Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bowhntineverythingnh03743 on November 16, 2013, 08:00:54 pm
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Since I got mixed feelings from fellas about ash I figured I would post this stave and ask you guys what to do with this yew. I got it in a trade last year and have never worked with yew. Would like to make a short 62 ttt bow in the 50 pound mark.
All yew fellas please help!!!!
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/null_zps1590adc1.jpg)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/null_zps2e376ab6.jpg)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/null_zps258fd937.jpg)
Thanks guys!
Justin
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I'd make a bow out of it! ;D
Is there anything specific that you're wondering about? Seems like a decent piece of wood from this angle.
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Yes I have never used yew so I am totally green. I have no clue what type of bow demeans ions or how to process this log into a stave... Any advice or direction is needed.
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Well, assuming the stave is dry I would build a flat bow style and probably have it bend into the handle if you want to got 62" ntn. An 1.5" wide should be plenty. If the sapwood is too thick I would reduce it down to 1/4" to ensure that you have heartwood for the whole length. You could flip the tips or not depending on your preference and/or experience. Those are just some thoughts. I'm sure there's more than one way to skin that cat.
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Id send it to me.
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Pearly I'll send it to ya... Just got to send it back once completed lol... I feel if I start on this journey once again I will end with two pieces.
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I'd make this ;)
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,43428.0.html
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I'd make this ;)
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,43428.0.html
Ha! I was thinking of saying the exact same thing. I noticed the specs were about the same. Yeah, that would be a great design for that stave.
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Is it a branch stave with obvious tension and compression sides?
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@Carson....whether it was a branch or leaning trunk we can see just enough evidence piecing the pics together that it has a tension and a compression side....I see the tension wood is on the deflexed side....hence why I posted the link to pearlys bow ;) ...I was hoping I could be simple enough and not have to explain what I see ;) ....now the op could try and band saw it in half...but would have to be very careful and would risk the chance that he has to now make both bend in the handle bows...to be safe if he wanted to make a stiff handled bow I'd say there's prob only one adult bow in there? ...at 3" wide you have to cut with precision ...he could err to the compression side when cutting n try to squek out a bend in the handle bow with that piece,and still get a stiff handled bow too? Hard to say without seeing it in person and knowing the diameter in the middle of the stave where the handles would be...
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Truthfully, Id saw it right down the middle and make one deflex bow and one reflex bow paying zero attention to compression and tension sides of the limb.
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Ok pearly I will work on that today. It's 3 inches all the way through the stave. I was thinking I could get a R/d design maybe from one side and a reflexes bow from the other. They are gonna be on the short side tho. About 64 ttt
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Make the fades work fast, or make bendys. 64" is plenty.
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If it is not reasonably dry (and full round branch staves aren't necessarily dry after a year), and you band saw it without regard to compression and tension wood, then it will likely change shape quite a bit when it drys more after being sawn.
I haven't bothered with the bottom side of a yew branch before, but I have heard that is no good for bow wood. Would love to see that proved wrong.
Personally, I would focus on the tension side and make a bow like Pearly's.
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Ok guys so today I want to cut this yew in half to get at least one usable bow out of it. How would you go about it to get the best result. Some of you are talking about focusing on the tension side of the branch. I am assuming that is the side with the deflex in it? You know what assuming gets ya tho...
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Don't make it too difficult and complex man, its just a stick of wood. Cut it in half and use the "good" side first and use the "bad" side second. Don't be alarmed if you end up with two yew bows in the end. If your worried about warping after you cut it in half, strap it to a board and let sit for another month or so.
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Ok Chris I will do that then... Draw a line down the middle and let it rip!!! I will strap it down to a board after... Do I need to seal it all up and do I remove the bark now too???
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Like Carson said, try one from the "bad" half and see what happens. And then let us know so we can store the knowledge.
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I say don't remove the bark until you're ready to make a bow. I've had debarked yew check on me while it's drying.
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So I cut the branch in half and when doing so I saw the marking of Sept. 2006 so I would say this thing is ready to work. So I went a head and attempted my hand at my first time taking the bark off the deflex half. How does it look guys?
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/null_zps314f2254.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/null_zps314f2254.jpg.html)
I left this area alone right now because I did not know how to work these area...
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/null_zps01cbf4d8.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/null_zps01cbf4d8.jpg.html)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/null_zps71769cfb.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/null_zps71769cfb.jpg.html)
Here is the belly side... Are these dark knots going to be a problem...
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/null_zps5a4e0c05.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/null_zps5a4e0c05.jpg.html)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/null_zps732cceab.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/null_zps732cceab.jpg.html)
There is one problem area that I think I might have screwed up on... What do I do about this???
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/null_zps482fdccd.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/null_zps482fdccd.jpg.html)
So I also noticed that this has a really high crown on the back. I will make a line down the middle of the crown and then make the width a little wider than I need. I ended up measuring the stave and it is only going to be 60 tip to tip. So what would be the best width and layour for this to wkr the best.
Thanks guys for any help that you can give me. I want to make a simple but eligant weapon...
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Nice looking piece of Yew you got there.
What's the thickness of the Sapwood?
-gus
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It's around 1/4 inch on the tips that I can see.
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With that high crown a hollow limb design would be awesome, but there are lots of options.
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Is there any tried and true design that I should use with this high crown. Please remember that I still have yet to make a successful selfbow. I have no idea how wide it should be and where to taper the limbs to.
Guess I can do a search of yew bows and see what is out there to fit my need.
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http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,30667.0.html
You might take a look at this tutorial by Gordon. Love the layout of this bow.
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I have read that thread six ways to Sunday but I don't believe my stave will work for it.
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If you are looking to make your first selfbow from this stave, then keeping it simple is the way to go. How about simple longbow. At 60", I would try to get it bending through the handle. Because of yews properties, I would keep it pretty narrow and crown the belly to match the back. Keep the outer 10-12" of limbs as stiff, narrow levers to keep string angle and stack down. Hope that helps.
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POW...there is probably your best bet at 60".
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This bows 59" ntn
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=33859.0
But I wasn't a novice looking for my first selfbow either at the time ;)
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While using yew do you need to follow the grain as you do osage or is there a different method for yew. Sorry for so many questions but again I have not made a successful bow nor have I ever used yew.
Thanks
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No you dont have to chase a ring. The violation showed in the picture you posted is not too bad. I would take some 80 grit and sand the area to feather out the violations over a greater area. Where in the bow layout is that?
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To add on to what Carson said. Look at the inside of your stave. See that darker 1" band in the middle? That's what your center line will follow, only on the back of course.. That is the middle of the middle.
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I have not made a successful bow nor have I ever used yew.
Hate to be the Stick In The Mud.... but here goes...
What I have done in a similar situation is to study my Yew Staves while doing some deep searches and such on the topic.
At the same time building bows from other more easily obtainable woods.
There by building a successful knowledge base to launch into More challenging woods and designs.
Better to learn on a Nice piece of Elm, HHB or Oak.
Saving that Fine piece of Yew till you get a couple of working bows under your belt.
Just my two cents... :)
-gus
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+1 That makes 4 cents.
don
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Great advice Gus!