do or dont chase yew rings ?

[Stixnstones]

ran across a couple posts that say one doesnt have to chase rings on yew, just glued up a pair o billets (my first yew wood) was worried aboot the paper thin rings n now wantin to know should i chase, plannin on backin it anyway

[Pat B]

It isn't as critical with yew but you should always have the most pristine back as you can get. If the sapwood isn't too thick and there are not too many violations or ones that are too drastic you should be OK. If in doubt you can always back with rawhide.
  I have built only a few yew bows from 45# to 95#(war bow) and all have violated back rings.

[Stixnstones]

thanx pat, actually just skimmed through tbb and mr strunk doesnt mention anything aboot chasin rings , just watchin sapwood thickness. now my dilemna is one billet has thicker sapwood than the other. obviously thin the thicker side and b careful with the thinner side

[crooketarrow]

  I only built 3 yew bows all I left 1/8" to 1/4" of sapwood. Thats what was right under the bark and was used for the back. If the sapwood on your billets are uneven I just even them up some.

[dwardo]

The last yew recurve i made i backed with silk but only because i near decrowned it trying to to remove a chainsaw scar.
Previous bows i have been lucky and had thin sapwood, the stave i have sitting here the sapwood will have to be thinned but i wont be chasing a ring just trying to keep things smooth. Where is Dell??

[Stixnstones]

was also wonderin aboot different backin other than rawhide only because i dont have any rawhide, have lots o processed sinew will that work on such soft wood ?

[Gaur]

I used a little clear ruler and just tried to maintain 1/4" on both sides and then kinda guessed on the crown.  You can see the sap rings and if you are patient you can kind of chase them.  You can see if you've really screwed up an violated a bunch of them.

[bigcountry]

Some yew, I have had luck chasing rings, others, not so much.  Give a try, some straight stuff, it could be easy.

[Pat B]

Linen, silk or sinew will work fine with yew. Sinew is a lot of trouble and a lot of work just for a protective backing. If your bow is short enough to get the best effects from the yew then sinew will work great. For sinew to preform the bow should be short for it's draw length.

[adb]

I've done both. Honestly, I don't think it makes a difference. Yew with high growth rings/inch is almost impossible to chase a ring. I only chased a ring once, and that was on a 90# yew warbow. It took hours! All others were violtated backs. Don't sweat it!

[Keenan]

What Pat and adb said. Sinew is great on yew but is best for shorter bows.  You can chase a ring if you want to spend allot of tedious time but not necessary, just try to avoid many violations in one spot.

[Stixnstones]

thanx guys, u know u can read and do all the research u want but advise from folks who have such experience goes a long way other than divin rite in yourself. this is some pretty special yew i got from norm blaker as a gift norm purchased these billets over 30 years ago. u michigan folks should know of norm ( bowyer,flintknapper,arrowsmith,atlatl champion, trick shooter,flintlock builder etc.) anyway i just dont want to make kindling oot of this stuff

[Buckeye Guy]

Norm is a freind of mine !!
I would love to be able to see him more often !!
You will do fine with the wood , relax !

[Pat B]

A 30 year old yew stave is what dreams are made of!  Lots of drooling going on from guys just reading this thread.     

[adb]

Wow, a 30 y.o. yew stave! Nice. I have a 5 y.o. yew stave, and I thought it was something! I guess I can leave it a while longer.