Dry climates and yew bows?

[TheDukesArchers]

Alberta is quite a dry Provence compared to the pacific coast (where the yew comes from). I've heard from a prominent bowyer instruct that it is best to back all yew bows with silk or rawhide where the climate is dry and has low humidity. It is mandatory, but it helps in terms of a bows longlivety.

DA

[Marc St Louis]

It seems to me I have heard of Yew bows being used at the salt flats for flight shooting, that's pretty dry

[Stoker]

It is dry here... But when you get your stave it will dry alot more... Extra backing not needed
Thanks Leroy

[Pat B]

Is your house humidified. If so just keep it inside until you re ready to use it. 

[BrokenArrow]

I'm from Alberta and just finishing my 2nd yew bow.
My suggestions:
-get a good moisture detector.
-finish bow when moisture is above 5%><8%
-seal with outdoor urethane to seal in moisture.
-no need to back it then.

[TheDukesArchers]

What disadvantages would a rawhide or silk backng create? To be honest, I couldn't care if it's backed or not. To my mind it will still be a yew self bow.

[TheDukesArchers]

Is your house humidified. If so just keep it inside until you re ready to use it. 

Hey Pat,

House isn't humidified. I just payed a good deal for this stave so I can't have it breaking on me. Just need to do things right from the off.

[Pat B]

Wood doesn't hydrate or dehydrate over night. It takes a while so if you keep the bow in your house you could use it on the weekends without much change in the M/C.   Build yourself a hickory bow. Hickory loves dry climates and has peak performance in dry conditions.

[DC]

You could build a "wet" box. A reasonably airtight box to keep it in. Put a bottle of water in it to raise the humidity and a good hygrometer to keep track of it.

[bushboy]

Stoker is from a dusty part of AB,so i'm sure it will work!get the tiller right and your off!

[mullet]

I've only heard of backing them to cut down on kicks and dings hunting with them.

[TheDukesArchers]

It's just what I was told. I myself have never heard of backing yew as the sapwood is meant to do a pretty good job.

[TheDukesArchers]

Would backing with silk or rawhide Havana disadvantages? If it offers even a little bit more protection then is it not a good thing? Maybe it can slow the bow though?

[mullet]

Sand the rawhide down like you were using it to Brain tan or use goat rawhide. You just need a thin layer for protection.

[Hamish]

If you want to play it safe back it with rawhide. Yew is great, very light but it has a reputation of increasing draw weight and suddenly breaking when its cold, and dry. I have read about this in old issues of Prim Archer.
It seemed to be more of a factor with narrow limbed elb. You could also make the limbs a couple of inches longer than your usual design, so it  is under less stress, if you go into harsh conditions.
If it is going to be a hunting bow I would always back a yew bow to stop the sapwood getting dinged.
        Hamish.