HAWTHORN BOW. The Hedgerow Selfbow. Primitive Technology in the Hedgerow. Part 2

Рет қаралды 25,575

6 жыл бұрын

Hawthorn Bow. Hawthorn Bow & Advice for Aspiring Bowyers. Part Two of The Hedgerow Bow. Primitive Technology in the Hedgerow. I love working with secondary bow woods and search the English Hedgerow for new types of wood to challenge me to make a self-bow. Hawthorn rarely grows straight and I've selected a stave from the hedgerow that is no exception - a bendy piece with wiggles, knots and even a rotten piece. If you are an aspiring or beginner bowyer, do not be afraid to work on woods that are not renowned as bow woods. Don't wait for that perfect stave, just crack on with whatever wood you can lay your hands on and have a go. After hours of work, I manage to make a lightweight 'garden bow' from my wonky stave. It's only a little bow - 66" long and drawing just 22lbs at 27' and the tiller looks odd because of the wonky stave. But it's a sweet little bow. I wonder if kids centuries ago used little whippy bows like this to hunt rabbit and pigeon as they learned the skill of the military and hunting archer. Maybe they did!
I'm Mick Grewcock, retired from business and now self-learning the arts of bow- and film-making. Join me in my light-hearted quest for knowledge as I learn to combine the ancient craft of bow-making with digital videography and film making - I'd be delighted to have you for company on this bizarre journey.
Lots of bow making on my channel - do browse, view, like comment and subscribe. I have videos on making yew, hazel, elm and blackthorn bows as well as many others related to archery and bow making. In my videos you will see and hear what it is like to self learn bow making. I am self-taught as a bowyer and still learning every day. I also explore the UK's rural landscape, sometimes in search of bow making woods, sometimes in search of the glories of this landscape. Do subscribe if you'd like to join me and influence what I upload.
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Пікірлер: 163

@mammonihwgb5351 6 жыл бұрын

Hey Mick, there is a saying “good wood makes good bows, bad wood makes good bowyers”

@bigjano 6 жыл бұрын

In deed. Cheers dude!

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Oh never heard that before but that’s a cracking statement! I’m off for another wonky bit. Thanks for watching. Mick

@bwell111 2 жыл бұрын

I love the wonky, natural bows. Love to buy one, beautiful work.

@NaturalBowWoman 6 жыл бұрын

Another wonderful video. I had to hold my breath for a second on that last bracing ... the suspense! It is a beautiful bow it's wonkiness gives it character. Thankyou Mick 🏹🌻😀

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

I nearly suffocated holding my breath!!! Such a little bow but I willed it not to break 😀 Thanks 🙏 for watching as ever 🏹🙏👍

@user-uw6vo1ev1l 6 жыл бұрын

I tried to make a Hawthorn bow once, my stave was much shorter and skinnier than your one and of course it also was a very low pound weight probably only 5 pounds, it also got drying cracks which didn't help either. Its good to see you trying new bow woods and doing things that other people like me couldn't do. Its really motivational

@glennwilliamson7911 3 жыл бұрын

Very inspiring. I’m going out today and cutting some local staves. Go with God.

@abdou3870 2 жыл бұрын

You deserve 33 million subscribers.... the most nice voice always 👍👍👍

@MickGrewcock 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏

@johnlong3214 6 жыл бұрын

Music, content and presentation all spot on, thank you Mick.

@thefredkalis 3 жыл бұрын

Beautiful video, Beautiful English accent. Thank you. Greetings from France

@MickGrewcock 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Fred🙏

@larryeddings3185 6 жыл бұрын

I am very impressed with the way you accept the challenges inherent in making a self bow.

@feralgrandad4429 4 жыл бұрын

That's a characterful bow, I love it.

@freewill8218 6 жыл бұрын

I really love this channel.

@Buzzardbushcraft 5 жыл бұрын

Of all the bows you've made I like this one the best, what character it has..magnificent.

@pvpinhd4969 6 жыл бұрын

You’re cinimatography is simply amazing. Great work on the bows too!

@ClanGunnBushcraft 6 жыл бұрын

Fantastic Mick! You've got some great skills there my friend. Beautifully edited and always a pleasure when you upload. Have a good weekend

@baasv899 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the dedication for bowbuilding! I’m your student now, starting with an ash stave and a yew stave. Greatings from Holland.🤞🏼👍

@richardimmell5688 6 жыл бұрын

Mick Great video! I really like this bow. Your Hawthorn really has character. Keep them coming.

