I've been sorting out my staves so I can get the new stuff on the shelves, and I came across this straggly Yew stick about 62" long 1.75" across the middle, bent and knotty. The sort of thing that says don't throw me away I'll be fun to have a go with. I'd obviously cut it and seasoned it in a fit of mad optimism.
I started chopping with a axe, but thought, it's just not worth the effort.
So I nibbled away with the bandsaw cutting away the belly at the wrong angle
Soooo... the string alignment is shot to hell
with the flat of the belly being at 45 degrees to the arrow
.
I didn't bother with the tiller, just put a string on and heaved it back CRACK BANG the bark started popping off like like a good 'un.
It's my new technique for getting a perfect Yew back, nothing whatsoever to do with laziness
.
First try the top limb was anout 4" from the string at brace while the string was touching all along the naturally reflexed lower limb.
I lopped a few inches off the top limb and did a tip sideverlay... ( that's like an overlay but on the side
) to help the string line a bit.
When I finally put it on the tiller I got a shock.. I was expecting 30# maybe 35# at a push. She came home at 40#
Just goes to show how forgiving Yew is.
My son took the full draw pick... I almost fainted... couldn't believe how good she looks!
This was all done in a couple of afternoons.
I'll see how she shoots and maybe tune her up if she looks promising. Might buy her flowers and choc's if she's real good
