Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Dean Marlow on December 13, 2010, 05:01:59 pm

Title: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: Dean Marlow on December 13, 2010, 05:01:59 pm
Here is a Yew selfbow in the flat bow design that I finally got around to finish. It is 66" long. It is 1-1/2" wide at the fades to midlimb then tapers down to a little less than 1/2" wide knocks. This is a wood that I have not much experience with. It does not grow in Illinois and to get a good piece does take some cash. This stave came from  Ted Fry Raptor Archery and has just one small pin knot in the whole thing. What a wondeful wood to work with.  I  live in Osage country and this wood is quite a bit different to handle. I thinned the sap down to about 3/8" thick on the back. It is 47lbs. at 28" after shooting around 50 arrows threw it. First thing I notice about this bow is it feels like it weighs nothing compared to Osage. The second thing is the elasticity of this wood. It really likes to bend. When you launch an arrow friom it is smooth. The biggest mistake I made with this Yew stave was not using sandpaper to get my final tiller. I used to much rasp. I lost a little more poundage than I wanted. Next time I will know. Use sandpaper and scrapers when finishing Yew. The biggest didadvantage I see is it doesn't take much hard punishment and will dent very easy.  I will post full draw when my wife gets home. Dean
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: Dean Marlow on December 13, 2010, 05:06:56 pm
I see I doubled up my pictures. Sorry about that. Here are a few more.
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: youngbowyer33 on December 13, 2010, 05:10:46 pm
Gorgeous looking bow!
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: Pat B on December 13, 2010, 05:13:02 pm
Very nice bow, Dean. I love yew too!  ::)  :-[    I have been fortunate to work a few pieces of yew over the years and love how it works, shoots and looks. Well done!  8)
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: Dean Marlow on December 13, 2010, 06:19:50 pm
Here is the full draw.
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: Del the cat on December 13, 2010, 06:37:40 pm
Nice bow... I love the stuff.
Del
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: NTProf on December 13, 2010, 06:43:31 pm
Stunning!!
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: bcbull on December 13, 2010, 06:57:55 pm
you made that yew proud dean good job  brock
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: George Tsoukalas on December 13, 2010, 07:25:51 pm
That is outstanding! Jawge
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: Gary Mac on December 13, 2010, 08:09:10 pm
If only we could get hold of Yew in the UK >:(

Very nice bow!
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: ErictheViking on December 13, 2010, 08:43:24 pm
sweet bow Dean! Love the look of the sap/heart wood contrast in yew. Wish I had some to play with. Are the tips horn?
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: adb on December 13, 2010, 08:57:09 pm
Nice bow, with excellent tiller. I agree... yew is king!!
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: Keenan on December 13, 2010, 09:26:46 pm
I love yew to Dean. ;D ::)  It has become my favorite as well as juniper, vinemaple, cascara, and and and,, :D   

 All kidding aside, very nice bow.  Yes yew is soft when your used to working with osage. Most make the same mistake when going from hard woods to white woods.  On the flip side I am working some osage now and I am starting to understand why all you osage guys love a rasp. ::)  You will fine some variances from tight ringed to wider ringed when working but its all great wood. My offer still stands in you want to try some nice tight ringed yew I'll trade for a very snaky osage ;D
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: bcbull on December 13, 2010, 10:10:37 pm
hey guys  someone needs get josh a heads up get that one in for bom haha brock
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: John K on December 13, 2010, 11:30:21 pm
Looks great !
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: majsnuff on December 13, 2010, 11:34:37 pm
You did that stave justice. Wonderful job on an exceptional stave. I hope to see it in BOM soon.
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: Dean Marlow on December 14, 2010, 12:03:18 am
Thanks everybody for the nice compliments on this bow. The overlay's are African blackwood. And Keenan I haven't forgot you on the osage snake staves. Let me see what I end up with and maybe we can do some trading. Dean
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: Sparrow on December 14, 2010, 01:10:05 am
Nice Bow ! (All of it )  I really like the looks of that handle and shelf. Good work  '  Frank
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: stickbender on December 14, 2010, 01:43:59 am

     Beautiful bow, and beautiful job! :o  That is a very nice piece of Yew, as it was meant to be! ;)  The tree spirits must be smiling now.  Oh, and did you remember to drain that hose? ::) ;D ;D

                                                                                   Wayne
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: Holten101 on December 14, 2010, 04:25:54 am
Aye...awsome bow..good length and a draw weight that should make it last forever:-). I too like yew (wych elm is by far my favorite wood though), but have never had a chance to work on good quality stuff like your...some day maybe:-)

I must say that that aluminium arrow stands out like a sore spot....that bow deserves better;-)

Man I have lost all interest in entering decembers BOM....the contenders this month are far too strong including this piece of art.

Cheers

Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: medicinewheel on December 14, 2010, 05:09:46 am
Seems like the most beautiful bow pop up right now!
Title: Re: I See Why People Love Yew
Post by: Pappy on December 14, 2010, 05:58:44 am
Beautiful bow,very nice job.Yew is a great bow wood,no doubt about that. :)
   Pappy