Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => English Warbow => Topic started by: Joec123able on November 28, 2013, 08:34:18 pm

Title: Fact or myth ?
Post by: Joec123able on November 28, 2013, 08:34:18 pm
I read some where that heavy yew warbows only last a year before they wear out due to the fact of yew being a soft wood? What ya think ?
Title: Re: Fact or myth ?
Post by: toomanyknots on November 28, 2013, 09:39:41 pm
I read some where that heavy yew warbows only last a year before they wear out due to the fact of yew being a soft wood? What ya think ?

Haha, I remember this one...
Title: Re: Fact or myth ?
Post by: Joec123able on November 28, 2013, 09:48:09 pm
I read some where that heavy yew warbows only last a year before they wear out due to the fact of yew being a soft wood? What ya think ?

Haha, I remember this one...

Ok? Lol
Title: Re: Fact or myth ?
Post by: WillS on November 28, 2013, 10:45:12 pm
That's one of Bickerstaffe's little gems.
Title: Re: Fact or myth ?
Post by: adb on November 28, 2013, 11:27:45 pm
I read some where that heavy yew warbows only last a year before they wear out due to the fact of yew being a soft wood? What ya think ?

I have a couple that are 3 years old now, and they're still as good as the day I made them. I disagree with this one.
Title: Re: Fact or myth ?
Post by: PatM on November 28, 2013, 11:56:34 pm
Undoubtedly he meant when they were actually used as a warbow, not when they are shot relatively lightly as a recreational bow.
 Take a heavy bow and shoot it at a long draw thousands of times and carry it through questionable humidity and the inevitable nicks and dings and it's likely an accurate statement.
 They wouldn't have needed so much Yew supplied in the old days if bows could just be passed down to the next guy.
Title: Re: Fact or myth ?
Post by: toomanyknots on November 29, 2013, 12:19:42 am
Here's a similar thread:

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,7221.0.html
Title: Re: Fact or myth ?
Post by: toomanyknots on November 29, 2013, 12:26:27 am
And what about that "life expectancy in battle might be no more than 2 – 3 dozen arrows" quote, :).
Title: Re: Fact or myth ?
Post by: Joec123able on November 29, 2013, 12:38:53 am
And what about that "life expectancy in battle might be no more than 2 – 3 dozen arrows" quote, :).

Lol stir it up  ::)  ;)
Title: Re: Fact or myth ?
Post by: PatM on November 29, 2013, 01:58:38 am
And what about that "life expectancy in battle might be no more than 2 – 3 dozen arrows" quote, :).
I can't help him there.
Title: Re: Fact or myth ?
Post by: adb on November 29, 2013, 10:13:57 am
This has been a long standing debate, and as debates go, everyone has their opinion. I don't shoot my yew warbows daily... weather and seasons make it impossible. I shoot maybe 500 - 600 arrows a summer through mine, and at that rate, my bows should last a long time. That's what I've found, anyway.