Longbows of Yew ?

[RC]

I would like you folks opinion on longbows with Yew lams compared to Bamboo or red Elm. Say the Hill Wesley compared to the Redman. I think thats the yew model.Smoothness and performance are the thoughts on the topic.RC

[Dick in Seattle]

One man's opinion:  the Redman is generally noted for smoothness, the Wesly with a bit more power/speed.   However, individual bow differences could be moot in any specific comparison between these two or any other two.  They are all close enough that differences in layup and tillering might be greater than design differences.   Pick the one you like and shoot it.

[Jerry Jeffer]

Rc, I would say the captain is about as expert as you can get on this kind of topic. I'm in love with my yew, but like they say, ya gotta try some out.

I have a yew tillered from a Hill blank with a myrtle handle and clear glass.  I copied another 66" bow, a Schulz to get the tiller lines.  If you will pardon my bragging, it is simply fantastic.  I have killed many flying pennies, a few flying pheasants, a number of bouncing bunnies, and hundreds of dandelions with it.  It has very little shock, it is as fast as a recurve I have of the same poundage and it looks and feels great.  I have done a number of the blanks, either I am good at tillering or it is easy to get them just right with nothing more than patience, a combo file, a small round file, some sand paper and a can of finish.

[Ben Maher]

Robert ... I am a die hard yew fan and prefer it over 'boo or elm. Perhaps a bit romantic of me but most bows I now order are yew. My Redman and Belcher Union Jack are just sweet sweet shooters. I'm thinking that a nice Redman would do well on those southern hogs of yours !

[GingivitisKahn]

My Hill has two bamboo lams and two yew.  All four lams appear to me to operate with the same speed and degree of smoothness.

   

[JRY309]

I like my HH Half Breed with the beauty of the yew back and belly and bamboo center lams.I think it's a great combo and it a sweet shooting Hill,my favorite.

[hvyhitter]

I really like yew also...I have a yew Leon Stewart That is really sweeeet! And have shot several Hill redman and halfbreed bows. After the holidays my plan is to order an unfinnished hill, a redman or a halfbreeed with a single bamboo center lam.

[Big Ed]

Yew in my book is the finest core that can be used. Smooth, quiet, and decent speed. I have a Widow and a Stewart all Yew cores and love them. Ed

[MikeM]

I have both the Redman @48# and the Wesley @46#. They are both very smooth pulling. I think the Redman may shoot a little snappier. Otherwise there is really very little difference other than looks. I too really like the red hue of the yew. The Half-Breed is the best of both worlds in terms of the Hill models.

I checked with the fellow I gave a Redman to earlier this year, thinking if he was not liking the bow he could give it back so you could try it out.  No such luck, he sold his compound to buy a back quiver and fletching equipment so he could make his own wood arrows for 'HIS' longbow.

[Bill Turner]

RC:
As you know I love my Hill's and have a few to choose from. My 64", 5 lam TD "Red Man" is a beautiful bow and performs exceptionally well. I'd venture to say it is every bit as fast as my 66" carbon backed WS, with lamboo lams. I'm also proud to own a 66" TD "Cheetah", which some call Craig's best looking bow, but for the combination of looks and performance, I prefer the all yew 5 lam "Red Man".  

[SteveT]

I have a meigs all yew limbed LB , and must say its smooth to draw and shoot...and pretty quick for a lower poundage bow.  

[Rob DiStefano]

i've had lots more than a few longbows (all glass backed and faced) with both all bamboo cores/veneers and bamboo cores with yew veneers.  in the long run, all that mattered to me was the bamboo cores - the veneers just went along for the ride.  i've also had a few yew cored/veneered longbows and all were definitely not as smooth, stable and forgiving as a longbow with good bamboo/cane cores (NOT 'action-boo').  all my longbows now have bamboo cores & veneers under clear glass.  ymmv.

[frank bullitt]

I've shot only a couple of yews, were light in the hand, but showed nothing over bamboo, as I was concerned!

Next to an old Tembo, made in the 60's, my favorite core was red cedar! And in particular, a Dave Johnson, of Oklahoma, Hill style bow.

Sweet shooter for sure.

[Rob DiStefano]

also, do add into the mix the fact that ALL bows created with wood/grass(bamboo)/whatever are gonna have some very unique qualities - some good, some not so good.  

when you find a bow that meets MOST of your expectations - DON'T SELL IT OFF, NO MATTER WHAT!!!!   :D

[David Mitchell]

I agree with Rob.  My Wesley and Tembo are smoother and sweeter than my Redman--though it's no slouch.  In my book you just can't beat bamboo.

[RC]

Thanks Guys. I have the best longbow I`ve shot in a long time hanging on the rack and going hunting everytime out . Its a Mohawk with bamboo cores and redelm veneers.I`m leaning towards another 66" long instead of 64" and 5 lbs heavier and was thinking about a bow of Yew. I`ll probably go with a "dirty Boo" Mohawk. Thats after some Wife begging....Happy Thanksgiving fellas.RC

[ron w]

Bamboo is your friend.........