Yew Stave
 

A friend sent me a yew stave from WA State. I couldn't wait, so I removed the bark tonight and sanded down to the sapwood. But I found small hairline cracks in the grain. I can't find a clear path up the stave with them. Some are small as a hair, some are 1/32" wide by 2". Should I drawknife down to see if they go deep. Or is hairline cracks in the grain that big of deal in the sapwood?

RE: Yew Stave
 

I'd definitely draw knife down to try and find good wood but I've never done anything with yew. I have no idea what hairline cracks in the sapwood would do to it.

RE: Yew Stave
 

here's a pic of it. Anyone work with yew before?

RE: Yew Stave
 

Nevermind, I just whittled down less than a shaving or two and they disappeared.

RE: Yew Stave
 

checks, eh?
From the bent stick "Checks that are well within the borders of the limbs will--99 percent of the time--behave as if they do not exist.

So, according to Comstock its nothing to worry about...just checks from drying.

Supposedly the yew heartwood is more brittle than the sapwood so it's good to leave a thin layer of sapwood on the back.

RE: Yew Stave
 

Keep chaseing until you start running out of sap wood. If the checksare still there, keep them close to the handle and make a static grip if possible. Id not consider an English style longbow. You might consider a backing and not chance it unbacked. Or that is what id do. I dont do many selfbows so my experience is limited.

RE: Yew Stave
 

I decided I will back it with rawhide. Thanks. I was able to get out the checks.

RE: Yew Stave
 

We're on a mission from God. (Blues Brothers):D

Keep going big! Sure sounds like you're having a blast.

RE: Yew Stave
 

My wife hates this hobby. She claims this is worse than anything I have ever dove into.

RE: Yew Stave
 

It is obsesive. My wife showed a little discontent when I first started. I guess it was due to the fact I was spending most of my spare time in my wood shop.:D