anything I need to know about yew?

[Lee Lobbestael]

Well I have to yew billets that I have been avoiding for several years because I have never spliced before. I finally picked them up today and cut the z splice in them. I have a lot of sanding and filing to do to get them to fit perfect but with luck I will have a nice piece of yew to work with in a few days.

I have never worked with yew before. Here are the things I think I know: leave an 1/8" or so of sap wood on back, you don't have to stay on one growth ring on the back, and yew can get compression fractures easily.

I was planning on making a flat bow about an 1 5/8" wide. Is there anything I should know before I get started? Also does yew chrysal as easily as black locust? I hope not!

[Pat B]

Sounds like you've got it covered. Yew is a soft wood. It will dent easily. I found that the tools I used for osage and other woods didn't work as well on yew. Yew and ERC are the only bow woods that I can use a spoke shave or Bowyers Edge on. A rasp works well but builds up with saw dust easily. I couldn't get a scraper to work well.
 Yew is very strong in compression and does not fret like locust(ny nemisis).
 Take your time and learn the wood. You will love the results!

[Lee Lobbestael]

Thanks Pat! I'm going to take it slow

[b.glass]

Well, they say I'm pretty easy to get along with. Oh. You mean ye...never mind.

[Bert Frelink]

Lee,
sounds like you are on the right track, the only advise I can give you is to wear a mask when you're sanding, Yew dust is pretty hard on the lungs.
Have fun, looking forward to seeing it finished.
Bert.

[Lee Lobbestael]

Ha you too b.glass! Ok thanks guys I'm gonna get started this weekend I think.

[Tom Leemans]

Pay attention to the warning about using a respirator! Lots of people have gotten plenty sick from the dust!

[kennym]

What Tom said!! It gives me a splittin headache even with dust collection!!

[Keenan]

I work allot of yew but have never seen a compresion fracture or crysalls on yew. Very durable for about any style bow you want to make. Never had headaches with it or any other health problems but it is toxic so do make a toothpick with it  :eek:  
If you are used to hard woods go slow and leave a little more meat to work with or you may come in lite on the weight. Have fun