This is the other bow I built to hunt with this year. It is a yew self bow with American Bison tip overlays. 64 1/2" t/t, 1 1/4" at the handle and tapering to 3/8" tips. She pulls 47#@26".  The sapwood back has violated rings but with yew, that's not necessarily bad. This bow bends through the handle, has a hemp cord handle wrap and floppy rest. The only finish on this bow is hand rubbed bear fat.

nice job!

Looks purty, Pat!

I love Yew. Nice looking bow, with the character and all, and sweet tiller to these ol' eyes. I've shot a couple Yew bows (by Strunk) of don Batten's, and fell in love with them.

I love yew too Bernie!d;^)   This bow has a good story too. Don Berg(OldBow that handles the Bow of the Month on PA) lives in Montana. Don frequently rides his bike back into the wilderness areas near his home. On one trip he went back 8 miles found this tree, cut it, strapped it to his bike and rode back out. He sent the log(5" in dia)to me. I split it and this is what came from it. I have 2 other staves but they have knots that need studying before I attempt a bow, if it is possible with either.     Pat

Wow - I figured Don for a specially nice guy but riding a 5" log out on his bike - for someone else at that - that's above and beyond, bless his heart. Thanks for the story.

Could be irritating!

Good looking yew bow.I also like bows that bend thru or right up to the handle.

Jack, most of my bows these days either bend through the handle or right up to the handle. Might as well get all the goody out of the wood!   Pat

Thats a great bow from some gnarly wood there Pat

Yes I like to also whip tiller mine, some more than others. Using as much wood as possible. I get very little if any sting follow that way. I just finished a little snakey osage. I want some yew but the cost is too much for me.

Are you in the Mtns there in NC. I grew-up in the pedimont nere Feyettville.

Yes. I'm in the Southern Mountains near where NC, SC and GA come together.
  I prefer stiff tips, at least the last 4" or so. I keep them a bit thick but narrow them so the physical weight is reduced but the strength is still there. I still need to get my tips smaller.
  Fine someone to trade with that has access to yew. Does it not grow in Wyoming?     Pat

Nice bow, love the character.

I really like that one!!!!

Thanks Buck and Tat2. The more character the better.      Pat

Cool bow, Pat.  Love the osage recurve that you've posted as well.  I'm wanting to try a handle wrap like you've used.  How are you securing the ends of the hemp on them?

Hojo, The ends are tucked under the wrap. I begin with the one tucked then do the wrap. When I get near the other end I use another string folded over and wrap over it, tuck the end of the hemp into the loop and pull it through. I hope that makes since. Be sure you wrap the directions your fingers point when you grip the handle. If you go the other direction you can loosen the wrap.  Pat

Very cool!

Awesome! You do great work, Pat. Jawge

Thanks George and Nevada.