How to Make a Bow (and Arrow). Teach Yourself to be a Bowyer. Part Two.

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5 жыл бұрын

How to make a bow (and arrow). Five Aids to Bow Making. Teach Yourself to be a Bowyer. Part Two.
At the request of viewers, a guide for beginner’s who want to make wooden bows. In this series of videos I explain and show how I began bow making - right from choosing my first tools through to finishing a bow. Join me as I work through all the stages of bow making in the hope of helping you to teach yourself the art and craft of the bowyer. And at the end of the series I will bring all these tools, techniques and tips together and bring you with me as I make a bow of a style and type that I have never made before in the hope of showing you what it’s like to build a bow from scratch including all the ups and downs faced by by beginners and experienced alike.
mickgrewcock.blog/2019/01/20/...
SEVEN BOW MAKING TOOLS
FIVE AIDS TO BOW MAKING
FINDING BOW WOOD
MARKING & SHAPING THE BOW
THE MYSTERY OF TILLERING
WHEN IT ALL GOES WRONG
FINISHING YOUR FIRST BOW
MAKING A BOW STRING AND ARROW
USA Merch teespring.com/stores/lone-arc...
UK Merch teespring.com/stores/lone-arc...
I'm Mick Grewcock, retired from business and now self-learning the arts of longbow- and film-making. Join me in my light-hearted quest for knowledge as I learn to combine the ancient woodworking craft of bow-making with digital videography and film making - I'd be delighted to have you for company on this bizarre journey combining digital and primitive technology.
I have a deep passion for the medieval English longbow, the great warbow - the powerful version of the English longbow that earned its fearsome reputation during the Middle Ages, notably the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries on the ferocious battle fields of France and England during the One Hundred Years War (and in the hands of Robin Hood too!). It is an iconic weapon - and to this day, exudes heritage and awesome power.
Lots of bow making on my channel - do browse, view, like comment and subscribe. I have videos on making yew, hazel, elm and blackthorn longbows as well as many others related to primitive and instinctive archery, target archery arrow 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 - learning the hard way to work wood to make a bow - and still discovering every day. Sometimes I fail, sometimes I succeed; but I'm always learning. I also explore the UK's rural landscape, sometimes in search of bow making woods, discovering survival skills, sometimes in search of the glories of this landscape.
My Gear:
Panasonic GH5
Panasonic GH4
25mm f1.7 Lumix
14mm-140mm f3.5-f5.6
100mm-400mm f4.0-f6.3
Canon G7X
GoPro Hero
iPhone 7
Velbon DV-7000 tripod and fluid head
Mini slider dolly
DJI Mavic Pro drone
Videos edited with Final Cut Pro X
MacBook Pro 15"
iMac 27"
GTech & My Passport Storage
Thank you for watching. Comments, likes, suggestions and subscriptions all very welcome.
Subscribe here:
/ @mickgrewcock
Connect here: / amgredfoxwood
And here: / redfoxwood
And here: / mickgrewcock

Пікірлер: 56

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Hi guys and gals. Part two in my viewer suggested series about how to build your own wooden bow. This time I look at useful aids to bow making - things that make a bowyer's life - beginner and experienced alike - a bit easier. What is your favourite little aid to bow making?

@rayzugar4776 5 жыл бұрын

To everyone watching Mick's vidio's. Mick has done a lot of research in making English self bows, and he's one of the better ones on KZfaq. Listen to him. Enjoy your bow making.

@TheWizzkid67 2 жыл бұрын

Great series of videos

@gerritweterkamp1488 4 жыл бұрын

Hi,thanks for your very clear explanations,you,re almost become my personal teacher,your way of teaching and explanation is relaxing and clear!

@jeppehedemann774 4 жыл бұрын

Nice video man keep up the good work

@cyberpunky 4 жыл бұрын

I love your videos, very well explained, and you're a great story teller too. Keep up the good efforts!

@MickGrewcock 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Casper!

@rodparsons521 5 жыл бұрын

It can be useful to remember some basic guidelines. Generalities like "Follow an unbroken back ring", "Twice as wide is twice as strong but half as thick is a whole lot less than half as strong", "Get a good shape early and refine it as you go along", "When in doubt, start out a bit too long and finish up a bit too heavy", "Taking wood off is easier than putting it back on", "Too strong now can be easy before long and too weak soon after." Slips of paper or thin card for folding to halved dimensions or creasing across an end to set a guide to thickness. A bob-line for setting out a stave centre-line can be made using a pair of I oz teardrop weights from an angling supplies counter and a length of bow-string thread. Use a rectangular cabinet scraper to examine sections of the bend along the belly when the bow is set to a draw length on the post. If you're clumsy or careless it might be a good idea to round off the sharp corners. Keep pencil stubs for marking off distances or marking up, especially on the belly (circle areas to leave alone, hash mark or scribble areas needing attention). You know that you've done it when the marks are scraped or sanded away. The Mk 1 eyeball is as useful as a developed sense of touch, turn the work around, back and forth, don't look at it from the same side all the time. Sometimes it can be useful, once it can be braced, to trace the belly, flip it over and trace it again, look at how the limbs match up. There's always a point where it starts to feel right when you pick it up, where it stops being a lump of wood and feels right in the hand, when it acquires some life and has the right balance. When in doubt, look again, stand back and think it through. Don't be hasty. Keep a bucket of cold water handy.

