Yew longbow fresh out the shop.

[dwardo]

Hi all,

Its been an age since I made a yew longbow. I have been concentrating on short high stress designs for the last few years so it was time to make something more traditional. Well i say traditional but it has overlays rather than ye olde horn nocks to keep the weight down and a flatter profile rather than a D. The bow is 73 inches nock to nock and about 60 lbs at 29" It has a few more inches draw in it but its all my shoulders will take at the minute not to mention trying to get used to a different knocking point.
The arrows are tipped with EverythingMac bodkins. I have only put my test arrow through it so far and they were too light. Once i get some decent weather and a volunteer I will take some draw shots.

No idea what i am going to do with this one, might move it on at some point once its shot in as i prefer my bows flat and small
Was going to call this one "lights out" as its cost me three striplight bulbs so far!

Will post more when i can, thanks fer looking.

 

[Niels]

Beauty! I can see you've had some bad weather too I think the overlays beat the horn nocks on this one. And the handle looks great!

 

[presterjohn]

It's when I see things like that lovely looking bow, that I wonder if I could just cram one more hobby into my schedule. I can already hear my Mrs moaning to her mates if bow of any kind was sent to my door though sadly.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Viewin on my phone so not huge pics
but wow wow wow wow wow wow wow
thats a beauty

one day i might be that good

 

[plastic-ninja]

I need a longbow in my life! That is a thing of real beauty mate.
Fabulous piece of work and a credit to your skills.
If you do decide to move it on I hope that I'm solvent and ready to pounce.
Cheers , Simon

 

[Dreadhead]

im always amazed at the beauty of your bows bud that really is something else

 

[HillBill]

Lovely work mate, nice to see.

 

[Scopey]

That is stunning mate, beautiful work!

 

[robin wood]

wonderful work as always.

 

[j111]

Looks real good mate. Looks like a good thickness of sap wood, did you reduce it at all out of interest?

Cheers,

 

[John Fenna]

Oooh!
That looks great!
Would you be up for trades?

 

[grey-array]

A true beaut, I keep telling myself to postpone my Bow build as I have to many project ahead of me for the coming summer already,
But you keep inviting the bowyer's bug into my system time after time ^^, great job Dwardo superb work.
Yours sincerely Ruud

 

[dwardo]

Thanks for the kind words all.

J111 The sapwood was reduced although you dont need to chase a ring with yew, just make it nice and smooth. Wish I had more heatwood to play with on this one but it wasn't the best stave. Still only takes an inch and a half of follow relaxing to flat after half hour. It could have done with a little more bend in the outer limbs but I ran out of wood as I wanted it to stay heavy.

Sorry John, unless you want to trade me for car tax, wedding rings, bridesmaid dresses, you get the idea lol
Offer is still open to help you make your own bow mate.

 

[Barn Owl]

Beautiful piece, how long do season a yew stave?

 

[Steve13]

Fantastic work there and it looks like I will have to join a very long que to buy one

One day I will have a go at making one of these

 

[swotty]

Beautiful work.....i love those nocks

 

[dwardo]

Can be as quick as a few weeks/month or two. Or as long as you want years outside still in log form.
Either way if its dry its dry no matter how you get there. I fast season so roughing out to near bow dimensions then indoors for a few weeks/month in a warm room. My office at home has 3 computers running almost 24/7 not to mention the heating when its on. Its faster in the warmer months than in winter when the RH is constantly through the roof Takes an age to dry each coat of finish too, summer it can be four hours in-between finishes, this time of year its 24 if I am lucky.

Fast seasoning has its downsides too if your not careful such as checking and warping.

 

[Barn Owl]

Going to have to try one, i can get some yew i think.
I'd rather experiment with yew from the start as opposed to other woods just in case it turns out not bad,love the colours of it.

 

[Everything Mac]

Looks absolutely stunning mate! I need to make some more bodkins up to do it justice!

All the best
Andy

 

[Gill]

That is a beauty Dwardo ,Is it all sap wood or is there heart wood as well?