Just finished my shortbow, made from +7 years old danish female yew. It had the sappwood reduced about 1/4". It was not steamed, but worked around knots at both ends. Nock-nock lenght 58½" pulls 53# at 28", Strung with 3 mm commercial maritime tar line (hemp/wood tar), whipped with scraps from broken string (waxed linnen).