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warbow length ?

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Josh B:
Alrighty gents,  this is completely uncharted territory for me.  I just scored a Pacific yew stave, 60+rpi 69" long x 2" x 2" that's been seasoning since the 1920's.  I really don't want to screw this  up.  Would it be feasible or advisable to make an 85# @ 31 1/2" ewb from this short of a stave? It has 1/4" sapwood and a pristine knotfree back. Actually I don't see a knot anywhere on it. Is this doable or should I wait for a longer stave?  Like I said, I really don't want to screw it up!  Josh

RyanY:
On that ERC bow I made I was going for around that draw weight and length but chickened out at 30" draw and just rounded down to the 80#@29". I think that yew could definitely get there with a good piece of wood. I also made a hickory warbow that was under 72" ntn and 120#@32" which is pushing it as well.  I think shorter heavy draw weight bows can be made but they'll want to take more set.

adb:
If the stave is 69" now, you're going to lose 2" for nocks... so that leaves you with 67". A bit short for 80+ # @ 30+". Definitely make it a bendy handle bow, with a full circular tiller, getting as much limb working as possible. Once you start tillering it, the stave will let you know how far it wants to go. If it starts taking set, stop. Like you said, it sounds like too good a stave to ruin.

Del the cat:
I agree with what's been said, except you don't need to loose as much as 2" for nocks.
With ELBs they are so narrow and you don't want to cut into the back so I glue on a temporary tip overlay and cut a nock into that (might need an extra nock for a stringer on one end), but they can be as close to the tip as you dare (1/2 " -1/4").
A good trick for when you want to put the horn nocks on :- Stick some masking tpe on the back of the bow and make a pencil mark 6" from the temporary nock. When the tip is rasped to a point and the horn stuck on you can then measure back 6" from your pencil mark and be right back spot on where you were :).

I think it is a bit short for 32" draw, (I'd go for 72-74" but obviously you can't stretch a stave >:D ) but I'll bet that most people claiming 32" draw don't get there. A heavy bow compresses the arms and shoulders so much, on the 90# I built 28" looked pretty much like a full medieval draw.
Del

Josh B:
Thank you for the replies gentlemen.  I shall defer to your superior knowledge on the subject and not risk this stave.  I have several ERC staves that would serve better in this application.  Ryan, your bow lit the warbow fire in me , so I blame you! >:( ;D ;D ;D if mine turns out half as nice, I will be tickled!  Thanks again,  Josh

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