? about Pacific Yew

[bnoles]

Is Pacific Yew a desirable blank for pen making. I have an opportunity to pick up a few sticks soon and was wondering if it is worth the effort.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[gerryr]

IIRC, Russ Faifield uses it quite often and Russ doesn't use any ugly wood.

 

[bob393]

Yes it is desirable, take it!

 

[bnoles]

Thanks..... I'll grab it then and see how it does for me.

 

[RussFairfield]

All of he pens on my Website instructions are Pacific Yew. It photographs more Orange than it is. Cut the blanks at an angle to accent the grain.

 

[bnoles]

Thanks again, Russ. There is something about the simplicity of that wood that draws me to want to turn some. I am certainly going to give it a go.

 

[laurie sullivan]

bnoles, it's bad wood.....you need to send it all to me[]. really, i have turned this wood and even some from kentucky and i love it. i have even done mini's from green yew and it did not crack. have fun and we all want to see what you turn from it.

laurie

 

[KenV]

I have been turning this and like it - I have a sliced tree from Tongass Island in the garage. The sapwood is cream and makes a nice contrast to the orange-brown heart wood. Hone your tools inside and out to get a clean cut. Nice wood all in all.

 

[kenwc]

Bob...please make sure and tell us how yew like it...

 

[Tanner]

The interesting thing I read about Pacific Yew is that a substance called Taxol is extracted from the bark and used to fight ovarian cancer. They are also looking for it to fight other cancers as well. I thought if my Aunt had lived a little longer I would have loved to make her a pen out of Yew. Unfortunately she passed before I had a chance. Here is a link I just Found http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1016/is_n7-8_v97/ai_11012477

A very interesting wood.

 

[Boss302]

I had a friend bring me a small log back from his deer hunting trip this year and was quite please how the wood turned and finished. If the blanks aren't dry, give them a little (not too much) sunlight and you'll get a nice mixure of a light purple/orange hue--simple but attractive. Too much light and they will just bleach out.

 

[DocStram]

I'm a big fan of Yew ... especially that "Royal Yew" that CSUSA was selling. I can't seem to find anything called Royal Yew on the net. But, even the other yews look great if they have a little grain to them. Russ knows.

 

[bnoles]

Al,

I am pretty sure (no expert) that the Royal Yew is much different that the Pacific Yew. Isn't the Royal from England or something? I am really looking forward to trying this since seeing Russ's results. There is a luring quality and simpleness about them that kind of draws you in. Can't really explain it other than I just have to try some []

 

[RussFairfield]

Boss has already described it. Royal Yew is Pacific Yew, but with a purple coloring. It is natural, and seems to be stress related. I find it in the heartwood of old trees. It can also be found in the English Yew, but is rare because the trees are smaller. I don't know which species Craft Supplies is selling.

Some of the color will disappear with time and exposure to sunlight and some of it will turn into a darker orange-brown coloring. It still looks good either way.

 

[KenV]

Thanks for the explanation Russ - I will look in the yew stash for purple color.

 

[ilikewood]

HA!! See Al, I'm not the only seeing PURPLE!! From the Weasel.[}]

 

[UKpenmaker]

I have read that the purple colouring in the Yew is caused by an unusual amount of Iron in it, I.e if you find a tree which has grown over round old fencing wire it will become more purple. These are some pieces that i have which shows the purple growth.

<br />

 

[bnoles]

Andrew,

Those are beautiful!

Do you need my shipping address? [][}]

 

[DocStram]

WooooHoooo Andrew!!! Those are the ones I've been searching for!! Do you happen to know the name of the Yew??? For some reason, CSUSA called those "Royal Yew". I would love to get my hands on a bunch of those.
Mannnn .... green with envy! Dang!

 

[wdcav1952]

Originally posted by DocStram
<br />WooooHoooo Andrew!!! Those are the ones I've been searching for!! Do you happen to know the name of the Yew??? For some reason, CSUSA called those "Royal Yew". I would love to get my hands on a bunch of those.
Mannnn .... green with envy! Dang!

Al, I though a learned man such as you would know the answer to this question. Royal Yew comes from England, Yew Cross Border from Mexico, and I Want Yew comes from Hope Arkansas. [}]

 

[DocStram]

Good one, Cav! LOL

 

[UKpenmaker]

Al, the latin name forl the English (Common) Yew is Taxus baccata.
Have a look at the folowing link for more facts about trhe tree http://www.the-tree.org.uk/BritishTrees/yew.htm