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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Pat B on January 02, 2009, 12:04:00 AM

Title: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Pat B on January 02, 2009, 12:04:00 AM
This is the other bow I built to hunt with this year. It is a yew self bow with American Bison tip overlays. 64 1/2" t/t, 1 1/4" at the handle and tapering to 3/8" tips. She pulls 47#@26".  The sapwood back has violated rings but with yew, that's not necessarily bad. This bow bends through the handle, has a hemp cord handle wrap and floppy rest. The only finish on this bow is hand rubbed bear fat.
 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/forPA001.jpg)
 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/forPA002-1.jpg)
 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/forPA003.jpg)
 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/forPA004.jpg)
 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/forPA009-1.jpg)
 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/forPA015.jpg)
 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/forPA016.jpg)
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: shamus on January 02, 2009, 07:03:00 AM
nice job!
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Minuteman on January 02, 2009, 07:11:00 AM
Looks purty, Pat!
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: ber643 on January 02, 2009, 08:47:00 AM
I love Yew. Nice looking bow, with the character and all, and sweet tiller to these ol' eyes. I've shot a couple Yew bows (by Strunk) of don Batten's, and fell in love with them.
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Pat B on January 02, 2009, 12:10:00 PM
I love yew too Bernie!d;^)   This bow has a good story too. Don Berg(OldBow that handles the Bow of the Month on PA) lives in Montana. Don frequently rides his bike back into the wilderness areas near his home. On one trip he went back 8 miles found this tree, cut it, strapped it to his bike and rode back out. He sent the log(5" in dia)to me. I split it and this is what came from it. I have 2 other staves but they have knots that need studying before I attempt a bow, if it is possible with either.     Pat
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: ber643 on January 02, 2009, 12:55:00 PM
Wow - I figured Don for a specially nice guy but riding a 5" log out on his bike - for someone else at that - that's above and beyond, bless his heart. Thanks for the story.
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Pat B on January 02, 2009, 01:05:00 PM
Could be irritating!
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Jack Skinner on January 02, 2009, 02:10:00 PM
Good looking yew bow.I also like bows that bend thru or right up to the handle.
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Pat B on January 02, 2009, 04:04:00 PM
Jack, most of my bows these days either bend through the handle or right up to the handle. Might as well get all the goody out of the wood!   Pat
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: koan on January 02, 2009, 04:35:00 PM
Thats a great bow from some gnarly wood there Pat
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Jack Skinner on January 02, 2009, 05:07:00 PM
Yes I like to also whip tiller mine, some more than others. Using as much wood as possible. I get very little if any sting follow that way. I just finished a little snakey osage. I want some yew but the cost is too much for me.

Are you in the Mtns there in NC. I grew-up in the pedimont nere Feyettville.
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Pat B on January 02, 2009, 05:55:00 PM
Yes. I'm in the Southern Mountains near where NC, SC and GA come together.
   I prefer stiff tips, at least the last 4" or so. I keep them a bit thick but narrow them so the physical weight is reduced but the strength is still there. I still need to get my tips smaller.
   Fine someone to trade with that has access to yew. Does it not grow in Wyoming?     Pat
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: buckhuck on January 02, 2009, 09:58:00 PM
Nice bow, love the character.
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: tat2dgrizz on January 02, 2009, 10:24:00 PM
I really like that one!!!!
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Pat B on January 03, 2009, 10:38:00 AM
Thanks Buck and Tat2. The more character the better.      Pat
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Hojo on January 03, 2009, 10:52:00 AM
Cool bow, Pat.  Love the osage recurve that you've posted as well.  I'm wanting to try a handle wrap like you've used.  How are you securing the ends of the hemp on them?
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Pat B on January 03, 2009, 12:20:00 PM
Hojo, The ends are tucked under the wrap. I begin with the one tucked then do the wrap. When I get near the other end I use another string folded over and wrap over it, tuck the end of the hemp into the loop and pull it through. I hope that makes since. Be sure you wrap the directions your fingers point when you grip the handle. If you go the other direction you can loosen the wrap.  Pat
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: SoNevada Archer on January 03, 2009, 06:48:00 PM
Very cool!
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 04, 2009, 08:20:00 PM
Awesome! You do great work, Pat. Jawge
Title: Re: Yew self bow w/ some character
Post by: Pat B on January 04, 2009, 09:04:00 PM
Thanks George and Nevada.