« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: Gray Yew sapwood  (Read 3860 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline DC

  • Member
  • Posts: 10,396
Gray Yew sapwood
« on: October 30, 2015, 03:18:25 pm »
I'm pretty sure this isn't good news but how bad is it. This is on an otherwise new perfect stave. It would be right in the middle. It's about a foot long in a 77" stave. I could cut it out and splice the ends together and get rid of most of it or I could cut the sapwood off and Bamboo back it. It won't be a total loss but I would prefer a one piece bow
Logged

Offline Pat B

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 37,542
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2015, 03:24:42 pm »
Does the wood seem sound? If so I'd go ahead with it. Yew is pretty rot resistant.
Logged
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline wizardgoat

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,397
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2015, 03:44:01 pm »
Yew heartwood is super rot resistance but not the sapwood.
Was this salvaged yew? Sometimes there's discolouration in yew sapwood
and if it's punky or rotten I can smell it once it's been worked
Logged

Offline DC

  • Member
  • Posts: 10,396
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2015, 04:11:11 pm »
I don't think it was salvaged but not 100% sure. The bark in the area is perfect, no sign of a ding. The stave is 2 1/2" wide and there is no sign of grey on the other side.  If I'm real lucky maybe I can move the bow over an inch. I'll let it dry and take a closer look later.
Logged

Offline PEARL DRUMS

  • Member
  • Posts: 14,079
  • }}}--CK-->
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2015, 04:16:43 pm »
Knife it off and make a sinew backed rocket ship.
Logged
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline DC

  • Member
  • Posts: 10,396
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2015, 04:18:35 pm »
Is sinew that much better than Bamboo. It's awfully damp here.
Logged

Offline Del the cat

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,300
    • Derek Hutchison Native Wood Self Bows
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2015, 04:19:29 pm »
How does the grey stuff feel under a spokeshave or draw knife?
If it's waxy/cheesy then it's ok, if its limp,chalky or dry feeling cut it all off and back the heart wood.
Listen to the little voice in your head or gut that knows... don't talk yourself into using bad wood. I've regretted it before now.
A little discolouration can be ok, but I think feel tells you what you need to know.
Del
Logged
Health warning, these posts may contain traces of nut.

Offline Aaron H

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,437
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2015, 04:22:27 pm »
Is there not enough room for an all heartwood bow?
Logged

Offline DC

  • Member
  • Posts: 10,396
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2015, 04:35:28 pm »
Quote
How does the grey stuff feel under a spokeshave or draw knife?
It cuts just like the rest of the sapwood.

Quote
Is there not enough room for an all heartwood bow?
Yes there is. May be an option.
Logged

Offline PEARL DRUMS

  • Member
  • Posts: 14,079
  • }}}--CK-->
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2015, 04:40:22 pm »
Delamination would bother me, I believe that's what happened on your last bow. Unless that damaged hump was at the grip, I wouldn't use it as is. I'd rip it off and add 3 layers of sinew and HIDE GLUE and make a killer bow.


http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,46041.msg626156.html#msg626156

Logged
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline sieddy

  • Member
  • Posts: 708
  • Guaranga! :)
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2015, 06:29:13 pm »
Gotta love that Hippy Yew stick- man that is smoking!  :D
Logged
"No man ever broke his bow but another man found a use for the string" Irish proverb

Offline ravenbeak

  • Member
  • Posts: 333
  • Pacific Yew Wood
    • Ravenbeak Natureworks
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2015, 10:39:26 pm »
I would say you will be alright,  (although I usually say that)

I would guess it was elk scrape years ago that has grown over,  I have seen lots of staining like that,  especially on the north island where there are lots of elk.

Logged
Custom Yew Bows,  and bow making workshops
www.ravenbeak.com

Offline DC

  • Member
  • Posts: 10,396
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #12 on: October 30, 2015, 10:45:42 pm »
When I get a minute I'm going to scrape the bark off in that spot just to see if there is a wound. Like I said the bark looks pristine but Yew appears to shed some bark and that may cover some faults.
Logged

Offline PatM

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,737
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #13 on: October 30, 2015, 11:07:24 pm »
I'll trade you for a better piece of Elm.  >:D
Logged

Offline Weylin

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,296
Re: Gray Yew sapwood
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2015, 12:40:12 am »
I think Del's got the right idea. If you think it feels good than it's likely fine. I've make several yew bows with a little discoloration with no ill effect.
Logged
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »