Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Russ on January 08, 2020, 02:56:41 pm

Title: Yew without sapwood.
Post by: Russ on January 08, 2020, 02:56:41 pm

Is it ok? what should I do to make it better because i know that yew sapwood is really good.

Title: Re: Yew without sapwood.
Post by: Bryce on January 08, 2020, 03:41:49 pm

Yew don’t care. Works all the same. Sapwood not necessarily needed. Heartwood selfbows are great.

Title: Re: Yew without sapwood.
Post by: DC on January 08, 2020, 04:20:22 pm

Or back it with bamboo. My favourite bow.

Title: Re: Yew without sapwood.
Post by: Pat B on January 08, 2020, 04:22:37 pm

I don't have the experience but I have heard that backing is recommended for yew heartwood. If that's the case a rawhide backing should work well.  Bryce knows a bunch more about building bows from yew than I do...probably most bow woods.  ;)

Title: Re: Yew without sapwood.
Post by: Del the cat on January 08, 2020, 04:56:56 pm

I'd suggest a backing Boo, Hickory or Ash.
Del

Title: Re: Yew without sapwood.
Post by: Russ on January 08, 2020, 06:39:45 pm

I might need to trade for a boo backing... Oh and would you spice yew billets or make a takedown? I got the sleeve. me personally, i would splice.

Title: Re: Yew without sapwood.
Post by: DC on January 08, 2020, 06:42:29 pm

I would splice but then I have no need for a takedown.

Title: Re: Yew without sapwood.
Post by: Bryce on January 08, 2020, 08:59:15 pm

Quote from: Pat B on January 08, 2020, 04:22:37 pm

I don't have the experience but I have heard that backing is recommended for yew heartwood. If that's the case a rawhide backing should work well.  Bryce knows a bunch more about building bows from yew than I do...probably most bow woods.  ;)

Lol not likely:)

I have a 70# yew heartwood bow that’s one of my favorite shooters. I thought about backing with rawhide and then I forgot lol

Title: Re: Yew without sapwood.
Post by: Russ on January 08, 2020, 09:02:13 pm

I got sinew but i dont think it'll be enough for a full bow. then again I dont know. but what I know for certain is that the amount of reflex ill need to put on it to get good benefits will cause the bow to become un-stringable/untillerable for a beginner like me.

Title: Re: Yew without sapwood.
Post by: Hawkdancer on January 09, 2020, 12:16:50 am

Russell,
pm me with what length boo you need.  We can work a trade.
Hawkdancer

Title: Re: Yew without sapwood.
Post by: bownarra on January 09, 2020, 01:58:46 am

The stave would have to be pretty straight to back with boo. You also need to prep the boo and get the back dead flat. You said you were a novice and this not something I would recommend to a novice. Do you have a decent belt sander?
As already said yew does not need backing or sapwood to become a bow. My inspiration many years back was a man called Ray Mears making a yew heartwood bow with another chap called Chris Boynton. It will be on youtube.