Many decades ago (1957 to be exact) when I was a yearling, I was told something by one of my dad's friends. At age 13, it didn't really soak in and become part of my working archery knowledge. Now this is the man that two years later, I bought my first bow from. It was a 1957 Kodiak Special. I've told this story before and it wound up in the Archives section. As far as I know, it is still there if anyone wants to read it. Anyway, I digress.
On this occasion, my dad and I were at his friend's house. I was "eaten up" with archery and was in the beginning stages of learning to shoot. I was allowed to shoot one of his old yew self bows. He told me it was made of yew wood and said something about the history of the bow which I promptly forgot. I didn't realize at the time what a self bow was and I wasn't familiar with all the archery lingo and various woods. I only knew that it was a bow and I was enjoying shooting it. As was my propensity at the time, I sprayed arrows all over, around and under the target. I was having fun but was beginning to get frustrated with my inaccuracy. I said, "This bow doesn't shoot very good. I want to shoot your bow." My dad's friend only smiled and said, "Danny, just remember, it's yew."
Only many years later would I understand what he was telling me. When a bow is not shooting well it's not the bow, it's you.
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/bard9l/IMG_0919-1.jpg)
Danny post proves that not only are you smart(because you "got it") but you were blessed to grow up around some other men with smarts.
Thanks for sharing a great truism.
God bless,Mudd
Great story...and great looking bow too. :thumbsup:
I have some type of fixation for yew that I can't seem to shake. For instance I am currently looking to place an order for a new longbow. All along I've told myself that the new bow would have bamboo core with myrtle veneers. But the closer I come to actually placing the order the more my mind turns again to yew. Not sure what it is exactly that draws me to the stuff, but I do love it.
Yew tell a good story Danny.
You said it right. Nice story.