Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: stuckinthemud on May 30, 2023, 06:38:50 am

Title: Reducing sapwood - any tips?
Post by: stuckinthemud on May 30, 2023, 06:38:50 am
chasing rings in yew seems to take forever.  I have a stave with 1/2 inch thick sapwood which I want to take to 1/4”.  I have roughed it down with a draw knife and have started cleaning up the back with knife and scraper. Boy is it a test of patience.  Good weather, jug of coffee decent radio, all help the time go by, but any other tips on speeding the process up?
Title: Re: Reducing sapwood - any tips?
Post by: Pat B on May 30, 2023, 08:55:50 am
Yew is one wood that you don't have to have a clean back sapwood ring. I think if you make the sapwood consistent thickness of about 1/4" or a little less you should be ok but let others more familiar with yew chime in.
Title: Re: Reducing sapwood - any tips?
Post by: Del the cat on May 31, 2023, 02:34:17 am
What Pat said...
If you want to spend time and effort making it look pretty, do it by degrees as the bow progresses towards being finished. Don't clean up a whole stave!
Del
Title: Re: Reducing sapwood - any tips?
Post by: Dances with squirrels on June 01, 2023, 07:17:35 am
I like them to be one ring if at all possible. It takes time and that's ok with me. I'm in no hurry and I enjoy working that buttery yew wood. I don't have any real secrets to speed it up for ya. Like Del said, I do it after the stave is reduced in width, albeit it usually a bit oversized.