Yew that is. I was gifted 2 sweet Yew staves that have been seasoning for 10 years, now the big question is what is the best style bow to make with a Yew Stave? It will want to be 50# at 28" and shot at 27". I have never worked with Yew before, but have used Osage,Hop Hornbeam, Hickory, Maple, and Red Oak, so this will be a learning experience.
Pete
Yew will take many designs well....so pretty much whatever your heart desires...long round bellied english longbows,to short wide sinewed back paddle type bows,american longbow,flatbows,holmgaard,recurves,etc.....you get the point ;)
One of my favorite bows is a yew built pretty much like Dean Torges prescribes in "Hunting the Osage Bow". I made mine 1-1/2" wide and 64" long. It's 50# at 27". I don't have pics handy but can get some tonight maybe.
I prefer flatbows to English longbows but yew sure makes a pretty classic ELB. You should build at least one in your life.
I wasn't sure is it would be good in a flat bow, so now I know. Thanks. I realy am not fond of the ELB, so a flatbow it shal be.
Thanks
Pete
Yew is expensive (except when somebody gives it to you). If I were lucky enough to get my hands on a good long piece of Yew, I'd make an English Longbow out of it. After all, how many chances am I going to have to make a traditional English longbow out of Yew?
But to each his own. :-)