Yew Tree

I’m sad to be cutting down a Yew Tree that grew too big too close to my house. I understand that Yew wood can be great for making bows and I am hoping by extension, knife handles. Can anyone direct me to information on how to go from Tree to stabilized wood for handle making? I bought Nakashima’s “The Soul of a Tree” because I love his work. Can anyone recommend any other sources for this kind of information?

I'd reach out to Mark @ Burlsource

First you have to figure out which way to cut it so that you end up with the looks you're after. Then cut it into handle size blocks (1.25 x 1.5 x 5"). *Note - cut slightly over sized for sanding down to size post stabilization.

Having a decent sized band saw is going to be helpful, and possibly necessary, if the wood is large in diameter.

Now it's got to dry.

After the wood is cut & dry, send it to K&G for stabilizing.

Might be worthwhile doing some research on the toxicity of yew tree wood. Your post reminded me of reading this web page some time ago:

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/

This thread reminded me to do some reading since I also have a yew in the garden that I want to remove or seriously cut-back.

I haven't found any specific advice about safety when trimming or felling, but take care not to ingest anything (e.g. wood dust) and dispose of the foliage (and wood) carefully:

https://extension.umd.edu/learn/toxic-plant-profile-yew


The use of yew wood in the kitchen might be questionable as well:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxus_baccata#Toxicity

https://extension.psu.edu/toxicity-of-yew-wood-and-roots

It is pretty common around here to see candy bowls etc made from Pacific yew Taxus brevifolia. I also have a custom bushcraft knife from a UK maker with an English yew handle.

Noodle Soup said:

It is pretty common around here to see candy bowls etc made from Pacific yew Taxus brevifolia. I also have a custom bushcraft knife from a UK maker with an English yew handle.

Click to expand...

The links I posted relate to Taxus baccata or/and Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew).

I could erring on the cautious side, a number of the sites that I visited the other day mentioned the use of yew wood for fruit bowls and the like.

Best idea is for the OP to do their own research and satisfy themselves about matters.

I'll copy this, from my first link above, if for no other reason than to make an attempt at the oldest citation on KKF!

“Not to omit any one of them, the yew is similar to these other trees in general appearance . . . It is an ascertained fact that travellers’ vessels, made in Gaul of this wood, for the purpose of holding wine, have caused the death of those who used them.”

–Pliny the Elder, from Naturalis Historia, ca. 77 AD