Making Oak Shafted Arrows for a Heavy Draw Weight Flatbow. Happy the Man.

Рет қаралды 15,806

5 жыл бұрын

#arrows #flatbow #bowyer
Making Oak Shafted Arrows with Gary Williamson, Shoot Captain of Mercian Bowmen, a fellowship of archers who practise the sport of roving marks - an ancient form of competitive archery calling for long distance accuracy with bow and arrow. I spend the day filming a video portrait of my good friend Mr Gary Williamson as he makes oak shafted arrows for his Joe Gibbs 93lb @ 30" flatbow. From an oak plank he cuts, planes and sands an arrow shaft which he then spines and makes up into an arrow for roving marks. Whilst filming Gary I was reminded how much satisfaction and pleasure comes to those who practise a craft with their hands in pursuit of their passion - and Dryden's poem 'Happy the Man' sprung to mind as I edited my film portrait of Gary.
USA Merch teespring.com/stores/lone-arc...
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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.
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Пікірлер: 116

@johnjriggsarchery2457 5 жыл бұрын

Howdy Mick, Before someone runs out and buys a bit of wood to make arrows. I'd suggest fixing straight grain in one's head. Perhaps going as far as either starting with splits or paying the extra for quarter sawn from a shop or mill that supplies boat builders: consistant spine and strength. Someone asked whether it was white or red oak. Both species have similar characteristics but white would be slightly stiffer. Great video, my friend.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Hello John. Yes, absolutely right and a wise thing for anyone to do. The video was more about the craft as an act of peaceful absorption than about how to make arrow shafts, fletch and arm them but your wise input is great for anyone who takes inspiration from Gary's work and had a go at making their own arrows. Thanks John.

@davewebster6945 5 жыл бұрын

And very sharp plane blades too or you would end up with a shredded ripped up mess with that course type of grain.

@chrismee3083 2 жыл бұрын

i could watch this all day.

@TemplesLongtailsandFurs 5 жыл бұрын

Damn that twisted sandpaper for working on the nock! What a great idea. I'm only halfway through the video, love it already!

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Enjoy the rest! Mick

@brightargyle8950 5 жыл бұрын

Holy cow, taping the feather while cutting is genius! I've never seen that before!

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Bright Argyle It’s a good technique.

@Tristan-tt8nz 4 жыл бұрын

Gli and him are doing the best long bow and Arrow in the ' world☺☺☺😊😊😊

@bashkillszombies 3 жыл бұрын

Make a pole lathe. Saves all the fecking about. It's how we've done it since ancient times. Just make sure you split the wood and reduce its size by splitting it to near enough. Otherwise you'll get run offs on the shaft and you'll end up with ... well you've all seen those photos. I'm been fletching since I was six. Admittedly only in a home sweatshop when my father realised children make good slave labour and will do tasks for ten cents a day. But I loved it, and it was a good gateway to bowyering and other woodworking for me. And the only way I've ever seen done (at least out where I live, observing the older folks) is lathed. None of this ten hours of bandsaw and plane stuff from a plank.

@primitivepreacher8964 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful... Great arrows crafted simply by a master... Thank you! "Blessed ( or happy) is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Psalm 32:1 In Christ alone there can be true happiness!

@CannibalLecter 4 жыл бұрын

Lovely recurve to.

@featani7755 4 жыл бұрын

that is a lot of work, a great arrow and fantastic filming 👍

@johnnywick2011 5 жыл бұрын

I'm going through a very hard time in life. I make bows as well. I'm beginning to see the stress in life manifest in the bows I build. Lately they have pretty lame. Your videos bring a sence of peace. One that I havent had in a long time. For a few mins I dont notice anythings wrong. Thank you for your videos. Honestly.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Mubb Hutt I am glad my videos act in some small way as a therapy for life’s problems. Believe me, I quite understand. It’s a tough hill to climb sometimes - and yes, even in our pastimes it is manifested: for the time being I have ceased bow making and videoing my efforts. I woke one morning and found too many other things needed attention and bow making was a chore so I have withdrawn for a while. In making this film I saw something beyond Gary making arrows, hence the title. Check out some of my other videos - you might find a similar peace amongst them. And sometimes the weight that we all seem to bear reveals itself as a condition that can be overcome. We only have to look over our shoulder to see others who would give anything to occupy our shoes. That’s where I start. Good luck.

