I am saving up for a new longbow and would like to know what you guys think is better for the limb core. Yew or bamboo. Is there a big difference? I am looking at the Liberty Contender. Thanks for your input. John.
I would go with the bowyers recommendation have him use what he is familiar with-you don't want him experimenting on your dime. Bamboo, yew, actionwood, all make good cores.
What Bjorn said, 'boo is my favorite for a core..
I just started using Yew wood for cores on some of my limbs and it is outstanding material. :thumbsup:
But you can't go wrong either way.... IMO
Good yew is great stuff in longbows with thicker cores, bamboo is a little more predictable.
I like the boo cores in my bow.
I build with both. Premium yew is smoother to pull. In fact I like it better than foam. But its way hard to get. I have a wee stash of it.
God bless you all, Steve
I would trust the bowyer as well and what he says about his bow and the core choices he has available.I know allen has his own stash of quality pacific Yew thats well seasoned.
I have had a 2 Contenders and 2 Chiefs.Two were Yew and 2 were bamboo.
I think the difference was negligable.
I think an all yew limb would be nice though for looks and he has quality yew.The Yew looks nice in profile as well IMO.I dont think you would need a veneer with Yew.But that tiger Myrtle he sometimes has is very nice.
My 1st chief off of the original chief form (he changed the design a bit later i believe) had a macassor ebony riser with bamboo cores and tiger myrtle veneers.Very elegant and one heck of a shooter.
Good luck with your bow!
I really don't know what limb wood is more responsive. But I do know that Allen cut his own supply of yew in the late 70's. So it is well aged as well as having beautiul markings. Good luck with your new bow!
Let us see the pictures when the Contender comes in.
After a long talk with master bow builder James Berry, I decided to pay the little extra and go with the yew core in my bows. James believes that the yew is smoother drawing and the fibers break down more slowly than in the bamboo. I don't know of its enough that a person would ever notice, but man does it draw smooth, shoot fast and look incredible. Its yew for me!!!
(http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z267/horatio1226/jd%20berry%20apollo/IMG_4344.jpg)
Thanks guys. I love my Abbott longbow witch has a bamboo core and yew outer lams and i would like to ad another longbow. Its going to be awhile as I have to save the money so I will take your advice and get the bowyers advice. Thanks everyone. John.
Horatio, Thats a very nice bow you have there. I like it.
tonkin cane is my fave, for its smoothness of draw and durability - but most any core wood (or grass!) is gonna be just fine.
we tend to obsess over our engines far more than where the most obsession should be - our missiles. i'm as guilty as the next guy, too. :)
I'm a fan of Yew and Allen at Libertys yew is second to none .
But I am a fan of yew regardless ... I have it in a few Howard Hill Redmans and Halfbreeds , A couple of Jim Belcher Union Jacks , a David Miller Ol' Tom and couple if others .
I have 'boo in a few bows ...
But did I mention I love Yew ?
If it was good enough for Robin hood its good enough for me .
Over the years I've shot a lot of different cored bows and find that they all do the job and can't really see a bunch of difference one way or the other. Rooster, not to be a wise guy, why don't you buy a Abbott with yew cores and bamboo lams. Between the 2 bows you'll have the best of 2 worlds. I do agree with Rob, any core material will do the job.
Yew would be my choice, for its beauty and character.
As Bjorn said ask your bowyer. Other than the bowyer the only opinions that will actually be worth anything for your question will be someone that has shot your particular bow with both core woods at the exact same poundage.
I have bows that have both. I recently purchased one of Allen Boice's Contenders with yew core and yew limb veneers...all yew. What a smooth easy to shoot bow. A true joy!
Thanks everyone for your input. I will talk to the bowyer first. Like I said I do love my Abbott but thought I might want to support one of the bowyers from this great site that I love so much. Thanks everyone. John.
