59" yew bow question

[deerhunter97370]

Ive started a 59" yew bow. Im thinking 1 1/2" at the handle down to 1/2" straight horn nocks. Do you all think this will hold up to 80# draw? Thanks Joel

[330bull]

I'm a novice, but that short of a bow will require every bit of working limb available.  Do you plan on a bending handle?  Also, I believe that standard strengths of materials will tell you that you will get 3x more strength from the thickness of a limb, and not the width.  I would guess that others may tell you 1.25" width on thicker belly, but I'm only guessing.

I'm really interested in the final outcome of this bow, so please keep everyone informed.  This sounds a lot like a Chet Stevenson hunting weight bow.  Can't weight to see it. (pun intended).

Good luck, Joe

[juniper junkie]

kinda depends on your draw length. there would be a lot of stress there for a 28" draw.

[deerhunter97370]

Yes on a bendy handle. I dont like stiff handles. 1.25 sound better. This is my first serious bow, so I cant weight to see how it turns out either. I will try to get it to floor tiller tonight and may be some pics. JJ my draw is 26" if that helps. Joel

[Keenan]

 Joel, several things will determine the outcome. Rind count, Ratio of sap to heartwood, and thickness of the limbas well as the limb profile.
  I have a 58" yew bow that is about 1 3/4" wide and 11/16" thick  at the fades then tapering to 1/2" tips. It is a squashed oval limb profile with a rounder tip and is more of a D/R bow. It is about 68-69 lbs.  at 28"
  It's very tight grained and about 1/3 sap to 2/3 heart wood.  Unbacked.  Hope that helps.   Keenan

[deerhunter97370]

Well I was trying to take off some extra wood on on of the limbs and my drawnife went about 3/4 way across the belly on one of the limbs about 6" bellow the tip. So Ill have to shorten it even more and retiller. Joel

[Pat B]

There is a point when a draw knife will be more detrimental that good. With a rasp and scraper you should have more control of your wood reduction. Yew is soft enough that you shouldn't have to use a draw knife after initial reduction and shaping and before floor tiller stage.    Pat

[deerhunter97370]

Thanks Pat Ill remember that. Joel

[adb]

I wouldn't try it.

[Chadwick]

Now that you're looking at under 59", You should really consider backing what you've got left.  If there's still a bow in the wood, you'll want to protect it.  With your short draw, there may be several options.
Michael

[George Tsoukalas]

That's asking a lot of it. I would back it with raw hide (for safety) or sinew (better chance for the bow to survive that high a pull when so short). Jawge