@timdefelice2570 6 жыл бұрын

Amazing as usual! Thank you for the encouragement! I will keep trying. Most of my bows break on final tillering

@crajneelchand5382 6 жыл бұрын

Hello Mick. Lovely video. Thank you for sharing.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Hi there! Thank you for watching 🙏

@cleo8587 6 жыл бұрын

I don't know why but his videos are so soothing

@crazycressy7986 6 жыл бұрын

Because hes great at making videos and bows ;)

@Bub_zz 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for making this video. It has showed me that even with "bad" or hard to work wood you can make a decent bow. I don't have the most premium choice of wood, so it helps to see that it is possible with the wood available to me.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Great news, delighted that I have helped in a small way. I don't try to instruct, I am not your man for that; but I do always hope to leave behind a little but of inspiration. It is surprising what can be done with a few tools, a bit of hard work and the odd stroke of luck. I wosh you well and thank you for watching. Mick

@bigjano 6 жыл бұрын

Remarcable effort, Mick. Best wishes.

@robertjohntaylor2369 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Mick, Yes, Hawthorne makes a great bow. I have one I made by joining two reflex/receive staves, making a nice primitive field bow. 40lbs at 28. Have just finished a yew war bow, it's much to heavy for me,but I can't bring myself to tiller it down as it looks so great . All limps and bumps. 78 inc k to k and over 100 lbs. Suit a big guy like yourself. Love your videos. Keep them coming. Bob

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Wow, sounds a great bow! Something awesome about a great big nobbly piece of wood that bends. I’m looking for a bigger piece of hawthorn!

@dongwooko5201 6 жыл бұрын

It's a really cool video

@tobymaddix1915 5 жыл бұрын

Wow, your videos are really high quality and enjoyable; Keep up the great work!

@shroomskunk 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant stuff mick.. just finishing my 3rd ash longbow and about to start my first blackthorn longbow 👌🏻

@helihandler 6 жыл бұрын

"getting on with it" a great statement Mick :-) we all watch and love you're excellent instructional vids. buy how many of us get out to our shed and " get on with it"!, I've just started my first Yew bow harvested last December...o.k. may be seasoned by now... ? for a low pull bow for my Wife, (and a try at longbow making for myself) So I'm not only on with it, but looking forward to the journey :-) Many thanks for your inspiring vids.

@Povsalex 6 жыл бұрын

Well done making it work in the end. That snake-y allure makes it quite unique.

@socialanimal1837 6 жыл бұрын

I am so impressed mick ,it's a great inspiration for beggniers like me

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Great news! That is exactly what I hope for from my videos - a great result from my sharing what I do and hopefully giving a little help to beginners and novices. It’s not really instructional but hopefully encouraging! Good luck 🙏🤗🤗👍

@mihaizograf5599 6 жыл бұрын

thanks a million for this video !!!

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

You watched till the end. Bless you Mihai!! 🙏🤗🤗

@FilipW87 6 жыл бұрын

Awsome video!

@ExSkitzophrenic 6 жыл бұрын

Aspiring Archer and hopefully one day bowyer here, your vids are invaluable and possibly some of the most informative and beautifully filmed on KZfaq. Congrats on the (almost) 10k and thanks very much for the quality content!

@philprint 6 жыл бұрын

Lovely vid as usual. Nice point about putting food on the table in times gone by. Our hunter gatherer ancestors did not have time to choose and season a bow stave. They wanted a bow that could be cut and used now. Maybe this type of wonky bow is what they got! I bet in the right hands and circumstances it could feed a family.

@kp.co.6074 6 жыл бұрын

Not going to lie I thought for sure we’d see another failure on video. Very Impressive sir. Even when I know a bows about to break I keep going. I’ve learned more that way rather then just giving up and moving on to the next one.

@angusmacleod7377 2 жыл бұрын

Always great Videos Mick 🙌😁🏹

@MickGrewcock 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Angus 🙏

@angusmacleod7377 2 жыл бұрын

I hope you are doing well and we hear from you again.

