Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Don Case on September 16, 2013, 01:03:40 pm
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When I was crashing around the woods I spotted a dead yew. It was 6-8" in dia. The bark had rotted off so I could see the wood underneath and the grain looked straight. It felt solid as a rock. Is yew any good without the sapwood? How rot resistant is yew?
Thanks
Don
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I've had very bad luck with dead rotten yew sans sapwood.
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Like Adam said, yew with actual rot is bad news. If you're lucky and the yew doesn't have any actual rot you'll be fine. Heartwood only yew bows aren't anything new, so with a bit of care you could make one of those, or the simple, obvious answer is to just back with something solid like boo or hickory.
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Yup, as has been said. If it's good and sound, a nice slim thin boo backing will produce a rocket of a ELB when glued up with a couple of inches of reflex ;D!
Del
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I saw a short sinew backed paddle bow that was all yew heartwood. I didn't get to shoot it, but it looked like a rocket launcher. As long as the wood is sound, it's OK. The stuff I had was junk.