@johnnywick2011 5 жыл бұрын

Much needed and appreciated. Hope all is well in everything you do. -mubb

@tiagon19 2 жыл бұрын

incredible

@ani4x4 5 жыл бұрын

Simply beautiful. And also your Defender :) ATB

@jasonpercy184 5 жыл бұрын

You have made making bows and arrows into a romantic art form. For that Sir,thank you .

@johnlong3214 5 жыл бұрын

There are some people I could watch all day, thank you for that Mick. Edit: just watched it again, look at the mans hands and fingers, like the Blacksmith you featured four months ago making arrow heads, a true craftsman.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Agreed, I enjoyed making this with Gary because I watched more than arrows being made.

@peterwikvist2433 4 жыл бұрын

Lovely, absolutely lovely!

@epIx111333 5 жыл бұрын

always glad comming back here once in a while.. seeing the progress you made and how deeply connected to nature the world around you truly is and how calming it can be, honest work no city noise and the world seems to go slow again, an experience I can truly recommend for everybody to settle a bit to watch and listen. thanks for your inspiring work! -Mathew

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mathew!

@Musketman84th 5 жыл бұрын

Amazing..a true art...and a great video.

@nimrod6603 5 жыл бұрын

Exceptionally beautifully shot and edited video Mick. Hats off👌

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@TheRedhawke 5 жыл бұрын

Very nice, really wish you would do a video building the fletching jig he used in this video.

@dooleyfussle8634 5 жыл бұрын

That would be Great!

@rayjohn3946 5 жыл бұрын

Perfect!

@antoniovillafane1114 3 жыл бұрын

Superb,Thankyou..

@MickGrewcock 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏

@stevenpatterson3972 5 жыл бұрын

Just beautiful. Thank you, Mick.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Steven. Glad you enjoyed. Mick

@johnpaulbutao407 5 жыл бұрын

Very beautiful Sir Mick!

@lylekurth4142 5 жыл бұрын

Artistry and elegance on both sides of the camera.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Lyle from me and Gary. Mick

@robertbrunston5406 5 жыл бұрын

Beautiful traditional arrow! Thank you for sharing.

@donazzopardi2721 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome as usual. I love watching Craftsmen work, you learn a lot

@death_is_near 5 жыл бұрын

Beautiful video. Thank you, Mick.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@augustusvincentus2062 5 жыл бұрын

Super video Mick!

@Ragnafyr 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video! He made is look so easy :D

@malcolmsmith9232 5 жыл бұрын

Don't sell yourself short Mr. Inspiration Modesty!! Always enjoyable, educational, superior even!

@zombiepyrate4969 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome :)

@crajneelchand5382 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing Mick. That is a very beautiful bow at 12 min.

@stevedjurovich194 5 жыл бұрын

93lb @ 30" Joe Gibbs flatbow

@Asiertxu1974 5 жыл бұрын

I love your videos Mick! :-) Cheers, Asier.

@richardimmell5688 5 жыл бұрын

Mick, Once again you have put together a wonderful video. It is Art in motion. Watching Gary craft the arrow was beautiful. He put so much of himself into his arrows, much like you put so much of yourself into your bows and your videos. I really appreciate this video, it is beautiful, inspiring, and full of hope. I look forward to more like this one. Cheers!

