Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: 330bull on December 21, 2007, 11:22:35 pm

Title: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: 330bull on December 21, 2007, 11:22:35 pm
Hello!

I posted a few pictures in July about this bow once I got the bark on.  Sadly I got sidelined with a lot of things like a hand injury and changing my career and working a ton of hours for a startup company.  Here's a little history on this bow.  In April of 2005, Ken Payne Sr. sold me a 12" yew log for $30 in return for a longbow made from it.  After a year I built the bow for him and it broke last May after his ~50th shot.  So...I took the only stave left and made him this bow.  I actually like it a lot better especially since the cherry bark really makes it pop.  This is the only bow that was built from that log; all of the others broke.   :(

When I took the bow out to Ken's today, he shot it immediately and it really pops.  Ken turns 76 in February and he still hunts with a compound.  In fact, he shot a P&Y Roosevelt in 2006 (5x5) @ a distance of 9 yards.  The man still have ice in his veins!  Ken's son Kenny Jr. own a bow shop out in "the sticks" in Carlton Oregon.  That's where the pictures of Ken Sr. were taken.

Here are the Specs:

1. 64" ntn
2. 57# @ 27"
3. Cherry Bark Backing
4. Wrapping on the limbs where the bark splicing took place, and also where I found a tiny defect on the limb.

I'm going to post a ton of pictures.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!  Joe


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Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: 330bull on December 21, 2007, 11:24:41 pm
More Pics...

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Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: 330bull on December 21, 2007, 11:26:41 pm
More Pics...Thsi is too much fun!   ;D

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Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: Gordon on December 22, 2007, 01:09:19 am
That turned out really sweet Joe. Anyone would be proud to own that bow.
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: medicinewheel on December 22, 2007, 04:30:29 am

that cherrybark looks just great! very nice bow!
frank
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: DanaM on December 22, 2007, 06:03:35 am
Hey Joe glad to see ya back on the board. Man the cherry bark contrasts so
nice with the yew. Well done and kudos for building Ken a replacement bow.
And you never got one for yourself, says alot man.
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: OldBow on December 22, 2007, 12:50:48 pm
Good for yew ;) and lucky Ken!
Got your sillfully -made LB all set up for December Self Bow of the Month consideration.
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: juniper junkie on December 22, 2007, 10:58:39 pm
nice looking bow and a very nice gift.  it looks like the bottom limb is taking a pretty hard curve, how much shorter is it than the top? I like the cherry bark.
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: Sidewinder on December 22, 2007, 11:09:19 pm
Wow, that cherry bark backing looks great.Very nice job. Danny
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: 330bull on December 22, 2007, 11:28:17 pm
Thanks for the kind words but trust me it was not hard to give him the "last stave standing." 

JJ - The shelf is located 1" above center, so the lower limb is 2" shorter than the upper limb.  And yes I agree the lower limb seems to be working harder.  I have a long ways to go before I'm happy with my tillering.

Joe

Ps.  The shelf material is an elk ivory from an elk that Ken Sr. Shot a few years ago.
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: Pat B on December 22, 2007, 11:47:30 pm
Beautiful bow Joe. The contrasts between the yew and coppery cherry bark is stunning. I have a bit of yew and the cherry bark you sent me...a new winter project.  ;D     Pat
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: duffontap on December 23, 2007, 12:06:04 am
Beautiful!  Way to represent the Northwest.  J. D. Duff
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: mullet on December 23, 2007, 01:36:21 am
   Beautiful bow,I love that Cherry bark.
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: Marc St Louis on December 23, 2007, 09:09:40 am
Nice bow. You left out the one picture I like to see and that as side profile unbraced
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: 330bull on December 23, 2007, 12:39:57 pm
Sorry Marc! 

Actually it had some string follow and had a "cupid's bow" look to it since it was two billets spliced together.  Regardless of that I thought it looked pretty dang cool unbraced even though it's not the optimal design.

I'm really looking forward to building a 65-70# yew longbow for myself with some cherry bark.  I LOVE the contrast between the heartwood, sapwood and the cherry bark.

Joe
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: juniper junkie on December 24, 2007, 12:28:12 am
this may be a dumb question, but how do you get the cherry bark long enough to do the backing, and does it kill the tree? ??? what did you use for a finish on it? looks good.
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: mrmarch on December 24, 2007, 12:52:14 am
thats awesome
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: Shooter on December 24, 2007, 01:40:32 am
Nice work.
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: 330bull on December 24, 2007, 04:18:56 am
You just have to find a big enough cherry tree.  ;D  Out here in Oregon, we have wild non-fruit bearing trees called "bitter cherry" and they get as big as 12 to 18" in diameter and the bark typically stays in great shape.

Check out my cherry bark backing buildalong for the finish details.

Thanks again for the compliments everyone.
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: Pappy on December 24, 2007, 07:11:39 am
Nice bow joe,glad you finely got it finished.Same to you on the holidays.  :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: lowell on December 31, 2007, 09:39:41 am
PM sent..... Thanks, Lowell
Title: Re: New...Cherry Bark Backed Yew Longbow
Post by: AndrewS on December 31, 2007, 12:31:05 pm
A great bow, Joe!