Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Tree_Ninja on September 14, 2015, 07:56:19 pm

Title: Yew sapwood damage
Post by: Tree_Ninja on September 14, 2015, 07:56:19 pm
Hey folks,

  This piece of yew has some issues. It was a secondary bole that was in the way of the nice piece I wanted. It was ackward to harvest as it was on the edge of a rockface about 20m high above a big gully creek. There was a few wayward hatchet swings that caused some damage on the back. (As seen in pics). The nick goes through 3 growth rings. 

   Here's the question: Do I reduce the sapwood and take it down to an intact ring? Or glue it, clamp it and back it with a bit of cherry bark, Or do I sand and feather out the damage?

 The stave is 62" about 1 3/4" wide at the damage and just under 1 1/2" thick about 6" from handle. Nearly equal in sap to heartwood thickness. I'm hoping for #50+ @ 28" bendy handle.  It's almost a blank now, with MC around 10% so it'll be a while before I start bending it.

 I'm thinking reducing the sapwood is the best  bet, but I'm open to suggestions.
Title: Re: Yew sapwood damage
Post by: wizardgoat on September 14, 2015, 08:44:14 pm
It's 1.5" thick there? So your sapwood is about 3/4" there?
For sure reduce it.
Title: Re: Yew sapwood damage
Post by: Tree_Ninja on September 14, 2015, 08:49:58 pm
Thanks Ryan,  that was what I was thinking. Just didn't want to go crazy with the draw knife before I was certain.