Finishing a yew longbow ! , advice please?

[Lone Bonobo]

Just need some advise on finishing a bow, at the moment i'm sanding out any tool marks and i'm just wondering what the best way to finish the bow, varnish? oil?
I want to bring out the beautiful grain of the yew and also protect the wood.

Also thinking about adding a leather grip and arrow rest, any advice would be greatly apprieciate.

 

[Snufkin]

Truoil is a good durable finish, it's a gunstock finish and will bring out the grain but it's a bit glossy for my taste.
My preference is for a 50/50 mix of boiled linseed oil and turpentine (not turps sub). Give it a generous rubbing with an oil soaked rag and set aside. Repeat every day for 10 days and then leave it fir a week to dry. Then give it a coat of beeswax.

 

[Lone Bonobo]

Can't get turpentine in B&Q or Homebase now? Only substitute.

 

[Snufkin]

Hunt around for an old fashioned hardware store.
If you can't find one near you check online. I think Axminster.co.uk do it.
If you really can't find any we sell it at work, I can get you some and post it off to you (might be expensive as ours comes in a glass bottle).

 

[Lone Bonobo]

Thanks, i think i know a place that might do it.
I've read about burnishing the sapwood on the back of the bow with a smooth stone or glass bottle, Is this something you have tried?

I'm already thinking of making my next bow, think i'm hooked!

 

[Snufkin]

Thanks, i think i know a place that might do it.
I've read about burnishing the sapwood on the back of the bow with a smooth stone or glass bottle, Is this something you have tried?

I'm already thinking of making my next bow, think i'm hooked!

I usually burnish my bows with a polished antler tine but a glass bottle works just as well. I'm not sure it's going to make a huge difference in stopping the bow lifting a splinter, but every little helps . Some people think the compression of the fibers inhibits oil penetration, so I usually burnish after I've oiled the bow, before I apply the beeswax.