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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: gordonf on November 27, 2008, 02:51:00 PM

Title: Yew Longbow
Post by: gordonf on November 27, 2008, 02:51:00 PM
I haven’t contributed here in a while so I thought I would get back into it by posting pictures of a bow that I recently built. Even though I have been building my own bows for a few years now, I had never made a traditional yew longbow. The reason being is good yew wood is not easy to come by and I wanted to hone my skills before I began cutting into my small stash.

For this first attempt I selected a set of sister billets from a yew sapling that I had harvested from a buddies property in the high Cascades.
 It’s not prime yew – there were several knots and one dog-leg that I tried, unsuccessfully to heat out. But the rings were tight and the ratio of sapwood to heartwood was good. I spliced the billets at the handle using a Z-splice and made it 66” ntn. The limbs are 1 ¼” wide at the fades and taper evenly to ½” at the tips. The design is asymmetrical with the top limb 2” longer than the bottom.  I like an asymmetrical design because the bow balances better in the hand when being carried. It smoothly draws 60# @ 27” and delivers an arrow with a gentle and satisfying thump. The overlays are some sort of tropical hardwood and the handle is natural elk with a Strunk style wrap. The bow is finished with 9 coats of Tru-oil.

I’ve always been a bit envious of my friend’s traditional yew longbows, but now I finally have one I can call my own. Here are some pictures:

 (http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/YewLongbow/YewLongbow_02.jpg)

 (http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/YewLongbow/YewLongbow_05.jpg)

 (http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/YewLongbow/YewLongbow_06.jpg)

 (http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/YewLongbow/YewLongbow_07.jpg)

 (http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/YewLongbow/YewLongbow_012.jpg)

 (http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/YewLongbow/YewLongbow_013.jpg)

 (http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/YewLongbow/YewLongbow_014.jpg)
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: centaur on November 27, 2008, 02:54:00 PM
Beautiful!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: deadpool on November 27, 2008, 02:55:00 PM
gorgeous!

thats very very nice
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Doc Blues on November 27, 2008, 03:07:00 PM
great bow, great pics   :clapper:
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Shaun on November 27, 2008, 03:39:00 PM
Gordon, great to see you posting here again. That is your usual inspirational work, the tiller just makes me sigh with appreciation. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Tree Killer on November 27, 2008, 03:42:00 PM
Thats a gorgeous bow yew built Gordon, yew've outdone yourself!     :notworthy:
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Buemaker on November 27, 2008, 04:11:00 PM
Looking gooood as always. Bue--
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Trad Man 25 on November 27, 2008, 04:15:00 PM
There are not many people who can make the English Longbow.
Take my hat of to any one that even gets close,

The best looking bow iv seen on this forum.

James
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Sam McMichael on November 27, 2008, 04:21:00 PM
You certainly don't need to be envious of anybody else's longbow now. Yours is beautiful. Congratilations!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Clay Hayes on November 27, 2008, 04:47:00 PM
very nice!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: 4runr on November 27, 2008, 04:54:00 PM
As always Gordon, a true work of art!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Pluck Yew on November 27, 2008, 05:05:00 PM
That is the sweetest bow I've ever seen'd...  :notworthy:    :notworthy:  

Shawn...
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Leland on November 27, 2008, 05:23:00 PM
i really like it!

   Leland
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: flint kemper on November 27, 2008, 05:37:00 PM
WOW, is all I can say. Thanks for sharing that beauty. Flint
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: gordonf on November 27, 2008, 05:53:00 PM
Thank you all for the wonderful compliments. And have a great Thanksgiving holiday!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Chris Surtees on November 27, 2008, 05:57:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on November 27, 2008, 07:00:00 PM
Wow, that is sweet!!!  Real nice one.
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: K.S.TRAPPER on November 27, 2008, 07:11:00 PM
Treekiller  :notworthy:    :notworthy:    ;)  

Tracy
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: SpankyNeal on November 28, 2008, 12:08:00 AM
That's just plain gorgeous! Congrats and great work!

Spanky
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Wannabe1 on November 28, 2008, 12:18:00 AM
Beautiful looking bow. Welcome back.   :campfire:
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on November 28, 2008, 04:41:00 AM
Wow! That's a beautiful piece of fine craftsmanship!

  :thumbsup:    :archer:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: WINDTALKER on November 28, 2008, 07:11:00 AM
Wow! beatiful work.
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: coconutdave on November 28, 2008, 08:44:00 AM
Very, very nice!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Apex Predator on November 28, 2008, 09:23:00 AM
They don't get any better than that one!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: mmgrode on November 28, 2008, 09:30:00 AM
As usual, Gordon, another beautiful bow.  I sure wish I could get my hands on some yew! Cool Stuff!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: B M A on November 28, 2008, 12:47:00 PM
Always enjoy seeing your bows.  You do great work.    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: snag on November 28, 2008, 05:40:00 PM
You are inspiring, Gordon. Thanks for letting us take a look!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Jeff U on November 28, 2008, 06:15:00 PM
In the presence of a master....

 Speechless!     :notworthy:    :notworthy:    :notworthy:
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: gordonf on November 28, 2008, 08:00:00 PM
Thank you all for the wonderful comments.

David, give me a shout when you find your yew stave - I'd be happy to help if you like.
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: ron w on November 28, 2008, 09:16:00 PM
Excellent,as always!!!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: sgrogg on November 29, 2008, 04:33:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: wisconsin wood butcher on November 29, 2008, 07:23:00 PM
all of the above ... wow
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Ghost Dog on November 30, 2008, 10:26:00 AM
As I have said before; wow Gordon!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Lefty on November 30, 2008, 10:31:00 AM
Beautiful bow!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Bjorn on November 30, 2008, 10:33:00 AM
:thumbsup:    :notworthy:  Very nice job!!
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Steve Clandinin on November 30, 2008, 02:48:00 PM
If ever you start building them for sale I'm first in line. Please let me know !
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: WINDTALKER on November 30, 2008, 07:05:00 PM
Thats a fine looking piece of work, although I could judge it better if you were to drive it down to me (LOL). Seriously though nice bow I've seen your others in the magazines and ther all first rate.
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Mike Lee on December 01, 2008, 06:46:00 AM
Looks good.
Title: Re: Yew Longbow
Post by: Jack Skinner on December 01, 2008, 02:21:00 PM
Fine example of the bowyers art.