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Richard, glad you enjoyed. Team effort on this one - great talent in front of the camera: Gary is fantastic to work with. Thanks from both of us. Mick

@richardimmell5688 5 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock Thank you and Mr. Williamson. One of my favorite videos to date. I cannot wait to see what you and maybe some of your friends, do next. Also, I like the design on your merchandise. Did you design it?

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

@@richardimmell5688 To the latter, yes I did the general design but the circular image is by Daniel Round - he's on Instagram.

@timharris9314 4 жыл бұрын

What a great video. So tranquil and he does look happy at his work. Keep it up mick videographey was brilliant

@MickGrewcock 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Tim 🙏🙏

@hammerstoneartifacts4986 5 жыл бұрын

I was going to buy a fleching jig. After seeing the one in your video l think I'll just make one. Thanks for the inspiration. It's what keeps me going back at it after failed attempts.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Easy to make - I made mine several years ago for fletching up to about 8". Doesn't take long to make one. Good luck.

@dansirois7239 5 жыл бұрын

Hey mick ! For an another video you could make a recurve bow. I very like what you do and don't give up !

@brettbeatnick 4 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed your bow series. I have come to your channel a bit late. I really hope this isnt the last video on bows.

@MickGrewcock 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Brett, well thank you for looking at my channel. There are around 100 bow and bow related videos on my channel so plenty to work through! Unfortunately though at the moment I am not making bow videos due to other commitments. Thanks for watching 🙏

@brettbeatnick 4 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock Yup, certainly working through your back catalogue when i have time. Thank you very much for the reply i have really enjoyed your journey with bows and your style of telling a story.

@fredbos5997 5 жыл бұрын

Beautiful video Mick!! Nice sound and great editing. Well done!

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Fred, glad you enjoyed. Mick

@jasperdenney4997 5 жыл бұрын

Another great video

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you from us both Jasper. Mick

@robsarchery9679 5 жыл бұрын

Great,Always enjoy your channel.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@socialanimal1837 5 жыл бұрын

😍

@marksteven6116 5 жыл бұрын

great

@johnjriggsarchery2457 5 жыл бұрын

Hi again Mick. I recently had a "Win a Primitive Arrow" contest and even though you didn't take part, you have definitely earned one of the three arrows because of the great work you've done in teaching the art. You'll get the Ishe style small game arrow with the "cage style" point that Ishe used. It also has a flu flu style fletch done with a sinew spiral. I have a video showing the arrows and another one showing me fletch your arrow. If you have my email, please send me an address. Thank you, my friend.

@Durag_jaca 5 жыл бұрын

Wow! You make videos like movies. They are so nice to watch. This bow at the end is looking crazy. Who made it? Will you make a video with it? Mati

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Maker is named at the end of the video Mati! It was Joe Gibbs, a very fine bowyer and high draw weight archer from the south of the UK. A lovely bow.

@tjj4lab 5 жыл бұрын

Obviously this was a highly edited video of the process, do you happen to know a rough estimate for the actual number of man hours it took to create a single arrow/work of art?

@javanbybee4822 4 жыл бұрын

it takes me, a horrible fletcher, around 2 hours to make an arrow.

@sbvera13 5 жыл бұрын

Brilliant. I love the handmade tools and jigs. I have a question about the arrows - why are they made of oak? Isn't oak too heavy for a flight arrow?

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Hi there. These are not 'flight' arrows as such, they are used over distance aimed at 'marks', often flags or land features, but the intention is not purely distance. Originally the sport was most probably practise for military archers using arrows similar to those used in conflict - and many archers who follow the sport today loose arrows that are relatively heavy. Gary's bow in this video requires a comparatively weighty arrow; a lighter 'flight' arrow would damage the bow. Gary is experimenting with the oak shafts but they fly well and are well matched to his Joe Gibbs bow.

@stefantwotimes 5 жыл бұрын

When you are done,,,the war is over haha...

