow
Post by: Michael C. on March 03, 2011, 01:35:17 pm

I would save it if you don't want it to possibly break and just make a new one, considering the wood has been pulled for that long and the set is there. I don't really know that you would be able to scrape all of the compressed wood off and if you did then it may break in the process. Gives you a good reason to start another bow :)

Title: Re: Re working a Yew longbow
Post by: toomanyknots on March 03, 2011, 02:06:57 pm

If you did you know you have to wait a real real good long time before bending it after heat treating. Also, if you take it down a bit in weight first, it might not be as slow as you think. I don't know, if it was me I would be afraid of messing it up, but that is because I am not super experienced like most people on this forum. I also don't have a yew longbow. ... Now if I had ten of em, I would definitely go for it, :):):)

Title: Re: Re working a Yew longbow
Post by: Bevan R. on March 03, 2011, 02:38:15 pm

I would say leave it alone. Hang it up. Remember shooting it. Build a new one.

Bevan R

Title: Re: Re working a Yew longbow
Post by: Pat B on March 03, 2011, 02:59:37 pm

Save this one or give it away and make yourself the bow you want.  ;)

Title: Re: Re working a Yew longbow
Post by: Del the cat on March 03, 2011, 03:11:56 pm

Yeah the consensus seems to be leave her alone.
I gotta admit it's a nice bow to keep for showing off ;D, although my shoulders regret it later.
I'm sure I can persuade m self to start another one (...sound of door slamming and Del rushing out to workshop)
Thanks guys.
Del

Title: Re: Re working a Yew longbow
Post by: Stringman on March 03, 2011, 03:26:42 pm

Lol, that's funny - (sound of Stringman tiptoeing out the door then flashing past the window on his way to the cave...)

Nice visual!