Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: adb on September 19, 2008, 10:26:16 pm

Title: Yew selfbow (full draw page 3)
Post by: adb on September 19, 2008, 10:26:16 pm
Hi, all
This is for ravenbeak. I traded him a yew stave for some SSs a while back.

I just finished this today after work. I've been working on it for about a month. To say the least, it's been a challenge. Lots of character. It's 70" OAL, 67.5" NTN, 57# @ 27". Whitetail antler nocks. Strunk style grip.

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Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on September 19, 2008, 10:28:24 pm
A couple more pics.

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Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on September 19, 2008, 10:29:51 pm
Last few pics

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Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 19, 2008, 10:48:53 pm
That is a great looking bow! Jawge
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on September 19, 2008, 11:17:00 pm
This was the bow I was asking about whether I should back with rawhide earlier today. Needless to say, I didn't. After Pat B's advice, I just left it unbacked. I did burnish the back, and then oiled it and finished it with bees wax. I think it's going to hold up fine.
Full draw pics will come tomorrow. My wife isn't home, and I want to shoot it in a bit more before I give the nod for final tiller. This is my first yew self bow by the way... from start to finish, anyway.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: bcbull on September 19, 2008, 11:29:39 pm
very nice  job   tiller  and nocks look super  brock
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: Bowbound on September 20, 2008, 03:25:15 am
Wow... Very nice bow. How thick is the sapwood?
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: Cromm on September 20, 2008, 07:51:22 am
Great.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: Ryano on September 20, 2008, 10:40:10 am
Thats a beautiful bow. I have a stave from ravenbeak as well I need to get started on.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: tpoof on September 20, 2008, 11:04:43 am
really nice work on those tips!
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: boze on September 20, 2008, 11:08:47 am
     Great looking bow the nocks are cool!
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: OldBow on September 20, 2008, 12:04:16 pm
A full draw image would be great!
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on September 20, 2008, 12:26:10 pm
Thanks, everyone. Full draw pic should be coming today. I want to shoot it a bit more today, and then check final tiller.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on September 20, 2008, 01:34:03 pm
Just looking at the pic myself, I think maybe the middle of the top limb is a bit stiff. There was a rather challenging swoop in the sapwood, with a knot at that point. I think I'll shoot it a bit more, and see how it comes out. It has developed about 1" of string follow immediately after unbrace, but comes almost to flat after resting.
Limey-Josh... the sapwood varies, but averages at about 3/8".
Thanks to ravenbeak for the stave!!! I wasn't sure I could make a bow from it!
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: ravenbeak on September 20, 2008, 05:04:28 pm
adb,   what can I say....  I LOVE IT!!
of course being slightly particular about yew and that tree in general might help a bit but it looks great.

I love the colour (canadian spelling)  of the yew after it is freshly sanded,  the white sapwood is so white,  It will darken nicely over time.

Great shot looking down the limb to see the sapwood heartwood intersection,  I always debate about thinning of the sapwood versus leaving it full.  I think a 50 50 ratio is what we're after,  as i've heard heartwood is better in compression and sapwood in tension.   looks like you nailed it.

tips look awesome,  very traditional longbowish.  The grip turned out perfect and I love the tiller. 

In case you couldn't tell yet,  I love it. 

hope it serves you for many years and I really look forward to seeing what you can do with the other "nicer" stave.

cheers,
Jamie

thanks to the PA trading forum for making this possible,  I am the proud owner of a pair of matching black cobra snakeskins waiting the right bow.   now that's a win win



This is bow number three from a blow down tree i found and there's lots of us out there with staves from this same tree. 
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: Dane on September 20, 2008, 06:46:54 pm
What a beautiful bow. As usual with your work.

Dane
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: shamus on September 21, 2008, 11:25:53 am
I really like what you did with the horn nocks. I've never seen that.

It looks like you cut the tips at a angle, glued the nocks on, and then shape... rather than file the tips to a point and seat the nock over them?
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: OldBow on September 21, 2008, 12:16:47 pm
There is some real craftsmanship in this bow. The tips are amazing! Great candidate for September Self BOM
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: Gordon on September 21, 2008, 02:17:43 pm
You did a really nice job following the back on that bow. And the craftsmanship is top-totch.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on September 21, 2008, 04:38:44 pm
Thanks for the +ve feedback everyone.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 22, 2008, 09:54:19 am
adb, the bow looks great. The proof is in the shooting. Congratulations. Jawge
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on September 22, 2008, 10:51:31 am
Thanks, George

After bringing the brace height up to 6", it's been shooting really sweet. It plunks 'em right where I'm lookin'! At 57#, it's nice and flat out to 30 yards. I'm in love!
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: DanaM on September 22, 2008, 11:16:13 am
Gotta say I think you nailed that one, from the tips to the tiller its all well done. Fantastic bow and thanks for sharing. :)
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: ravenbeak on September 23, 2008, 12:01:22 am
You've set a high standard for all the others with staves from the same tree.   

Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on September 23, 2008, 03:58:47 am
Hmmm, looking at that tiller I see both at brace and full draw way to much bending at the handle.