@rayzugar4776 5 жыл бұрын

A lovely video too watch Mick thankyou. Gluing a bodkin on with heat glue, I'll have too try that. Epoxy can make such a mess.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Ray. Thank you! Quite a few people use hot-melt for securing arrow heads. I used it in industry for many years and with correct prep it can work in this situation very well - and it makes it very easy to remove a head in the event of a broken shaft - just apply heat and off it comes!

@rayzugar4776 5 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock I'll definitely give it a go, I shoot into a target that's made of compressed foam and I sometimes have lost some heads pulling the arrows out. I do use silicone spay on the first 4 inch of my arrows but if its been raining they still take some pulling out.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

@@rayzugar4776 Worth a try Ray> Good luck.

@oversalt4713 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this Mick. Funny finding this today after finishing my first bow, again thanks to your earlier advice. ps. That looks a bit like a springbok skin quiver he uses? I have a beautiful black springbok ram skin, one of my first kills...perhaps a far superior use than a mat we all avoid walking on :)

@kp.co.6074 5 жыл бұрын

Another reason why I prefer to use hand tools if I have the time. Much more in tune with the work that way. Is that red oak or white oak?

@diabolicalartificer 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful arrow, wonder how many he looses? That's a bummer when rough shooting, you can never find all the arrows you shot.

@MickGrewcock 4 жыл бұрын

Diabolical Artificer Many places get shots are short-grassed. Very few arrows are lost. Thanks for watching.

@amberdye4927 5 жыл бұрын

Hey, I was wondering if you could do a video on a child's bow, maybe 5 years old. I'm not sure about the proportions and I would greatly appreciate it. I love your videos! Thank you. :)

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Amber Dye AWEE]and ori Hi there. That’s somewhere in my list of stuff to do! Thanks for the nudge.

@amberdye4927 5 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock Thank you!

@APheonixPretense8 5 жыл бұрын

How was accuracy and distance?

@rodparsons521 5 жыл бұрын

Nice straight grained oak/ Are these the ones you were thinking about to get a slightly better cast for roving?

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Gary is still experimenting with these oak arrows but yes, I hope to cadge half a dozen soon!

@rodparsons521 5 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock It could be useful to record some specs as a point of reference in anticipation of testing some variables. Weight,foc, etc. Draw weight,fps etc.

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

@@rodparsons521 Yes, agreed.

@rebekah-chriss-k4872 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff I watched it top rate stuff so are you going to ever try making a flat bow on your channel?

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Rebekah-Chris S-K I have some cherry wood and I hope to try to make a self flatbow from that this spring

@rebekah-chriss-k4872 5 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock nice I like longbow best but also like flatbows

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

@@rebekah-chriss-k4872 I am the same but Gary's Joe Gibbs bow is beautiful and mighty fast.

@Max-yv3ok 5 жыл бұрын

Mick, Ive started to make my birch longbow now. But the stave is spiral and idk how to continue, any advice?

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

Spirals do bring problems. You could try untwisting it with heat but it works only for a slight twist. If it’s too bad best to move on to another piece.

@Max-yv3ok 5 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock Well thanks for your advice mick, but is even birch good enough to begin with to make a bow outoff?

@MickGrewcock 5 жыл бұрын

@@Max-yv3ok Oh Yes. Not used it myself but I believe some cultures used birch extensively. I believe it favours a flat style bow so don't make a rounded belly bow from it - that might not work too well. Good luck.

@Max-yv3ok 5 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock Will try my best!

@Max-yv3ok 5 жыл бұрын

@@MickGrewcock Will you ever do a holmegaard style bow?

@DARisse-ji1yw 4 жыл бұрын

Thought the music would be an old Genesis song ......

@jonnyhatter35 4 жыл бұрын

sir, I love your channel. don't mean to be crass, but you probably have the best surname a man can have, lol. Honest question, did it help you meet ladies when you were a young buck (or young lad, as you brits would say)?

@MickGrewcock 4 жыл бұрын

If my surname worked like that I wouldn’t have time to make videos 😉