Main Discussion Area > English Warbow
Evidence OTHER than MR Bows of 120+ bows?
WillS:
I thought I'd add a brief passage from Weapons Of Warre by Robert Hardy regarding the yew bows found on the MR:
"The quality of the timber, its density, in many cases the extreme fineness of the grain, suggests that the timber was of a straighter and finer quality than could have been found in the British Isles. It is likely that most of it was imported from the Continent where such timber certainly could be found."
I'm not arguing of course that English yew can be superb, but is there enough of the superb quality English yew to ration hundreds of thousands of bows that have to be made quickly? I don't think there is. I don't know, none of us do, but I don't think there is. Your recent warbow may well have been made from excellent ""quality"" English yew. But could you now go out and find 20 more staves that you could do it with in a very short space of time? If the answer is "no", or "I don't know" then importing bowstaves from a country that gives the answer "yes" makes sense, doesn't it? In which case, the reason the English imported Spanish/Italian/Portugese yew is down to the "quality" of the wood.
The odd person can of course make stunning warbows from English yew, because they have the time to rifle through a bunch of staves until one stands out as being suitable. I don't think that would have been practical if you were ordered to make hundreds. That isn't saying "all English yew is bad quality" because of course it's not. But there isn't enough English yew of good quality available. So better wood was imported. Because it was better.
Perhaps.
--- Quote from: Del the cat ---Your ability to leap to unsupported conclusion is still pretty breathtaking
--- End quote ---
I would also like to add a small personal preference as well - just because I don't add the word "may" or "perhaps" to every single sentence doesn't necessarily mean I think my opinion is 100% correct full stop. I'm too focused on getting my opinion into writing quickly to add suppositions to everything. It shouldn't be taken so seriously. Hope that makes sense? I would never claim to actually know about this stuff to the extent where I can make a statement and hope everybody else reading goes "oh, right. Well, if he said that then there we go!" If I forget to add "may" or "I suppose" or "I think" to something I write, just treat it as if I have. S'easier that way.
Let's not argue, eh? I don't know any of the answers, I only know what I think. I won't ever claim to actually know, but sometimes I'll forget to make that clear.
toomanyknots:
What I think is that I should bring back this great tax, why ever was it ever discontinued? Anyone that wants to travel within my realms has to, by decree, pay me one stave. That means front yard, my house, parking in front of my house outside, (why would any neighbor do this?!) ,parking in my driveway, etc. Wife's relatives included.
Del the cat:
I'll just quote from the quote that you quoted ;)
"The quality of the timber, its density, in many cases the extreme fineness of the grain, suggests that the timber was of a straighter and finer quality than could have been found in the British Isles. It is likely that most of it was imported from the Continent where such timber certainly could be found."
That just shows it could be the clear length of staves that was important, not the actual timber quality.
E.G There are thousands of dead straight clear staves of Hazel, Willow, Aspen and other woods. But the timber itself isn't suitable...
There is a big difference between the staves being better and the timber being better..
To some extent I'm just playing Devil's advocate because those who go in print saying English Yew is unsuitable, because it is a) Too britle or b) Too full of moisure are doing the amateur bowyer a huge disservice.
I am just trying to redress the balance based on my own experience.
Del (I'll quit now else we'll just go round in circles)
WillS:
--- Quote from: Del the cat on November 25, 2013, 10:05:22 am ---those who go in print saying English Yew is unsuitable, because it is a) Too britle or b) Too full of moisure are doing the amateur bowyer a huge disservice.
I am just trying to redress the balance based on my own experience.
Del (I'll quit now else we'll just go round in circles)
--- End quote ---
Well all I'll add is that I agree entirely with the above sentiment. I think English is superb, if you have the time and dedication to find the right piece. Which most amateur/keen hobbyists do have.
meanewood:
Good time to throw my two bobs worth in.
You guys are a major asset to this forum with your knowledge and passion for the subject. Don't stop, we are all learning more each time we discuss these issues.
I can see where Del has an issue when it comes to English Yew. He goes out, finds it and makes bows out of it ( Dammed good ones) so I can understand if he feels it gets a bad 'rap' in some of the literature and warbow circles.
Ive learnt a lot from books and forums but nothing beats the knowledge you get from 'getting your hands dirty'
In my opinion, the reason Yew began to be imported was they had exhausted the native supply of usable wood, a bit like I'm doing around my neighbourhood! There is still plenty of Elm, Black Locust and other bow woods around here but none that I can use!
Anyway, thanks for the good debate
PS: Less Yew talk and more Meanewood topics
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