@crajneelchand5382 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing Mick.

@crazycressy7986 5 жыл бұрын

Priceless info ;)

@senaytamanuel9524 3 жыл бұрын

👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

@hammerstoneartifacts4986 5 жыл бұрын

Hello from Ottawa Canada. Allways awesome to get a notification that you have a new video up. Great tips. I have been working on my bow all week.I watch your video's and they inspire off the couch and into the cold garage -37°c... it's a dry cold...So its not that bad😁

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked, thank you!

@xZombee 5 жыл бұрын

This is wonderfully wholesome. I thoroughly enjoy your videos and subscribed. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us, can't wait to get my hands covered in wood shavings creating my own bow as well.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Luka Jovanovic Good luck Luka and thank you for watching!

@sbvera13 5 жыл бұрын

+1 for the vintage calipers! They don't make them like they used to. The old "wing" calipers (or compass) just aren't made anymore, and they easily the best layout tool in my shop.

@brightargyle8950 5 жыл бұрын

Just got a couple sets of them from my grandfather, pretty spiffy tools!

@joshd2013 5 жыл бұрын

Loving this series mick excellent work

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Josh!

@ReasonAboveEverything 5 жыл бұрын

Second. I live in Finland.

@magnezijetunizanin3894 5 жыл бұрын

Hello! I like to use tillering stick with a crossbar mounted at the bottom end which acts like a crossbow stirrup during exercising and placing the bow handle at the top shelf. It also enables me to use my back, knees and shoulders to draw it. First I set the string in the notch and then pull bow by the handle. The string is at the side of the stick facing away from me, while bow is between the stick and my legs. I put the stick between bow and the string, so to say. Hope this makes sense. My bows are often asymetrical or irregular and I prefer to have handle in my hands than trying to balance it all on the tree.

@magnezijetunizanin3894 5 жыл бұрын

Haha :D Yes, it might sound dangerous but it is similar to how warbows are sometimes tillered with feet on string in front of a camera or weighted. I trust my wood ;)

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Took me awhile to figure out what you are doing there! Thanks.

@rayzugar4776 5 жыл бұрын

Hello Mick, its me again. I really like what your doing, its not easy too teach people but your doing a very good job at it so far. I watch all kind of bowiers video's, from the exceptionally good ones right down to the not so good. It might seem like boring stuff you know inside out, but then there might be that little diamond of information that makes your bow making just that little bit easier. So remind your new bowiers to watch and read as much as they can. Remember in the 13th century England was at the best at bow making. Today you need man made materials and machining too even get close to a medieval war bow. Look forward to your next video. ☺

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ray - glad you enjoyed and thank you for watching!

@rayzugar4776 5 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock never miss one. Mick, have you ever made a hazel bow, and if so, how did it perform. I've never made one.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

@@rayzugar4776 Oh yes. Work back through my channel videos - I've made several. Hazel is a lovely wood in my view. Makes a great bow - but isn't good in compression so it needs a flattish belly. Crysals form easily if not tillered correctly but, even so, none have caused a breakage. Best I've managed weight wise is 86lbs. Takes heat easily, toasts nicely and can be made bark on or bark off. Have a mooch back into my channel, you'll see what I did. Mick

@rayzugar4776 5 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock I certainty will. Would boning the wood give it more spring would you think or not. I know once dressed with bone oils don't penetrate as well.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

@@rayzugar4776 I believe that burnishing a bow gives a great finish and may help lower risk of fibres lifting - but I am not sure it adds to performance. The more I learn the more I realise how little I know.

@alexanderbone2913 5 жыл бұрын

Hey Mick another great video! Do you mind if I ask you about some tips/help with bow making? I am currently working on a yew longbow based off of the Hedeby bow that was found in Germany. For a draw weight of 80-100 pounds how deep should i make the bow? As of now it is about an inch and three quarters in the middle and slowly tapers to 1 inch at both tips. It is still very stuff but i haven't rounded the belly yet. Once I do that do you think it will be easier to pull/ less still?

