Finishing Yew

Metalhead0483

Metalhead0483

Joined
Jan 17, 2008
Messages
539
Morning all! I purchased some English Yew from Ben Greenberg last summer and am using the first of it in a knife handle that's in progress right now. I've never used yew before, and I'm wondering how people would recommend finishing it? Anybody have any first hand experience? I'd normally just rub on several layers of Danish Oil and call it good, but since botanically it's a softwood I wasn't sure if that would be the preferred method...

Many thanks!
 
I can't help you with the finish, but would like to see a picture when you are finished. I was in Ireland last Spring and saw several Yew tree. Very beautiful. The farmers don't like them because the leaves are poisonous to their animals.
 
Yeah, all parts of the tree are toxic. It's lovely wood, but the dust is very irritating when you sand it. It's full-face respirator only for Yew and I after yesterday. (I was wearing my minimum N95 mask I always wear when grinding, so at least I didn't breath it...)

I'll be sure to post a picture when I'm finished. I sure would like some feedback on finishes if someone has used the stuff before though.
 
From all the bow making books I have read, it seems that most bowyers use an oil based finish. That being said, bows are different than knives, so something else may be a better choice.
 
Barring anyone with personal experience piping up I'm going to cut up some sample pieces tonight and apply a few different finishes to see how they do. Apparently Danish oil darkens the wood quite a lot from reading some woodworking forums. I'm going to try a couple of other oils, and a wax coating or two. Also my old standby tru-oil. I'll post results if people are interested...
 
Tom Lewis said:
I can't help you with the finish, but would like to see a picture when you are finished. I was in Ireland last Spring and saw several Yew tree. Very beautiful. The farmers don't like them because the leaves are poisonous to their animals.
Click to expand...

Mythical wood :) If you want to know more about it ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxus_baccata
I spent half an hour searching through my posts to find picture of mu handle from this wood ...............nada :( I like it very much ..........
 
Since no one else has offered suggestions, this is what I would do. Sand to 400 grit, put a light coat of tru-oil on. Let dry. Then with 0000 steel wool take the finish down to wood level. Do this four times, then buff .
 
I have worked, installed and finished thousands of board feet of English Yew. Treat it like any other closed grain wood....like cherry or maple. Yew has never adversely affected me or my carpenterssawing or sanding. Beautiful lumber but very hard to obtain good stuff. The Oregon Yew is similar. There are cancer treating chemicals in the tree and is used or was used in medicines.

John Lloyd
 
I got the handle shaped yesterday, but had to go pick up my daughter before I could get to sanding and applying finishes. I have to say though, it is a joy to work with (other than the dust, which is easily handled) and looks very nice. Can't wait to see how it looks finished...
 
MqaQMnI.jpg


Yew tree at Muckrose abbey, Ireland.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top