Hi Ya
....well...
The decision for my just-in-case project was an easy one. I had this perfectly straight elm. Well seasoned, no knots, no heartwood. Ready to go without chasing a ring. With that gentle deflex its obvious that it wants to become some kind of d/r. This one will be a pleasure to work with.
Decision for the primary stave was not so easy. I wanted to do a bow from a yew branch. These are my fav pieces to work with. I was wanting to do some kind of 5-curve.
Therefore I went for a little walk last sunday to find a nice branch. I wasn't very successful and came home with a not so nice branch of yew but a piece of elm, one of black elder and one of dogwood.
I went for another walk today and found an interesting branch and a nice shoot...
At first I was very critical about the branch but the longer I have it the more I like it. it's a bit short...maybe60-62"...but has good reflex, some decent character, no knots and nice naturally flipped tips. Alone it will not make a 5-curve. I will maybe take a another walk; if I won't find the desired piece this one will be the one. let's see. I sealed the ends and will give it a few days in the sun to dry a little before I will rough it out and remove the bark.
cheers
it's yew boards, tradcraftsman
no osage growing here around