Dings in a yew back

[Don Case]

I'm working on my first yew bow and guess what, yew is a lot softer than ocean spray I now have a few dings on the back. Is there a good way to get then out? I put a wad of wet cloth on them and then hit it with a hot iron. So-so success. Any other methods?
Thanks
Don

[Hamish]

The hot iron method that you tried is good, but it depends on how bad the crushing is, as sometimes it is bad enough to sever fibres.

If you still have enough sapwood/heartwood and the bow is at the start of tillering work  down sapwood an extra 1/16". If not, burnish the whole back.
Otherwise you could burnish the back, then sand the surface, then back with rawhide. I would back a yew bow if it is going to be used for hunting, not for any worries about it breaking in tension with a pristine back, but as protection against getting dings in it.
                                        Hamish.

[Don Case]

Is there any reason not to burnish as soon as possible? Being the clumsy jerk that I am getting it as hard as possible as soon as possible would be an asset. I guess that's always an asset isn't it

[bowmo]

That's exactly why I don't care for yew. A rawhide backing is a simple fix for the situation.

[Carson (CMB)]

Burnish.  If you burnish with a bit of elbow grease you can make even moderate dings disappear.  You can burnish whenever you want.  No reason not to do it early on in the process.  Then "spot burnish" as needed to remove dings from adventurous hunting trips or unwieldy serving jigs  . 

[Bryce]

Burnish.  If you burnish with a bit of elbow grease you can make even moderate dings disappear.  You can burnish whenever you want.  No reason not to do it early on in the process.  Then "spot burnish" as needed to remove dings from adventurous hunting trips or unwieldy serving jigs  .

Bingo!

[Don Case]

I burnished it. Nice and shiny!! If I want to put Varathane or similar on it should I sand it with fine paper to give it a little tooth?

[Bryce]

No need don. A finish will still take to it just fine.

[Pappy]

Good info,glad to hear the burnishing thing will take out the dings, I have already put a ding in the Yew I just finished, I am hard on bows, ???sounds like a good fix. Thanks.
 Pappy

[Don Case]

The dings didn't come right out but it's a big improvement and much harder. I think burnishing as soon as possible will be a big help to my clumsiness.

[Carson (CMB)]

Personally, I like to go over it with some 0000 steel wool before applying finish.