Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Badger on April 26, 2012, 07:23:47 pm

Title: Low elevation yew
Post by: Badger on April 26, 2012, 07:23:47 pm
  I got some low elevation low ring count yew from Brian here recently. I have alwasy heard that low ring count yew was junk. Not quite as dense as high ring count but I just built it by mass and was really pleased with the results. The picture doesn't show the r/d as much as it should when I put the finish on I will repost a better pic. 53#@28"  started with 2" reflex and finished with 1 1/4" reflex. I left the tips a bit wide and will narrow them more after I do some overlays. Very good shooting bow, I didn't chrono it but it shoots right with the best of mine. I will definitely be looking for more low ring count in the future, it is a lot more economical and seems to behave just as well as the high elevation. I didn't chase a ring on the back just to see how it would hold, I used the ring right under the bark and filed off the high spots leaving a lot of violations, ring count is around 14 per inch.
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Badger on April 26, 2012, 07:24:37 pm
second pic
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Badger on April 26, 2012, 07:25:10 pm
3rd pic
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Badger on April 26, 2012, 07:25:42 pm
last
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Bevan R. on April 26, 2012, 07:30:44 pm
Nice looking stick. I bet that will really sparkle when you finish it!
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: vinemaplebows on April 26, 2012, 07:34:58 pm
Glad it turned out for you, can't wait to see the other set you got....you making a longbow from the other set?
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Badger on April 26, 2012, 07:43:47 pm
  Brian, I just spliced up the other set of billets a few minutes ago. 71" long is all I can get so will try for about 70# if I can get it. Hoping for at least 60#. Won't be able to get on it before monday.
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: rossfactor on April 26, 2012, 07:45:01 pm
Great to see a bow from you Steve. 

I have several staves of what i'd call "mid" elevation Yew (about 500-800 ft).  This is inspiring.  If it shoots up there with your other bows than we know its fast.

Gabe
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: dragonman on April 26, 2012, 08:03:25 pm
I like your bow, simple and a  nice tiller, good to know the rules aren't too fixed...
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: ErictheViking on April 26, 2012, 08:59:15 pm
Love the bend on that. would like to see the finished too once its done
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: vinemaplebows on April 26, 2012, 10:26:37 pm
Badger,

                     Hope you get it good luck! I can't wait to see the pics!
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: mullet on April 26, 2012, 10:37:44 pm
Steve, that is a good looking bow. Brian has sent me a few pieces of that ol' cheap Yew over the years and has convinced me. This may be a coincidence but I have broke less Yew bows from low elevation Yew than the high dollar stuff. I think the same thing holds true, to me anyway when you hear talk about Osage with thick or thin growth rings. I've made some screamers out of thin ringed Osage nobody else wanted.

 I tried to talk Brian into shipping me your log and then I'd bring it to you at the Classic ::) he said,,,, no. ;)
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: blackhawk on April 26, 2012, 10:52:10 pm
sweet fast bend right there...nice to see youve been busy again with the wood...looks like retirement is treating you good :)

Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: lesken2011 on April 26, 2012, 11:39:04 pm
Looks good Badger! Nice reflex shape.
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Pat B on April 27, 2012, 12:01:22 am
Nice bow Steve. Good to know there is another good bow wood out there. I guess we don't really know about any wood for bows until we try it. The experts have been wrong before!  ;)
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Blacktail on April 27, 2012, 12:07:14 am
that is great steve...i would be happy with any yew...i hope you get some good results with and the wood you just glued up also...cant wait to see the next..john
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Pappy on April 27, 2012, 08:13:47 am
Very nice bow Steve,that should be a shooter. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Kpete on April 27, 2012, 12:56:54 pm
Badger,
I like that bow!  It is interesting that "conventional wisdom" doesn't always turn out to be wisdom.   I am encouraged to use some "Inferior wood" I have around here.
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on April 27, 2012, 01:08:41 pm
That bow looks incredibly "heavy". Does yew in general require that amount wood to make a bow? I have a fine low elevation piece of yew as well.
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Badger on April 27, 2012, 01:34:42 pm
  Pearl, the bow is 19 oz, 1 1/2" wide.
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Blacktail on April 27, 2012, 03:20:13 pm
you can make a fine bow out low elavation yew its not inferior wood..but as pearl said..the limbs will be thicker and for me that will slow the cast of the arrow....i try to shoot for tight rings...but if i only had low elevation and wide rings i would have no trouble using it...most people in the world of bow making wont even get to try this wood or even get to see it up close....so,if you only have low elevation HECK YEAH give it a try...yew is a great bow wood any way it comes...john
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: Gordon on April 27, 2012, 03:45:06 pm
Quote
the limbs will be thicker and for me that will slow the cast of the arrow

Arrow cast is much more affected by limb mass than by volume. There is no reason that a properly constructed bow of low elevation yew should, in general, perform any different than one made of yew with a higher ring count. At least that has been my experience.
Title: Re: Low elevation yew
Post by: rossfactor on April 27, 2012, 07:50:51 pm
Don't mean to hijack this, but there was a really interesting discussion on this subject back in 2009.

Linked Below:

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,15620.0.html