Rawhide backed yew 55# at 26”

[Kidder]

Hi everyone. Here is my most recent bow and first bow to come out of my new shop. It’s about 66 inches tip to tip. The stave presented some interesting issues. There was a hollow knot on the tip which created a challenge to bend. There was also about 30 degrees of propeller twist through the handle and fades. I ended up adding twist to the limbs to compensate instead of taking twist out because it was in the thickest part of the bow. Probably not ideal but it worked out. The sapwood gave me issues thinning cleanly and seemed to tear downwards (maybe my drawknife wasn’t sharp enough?). But since it was to be a hunting bow I opted to back it with rawhide so no issues. I got lucky also - I did all my heat corrections and then applied the rawhide before bracing it. Fortunately the tips lined up perfectly otherwise I’m not sure what I would have done. Lesson learned. The bow came in at 55lbs at 26” with 1/4” positive tiller - more than I wanted but the finger pressure seemed fine and it shoots great so I can live with that. Dyed the rawhide with leather dye. Lightly scooped the fades with a spoon carving knife. Tips are Buffalo horn. Finished with tungoil finish then Truoil. The tungoil never really dried on the rawhide so eventually I buffed it all off. Hope to take it elk hunting this fall.

Rawhide backed yew by B Kidd, on Flickr

Rawhide backed yew by B Kidd, on Flickr

Untitled by B Kidd, on Flickr

Rawhide backed yew by B Kidd, on Flickr

Rawhide backed yew by B Kidd, on Flickr

Rawhide backed yew by B Kidd, on Flickr

Rawhide backed yew by B Kidd, on Flickr

Rawhide backed yew by B Kidd, on Flickr

Rawhide backed yew by B Kidd, on Flickr

[Hamish]

Nice work. I bet it will make a sweet hunting bow.

[superdav95]

That’s a sweet looking bow.  Looks like a smooth shooter. 

[bradsmith2010]

beautiful,, congrats,,

[bentstick54]

Great looking bow. Good luck with it in the elk woods.

[Pat B]

Cool bow.      

[M2A]

Tricky stick to make a bow from. I always hate twist in the handle and fades. Real nice finished bow!
Mike 

[bjrogg]

 Nicely done sir. Glad to see stuff coming out of your new shop.

Bjrogg

[Pappy]

Very nice work, beautiful bow and should be a good hunter.
 Pappy

[Will B]

Very nice bow!  I hope you are successful with it on a nice bull elk this fall.

[Phillip King]

  nice

[PEARL DRUMS]

Cool bow. Is that an ornamental yew the bow is laying on? Sure looks like it

[Muskyman]

I thought the same thing Pearl Drums when I looked at it….. yew on yew

Cool looking bow Kidder. Looks like an elk killer to me.

[Kidder]

Thanks for the kind words fellas. I’ll have to look closely when I get home, but I don’t believe it is a yew bush, but you have me thinking though!

[Selfbowman]

Looks great  .its good to have your shop back in action. I share that feeling.