@MickGrewcock 2 жыл бұрын

@@angusmacleod7377 I’m good thank you Angus. Hopefully back soon 🤞

@christurley391 6 жыл бұрын

That looks quite like a lightning bolt. I made a Hawthorn cane about 25 years ago and struggled to find a straight piece for that use. I'm enjoying your journey. Thanks Mick.

@fleurcluistra2649 6 жыл бұрын

My god Mike, congratulations on almost 10K! I can remember the time you had about 500 subscrubers, but you kept making bows and here you are! Your video's are truely amazing and I still watch them with a lot of pleasure! I just wanted to thank you for that and tell you that you're on the right track! Fleur

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the boost! Appreciated. Long slog to get this far but made some great online buddies too which is amazing. Thanks for being one of them!

@danielfisher9344 4 жыл бұрын

Great job! I think it looks really cool. Something like that is what I imagine the native Americans in North America using.

@arqueiroprimitivo6809 6 жыл бұрын

ficou perfeito, adoro quando o arco tem algum desvio, isso faz ele ser um modelo unico.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Obrigado! Eu concordo, eu aprecio estes pedaços de madeira desafiantes. Grande personagem. Obrigado por assistir. Mick (sorry for my Google translate!)

@helihandler 6 жыл бұрын

WOW Mick, you once said you were no good at tillering, well this dispels that statement Sir, as if you can tiller a wonky stave like that as most would stop trying ...then you have Mastered your Craft!

@samw4924 6 жыл бұрын

Great video as always, informative and well made. I'm going to get started on a wonky piece of yew this weekend 🤞 I harvested a lovely straight piece of yew, a few weeks ago but giving atleast a year to season. So the wonky piece will be great practice in the meantime

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Good luck with it Sam. Good idea to save the straight bit! Best 👍

@woodslore4672 Жыл бұрын

You sound like David Attenborough of Archery. I Did a Self Bow from Mulberry. Great Video. 👍

@malcolmsmith9232 6 жыл бұрын

Many congratulations on almost reaching 10,000 subscribers! I've always had problems with videos of tillering. I've struggled to see the arc, the stiff parts and the potential hinges. Then I saw a video by an American whose tillering stick was backed by a board with large squares drawn on it. Made things so much easier to see. I was about to pass that titbit on to you when I realised that your tillering stick is mounted in front of leaded-glass! Perfect squares! You know I think your Blackthorn bow is a beauty, but strange wiggles or not, that Hawthorn has character by the bucketload! Oh, and your video presentation gets better and better. Well done.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Oh that's kind of you Malcolm! Thank you very much. Yes the leaded squares sort of help but I'd prefer the set up with lines, squares and arcs of circles on it!! Just haven't got appropriate space or got around to making a backing board yet. In fact I put some of my tillering problems down to my set-up. Like you, I've struggled to see what more experienced bowyers see - but now my problem is not so much seeing the arc etc., it's gaining the experience to know how to work with what I see. Anyway, many thanks for your feedback and encouragement. Very, very much appreciated. Mick

@crazycressy7986 6 жыл бұрын

Thats a lovely looking bow ,just like the 410 shotgun ;)

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Oh, I love a little .410. Used have a little folder. 😉

@bluegitsy 6 жыл бұрын

Great work looks beautiful ,would love to see you do a video on identifying different trees for making bows.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

bluegitsy Check out my channel. Several that help identify (UK only) bow woods! Thanks for watching. Mick

@marksteven6116 6 жыл бұрын

good job

@BoredLyron 2 жыл бұрын

Damn, that's a wonky looking bow. I love it! I've made some rowan bows that have similar character, but I don't think I could find the courage to work on a stave with that rotted part going through the stave (not yet, at least. Maybe after couple dozen more bows under my belt...). Amazing work. (I also find shooting such "character bows" somehow even more satisfying than perfectly straight and "clean" ones. There's something to the feeling of using a crooked piece of wood to send arrows efficiently and accurately at a target. Especially, if there's another archer with "perfect" bow shooting next to you and you're matching them shot for shot. 😁)

@Nulrom 6 жыл бұрын

Is so beautiful

@LongBowMan89 6 жыл бұрын

Bloody fantastic job Mick, I've seen alot of guys here in the states. That try and work on snakey bows or character bows as some of us call them. Most never finish or even get half way done with them. Since they give up. That bow of yours turned out absolutely stunning. Makes me want to go through my stave pile and find a stave like the one you started with and turn out a bow. Keep up the great work and high quality videos!

