Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: PEARL DRUMS on August 14, 2013, 11:18:40 am
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I have set of primo yew billets that are all heartwood, thanks to my friend Steve. Ive asked a few experts their opinion on them as a self bow. Im curious if anybody else has tried it and what they found out.
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I dont have much experience with all heartwood yew bows. I have a lightweight target bow just about finished up that is all heartwood backed with salmon skins. Not a very stressed design, but it it shoots nice, no sign of problems.
I have seen several old yew bows that were all heartwood and they looked pretty stout too. The Kalapuya made some all heartwood bows that were short, wide-limbed recurves.
I imagine you can get away with a bit more with the tight-grained stuff than the course stuff. Lets here more about this wood. Pics?
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Back it with rawhide. Or do you want to leave it as a heartwood selfbow?
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The billets are quite old, very, very tight ringed and clean. I would prefer to not add anything to the back, maybe skins if anything at all. I will get the backs down to a clean ring if it takes me two weeks with sandpaper.
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Do that sandpaper ring chasing in an area with a good cross-breeze, otherwise, you might want to wear a dust mask. Just to be safe.
The old-time yew heartwood bows I saw, did not have a single ring chased. They were made pretty evenly flat and smooth. Appeared the backs were highly burnished. Not saying you shouldn't dedicate two weeks to ring chasing, just wanted to give you an idea of what can be done with a piece of yew heartwood. ;)
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Carson I was talking with Steve (Yewbowyer) about these. He has made a few yew bows...hahahaha. He told me his personal favorite bow was an all yew heartwood long bow. It finally broke on him, but he figured he had 8-10,000 shots through her and about 8-10 years of life. He said without sapwood it reacted even faster upon release and was an absolute joy to shoot as a result. I think Im drinking that kool aid.
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Thought you were done with yew bows? ;)
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Done.............with my last one ol' fart!
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Hey PD,
Is this the Beginning of a Build Along?
If it is Sign Me Up!
Still have to wait on the Right Piece Of Yew to try this myself.
As I Ain't inclined to skin nary a piece of the Yew I currently have. :)
-gus
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Sounds like ya got some good BTU's 8)
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No build alongs Gus, too much work. I might post it when and if I get it done.
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There was a bowyer here in England, it might have been Chris Boyton, who made a yew heartwood only bow on a Ray Mears tv programme. He was worried about it blowing all throught tillering.....but it didn't :)
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I hear ya PD...
No Worries Mi Amigo... I would like to see it when she's done.
:)
-gus
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Pearl
If you decide to put skins on it glue some silk on it first. Silk is one tough backing. Light and hardly noticeable. Dean
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My first yew bow was all heartwood. Didn't chase a ring just cut it flat and made it bend.
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My first yew bow was all heartwood. Didn't chase a ring just cut it flat and made it bend.
And...............? To keep me hanging Brycey boy!
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What!? It wasn't anything special just something I made for kicks didn't even put a finish on it.