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Alexander. I can't comment about a Hedeby style bow but I think general rules will apply. First, don't rely too much on dimensions - they can be influenced very much by the quality of the wood. I let the bow decide on the finished dimensions - in other words I work towards the draw weight by starting over size. But I know that isn't any help if you are (like me!) still learning. When I made a 100lb yew the depth of the yew was about 32mm when finished. I usually start the tips at about 14mm wide and deep and they usually end up about 12mm each way - but I'm quite sure they could be thinner for a faster bow. Does that help? Let me know if you need any more info - I'll do my best to help you but please remember I am still learning ;-) God luck with your bow. Mick

@alexanderbone2913 5 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock Thank you so much this was very helpful!!

@johnny30806 5 жыл бұрын

Great video Mick. Just a thought for your viewers staring out. Learn your woods, find out what woods are toxic and do NOT use them.

@davidhart8724 5 жыл бұрын

Yew is one of the most poisonous trees in the UK....

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Hi there. Good point and I do mention that in my next video which has been uploaded but not yet made public. David is right to point out that yew is toxic but with sensible precautions it can be worked quite safely. Unfortunately I can't comment on woods in other regions. Thank you.

@johnny30806 5 жыл бұрын

Mick Grewcock my apologies Mick. Did not mean to "step on your toes"

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

@@johnny30806 You didn't do that, no worries! It is a very valid point - this place is a good forum for beginners, novices and experienced alike and we all learn from each other. Keep commenting!!

@Sid-lk2gq 3 жыл бұрын

so you were born without a willy then grew 1 yeah? Im sorry haha, bet youve never heard that 1 b4. Thanks for these vids mate I found them really helpful, I have just spent some money on my 1st bow making tools, I was looking for a good axe but after seeing you use the parang I knew it was a better option so went with that, Ive also selected the bacho rasp you use but the most expensive tool as you would know was the drawknife, I went with a Ray Isles gents drawknife. I have 2 very well seasoned yew staves I harvested some 6 or 7 years ago to play with, please wish me luck.

@MickGrewcock 3 жыл бұрын

Good luck with your bows! (And sense of humour 🤦‍♂️) Glad you enjoy the vids.

@Sid-lk2gq 3 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock thankyou sir and happy to see you have a good sense of humor! sorry I made fun of your name.

@mickusable 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Mick, my question goes off on a bit of a tangent but is the neck warmer you're wearing a Valentino Rossi design, just thought I recognised the colours. Mick

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

No worries. Buff neckwear. Got several and they are great when I'm out in the cold. Mick

@giansotolongo9715 5 жыл бұрын

First and i live in florida and have limited tools what kinds of wood can i use in tampa

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Gian, in my next video I talk about bow woods but from a UK perspective - I do suggest though that you research locally to you. Lots of brilliant bowyers in the US. Check out Swiftwood Bows and JR’s Place on KZfaq - both superb bowyers who may be able to help you. Thanks for watching!

@hammerstoneartifacts4986 5 жыл бұрын

I was speaking to a bow maker. I asked the same question. He said. "Do you want a fast powerful bow?" "Or are you content with a lower pound slower bow?" His suggestion was to start with the softest bow wood possible. Not listening to the elder I used sugar maple my ancestors used maple so thats what i chose. Seasoned sugar maple is steel hard. It took me hours longer then if i used softer wood. Adding insult to injury. I had to scrap my first bow because l made mistake after mistake. Lessons that could have been learned in a fraction of the time and effort. Realistically a 50lb-60lb draw bow will get any job done just as fine as a 100lb draw bow if used as a hunting tool. A 50lb draw bow will put an arrow straight threw any animal in Canada with moose being the exception. Not saying a 100lb draw bow is useless. But try drawing that when you've been in a treestand for 5hrs and your chilled to the bone. I think in life we're all the same. We want a Ferrari for our first car. But in reality...We should get that 1998 chev cavalier.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

@@hammerstoneartifacts4986 Anyone starting out bow making should, in my view, aim for building a good shaped bow of a useable weight - 40/50lbs is perfect and lower weights are fine too. Choose a nice and easy wood to work with. Don't know about US woods but your advice is sound - don't try to build the fastest and most powerful bow from the hardest wood. That can come later. Even now after two years of bow making I know little of making high performance and fast bows and of tuning them - it's something I am getting ready to learn but I'm only just now getting on top of straightforward bow making so I have much to learn!!

@rodparsons521 5 жыл бұрын

@ Gian Sotolongo Check out Tim Baker's "Bow Woods" list for anything that grows near you. (Primitive Archer magazine Volume 9, Issue 2, pp 32-40) What does grow locally? Cut some and try it. White Oak? Pecan? Red Mulberry? What did the Seminole use?