Yew seems kind of dry and brittle

[bow-noob]

Hi, i have a board someone game me, it looks nice, i am shaping a bow, i noticed the shavings or some splits that i took and bent, they go "snap" and break, my memory is yew heart wood doesn't do that as easy, i think the wood is very dry so I am conceded i am wasting my time on this stave.

Is there a way to ad moisture to the wood and if it's to dry is it now damaged..

THanks

[duke3192]

Probably kiln dried, put it aside for several weeks and check for flexibility.

[adb]

Only way to add moisture to wood, is to put it in an environment with a higher RH than it's currently in.

[wizardgoat]

If your used to working harder woods, yew may just seem lighter than what your used to

[Weylin]

Only way to add moisture to wood, is to put it in an environment with a higher RH than it's currently in.

+1

[Carson (CMB)]

Yew can seem brittle when you are bending off cuts, or drawknife chips. It seems the heartwood on the compression side of the tree tends to feel more brittle. It will make a fine bow assuming you have a natural sapwood back to it.

In a 66" length, a wider profile might be a good choice if you have the width.