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I got to say I love the challenge and look of these wonky bows. Have you seen my wonky yew video? That was another wierd piece of wood but it made a bow! Thanks for watching. Mick

@stefanirofte5462 6 жыл бұрын

Great video. I just finished my first bow made of white ash, but because I just get into it, I work on my experience, so when I teller it I took too much wood from it and the limbs was very weak and then I reinforced the both limbs by attached some stanley steel sheets on the limbs of the bow to make it stronger. Now is stronger then before but is not fast enough. It's still able to shoot arrows. Well that was just a playing. Next one will be a real bow.Peace✌

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Good luck Stefan!

@dickeydanger6156 4 жыл бұрын

An explorer going places no one has ever been? An artist in love with his craft? A madman, insane with a wonkey brain trying to make bows from everything he can get his hands on? Even genius maybe. I have no idea. But he has inspired me. I've been studying on making a bow since I was about 14 , searching for the perfect stave since I was 25. Now I'm 40 and realize the perfect stave is not the most important thing in the world. I think it's time to start making some shavings.

@MickGrewcock 4 жыл бұрын

Dickey Danger A fool for wasting 15 years searching for what doesn’t exist? A wise man for realising he’s following a false path? I’ve no idea. But he worries me. Will he now spend a further 20, 30 or more years making shavings? Will he waste thousands of hours admiring those shavings, their delicate curls, their woody aroma? Or will he, in the next four or five hours, just make a bow instead, make a bow however imperfect, make an effort and meet success or failure as equal friends, and thus realise that the clock has more spare time than we humans? Whatever. He made me smile and I wish him well.... ;-)

@dickeydanger6156 4 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock thank you sir for your wisdom, inspiration and kindness. The next time I bother you will be to show you my first bow. Now I must brush the shavings from my beard and prepare to call it a night. Sincerely from the Ozark mountains. Your Student

@karenmurray3098 2 жыл бұрын

wonky as , but somehow beautiful ? great video mick

@MickGrewcock 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏

@KeefsCattys 6 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed seeing you get a useable bow from that stave... Hawthorn will make a fantastic bow as its hard flexible and dense..Trouble is finding a stave without propeller twist..

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Very true! But yes, a nice wood. Search is on for a better piece now.

@michaelpthompson 6 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful little bow it turned out! If you can shoot arrows out of it and it doesn't break, I'd say you have a success on your hands. ATB, Michael

@BigOlBadun 6 жыл бұрын

Amazing bow Mick, there is a real art to making a bow that beautiful and useful from something as hard to work with as that stave, I think you're a much better bowyer than you give yourself credit for, I meant to email you before about woodland but I've been preoccupied. I'll be in touch ASAP

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Tony! Thank you for your comment and of course watching! Pop me an email when ready. Best, Mick

@christianbowyer7812 6 жыл бұрын

Hello Mick, I'm quite impressed with your eagerness to try 'secondary bow woods' and even the gnarly and wiggled pieces of it. The patience and tenacity hopefully pays off for you as much as it does for me. Suggestion for other hedgerow woods: dogwood (cornus sanguinea and even better cornus mas), privet (ligustrum vulgare), lilac ( syringa vulgaris - very good), serviceberry (amelanchier ovalis). Few weeks ago I finished a Holmegaaard style bow of serviceberry and in spite of it being somewhat crooked it's a great shooter. I very much enjoy your videos and appreciate the pains you take to make these.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Christian! That’s a great list. Some I know well but I haven’t tried any for bow making so far. As I’m sure you know, it’s a challenge to find reasonably straight pieces of these and other woods but I have my eyes open all the time in the hope of finding that ideal piece. Well done on the Holmegaard!

@WrathRuin 6 жыл бұрын

Great video Mick. She might not be the best looking bow but she sure does have character. Happy shooting my friend. Skål!

@dmurray6828 6 жыл бұрын

I'm not really into this sort of thing (not sure how I got here), but this is a well done video featuring a really cool guy! Good stuff!

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@Dustypilgrim1 6 жыл бұрын

You said it Mick... 'The only way to learn... is to , etc '- Equally , applying skill-sets to difficult tasks seeking adequacy improves their efficacy for use on easier , results targeted, work seeking to produce excellence. And - apart from that , it's probably a British thing... i.e. 'Yes I can, and I shall enjoy it ' ...

