Bamboo Backed Yew Bow w/pics

[gordonf]

A year ago a friend, Terry, gave me set of sister yew billets.  Even though I had had no experience working with yew I could see that the wood was top rate – high ring count, thin sapwood, and clean. Unfortunately, the billets were cut such that the surface that would form the bow's back was angled sharply. Over the course of several months I came back to the billets frequently trying to figure out how I could get a self-bow out of them – but I just couldn't see a way. Recently Terry inquired how I was coming along with the billets. I was a little embarrassed to admit that crafting a bow out of the fabulous wood he gave me had eluded me. I explained why and added that perhaps a more experienced bowyer could accomplish it, but that I would need to back the wood in order to be successful. Terry then graciously offered me a bamboo slat for the job.

I had never made a bamboo backed bow before (or, for that matter, a laminated bow) so I read everything on the process that I could get my hands on. I also ordered Dean Torges' video and found it quite helpful. Despite my research there were some surprises. Before the glue-up I floor tillered the bow to about 70# which gave me a limb thickness of about 1" at the fades. When I took the bow out of the form it was about as flexible as an iron frying pan. By the time I had finished tillering the bow the thickness of the yew at the fades had been reduced from 1" to ½". The amount of strength that bamboo adds is simply amazing! I am also pleasantly surprised how snappy the bow is. It seems just as powerful as my glass longbow which has the same weight rating. Did I mention that bamboo is amazing stuff?

I should also mention the reason for the thread wrappings on the limbs. During tillering a fret developed on the upper limb at a knot that passed through the belly. I used a technique I learned from John Strunk where he laminates a patch of raw hide over the belly area that is fretting and then wraps the whole works with thread. I did the same and it seems to have worked perfectly.

Here are the bow's specifications. Yew backed with bamboo, 65" ntn, 55# @ 27",  1 ¼" wide at the fades tapering to ½" at the tips, tips are black water buffalo horn. The handle is elk hide dyed with a combination of red and brown leather dye and a Strunk style handle lacing. The bow is finished with 9 coats of Tru-Oil. The bow holds 2" of reflex even after shooting – did I mention that bamboo is amazing stuff?

I hope you enjoy the bow.

[the Ferret]

Dadded gum but you're a fine bowyer Gordon. Another dandy. Love the unstung profile on that bow. Beautiful tip work, Very nice          

[vermonster13]

Very nicely done!

[Jaeger]

Nicely done! That's a beautiful bow.

[ishiwannabe]

Now that is a sharp weapon. Nicely crafted!

[Bowchef]

Very nice            

[Deerhntr]

Very nice!! What kind of stain did you use on your Boo backing? Great color.

[gordonf]

Mitch,

I used a brown leather dye to stain the bamboo.

[DesertDude]

Thank you for sharing this. I really enjoy the craftmenship.

[Terry Riley]

....Simply beautiful Gordon. The workmanship and finish is stunning. I hope you tag an elk with it this year to top it off but you should take the two red powder puffs off of the lower limb before hunting season..    

Terry

[gordonf]

Huh, I never noticed those. Well, we'll see you in the morning Terry. Don't forget to bring some wood.

[3wolvesrunning]

Excellent!!!

[Brian Krebs]

excellent.

[4runr]

Ho-Hum gordonf crafts another work of art..lol.

           

WoW!!

[northern fisher]

very nice  

[Buck Buckley]

Great looking bow, nocks are sweet.

[Dano]

OUTSTANDING!!! Nice job Gordon.

[wingnut]

Beautiful bow!!  I love the clean lines and the "no fat" approach.  Should really fling an arrow.  Good Job,

Mike

[Shakes.602]

WOW!!  I can Only  Hope  to Make Art/Bows that well someday!!    , except I cant quite make out what the Dead Critter is, 'nother Oinker,or possibly a Gobbler?  :confused:    

[Ghost Dog]

Beautiful, Gordon.

I recently got a couple of hawthorn bows from John. One of them has a knot that runs deep into the limb. John did the rawhide/thread wrap on it. It is right in the middle of the working  section of the limb, but it is holding up perfectly.

By the way, hawthorn is an amazing bow wood; very fast recovery and fairly low mass. These two bows have a ton of character and plenty of non-working knots. Beauty!!!