QuoteOriginally posted by Rob DiStefano:
tonkin cane is my fave, for its smoothness of draw and durability - but most any core wood (or grass!) is gonna be just fine.
we tend to obsess over our engines far more than where the most obsession should be - our missiles. i'm as guilty as the next guy, too. :)
That's interesting Rob... It's been my understanding that Tonkin cane is typically used in fly fishing rods, but has too small of diameter when they harvest it to get lamination's wide enough for bow limbs.
i know of no one using true Tonkin bamboo to construct bows. Unless they are laminating the stuff up themselves....if it's in one piece, it isn't Tonkin.... Typically bowyer's use a high grade Moso bamboo.
Kirk, I know one who is using real tonkin, but only one. Flint
I like the action wood for a core with a bamboo back and yew belly.
Get both in a Hill halfbreed.
QuoteOriginally posted by Stone Knife:
Get both in a Hill halfbreed.
You took the words out of my mouth! I love my Hill HalfBreed!
This all is relative to the individuals likes and experiences. When I buy materials to build bows I buy the best I can get. That is moso action boo, actionwood, maple, yew, zebra , red elm and foam. I am sure that there other good core woods . In fact I have used hickory and goncalo alves with good success. but to the best of my knowledge until someone comes up with a foam core with carbon fiber mix thats about the limit.
Now that will be a great core.
God bless you all, Steve
I've always liked bamboo. I'm not sure what bamboo my bowyers used but it seemed to lead to a smooth draw. Sometimes I like to try other core materials because I've read of the limb cores favored by the "Oldtimers". If I trust my bowyer, and I should, I sometimes leave it up to them. Chuck made me a fine walnut cored bow. I sometimes wonder if some guys should just use buffalo chips for core material, because of all the bull that seems to start flying! :bigsmyl:
They all work well; but I'm pretty much obsessed with yew for now; as much for it's charactor and history as anything I suppose.
QuoteOriginally posted by flint kemper:
Kirk, I know one who is using real tonkin, but only one. Flint
Well... :dunno:
Are you going to share this info? :dunno:
I should edit my statement to know of nobody building
laminated bows with glass backing using Tomkin Cane....
I like Carbon as a core but that'a another thread.I've had many boo core bows,many maple core bows,some elm and a osage core limbs that I have know and love.I know there are better core woods for bows but this particular set of osage limbs work very well for me.
I beleive design and a particular set of limbs can vary(very slightly) from one wood to another,even in the same type of wood.
I consider appearance over everything else when choosen wood cores.
Kirk, David Miller, not sure if he has used it on a glass bow Yet. Flint
High humidity I like bamboo , but yew is nice also ...which means you'll have to spring for 2 bows...send me the one ya dont keep!! :) :bigsmyl: :goldtooth: :goldtooth: :goldtooth:
JV
I have Allens English in yew and bamboo one 66" 60@27 bamboo 66" 54@28 bamboo 68" 55@28 yew. They are all very nice and Allens fit and finish is impeccable and they all shoot well. A comparison is tough because of the differences in specs. but I would probably go with the bamboo. Allen will probably tell you there won't be a difference in performance. You can't go wrong either way. Love yew under clear glass but when Allen puts clear glass over bamboo and adds cocobola riser and some myrtle accents I get weak in the knees.
Good luck. Write the check.
58winters, that combo you mentioned sounds good with the cocobolo and myrtle overlays on bamboo.
Two weeks ago I was with a friend when he was ordering the new Edge from Allen in a takedown. There was an English like I described laying on the the trucks tailgate but the lbs. where toooo much so I just watched my buddies fun.
My Abbott long bow is all yew, oh baby!! My death wish longbow is yew back and belly with boo core. It is also super smooth and is really fast for a D shaped bow!! So, I don't know they are both fantastic as far as a core material. Best of luck with your choice.
Bob.
my bow uses yew and its a graet shooter. really smooth draw and throws the arrow good. feels better then the bow i had with maple core but that could just be the design
For sure Bamboo, but then again maybe.......
Yew would be best, HHHhhhmmmm. :dunno: