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Differences in Yew Sapwood

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SDBurntStick:
Thanks for the input.  I'll go ahead and take it to 28.  I just wasn't sure if the discolered and harder sapwood was normal.  This stave could be seasoned longer than the other ones I had too.  I haven't worked with yew much so just taking precautions.

Pappy:
Looks good to me, do you need 28 for your draw length or just want to go to 28 because you think you are supposed to ? Just curious, seems everyone wants to go to 28 but very few draw that much. :-\  I only go to what ever draw the bow is going to be shot and maybe a little more just for confidences.  :)
 Pappy

simk:
I see whitish and brownish areas on the back of your bow.

My interpretation of these pics: The brown areas is where you exactly hit the ring. The whitish areas are either areas where you left small amounts of the ring above or removed the brown separation layer and dug into the ring beyond.

Yew has this brownish layer between the sapwood rings (just look the sideview) and that's what you want to establish when chasing a ring. This brown layer is not distinct the same way in yew. I feel that the very good yew has it more pronounced. So your piece to me seem a very good one.

On the other side when sapwood is overdried and brittle it also gets a brownish color cast as a whole - thats very bad, but not the case here. If the sapwood was brittle that way you clearly feel it when you work it.

cheers

Allyn T:
Oh what simk says rings true to me. I've never worked yew but I've chased the rings in eastern red cedar and it's the same way, dark thin winter wood and lighter cream colored summer wood.

SDBurntStick:
That makes sense with the darker brown being the layer between the rings.  I think you may be right that this is just a better stave than the other ones I've worked.  The other ones I worked did not have any brown at all that I could tell.  It was very white and easily worked.  This sapwood seemed tougher.

I wanted to get the bow to 28 or possibly 29 just for added insurance that it could be drawn that far.  You are right that I only need a 27" draw but occasionally shoot with others and like to allow friends to try out the bows I make.

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