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Spot on!! 🙏

@fancymcclean6210 6 жыл бұрын

An interesting project and great filming technique- are you in the business? Bow making, for me, is strangely addictive. I retire at the end of the month and I can see myself spending my waking hours, in the barn, making bows. And when not making I'll be shooting. Keep up the good work.

@micicioamore 4 жыл бұрын

Good video.❤ pleas

@micicioamore 4 жыл бұрын

Omg

@robertjohntaylor2369 4 жыл бұрын

Hawthorne doesn't match up to blackthorn but can still make a nice bow.I spliced 2 clean short pieces and made a good 40lbs primitive for my nephew, but my latest blackthorn primitive is a really lovely bow. Oiled red,brown bark back stands out a treat.

@MickGrewcock 4 жыл бұрын

Agreed, blackthorn is superb.But hawthorn is interesting nevertheless. Thanks for watching.,

@williamchristian8493 3 жыл бұрын

I've got a 30 ft hawthorn that was born a triplet. One snapped during a storm. And someone drove 2 iron carriage springs into it and this bugger is still going strong.

@MickGrewcock 3 жыл бұрын

Tough stuff!

@tomunderscore 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Mick. Do you work down your bows while braced towards the end or was that just how the scene was shot for the video? My understanding is the less time in brace the better especially so if the wood is even slightly green. This would cause your bow to take unnecessary set. Ive recently cut some straight looking hawthorn 6ft 6"dia. however I am fully aware this is not the best time of year to do it. I'd watched another video of yours splitting a green log where you were talking about the different methods of seasoning a log. I think my strategy is going to be; split it, let the tension in any of the twist come out (as I imagine this is what will cause it to check and shake), then roughly work down the wood into a stave, before PVA'ing the ends. Bark on or off...not sure. Could take a long time to dry even when worked down and inside, I'll have to weigh it. I really like your finished bow, wasnt sure if that rotten section was going to make the draw. Great video to find after preparing to make my own hedgerow bow. Next I want blackthorn : ) What do you use to coat your bows? Ive come across recently a lot about oiling bows, especially when cut from a sapling of green timber. I'm not sure : S it just seems wrong to me. I'd thought it best to seal any moisture in with coats and coats of wax!

@brandonw6340 5 жыл бұрын

I have hawthorn trees near my work what diamater limb or sapling do i,need and what tools do i need to begin learning this hobby

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Look at my channel - $100 dollar bowyer might help. Mick

@enisbobani5761 6 жыл бұрын

Liked

@yes-rq4dg 6 жыл бұрын

Afternoon Mick! Lovely video as always and lovely job on the bow, finished my skirting board bow but as expected it broke during tillering, ah well nothing a cuppa cant fix. Also found out I may be able to get my hand on some laburnum and was wondering do you think it would be wise to take it, or wait til im more experienced and have access to more tools. Thanks again.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Oh pooh! That’s a shame. But you tried - and yes a cuppa mends many things. Laburnum is a great bow wood. Difficult to advise on that! If you could find something else first that might be best - but if it’s all you’ve got just have a go! Good luck.

@yes-rq4dg 6 жыл бұрын

I have some dry wood lying around that i can always mess up haha, wonky stuff but all good for learning. Anyway if im not breaking bows i aint making bows eh, off for summer so ill have a go at what I can get. Also hows that skirting board warbow coming along haha, Thanks as always Mick, good night.

@AngloSaxon1 6 жыл бұрын

Hello, just found your channel and I think it’s great. Wondering if you could try to make a horse bow ?

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

I might do that one day - but I'm very keen on the English longbow so I may take a while! Thanks for watching.

@Sigibrand 6 жыл бұрын

Your videos are such exquisite masterpieces and they are put together very well. You have given me the love of traditional archery and bow making. If you don't mind me asking, what background do you have in video production?

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Hi there! Delighted that I have played a part in encouraging your interest in the skills of the traditional bowyer and archer. As to my background in video production - well, I don't have one! I am self taught but still have much to learn! Glad you enjoy my efforts, thanks for telling me. Mick

@spoplehughes 6 жыл бұрын

may i ask is it better to cut staves in the summer when the sap is in the wood or the winter when it isnt , does it affect the seasoning at all

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

spoplehughes In my (fairly limited) experience you can do both. Summer wood is wet and takes longer to dry and if sped up can lead to cracks/twists. However, summer bark is easier to remove. Winter wood is drier but sometimes hangs on to its bark - if you want a bark on bow, maybe winter is best. Of course, those with more experience than me will have greater knowledge than I do.

