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Yew specific gravity, performance and MoE

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Del the cat:
IMO the only generalisation you can make about Yew is that you can't make generalisations!
I used to use simulation programs and computer stuff when I designed electronics, and its all well and good.
But for making bows, is it "primitive"?
I was going to post my latest flight bow (boo backed yew) but the plywood riser is held together with screws, so I decided it was not primitive enough.
If we use the mass principal (and I don't so maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick) doesn't that pretty much account for density ring count etc?
Anyhow, the properties of a stave can vary along its length (even across its width!), and surely that's the challenge of working with wood?
It all seems a bit of overthink to me... after all, you can only use the wood you have! it's no good pining ::) for some perfect piece that is half way round the world with extortionate shipping.
Maybe I'm just a jaded old git?
I'm not "anti" using the software, just beware its limitations, and its not for me.
Del

JW_Halverson:

--- Quote from: Del the cat on January 30, 2026, 08:16:35 am --- it's no good pining ::) for some perfect piece that is half way round the world with extortionate shipping.

Del

--- End quote ---
Of course yew, of all people, wood stoop to a pun like that!

Pappy:
Well said Del,I guess it might be good if I knew how to use it, ??? :-[ but wood is wood and even varies from the trunk end to the leaf end and all along the way.  :)
 Pappy

NicAzana:
Thank you all for your kind replies!

I usually follow the "guess an appropriate width for desired draw weight, then make it and see what poundage it wants to be" approach. It just this is such nice wood, and so rare to have available for me, that I wanted a "head start". But I have 11 staves from the same tree, and the first I'm working is a pretty marginal one, so I guess I'll have time to get a feel for this particular yew tree.

Might be some compression wood in my sample, that makes the density locally higher, so there's a chance that I can't trust the sample anyway.

I've worked with yew before, It really is a very pleasant experience, compared to the elm I am most often working with.

I really like the software, because it helps inform the right tiller shape, for a given bow profile. Off course, it can in no way replace a good eye, sensitive fingers and experience, but I feel it can help one to accelerate the process of gaining familiarity with many different designs, and how they affect tiller shape.

Off course I know Del! I've been subscribed to your youtube channel for years, Del, and really appreciate your stuff. I think you've helped so many people through the years, and you videos are also just a plain good time to watch! Makes me wish for a time when youtube was less polished and optimized, and that more people was doing stuff like yours. Thank you Del!

Del the cat:

--- Quote from: NicAzana on February 02, 2026, 04:58:43 am ---Thank you all for your kind replies!
...
Off course I know Del! I've been subscribed to your youtube channel for years, Del, and really appreciate your stuff. I think you've helped so many people through the years, and you videos are also just a plain good time to watch! Makes me wish for a time when youtube was less polished and optimized, and that more people was doing stuff like yours. Thank you Del!

--- End quote ---
Thanks for that, I really appreciate it, good to know its useful  ;D
Del

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