Local yew to make a bow?

[MD]

Ever since I was a kid I wanted to make a yew wood bow, but never did.



Have any of you tried it?


Cycling through Stanley Park yesterday, next to a fallen down hemlock was the stump of a big western yew. No sign of it having blown down, it was cut down. Maybe it had shattered half way up, I don't know, it was gone.


No other branches or wood from the fallen hemlock was missing, but someone took the yew log, which was over a foot across at the stump.


There were still some four-inch tick limbs from the yew there.


Could you make a bow out of that?

[Luckynuts]

I would imagine it needs to be a bit bigger in size but definately do able. I guy got caught stealing yew from a neighbors yard on the island and he was using it for bows. Though I hear it is a tedious process

W.

[horshur]

Yew wood is pretty cool to work with but there is more to it than just using yew. You have to take in account the percentage of early wood and late wood growth rings....what may appear to be great stuff ain't.
Lotsa good books about self bows---Bowmakers bible, the bent stick. You can find them at chapters with a search.
Good luck it's a cool process. My attempt a yew was pretty ugly ad after breaking bout six oak and maple bows I succeded with a 65 pound pull maple bow that can chuck them out there This spring we well get back at it. I hope to harvest a bear with it.

[Spokerider]

I've made a few. A couple of selfbows and some laminated. For beginning, a laminated bow is much easier to successfully make. One can use bamboo or other hardwood for the back. Selfbows are very tedious, as a properly tillered bow is a piece of wood that is litterally 1/2 broken when at full draw. No margin for poor tillering here!
Yew wood is a favored wood for selfbows as the sap wood and heartwood have opposing properties. Sap wood is supple and the fibers hold together well on flexion. The heart wood resists compression and gives the bow the snap or power upon release. The sapwood is left on for the back of the bow, the and the heartwood makes up the face. Yew wood is cursed with irregularities that make it very tricky to work with, propeller twist, knots, pin knots, rot, natural reflex, etc. Finding clear wood to work with is your best bet. Google some of these said key words for more info.......there are many good sites you'll come across.
So go grab on of the thick yew branches, pick a clear section with the minimum of imperfections, cut it to 80" or so, and paint the end grain well and leave the bark on. Let season for minimum 1 year in your basement, cool and dry, longer is better.
It's a great pastime. Very rewarding to make your own tackle and then harvest game with your handmade weaponry. Your respect for the "ice men" and their skills as bowyers with go up a notch or two, I guarantee it!

[The 'Hummer']

I'll send you a PM with the name of a guy that may be a good source of info on the subject.

[Wolverine]

Michael a friend of mine up country made a bow from yew but like was said he
dried the wood for nearly 5 years,a great bow but took him ages to finish it. Jack

[MD]

Thanks guys, I was just curious about who harvested the log out of Stanley Park.