Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: E. Jensen on July 24, 2015, 06:05:29 pm

Title: Weathered Yew
Post by: E. Jensen on July 24, 2015, 06:05:29 pm
I purchased this very large yew stave over a year ago.  It is in basically the same condition now as when I received it.  The seller said it is 10 years seasoned.  He has asked me to reach out to other bowyers to determine its suitability for a sap/heart english style long bow.  On the one picture, I highlighted the cracks with sharpy.
Title: Re: Weathered Yew
Post by: E. Jensen on July 24, 2015, 06:06:19 pm
The wood closest to the pith is very brittle
Title: Re: Weathered Yew
Post by: wizardgoat on July 24, 2015, 07:38:09 pm
Really hard to tell in photos, sometimes sapwood checks through to the heart wood, some times it doesn't. If that stave is as huge as it looks, I'd saw it in half.
You will only know how bad the damage is until you get in it.
You can always rip the sapwood off and back it, or make an all heartwood bow.
Either way, I'd bed you get at least a bow out of it, but maybe not the kind of bow you were hoping for
Title: Re: Weathered Yew
Post by: E. Jensen on July 25, 2015, 01:02:25 am
I wanted a sap/heart heavy yew bow.  Its not about what I can get out of it, its what I paid to get.
Title: Re: Weathered Yew
Post by: Gordon on July 25, 2015, 01:48:07 am
A lot of the heartwood looks rotten to me.
Title: Re: Weathered Yew
Post by: vinemaplebows on July 25, 2015, 02:00:07 am
Yep, looks like shake that rotted over the yrs.