Re: Make bow out of yew wood?
Hi,
My ancestors in the middle ages kept the French at bay for two hundred years using bows made from yew.
The timber must be clear, staight grained and free from defects and the slower the growth of the yew, the better. There must be both sapwood and heartwood in the stave. It is this combination of sapwood on the outside of the bow, and heartwood on the inside which allows the bow to act like a spring.
Finding the right timber may be difficult but making the stave into an effective bow is very hard. To begin with the staves must be seasoned for between 3 and 5 years. Then the maker must use great skill and experience to remove just the right amount of wood to make the limbs curve evenly along their length.
Not an easy project for a novice.
There are however how-to books available, not to mention traditional bow makers who would be prepared to help.
If you are interested in the history and construction of the long bow get a copy of "Longbow" by Robert Hardy. Its a great read, if a little scholarly.
Regards
Tack
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