I was just thinking 1/4" with rawhide might be a bit thick.

Rocdoc, yew's sapwood is so soft, one ding to the back it she'll blow, rawhide is good insurance. Heck the sapwood won't hold up to a string without tip overlays, or horn nocks.

Wellll...looks like we got a show stopper. Was roughing out the bow today and encounterd a massive knot/limb inside the stave near the outer edge. The wood gave no indication it was in there. It appears to be solid but I think it's done for. Well I guess Yew really do get what Yew pay for...

Sparky (pics in a little while)

Bummer Sparky.  Can you get a billet out of it?

Hate to hear that Sparky.  Are none of the splits you got gonna work?

here is what I would do Sparkaroo. I would take 3 or 4 hours making the handle real pretty before I went any farther. That way, if she BLOWS you at least have a nice handle. wait, maybe I got that backwards...no...I think that's right. no, wait.

 

Thanks guys...just makes me sick. I been studying this knot for a while and am wondering. Does it look like to you guys that it would come out if the thickness was reduced. I can't tell if it runs into or out of the stave. Normally I would say I have just cut through sideways, a limb that was buried in the wood and it would dissapear.
 I have some wiggle room with the width here...mebe it will come out. Man this wood has some purty grain!
 What say ye ol' sage's of Yew...LOL
Pic added:  http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sparkylongbow/my_photos

Sparky

Sparky, where is it on the stave in realation to where the handle would be? Jawge

Jawge...it is about mid limb on the upper limb. Does it look like I split a limb to you?

Thanks

Sparky

Ah heck!! go ahead and make a bow, what do you have to loose.

So we are looking at the belly?

You guys that build self bows amaze me. I don't have the patients to even think about doing it.    

I did some additional wood reduction and she looks like she wants to be a bow after all. The knot MAY go away if I play my cards right. Gonna go at it anyway...LOL
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sparkylongbow/my_photos

Sparky

Go Sparky!!,Go Sparky!!,Go Sparky!!  

Got my fingers crossed for ya.... Terry

i knew you'd figure it out. Jawge

Dano, looks like I might be going back to Grandberry, I can work on this thing during the daylight hours for Sparky, then he can work on her at night. Does this sound like a plan to you?

Yep, sounds like a good plan, you guys are a team I tell ya.            :D    BarB-Q'ed any poodles lately my friend?

Hey Spark... is the knot in the handle area?  If so I think you might be ok... Dang its got a nice profile...

woops went back and read the second page... maybe the knot will magically fade away:Y

No JD...it's about mid limb on da other side...I'll take a pic of the other side.

Sparky