Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: simson on May 03, 2015, 04:12:33 am
-
I made a bunch of new bows the last weeks. Here is the last one, it is very low dense yew, only 6 or 7 rings per inch, grown in my homeland (elevation 365m). Not good for ELBs, so I decided to go for a flattie with statics. The stave was deflex above handle, so I heated in the same amount on the lower fade. On the back are two additional rings of sap going from fade to fade, just as a looker. The recurves are steamed in and a piece of horn on the belly secures the very soft wood from string cutting in. The tips are made also from a thin piece of horn and an accent of osage. There are some nice kinks and waves in the stave. The handle is upholstered at one side to fit the palm perfectly. I'm always trying to do different stitchings on my leatherwork. Shelf and arrow pass is made of stingray leather.
Still needs some coats of finish and some work with steel whool.
The bow is 65”, 1½” wide at max., at handle only ⅝”, weighs 535 grams and pulls 64#.
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%201%20von%2017_zpstckdm06c.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%202%20von%2017_zpskkotzaa4.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%203%20von%2017_zpsnvex1owk.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%204%20von%2017_zpsjuvl4tdf.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%205%20von%2017_zpssy7p4sqz.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%206%20von%2017_zpsksaqhjnz.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%207%20von%2017_zpsxqyooypd.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%208%20von%2017_zpsfdpaxae3.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%209%20von%2017_zpsibnoz2nd.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%2010%20von%2017_zpsfkdg1prh.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%2011%20von%2017_zpsl4twulve.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%2012%20von%2017_zps2fug279p.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%2013%20von%2017_zps9royaccn.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%2014%20von%2017_zpsxyblfjro.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%2015%20von%2017_zpsqai6tptp.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%2016%20von%2017_zpsjkuuyolq.jpg)
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/1505%20Yew%20static/yew%20static%20-%2017%20von%2017_zpsurloshjq.jpg)
-
Outstanding ! Always enjoy seeing You work. Bob
-
Very classy.
Have you tried an ELB out of very low ring count Yew?
I made a 130# warbow from fairly low count... not as low as the stuff you have here... I'd be interested to know what you find as I respect your opinion.
Del
-
Another fine example of your work Simon. I like how your experience allows you to design a bow to get the most out of a stave or piece of wood that others may scrap. Very nice detailing too. Thanks for sharing. I'm always inspired by your craftsmanship and knowledge.
-
Looking good simson. I just so happen to be putting the finishing touches on a low elevation yew myself. I got the wood from my sons backyard. How do you feel about the performance?
-
Very sweet bow!!!!!!!
-
As usual, amazingly done! just love those curves and tip work, ever hollow limb design with yew? Just curious. Love the bow-Hammertime
-
once again a real beauty! the handle is not my thing, but that's just me, you are a great bowyer,very nice bow simon!
-
perfect job, looks fine. Hans
-
That has very classic look to me. I love it. I bet it performs quite nicely. Very unique stitching pattern. Masterfully crafted.
Have you tried heat treating coarse grain yew? I find a good shellacking and tempering gives it qualities of denser yew.
-
Beautiful Simon
-
Thats a beautiful piece of yew and a beauty of a bow. I like the shape with the deflex coming out of the handle and the nicely done statics. Your finish work is perfect as usual and the tips and handle wrap set it off nicely. And the full draw shot, well that speaks for itself. I'll be coming back to view this one often, killer work Simon.
-
Looks great for sure. I agree with Carson, heat treating thick ringed yew works good, but un heated is good too.
-
Thanks everybody - I appreciate your comments!
Very classy.
Have you tried an ELB out of very low ring count Yew?
I made a 130# warbow from fairly low count... not as low as the stuff you have here... I'd be interested to know what you find as I respect your opinion.
Del
Del, I'm by far no expert on yew, just about 10 or so yew bows under my belt. But yes I've done ELBs out of that low dense stuff, not that high drawweight like you, only 50-65#. My thoughts are this low dense stuff takes with ELB cross section much set. This makes me thinking the rectangular cross section of a flattie is better.
Looking good simson. I just so happen to be putting the finishing touches on a low elevation yew myself. I got the wood from my sons backyard. How do you feel about the performance?
Performance is very good, I estimate the speed is a little lower than my last posted osage birthday bow. But it's a pleasure shooting a relative long static recurve. With that small skinny handle (arrow pass) I can shot stiff arrows and they fly like darts.
As usual, amazingly done! just love those curves and tip work, ever hollow limb design with yew? Just curious. Love the bow-Hammertime
Haven't found a suitable yew stave till now, but will definitely do.
That has very classic look to me. I love it. I bet it performs quite nicely. Very unique stitching pattern. Masterfully crafted.
Have you tried heat treating coarse grain yew? I find a good shellacking and tempering gives it qualities of denser yew.
Yeah, I have tried that - not on that stick but on a small splinter of yew. Got an increase of weight of about 10#. I think taht bow is still in my possession, will try to find and post. It is a nice simple stick.
Do you really first shellack the wood and then applying heat? No problems with shellack burning?
-
I love this bow man that low ring count yew looks really cool.
-
As always, just awesome!! Love seeing your work sir.
-
Very well done!
-
I never tire of looking at your bows for inspiration
-
Really like this bow! Great looking handle and stitch pattern. I especially like the underlays with the string groove. Your bows are very inspiring!
-
I have read plenty about how yew will tolerate a grain violation on the back, and I see it looks like it was violated on yours. Is it in a significantly bending part of the limb?
-
I have read plenty about how yew will tolerate a grain violation on the back, and I see it looks like it was violated on yours. Is it in a significantly bending part of the limb?
No, it isn't.
What you see are two extra rings situated on the non bending parts. One going from fade to fade and two on each lever (hard to see in the pics).
The back is one single ring carefully worked down on the bending part of the limb.
-
That has very classic look to me. I love it. I bet it performs quite nicely. Very unique stitching pattern. Masterfully crafted.
Have you tried heat treating coarse grain yew? I find a good shellacking and tempering gives it qualities of denser yew.
Yeah, I have tried that - not on that stick but on a small splinter of yew. Got an increase of weight of about 10#. I think taht bow is still in my possession, will try to find and post. It is a nice simple stick.
Do you really first shellack the wood and then applying heat? No problems with shellack burning?
[/quote]
I almost always shellac the belly as well as the back before heat-treating or even heat adjusting. I have had no problems with shellac burning. I apply an oil, such as bear or pig fat over the shellac when thoroughly heat tempering. The oil helps to keep the surface from scorching while allowing the heat to really drive in. The shellac fills the empty spaces in the less dense woods and plasticizes at about 450 degrees F. In the US, you can buy premixed liquid shellac or even aerosol shellac, which is not a high quality shellac product. I use pure, fresh, dewaxed shellac flakes that I dissolve in pure 180 proof alcohol.
Love looking at this bow again. Simply perfect.
-
Carson, thanks for that precise description. I have shellack at home and I will try this procedure on one of the next bows for sure.