Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Titan_Bow on May 04, 2007, 01:25:26 pm
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I have a set of yew billets that I've been saving for a special occasion. Well, I found out today that I drew a bighorn ewe tag here in Colorado, and thought this would be a good time to employ these billets. The billets are very straight, however, the ring count is a little low compared to what I've read about. They only have about 22 rings/inch and has about 1/2" of sapwood. I would like to make a 66" bow, similar to the Chet Stevenson bow that was on the cover of TBM some years ago.
Never having worked yew before, I am a little cautious to start whittling wood. First, should I work the sapwood down to maybe a 1/4" or so? If so, do you try to stay within one ring, or just make sure the back is flat and even? (I had heard a little ring violation in sapwood was not a big deal). I would like to make the bow 66", and 1 1/4" wide to midlimb, with a deep core and slightly rounded belly. Is this a reasonable expectation, or should I stick to more of a flatbow style?
I know there are some yew gurus on this site, please feel free to chime in with your advice.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Titan_Bow/DSC01579.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Titan_Bow/DSC01583.jpg)
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You would be suprised how many guys on here havent worked that much with Yew. Its hard to get, for one thing. Anyway what I have done is leave about 1/4 in. of sapwood and you should be fine, you also probably know that it is almost impossible to make a bendy handle bow with billets right? Trapper
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Hey Titan,
I don't worry about the small ring violations that happen when you're working around dips and pins but with a lower ring count it wouldn't hurt to be a little more careful. I would work the sapwood down to 3/16-1/4" and burnish the back or back the bow with rawhide like Chet did with most of his bows. As far as design goes, I would say that a 66" nock-to-nock english longbow 1 1/4" wide and an average weight and section would be good for a 26-27" draw. 68-70" is better for a full 28" draw but those measurements are a little conservative. I like my english bows around 6" for my 27-28" draw.
By way of encouragement: Yew is extremely strong. It does have a reputation for random, mysterious breakage but that is only because it's so strong most of the time. While cutting Yew a few months ago I let some of my helpers try to break a 1" branch--didn't happen.
I'd love to see a picture of that Stevenson bow. What year was that--I may have the back issue?
J. D. Duff