Primitive Yew Longbow with Sinew Bowstring

[mox1968]

lovely bow the tiller is spot on and does look like a very primitive bow,well done.

[medicinewheel]

Nice bow, nice string!

What's 'foot oil from the European Bison'??

[Hartung]

Toomanyknots, Parnell, Scott D, mox1968 and medicinewheel thanks for your nice comments.

“What's 'foot oil from the European Bison'??"

Foot oil is the oil that is obtained by simmering hoof and hoof bones from animals, in general from cattle. In the state it is known as Neatsfoot oil.

I make the oil myself mainly from red deer (elk) feet and use it mainly for primitive tanning purposes but also for coating most all of my woodwork with it.

Deer foot oil has a very high content of unsaturated fatty acids. It is liquid at room temperature and stays liquid even if you put it in the fridge. In the freezer it stays at a creamy state for about 24 hours than starts to get denser. It is high quality stuff and I like it a lot.

It’s already dark here and I can’t make a pic of the Bison foot oil but here you have pics of deer foot oil.

Deer foot oil before cleaning



Deer foot oil cleaned

[Lombard]

Heavy duty, really nice.

[ricktrojanowski]

Very cool project, everthing came out looking great.  Nice to see it all primitive, thanks for the info on the deer/bison foot oil.  I'm interested in using some primitive finishes on my next bows.

[HoBow]

Nice bow. Cool string and good info on the neatsfoot oil!

[Hartung]

Thank you guys!

“I'm interested in using some primitive finishes on my next bows.”

Bone marrow also works very well. It does not make the bow greasy as one might think but penetrates the wood very well. There is no greasy tough to it.

[adb]

Yes, it's good to see a yew bow brought to a proper full draw. It's interesting that the bow didn't make more weight, considering it's dimensions... it's certainly not a twig. What rpi density does it have? Super job on the tiller, bye the way. 

[okiecountryboy]

Yes, it's good to see a yew bow brought to a proper full draw. It's interesting that the bow didn't make more weight, considering it's dimensions... it's ertainly not a twig. What rpi density does it have? Super job on the tiller, bye the way. 

I agree that thing (NICE BOW!) looks like it could take down an elephant atm 50 yards....
BTW good work and tiller.

Ron

[Hartung]

Adp thank you. I too expected a bit more weight. It has about 21rpi which is low but should nevertheless have given a higher draw weight. The sapwood/heartwood ratio was unfavourable though. But I’m quite happy with it. It will be a good bow for demo proposes. Even at 60# it will be difficult and quite an thing for the unexperienced to pull the string behind the ear.

[Hartung]

Ron thanks. In the full draw pic my hand is about two inches too low. On the tiller tree it looks this way. Upper limb to the right.



Tiller and limb bending was controlled with a talkie walkie.

[Del the cat]

I'd say the length accounts for the unexpectedly low draw weight. Considering my Yew longbow will draw to 31.5" and is only about 70" ntn, I'd think you could safely lose an inch or so of each limb if the draw weight was worrying you.
I rather like the length, but it's a matter of feel, maybe live with it for a while, if it isn't taking much set, take it down a tad if you want a bit more power/cast.
Del

[Little John]

Nice bow and I really like the primitive string, takes some doing to be totally primitive. looks like fun.      Kenneth

[PeteC]

Nice outfit.That is a "sure nuff" longbow.God Bless

[adb]

I think you need a bigger clamp for your tiller tree... that one looks a bit small