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Author Topic: Re working a Yew longbow  (Read 2637 times)

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Offline Del the cat

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    • Derek Hutchison Native Wood Self Bows
Re working a Yew longbow
« on: March 03, 2011, 12:27:26 pm »
My trusty old Yew longbow (75#) is too much for me these days, I'm thinking of working it down to about 55-60#.
Now it's pretty old (30yrs!) but hasn't had that much use.
I want to try to keep the speed up so I'm considering heating out the considerable set it's taken over the years (it's only 70" and has been pulled to 31.5").
If I tackle this with care, getting it good and hot before any force is put on it, and doing it before I drop the weight will I get away with it?
Or should I leave my venerable old pal for the occaisional demo', save it from the indignity and just make myself a new one?
It will be V trickly anyway as there is a giant knot on the grip and a few interesting features.
Del
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Offline dwardo

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Re: Re working a Yew longbow
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2011, 01:28:02 pm »
I suppose the question should be "is it worth loosing her over?"
« Last Edit: March 03, 2011, 01:32:18 pm by dwardo »
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Offline Michael C.

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Re: Re working a Yew longbow
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2011, 01:35:17 pm »
I would save it if you don't want it to possibly break and just make a new one, considering the wood has been pulled for that long and the set is there. I don't really know that you would be able to scrape all of the compressed wood off and if you did then it may break in the process. Gives you a good reason to start another bow :)
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"Friendship makes prosperity more shining and lessens adversity by dividing and sharing it."

Cicero

Offline toomanyknots

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Re: Re working a Yew longbow
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2011, 02:06:57 pm »
If you did you know you have to wait a real real good long time before bending it after heat treating. Also, if you take it down a bit in weight first, it might not be as slow as you think. I don't know, if it was me I would be afraid of messing it up, but that is because I am not super experienced like most people on this forum. I also don't have a yew longbow. ... Now if I had ten of em, I would definitely go for it, :):):)
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"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair

Offline Bevan R.

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Re: Re working a Yew longbow
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2011, 02:38:15 pm »
I would say leave it alone. Hang it up. Remember shooting it. Build a new one.

Bevan R
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Bowmakers are a little bent, but knappers are just plain flaky.

Offline Pat B

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Re: Re working a Yew longbow
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2011, 02:59:37 pm »
Save this one or give it away and make yourself the bow you want.  ;)
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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: Re working a Yew longbow
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2011, 03:11:56 pm »
Yeah the consensus seems to be leave her alone.
I gotta admit it's a nice bow to keep for showing off ;D, although my shoulders regret it later.
I'm sure I can persuade m self to start another one (...sound of door slamming and Del rushing out to workshop)
Thanks guys.
Del
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Stringman

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Re: Re working a Yew longbow
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2011, 03:26:42 pm »
Lol, that's funny - (sound of Stringman tiptoeing out the door then flashing past the window on his way to the cave...)

Nice visual!
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