Hi guys!
I have a yew branch (yew is very difficult to find in Romania) and I would like to make a bow from it.
It's diameter is about 2", very curved and a lot of knots.
But the biggest problem in my opinion is one specific knot, right in the middle of the back, at about 12" from the tip.
Do you think I have any chances to make a functional bow from it?
Thanx a lot for any opinion!

Is the knot elevated above the back at all? It would have been nice to see the sap wood right up to the limb. If it's what I had to work with I'd go for it. With two inches of width at that knot there is plenty of wood so just leave enough extra around the knot. What is the sap to heart ratio and what does the knot look like on the belly side? It would be nice to see a side, belly and end view?

I have one that is very similar to yours, with a few more twists and turns that I hope to make a bow from when it's dry enough.  Yew is very hard to find in my area also, so I am very interrested to see what suggestions others might have....Dan

Is that heartwood I see around the knots? If so you have severely violated those growth rings. Yew can take some violations in the sapwood but not exposed heartwood around and through a knot. Around knots especially you want a clean unviolated growth ring. Bows can and have been built around knots and voids. It takes a lot of thought, slow uninterupted working conditions and the ability to set it aside and walk away from it if conditions are not perfect.(at least for me)   But, if you do your part you will not only come out with a unique bow but also with an education in wood bow building you can't get elsewhere.