@enisbobani5761 6 жыл бұрын

75th,cool vid btw.

@TheBeaker59 6 жыл бұрын

What a great result, that rotten hole is crying out for a mother of pearl, or Paua shell inlay it also would be a good light bow for an older female archer, perfect for mother herself. These wonky bows how does the contortia affect accuracy?

@aboveaveragebayleaf9216 4 жыл бұрын

From what I hear, accuracy is fine as long as the two ends line up with the middle.

@royehuckaby335 5 жыл бұрын

We have Privet and most are 5+ years old; is this Privet be worth the effort?

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

I believe it is. In the UK privet is nearly always trimmed as hedging and rarely gets opportunity to grow straight and long - but I have read of privet bows so definitely worth a go! Mick

@raa6504 6 жыл бұрын

I chose one sapling full of knots, but the bend is lovely, hope it won't brake on me.. Now i'm mainly playing, since i literally just started making my first bow and this knoty one will be the second, above 25 lbs i hope..

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Good luck Radu!! 👍

@raa6504 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Sir. I don't know why it is taking a bit of set. Also, thank you for your inspirational videos, just don't give up.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

I won’t! 🙏🙏🙏

@NorsewoodBows 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Mick. Love your vids...What you do different of other bowyer channels, is taking the viewer with you on a learning experience, rather then trying to show the prober way - I really like that. I my self is a total novice in bowmaking, only ever made one bow and it broke on me. But I have been reading some and scouring the internet for information to get a good basis for doing it right next time. Have you over tried or heard that Laburnum should make a good bow wood? - I have been told, that it should have some if the same characteristics as yew? I live in Denmark, and Larburnum is commonly known as golden rain, I would think it's because of the draping hanging yellow blossoms? :) Keep doing what you are doing, and I will keep watching.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Christian Sannemann Thank you Christian, that’s a great comment 👍Really encourages me! Never tried it but laburnum is apparently a fantastic bow wood - yes, yellow blossom. Be a little cautious, some parts of laburnum may be toxic - just check on the net. Good luck with your next bow - a break is upsetting but it taught you something I’m sure. Best wishes from UK. Mick

@NorsewoodBows 6 жыл бұрын

I am glad that a little comment encourages you to keep on the good work. Have also heard that it should be a fantastic bow wood, would like to try it in the future some time? Here in Denmark it sometimes grow in the big hedgerows, so wa wondering that it might did to in the UK. Maybe you get your hand on some, some times in the future - if you do, I would look forward for a vid, seeing what you think of it :) I had heard that Laburnum is toxic, as you know yew is to - so it's on with the mask, whenever working it, hehe. Kind regards from Denmark.

@robthompson1399 4 жыл бұрын

Having watched part one, I was shocked to see that you've made an Elder bow. As a tree surgeon, Elder is definitely what I would have put in the 'crap bin' when it comes to bow woods. It's rarely straight, and it seems so weak an too easy to cut.

@MickGrewcock 4 жыл бұрын

Rob Thompson Elder makes remarkably good bows. Whether a tree surgeon or not, don’t dismiss it.

@robthompson1399 4 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock thank you for your quick reply Mick, do you need to leave a wide profile to deal with poor quality wood ? Or, would you put it in the same box as Sycamore and Maple ? Which I would be putting on a higher level, personally...

@MickGrewcock 4 жыл бұрын

Rob Thompson The width is driven more by the type of wood rather than the ‘quality’ of it. A narrow profile, particularly the bow’s belly, concentrates the compression (and tension on the back). This suits certain woods - yew for example. Hardwoods, whatever their species, works better with flat bellied profiles; this allows compression a wider surface to take the strain. Of course some woods are ‘better’ than others at handling these forces - hazel is happy with tension, less so with compression, for example. Elder prefers wide but has the oddity of a hollow central core. My first elder broke; an example of me not working with the wood. That is the key - working with the wood, allowing it to guide you. It is a big subject and one that only scraped the surface of! Stay well.

