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Author Topic: Yew Bush bow  (Read 10193 times)

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Offline Bushbow

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Yew Bush bow
« on: October 24, 2009, 09:03:24 pm »
I wondered if I could make a bow from a Yew Bush, Illinois grown in this case.  So I did. The properties of the wood seemed the same as mountain grown billets I have mail ordered in the past. One limb had about 5" of deflex (as it had grown) along with a snakey turn. I used a heat gun to take out the deflex, the snakey turn is still there. Turns out about 1-1/8" wide tapering to 1/2" wide nocks, flattened D-section, 65" nock to nock, #46@28".
I am satisfied with the way it shoots, pretty good cast for a #46 bow. I know the tiller is not great, but I left it a little stiff thru the snakey turns. So I would say you can use a Yew bush for a bow. Pics below.

What became the upper limb

The lower limb

braced

snakey turn belly side

snakey turn back
 
full draw
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Offline Keenan

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2009, 09:20:43 pm »
 Very nice bow. Congratulations. That was a tricky set of billets and you did real good on the tiller given the dip that you had to deal with.
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Offline Bushbow

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2009, 09:30:21 pm »
Thanks Keenan. It seems like I never end up with a straight piece of wood. But then there are always make board bows.
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Offline ken75

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2009, 10:12:29 pm »
beautiful bow looks like a killer , nice job !!
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VenomBOWslinger

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2009, 10:47:02 pm »
Nice bow Man..whats up ken almost done with one had a few explode on tiller but lookin like theres hope for one.. call me Anyway sorry Bush...looks like u got a winner and no matter what if it works u did good..the little snakiness just gives it some character...If everyone made the same old thing life would be boring...Excellent  shape and tiller! i once made a bow froma piece of plywood, from all types of shrubs, and from boards of all species including hemlock...lol good luck in ur endeavors!!!

Cheers!!!
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Offline Dano

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2009, 11:03:40 pm »
Now that's a fine job.
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #6 on: October 24, 2009, 11:17:41 pm »
very nice!
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Del the cat

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    • Derek Hutchison Native Wood Self Bows
Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2009, 07:03:33 am »
Nice! I like to see a bit of a wiggle ;)
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Offline Bushbow

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2009, 08:24:32 am »
Thanks to all for the comments. The thing I like best about the bow is because it is from a bush. I did not think it would work, but that is some good wood. I posted the bow so if anyone else was wondering if you could make a bow from a yew bush, it is on record you can. My thanks to Radius with all his great Yew bow, seeing the knotty yew he has made into fantastic bows pushed me over the edge to try this piece.
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radius

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2009, 01:38:05 pm »
i really like it.  Haven't had much luck with using yew in stiff-handled designs, but you obviously have!  Did you use the 4in1 rasp alot on this one?  With these yew bows i find that is the tool i have in hand most often. 

I want to try the ornament irish yew.  (I think that's what it's called).  I cut a big branch from one a month or two ago, but yesterday I gave all my useable or semi-useable wood away to a guy i turned onto bowmaking recently.  He'll do it, and we'll see what that stuff can do. 
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Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #10 on: October 25, 2009, 02:02:42 pm »
Very nice bow! jawge
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Offline hawkbow

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #11 on: October 25, 2009, 05:55:08 pm »
very nice brother...
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Offline Jesse

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #12 on: October 25, 2009, 06:20:13 pm »
cool bow and primitive looking as well. Nice
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kerbinator

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #13 on: October 25, 2009, 07:03:18 pm »
Hey Bushbow
That is an awesome looking bow. Do you think you could get a close up shot of the hand splice for all of us novice bowyers like me.  :)Looks like a killer. Marlin
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Offline brownhillboy

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Re: Yew Bush bow
« Reply #14 on: October 25, 2009, 08:58:59 pm »
Excellent job, I like it!
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south central VA
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