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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: LittleBen on June 06, 2015, 10:35:00 PM

Title: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: LittleBen on June 06, 2015, 10:35:00 PM

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.

   (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc450/Benjaminklein/Mobile%20Uploads/image1.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/Benjaminklein/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image1.jpg.html)
   (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc450/Benjaminklein/Mobile%20Uploads/image2.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/Benjaminklein/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image2.jpg.html)
   (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc450/Benjaminklein/Mobile%20Uploads/image3.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/Benjaminklein/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image3.jpg.html)
   (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc450/Benjaminklein/Mobile%20Uploads/image4.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/Benjaminklein/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image4.jpg.html)
   (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc450/Benjaminklein/Mobile%20Uploads/image5.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/Benjaminklein/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image5.jpg.html)
  (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc450/Benjaminklein/Mobile%20Uploads/image6.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/Benjaminklein/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image6.jpg.html)
  (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc450/Benjaminklein/Mobile%20Uploads/image7.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/Benjaminklein/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image7.jpg.html)
  (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc450/Benjaminklein/Mobile%20Uploads/image8.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/Benjaminklein/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image8.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: LittleBen on June 06, 2015, 10:45:00 PM

This is my dog looking like a kangaroo ...
  (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc450/Benjaminklein/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0094.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/Benjaminklein/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0094.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: MR BILL SHORTY on June 07, 2015, 12:09:00 AM

:thumbsup:    :archer:

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: Bowjunkie on June 07, 2015, 07:48:00 AM

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

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: LittleBen on June 07, 2015, 09:35:00 AM

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

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: Pat B on June 07, 2015, 10:38:00 AM

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

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: LittleBen on June 07, 2015, 04:14:00 PM

Here's another braced and a full draw.

   (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc450/Benjaminklein/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0105.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/Benjaminklein/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0105.jpg.html)
   (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc450/Benjaminklein/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0111.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/Benjaminklein/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0111jpg.html)

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: fujimo on June 07, 2015, 07:25:00 PM

" 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   :laughing:    :laughing:    :laughing:

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: LittleBen on June 07, 2015, 09:51:00 PM

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.

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: fujimo on June 08, 2015, 12:10:00 AM

:biglaugh:

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: Pat B on June 08, 2015, 08:03:00 AM

Well done, Ben.

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: takefive on June 08, 2015, 05:01:00 PM

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

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: DVSHUNTER on June 08, 2015, 10:39:00 PM

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.

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: Wolftrail on June 09, 2015, 10:02:00 PM

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

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

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: Mark Baker on June 15, 2015, 04:22:00 PM

:thumbsup:

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: Mad Max on June 15, 2015, 04:49:00 PM

nice one ben

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: canopyboy on June 15, 2015, 09:23:00 PM

Quote

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

:laughing:

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

   :laughing:

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 16, 2015, 07:00:00 AM

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

Title: Re: Back to basics, Short Yew Flatbow
Post by: fujimo on June 16, 2015, 10:58:00 AM

Tough crowd eh mate   ;)    :D    
With friends like that..........   :laughing:    :laughing: