Yew for bow making for sale

[timbernut]

We had limited stock for the huge numbers of archers in England (it was law for all lowborn men and boys to practice at least one day a week at the butts) so most was imported from Spain and Italy where the stock grown at higher altitudes produced a better bow (tighter rings meant improved performance with tension and compression)

 

 

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[Dillinger86]

 

I have all this if anyone is wanting good sized pieces.

 

 

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[stuckinthemud]

 

I have all this if anyone is wanting good sized pieces.

 

 

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Is any of this still available?

[flatyre]

i'd love to have a go at long bow making if anyone has a suitable piece for sale in Northern Ireland?

[Dillinger86]

I am holding on to the rest for building I'm afraid...

 

 

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[stuckinthemud]

No worries thanks for letting me know

[EastAnglian]

I think it might be a bit of an old wives tale that gets passed around that English yew is no good for bowmaking. Famous bowyer Chris Boyton swears that English yew was as good as anything in the world. He was on Ray Mears tv show way back for those that might have watched it. You get a lot of variation within any species but yew is yew and if it's dense, straight and knot free it'll make a good bow.

 

It might not be the best wood to learn how to make a bow though if you're just starting out. They say a good bow at full draw is seven eights broken. Breaking bows is just part of the learning curve. Snapping bits of yew is an expensive hobby when there is stuff like ash and hazel to cut your teeth on.

[Haironyourchest]

Anyone on here ever read "The White Company" by Arthur Conan Doyle? (of Sherlock Holmes fame) - historical fiction set during the hundred years war, follows the exploits of a regiment of British archers. Excellent book, very highly researched in terms of historical accuracy. C Doyle thought it more significant in terms of literary achievement than the Sherlock Holmes stories, though it's relatively unknown.

[stuckinthemud]

If anyone in the Cardiff/Caerphilly/Newport area ever has any decent yew, let me know, I have been known to make the odd bow or two (some very odd!)

[Khriss]

Anyone on here ever read "The White Company" by Arthur Conan Doyle? (of Sherlock Holmes fame) - historical fiction set during the hundred years war, follows the exploits of a regiment of British archers. Excellent book, very highly researched in terms of historical accuracy. C Doyle thought it more significant in terms of literary achievement than the Sherlock Holmes stories, though it's relatively unknown.

 

Amazoning it as we speak .... K