@robthompson1399 4 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock thank you Mick. I'd like to add, that your videos are beautifully filmed. It is clear, that you give great consideration to detail, and artistic contributions. A great watch 👌👍

@MickGrewcock 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Rob 🙏🙏

@motomaggs7164 6 жыл бұрын

Hey Mick, is it possible to carve symbols or designs into a bow and have you thought of doing so?

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

I am not sure about carving - breaking through the bow's back may weaken it fatally. But I have often pondered colouring the back and belly of a bow though never done it yet. I think some people burn their bowyer's mark into the wood and that is probably another way to ornament a bow and I've seen symbols painted on bows too. I guess I shall have a go one day! Cheers, Mick

@motomaggs7164 6 жыл бұрын

Mick Grewcock Ahh, good point, probably best to not compromise a bow’s performance for the sake of aesthetics, thanks for the reply.

@rodparsons521 6 жыл бұрын

Sometimes we can just pretend that some of the localised wiggles aren't there. In functional terms it's the overall shape that really matters. Which is not to say that we should be carrying excess weight in the limb that could detract from the cast (energy spent hauling excess limb mass forwards instead of projecting the arrow down range). You might be surprised to know that plus or minus 10 grains can equate to minus or plus 1 fps and that was just in a comparison of the number of strands in a D75 string on one of my favourite bows.

@fredflintstone7986 6 жыл бұрын

Hawthorn deffo just as tough as blackthorn. Just need to try an older denser piece.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Fred Flintstone Agreed! Search is on👍

@christopherrichardson7001 4 жыл бұрын

Hey you wouldn't be able to do a video on the rounding of a stave could you? A cross section would be good. Some people say leave the back flat others say round it,,,

@MickGrewcock 4 жыл бұрын

Hi there. If you are making a self bow, avoid if possible working the bow’s back. If you have to (for example removing sapwood by doing what is called ‘chasing a ring’) then you should follow the contours of the wood rather than impose a shape on it. Most bows I have made have had a natural untouched back and so have a slight radius to them. Good luck.

@christopherrichardson7001 4 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock no im making a triple laminate of black walnut cherry and hickory. Thanks for getting back to me by way love the vids

@davidbum3460 6 жыл бұрын

Use steam to bend that messed up dip and I’ve read about people filling the knots with glue and wood shavings

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Yes I’ll use glue and shavings to seal the split knot - but I’ll leave the dip alone. I just wanted to challenge myself to do it without heat!

@comesahorseman 6 жыл бұрын

The Druids bow? ;)

@frozenthunderbolt1 6 жыл бұрын

Mick, I love your cinematography and the explanation of your process you give! Please work on the flow of your speech to camera though; the three word, groups spoken to, a breath are, a bit distracting.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Hi there! Thanks for that. Yes, it's taken me a long time to be able to combine making bows, self-filming and editing but speaking to camera whilst juggling all the rest in my head is still a challenge. Thanks for urging me on constructively! Appreciate the nudge 😃

@frozenthunderbolt1 6 жыл бұрын

Good on Mick! Loving your attitude and your work! Have your tried doing any 'backed' bows they might be a good next challenge? Keep on working them sticks and posting yout process - making a shaving horse might also make life easier for you - quicker to change the position of the stave than a vice. :-D

@haraldbearclaw1856 6 жыл бұрын

Too bad that you didn't get at least 40# from it but you probably expected that when you said it was "spongy". As you see hawthorn is a pretty good looking wood, especially if it has some of its reddish colored heartwood showing. Do you know how much does it weigh? I am working on a hazel 66" longbow that is only 30 mm wide and little over 20 mm thick at the center. Bow weighs only 366 grams. According to mass calculator I could get if everything is perfect a 40# out of it. I might toast the belly to raise the draw weight.

@2bingtim 6 жыл бұрын

The video said it turned out 22lb@27".

@haraldbearclaw1856 6 жыл бұрын

I asked about how much does it weigh in grams, i.e. physical mass.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

Harald. Sorry, away just now but will weigh as soon as I get back.

@MickGrewcock 6 жыл бұрын

470gms!

@haraldbearclaw1856 6 жыл бұрын

Interesting, in that case according to mass calculator you could have got at least 40 pounds of draw weigth. But what is probably the case is the thing you mentioned at the beginning. The fact that your hawthorn seemed soft.