This Yew was a nightmare. The log had been supposedly seasoned for 3 years, I sawed the cleanest most reflex half of the log, but it was like limp celery, the reflex rapidly pulled out to become deflex and one end felt damp under the drawknife. I steamed it, heat treated it, stuck it on a radiator and did all sorts. Despite being a reasonable size log the central pith was rather close to the clean face. On the top limb there are two big knots coming out the side.
Here's a link to me talking about it on Youtube:-
https://youtu.be/DXsgUfNAqP0There are other videos of it work in progress on there.
Here's a post on my blog showing some of the tricky features.
http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/knotty-yew-longbow-detail.htmlThe leather for the grip is from a ship that went down in 1786! See this post:-
http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/knotty-yew-full-draw.htmlIt's for a left hander, so there is masking tape round it above the grip where I've been shooting it in right handed.
74 1/4 ntn 76 1/4 ttt
50# at 28" but the guy who I'm making it for wants to be able to take it to 32" for roving shoots (I haven't taken it to 32" yet, I'm reluctant as it may only get taken to 30-31)
I've left it long and allowed some deflex at the grip to allow for the 32" draw requirement.
Del
PS I've added a pic that shows how there's a knot either side on that upper limb. It's two separate knots which come out from the centre.