I guess it migth work, but I wouldn't trust that bow longevity wise,...but that again I'm just a beginner, what do I know.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: Ryano on September 23, 2008, 10:43:55 am
Looks to me like its got a natural deflexed area comming out of the handle in the lower limb which makes it look like its bending there more than it realy is Manny. Look at the unbraced picture. Just my speculation.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on September 23, 2008, 10:47:47 am
Well, Manny, I guess we'll see. It's an ELB, so it was tillered to bend "full compass."
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: cowboy on September 23, 2008, 11:06:53 am
Looks good to me adb - love those tips and that tiller looks pretty darn good ta boot :).
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on September 23, 2008, 01:50:13 pm
....As I said, I'm just a beginner, and that's what my beginner's eyes are still seeing.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: Gordon on September 23, 2008, 02:55:46 pm
I'm curious, how wide and thick is your bow near the handle and at the tips? I am working on my first yew self-bow and am not quite sure what to expect.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on September 23, 2008, 03:11:56 pm
Hey, Gordon

I started with 1 1/2" at the middle, extending for 10" on each side of center, and then a continuous taper to 1/2" tips. I tried to keep the thickness to the 7/8 rule of the BLBS, where the bow ends up not quite as thick as it is wide. D section profile, of course! This is the only way to go with yew. However, having said that, I'm thinking of making a yew flat bow, with wider limbs, a built up riser, and more elliptical tiller. I have a naturally reflexed stave, and I want to try something other than a traditional ELB. I'm by no means an expert with yew. Someone like Marc St Louis would be a good person to ask. Good luck. I really enjoyed making the yew bow, it's amazing wood.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on September 23, 2008, 03:34:37 pm
Hey, Manny

I have a proposition for you. I think a lot of people on this forum are really tired of listening to us argue and bicker. I think it detracts from the true intent of this forum, which is the sharing of bow making information. It's obvious we don't like each other, but that happens in this world. Maybe, in the interests of peace and harmony, we could just avoid each other form now on? Your comments don't seem genuine or positive, and your sarcasim about "being just a beginner" is unappreciated. I've tried, through PMs, to bury the hatchet with you, but it hasn't worked. What do you say we just give each other a wide berth? I'll avoid comments on your threads if you avoid mine. Thanks.

To the Mods & Admins: this is an attempt at peace, not continued controversy. I hope you let it stand.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 23, 2008, 06:33:46 pm
"Picture perfect" tiller is fine for pictures (LOL), adb, but the proof is how it shoots. Personally, there's a tad too much bending in the handle to suit me and may account for some of the hand shock you are feeling. Could be what Ryan said too. Anyway, it shoots fine. It's a wrap! Well done. Peace is a good, also!  :) Jawge
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on September 23, 2008, 07:07:37 pm
Hey, George

With proper brace height, there is no hand shock when shooting this bow. I'm happy with the way it is. For my first self yew, and a character stave to boot, I'm pretty pleased.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: DanaM on September 23, 2008, 07:25:24 pm

I'm pretty pleased.

And that is all that matters, That your pleased :) Once again nice bow.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 23, 2008, 07:53:14 pm
Yes, adb, that is all that matters! Enjoy your beautiful bow. :) Jawge
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on September 24, 2008, 04:29:08 am


What my eyes see is too much bend in the middle and too strait limbs, all in all not a plesant arc,..again, just in my eyes.

Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: Pappy on September 24, 2008, 10:34:46 am
Fine looking bow adb,love the tips and finish work.If it shoots good for you that is the main thing.
Nice job. :) Right Jawge,Peace is a good thing. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: Pat B on September 24, 2008, 10:55:50 am
Beautiful bow adb. I'm building up a respect for yew. I've only made a few yew bows but will continue to and put them through their paces. I pretty hard on my bows so they have to be able to take it.
 I love the way you have done the tips. Has the appearance of typical horn nocks without the headaches of making horn nocks.  ;)
   I build bows for myself. I appreciate comments and suggestions from others and apply them when necessary but if I like it, that is how it stays. 8)
   Pat
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 24, 2008, 12:26:51 pm
Peace is always good, Pappy. Jawge
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: ballista on September 27, 2008, 01:08:26 am
 in the least, beautiful. im sure the antlers were hell to get on, but the bow is something to be proud of. -jimmy
Title: Re: Yew selfbow
Post by: adb on October 16, 2008, 08:42:50 pm
Hey, Everyone

Since posting this bow a month ago, I've tweaked it a bit. Besides putting a couple hundred arrows through it, I re-tillered the top limb just a hair. I got the middle of the top limb bending just a bit more.

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Title: Re: Yew selfbow (full draw page 3)
Post by: ballista on October 16, 2008, 08:52:09 pm
well, the tiller looks great- actully, mine has alot of bend in the handle /lower limb, i see yours is similar-good work man -jimmy
Title: Re: Yew selfbow (full draw page 3)
Post by: adb on October 16, 2008, 08:56:04 pm
My intention was to make a true ELB... bending "full compass" through the handle. It wasn't a perfect piece of yew, and I wanted to make sure everything was working, to avoid over stress.
Title: Re: Yew selfbow (full draw page 3)
Post by: John K on October 16, 2008, 09:03:14 pm
Looks real good to me Adam, i love the full draw pic !
Title: Re: Yew selfbow (full draw page 3)
Post by: David Long on October 16, 2008, 09:04:27 pm
That is a wonderful bow. You may not think the wood was "perfect" but it sure look clean, at least what we can see form the pics. Tiller looks dang good from Montana. Dave
Title: Re: Yew selfbow (full draw page 3)
Post by: Sparrow on October 16, 2008, 09:46:07 pm
That is a good looking full draw.I think it probably shoots nice too huh ? There you go.  Frank
Title: Re: Yew selfbow (full draw page 3)
Post by: Little John on October 16, 2008, 10:18:46 pm
Mighty classy, good job, and enjoy.    Kenneth
Title: Re: Yew selfbow (full draw page 3)
Post by: Cromm on October 17, 2008, 05:37:09 am
Love it!!!!!
Title: Re: Yew selfbow (full draw page 3)
Post by: Keenan on October 17, 2008, 12:58:48 pm
 Very nice bow Adb.  The angle on the antler tips and groves is right on and the proportions on sapwood to heartwood is perfect. Also the rework on the tiller is spot on. Congratulations on a very nice bow.  Keenan