Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow

[LittleBen]

This is one I've been messing with for a while. It was a set of billets from a southern gentlemen who requested to remain nameless.
Originally I though it would be a sinew backed recurve with static tips, but I spent so much time fighting with twist in the billets, that I finally had enough.
I did my best to chase a ring (or a few rings) and decided it would be a nice selfbow, in a pyramid, flatbow style.
The bow is short, 55" AMO, and draws just about 50# @26". Weighs just 13oz ... This is some low density yew but still seems very snappy. Currently has about 1.5" string follow at rest, but given the short limbs, low mass, and thin tips, I expect decent performance. More shooting will tell, only preliminary shots thus far.
Tiller looks pretty good, I think the outer third could use to bend a bit more on both limbs, but I don't think it's critical. Full draw to come tomorrow hopefully.

   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 

[LittleBen]

This is my dog looking like a kangaroo ...
 

[MR BILL SHORTY]

   

[Bowjunkie]

You're a brave man... deeming a selfbow "snappy"    

[LittleBen]

Haha, hadn't thought of that Jeff, hopefully I'm a liar too!

[Pat B]

Nice little bow, Ben. Can we see a full draw pic?

[LittleBen]

Here's another braced and a full draw.

   
   

[fujimo]

" chief Ben Eagle Eyes"- anybody who can chase rings in yew sapwood!!!!
beauty of a bow!
who's the freaky looking model posing for the pics          

[LittleBen]

Thanks Wayne, I'll tell you, my neighbors think I'm crazy, standing in the driveway with a knife scraping at the outside of that stick and then holding it to the light for hours.

But there's yew and then there's yew. The rings were reasonably thick so it wasn't too terrible.

A part of me can't believe such a small little bow can actually bend like that and draw a solid 50#, the limbs are suprisingly thick, but I guess that's the nature of the material.

It was really a joy to work this wood, and to get back to selfbows. I'm really looking forward to trying some yew under a bamboo backing soon.

[fujimo]

[Pat B]

Well done, Ben.

[takefive]

Good looking bow       Love the contrast between the sapwood and heartwood with Yew.

[DVSHUNTER]

Sweet little rig. I'll make a yew bow one day. The dust kills me. I've been working on one for almost three years now.

[Wolftrail]

Bow looks great good job for a shorty. The pin knots really ad character.

PS. your brace height looks low in the photo.    :rolleyes:

[Mark Baker]

[Mad Max]

nice one ben

[canopyboy]

Originally posted by Wolftrail:
Bow looks great good job for a shorty.

Wow, even I wasn't going to make fun of how high the workbench looked...

   

[Roy from Pa]

Very nice, Ben.. I'm guessing you have to stand on that white bucket to reach the work bench?  

[fujimo]

Tough crowd eh mate      :D    
With friends like that..........