YEW log into Billets and 3 BOWs - 3 FINISHED BOWS - Renamed title again

[globalmark]

HI Flem

Thanks for that - still waiting for your Laminated YEW bow hahaha.

Lefty - NO my father is a Lefty and always seems wrong hahaha , I think the string is straight , just the photo the bow is leaning slightly in the pics , but you could be right i didn't study it exactly ...
Would be happy to receive any Yew - being a cabinet maker and keen woodworker any scraps get turned into Bowl, woden spoons (a 6-8" lam makes great spatula for the kitchen) , key rings whatever or if really small they turn into glue sticks -
Mark

[canopyboy]

Wow Mark, when you first posted I thought it was a lost cause. Amazing set of bows you made out of that log! Serious tenacity and skill, well done.

[globalmark]

Thanks Mate
Appreciated comments

[globalmark]

Just little bit Interest

Found a YEW branch on local Common (field and woods in the local village people live around allowed to take cut timber)
and you can see the sort of nice shapes we get from English YEW - give it a year to dry and might be a light spliced handle BOW from it -
this is what i do to UK yew

Drawknife - take all Bark off
decide where cut or split (cut this as so small) - hand draw line top limb
cut in half
seal ends with End seal (a wax) or PVA glue thick coat and about 1" down sides ( done this several times before and seasons without further splits .

If no good for a BOW - make some Laminations or use for Handles or make some Xmas pressies (spoons , spatulas , bowls etc etc )(i am wood turner and cabinet maker) so no wood ever gets wasted .

[Flem]

If I didn't know you were a magician with Yew, I would recommend you cut that piece into little bits!

[globalmark]

Hi Flem

Hahaha - have to wait a year or until its dry to see what can be done with it - but i cut a branch off a tree in Fathers house once left the country for 10 years and made a decent longbow 88lbs 12years later - and wasn't much different from this - but this one is a bit short 57" overall and last 22 or so" has a lot of knots - but should give enough for a 68-72" yew bow one day or can make a kids or light womans bow who knows hahah- Just add to my stock cut branches for now.

YEW is yew and i feel its precious wood so always pick up any cut branch's - also amazing for wood turning , can be turned super thin .

[Flem]

I've made a lot of knitting needles and hair sticks for my wife from little bits of Yew. It's my favorite wood. I have been afraid to use it for food contact, but if you are still alive after doing so, it must be OK?

[globalmark]

Actually was thinking about that the other Day YEW being Toxic - but maybe need some more research - i know the dust is but when sanded and sealed - i dont know ? The guy who gave me that log cant work with YEW as the dust almost killed him he told me so stays away from it completely .
But many years ago i met a Famous wood turner that showed me the Goblets he turns which you can see Light through - and the QUEEN has a pair - but dont know if they every get drunk out of or just decoration -
maybe someone here know if YEW is toxic and HOW ..

[Flem]

I have read that all parts, except the fleshy part of the berry (seed is most toxic!) are poisonous.
They use to harvest it here in mass for the bark, they were making anti cancer drugs from it. Fortunately they found a way to synthesize the drug.
This is an interesting, obscure book. Lots of good info on Yew if you can find a copy to read.

[globalmark]

Flem

Just been reading this also
https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/analysis-of-yew-wood

Basically - wood seems a lot less toxic then berries , bark or needles - but best be cautious - so think best no yew touches food or drink ..