yew without sapwood

[edmondsr]

Hi all

An acquaintancewho made a short-lived attempt at how making have me untouched out yew staves a while back. He removed most of the sapwood on the back before giving up.

Without the sapwood, would yew need to be backed with something? My guess is yes, but this is my first time working with yew. I have made five or six bows but only from reno centre boards.

Anyone have any suggestions as to how to proceed with these sticks?

[Flem]

Yew could certainly make a self bow without the sapwood. Yew would still have to follow a ring on the back or decrown the stave. Done both.

[Pat B]

You don't have to follow a ring with yew. It is one of the few woods that you don't. If there is any sapwood on the stave is a good backing. Just make the sapwood as even as possible.
What are the dimensions of the staves?

[edmondsr]

These are 72" long. The one was sort of roughed out (I think) with an English warbow in mind, so bending through the handle, and probably with a D profile. It tapers to 1/2" at the tips.

The second is not tapereed and remains approx 1 1/4" wide all the way to the tips.

I would say about 50 - 60% of the sapwood has been removed entirely, and in patches along the back of the stave.

If a selfbow can be made out of yew without the sapwood being in place I may take a stab at that...

[Pat B]

I've never worked yew without sapwood. I know it works well with sinew backing and rawhide backing. Other soft backings(silk, linen, etc.)should work fine too.