Yew billets belly drop build with sinew backing.

[Selfbowman]

Interesting. You going to flight test those?

[superdav95]

Yes i should.  we got heavy rain right now.  Ill speed test both these bows when i get them fully tillered.  I have my theory on which one will be faster but it should be interesting.   

[Will B]

Both bows look great, Dave!  Very interesting observations. I’ve had more trouble with yew bows than any other bow wood. The only one that I had success with was a sinew-backed sapwood-heartwood yew recurve. I appreciate you sharing your work.

[superdav95]

Both bows look great, Dave!  Very interesting observations. I’ve had more trouble with yew bows than any other bow wood. The only one that I had success with was a sinew-backed sapwood-heartwood yew recurve. I appreciate you sharing your work.

Thanks Will.  I’ve broken a few of them too.  When they work though they sure do work well. 

[Muskyman]

It’s funny how it seems like every time I get a yew stave people start talking about how they tend to break.. well I’ve only had 2 both birthday presents. Got one a few weeks ago and it seems pristine. Bark is still on it but I can’t find a knot anywhere on the back. That’s one of my reasons for following Dave’s thread so close. Well that’s not exactly true, I follow all Dave’s builds. Probably back this one with rawhide or maybe make it my first try with sinew..

Both really looking good though Dave. Looking forward to seeing them finished..

 I’ve never done a speed test. I might have to see if I can find a chronograph somewhere to test a few of my bows..

[Hamish]

Yew is a great bow wood, but it's still just wood. Some bowyers abuse it, not following the grain, or underbuilding it for its draw length, and it can break.
 

[superdav95]

It’s funny how it seems like every time I get a yew stave people start talking about how they tend to break.. well I’ve only had 2 both birthday presents. Got one a few weeks ago and it seems pristine. Bark is still on it but I can’t find a knot anywhere on the back. That’s one of my reasons for following Dave’s thread so close. Well that’s not exactly true, I follow all Dave’s builds. Probably back this one with rawhide or maybe make it my first try with sinew..

Both really looking good though Dave. Looking forward to seeing them finished..

 I’ve never done a speed test. I might have to see if I can find a chronograph somewhere to test a few of my bows..

Thanks Mike.  Ya rawhide is a good option for yew self bows. Imo.  I get mine shot in and fully tillered before then though just to make sure all is good with the bow.  The backing is mainly for protection from dings and dents on the relatively soft sapwood.  It also gives a great canvas for artistic flare for dyes and stains.  I got my chrono off Amazon few years ago.  Watch for the sales and get best price.   

[superdav95]

Yew is a great bow wood, but it's still just wood. Some bowyers abuse it, not following the grain, or underbuilding it for its draw length, and it can break.

I agree hamish.  It’s very different then hardwoods like Osage or or bl or other white woods.  My explosions or failures typically happened when I tried to over correct with too much heat.  It can become brittle if heated too many times in same spot.   I find steam better for bigger corrections.  It doesn’t overheat the wood.   

[Muskyman]

Well that actually makes me feel a little better because I’m kind of a steam guy when it comes to straightening. I found out pretty quick I don’t have the patience to stand around with a heat gun. To be honest I shouldn’t have to do much to this stave.. I don’t think anyway. Got a little deflex but not much. What kind of chronograph do you have Dave? I’ve looked at them a time or two. About hundred bucks to one fifty on the lower end from what I’ve seen.
Competition and Caldwell seem to be what I’ve seen mostly.

[superdav95]

Hey mike.  Here’s the one I got.  Or very similar.  I had the Caldwell one but it didn’t work well for me and I sent it back. 

https://a.co/d/czZxzsE

[Muskyman]

I kinda figured the cheap ones were probably not the best. Not sure if I want to drop $250 plus on one to be honest. Mainly because I just don’t build enough bows to justify the money. But honestly I’ve spent enough on my attempt to learn flint knapping to buy 2 or 3 of them. 😂
I might try one of the cheaper ones, maybe. Also might see if I can find an archery shop around here that has one and take my bows there and test them..
Thanks for the reply.

[superdav95]

sooo,  a quick update on these bows!  They both tilered out to 50lbs at 28'.  both bending very similar profiles.  both are approx 60" ntn and just under 1.70"-1.75" at widest to the taper out towards the tips.  Ill do more speed testing but very promising.  the sapwood/heartwood bow shot a little faster according to the chrono shooting a 500grain arrow.  182fps.  the heartwood only bow also shot very well at 178fps.  the sapwood bow felt faster when shooting it.  both had zero handshock which a little surprising to me being both symetrical bows.  both feel very well balanced.  more speed testing will be done soon to get clearer picture of what is going on.  I got eager to get out and do some shooting today and had these good to go.  proir to shooting these bows today i noted the folowing on reflex,

heartwood bow. at rest had started out with about 4.5" prior to stringing up and shooting

immediatley after unstrung held 3"

after about 10-15mins came back to about 4"

sapwood/heartwood bow.  at rest had started out with about 5.5" prior to stringing up and shooting

immediatly after unstrung held 4"

after about 10-15mins came back to about 5"

These results are not terribly surprising and pretty much what i expected. 

here are some pics enjoy. ill post the video clips in seperate post after.

https://imgur.com/bpiGP5D
https://imgur.com/eHmo39L
https://imgur.com/tW5LtUk
https://imgur.com/2vKwEww
https://imgur.com/PodOwyE
https://imgur.com/ptgeCQ2
https://imgur.com/4H3oWEZ
https://imgur.com/E7jUqZU
https://imgur.com/bv0SPwB
https://imgur.com/DjrENqn
https://imgur.com/5vFL1iS
https://imgur.com/eTyeV4s

[superdav95]

Short video clips. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FToG6m5HLBAyDVUK9


https://photos.app.goo.gl/oqcXqPF2rPzANP5k8

[Bob Barnes]

Those two bows look outstanding.  It looked like you didn't get back to 28" on the videos...?  If that's the case, a full draw shot should really post some impressive numbers.  Congrats and thanks!   

[superdav95]

Those two bows look outstanding.  It looked like you didn't get back to 28" on the videos...?  If that's the case, a full draw shot should really post some impressive numbers.  Congrats and thanks!   

Thanks bob.  Yes you are correct.  I just Re watched the videos and ya I’m not fully back all the way.  I tend to snap shoot out of habit.   I’ll do some more and repost.