Wayside Longbow

[PaulRoberts]

A neighbor gave me a D-cross section, shoot off the hand, yew EDIT: LEMONWOOD longbow. It is pretty old but is still a shooter. It has the name "Wayside" stamped on it. Can anyone offer any background on Wayside bows?

[GreyGoose]

I'm afraid not - but you realize, you've got a bunch of folks wishing for a picture!

Send it to me and let me take a picture of it.

[PaulRoberts]

Here she is:
   

   

The bow is a light target bow, stamped "28" for 28lbs. It has very little set -~1".

The neighbor who passed it on to me is in her 60s and it was her grandmother's bow. I've so far only drawn it 24"; The length of my son's 1/4" arrows. They only weigh about 150 grains and they really zip. Will be making up some more appropriate arrows soon. My wife will likely use it for roving.

[GreyGoose]

That's cool - thanks for posting.  Cooler still that it's being used.

I have seen some of these bows come up every so often. I always wonder what they would be like if they had a bamboo backing added to them.  I shot a yew bow that was on its fourth generations in a family and still in use.  It had one change made to it in the 50s. The sinew backing was replaced and the bow was slightly retillered.  That bow shot as good as any glassed backed longbow that we could compare it to of comparable weight.

[Terry Riley]

The bow looks to be made of lemonwood or lancewood.Cool bow none the less.

Terry

[PaulRoberts]

Terry, I think you're right. It does look more like lemonwood.

Check out this neat longbow bowyer's site:
 http://www.yewtreearchery.co.uk/woods.htm
It shows images of bow woods. It also has a really neat bow design page that allows you to see the results of your choices instantly. His prices are great too. But, he says he'll only ship in the UK.

[Terry Riley]

Paul,
   Got the bug for a yew bow?

[PaulRoberts]

No! I don't need another bow.  

[KSshrewman]

Pretty little thing.  Good shootin'!