Making a Primitive Bow, Part 2

[Vidman919]

When you say violating the growth ring do you mean like accidentally going slightly into the ring or just reaching the next growth ring?

[thedr00]

fantastic video, really enjoyable. How long did it take to expose the 1 growth ring?

[RoKoStudios]

cut your wood... =3 ruin your wood... =3

[AdamG119187]

this summer i might try to make a bow. after i dried out the wood how many hours would it take to make a good bow?

[Beatboxer1964]

@AdamG119187 i probably will to

[erdfreeman412]

@Beatboxer1964 - Just got done chopping down a hickory. I am going to make a long bow and my buddy's a Native American so he is going to use the other stafe to make a Black foot style flat bow.

[pbldhdeerhunting]

and how long should i let the wood dry out for

[pbldhdeerhunting]

would mulberry wood be a good bow and if it is how much pounds will i get out of it at 25 2 inches

[nuttybollockz]

I'm sure someone's logged this in the comments.. But what's a good bow wood in Washington State?? Please and thank you :)

[cutting13strings]

Whats a good wood I can find in Alberta, Canada?

[legofanguyvid]

hey is it ok if i use a bush that droops?

[colizonthedragon]

so could i use a saw instead of a hatchet? (it would be easyer)

[deathpunish2]

Do you just keep the back within the ring, or do you have to make it all exactly even of the same amount of the ring?

[shermanbob100]

All I've got around here is pine... is that good or no?

[WhiteWolf760]

@shermanbob100 Hey, Saw your message on primitive bow making part 2 -

Pine is not a great wood for wood working - very sappy sticky and knotty

Where i am the only wood really available is pine as well. But I also found birch, maple and ironwood or oak.

Birch is ok, but not great.

Maple, oak, ironwood, elm, etc... are all great bow wood. Your probably somewhere in Canada like myself. Look around, I'm sure you'll find something.

Let me know.

[502country]

Hey i love your channel here, But i live in Kentucky and im new to all this. Just wondering what kind of wood would be good around here?

[erdfreeman412]

1. Why do you need to pull the bark off as opposed to peeling it with a draw knife. 2. Does black walnut work in bow making?

[yoda7272]

@erdfreeman412 Poop

[Jackreyes81]

How long do you season wood for the bow?

[TensionAirsoft]

get 300 likes without a dislike!!

[yoda7272]

@TensionAirsoft This video deserves it

[kjackson525]

It a silencer

[MrBartSampson]

Does anyone know what the reason for the fur (I think it's fur) on the string is?

[outdoorsurvivalist10]

could you back the bow with sinew instead of trying to establish a growth ring?

[TheDirkiepie]

i dont have a hatchet wat could i juse else

[MrCrunchybizzle]

one ring to rule them all one ring to find them one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

[Azrael315]

"or it will ruin my wood" XD i hate it when my wood is ruined!

[loolfactorie]

hi, I noticed that the center of your bow, the grip, had a dark bit on it. Was this the stump or bump in the wood you showed earlier in the video and if so, what if the pump was lower down and now in the center of the bow? Also can I shaved the bump as long as I go with the bump like you said rather than just shave it down to reduce its size?

[my7ateyour9]

i just cut down some wood how ling should i let it season?

[CanadianAirsoftGuys]

what is good wood for bows in Southern Ontairo

[Trogdor7654]

@CanadianAirsoftGuys Maple is great.

[manolis260874]

what is a good wood to use in Greece?

[Trogdor7654]

@manolis260874 I would imagine vanolia oak, Juniper is good but it is for advanced bowyers try oak.

[loadedClownZ]

@manolis260874 olive, i'm sure you can get ash also in greece, what part of greece are you from, my dads from lemnos

[manolis260874]

@loadedClownZ i am from Konitsa Ioannina

[MrYeahboii1]

I think that you should do bow making classes because i would definately join

[mipsterr2]

absolutely deserves no dislikes, so it doesn't. very nice vid thanks.

[bossk111]

I am currently making a bow out of locust, the problem is the limbs are very thin already but they are not bending to the right length, i am afraid that if they get too thin they may be too light or break. Do you have any advice for my current situation?

[Filmskra]

how can i shape the bow? Cuz I have a stick that's stait but how do i bend it?

[djangolian123]

Early wood ^.^

[johnnieblaze1974]

Where would I go to find the tools to start a project like this and what would recommend as a good set for a beginner?

[LaughTonyLaugh]

@johnnieblaze1974 Well if you want new a hardware store you can also find older tools at junk stores for fairly cheap usually just need some love oiling, sanding, sharpening..

[Trogdor7654]

@johnnieblaze1974 You can get all the tools of of amazon try getting hicory, osage ash.

[volcom1885]

what wood would i need to use im in utah?

[expara1]

Beautiful work. how much would you charge for a Osage Long Bow?

[2jsibrudd]

what is a good wood to use in Central Texas?

[cekinxxx]

you have great knowledge on trees and wood

[XxH3LLsB3LLsxX]

what is good wood in hillsboro oregon

[XxH3LLsB3LLsxX]

if you get a thick growth ring will there always be another growth ring on to of it

[weezerking]

what wood would be good in Ohio? orr you could just send me 1 of your old bows:))

[thomaslj96]

how long should i let my wood dry? its just in my house which is pretty warm. 75-80 degrees

[hohohotdog]

did anyone else laugh when he said "this is the one ring" at 4:20? or was I the only one...

...one does not simply chop down an osage.

[ipwnz123]

What type of wood am i able to use in Massachussetts?

[camrion]

@ipwnz123 What kind of wood do you have in your area? Pretty much every area in the US has oaks. Red oak and white oaks are nice. But for beginners I would recommend hickory. You could use elm or ash, even maple. Just reply and I will be able to help.

[michelobiu]

have u ever thuot of a give away for the bows

[Wings11Fan]

If there are no flaws in the sapwood, do you still remove it?

[crazyshorty23q]

i live australia and i dont know what type of wood to use please tell me what i can use

[loadedClownZ]

@crazyshorty23q i live in australia too mate, we actually have some good bow woods here. the best is spotted gum, tasmanian myrtle and blackwood followed by ironbark. spotted gum is good because its our equivalent to hickory so its a bit like hickory. also a great one i forgot is silver ash which is great. good luck.

[crazyshorty23q]

@loadedClownZ thanks man helped out alot :)

[crazyshorty23q]

@loadedClownZ  so you think that i should use spotted gum and where can i get that from

[loadedClownZ]

@crazyshorty23q well spotted gum is a structural hardwood and is a fairly readily available australian hardwood. you can buy spotted gum from literally any lumber yard in victoria, new south wales and queensland as it grows mainly in those states. the size of the board will vary from store but floorboards are common in that species. that tasmanian myrtle, blackwood and silver ash are quite difficult to find, i have only found blackwood and it costed heaps, ironbark is common and great

[seanmulhall]

Thanks for this video series. The growth ring advice is new to me but I believe where I have gone wrong with all my bows.

[drpinto28]

Thank you! This is the reason all my bows break?! Well i gotta be more careful now. >subscribed<

[sticknstonesbrkbones]

can you just leave the bark on forever so the bow is camoflauge or will it eventually chip off?

[jonah214]

@sticknstonesbrkbones itll chip off depending on the wood used

[GaryAnthony97]

can u make a video of you shooting the osage bow

[humansVSgorillas069]

what is the poundage on your bow? it looks powerful

[eichimbo]

how long should you let the wood dry before working with it?

[OutDoStuff]

could aspen be used to make a bow?

[jccrick123]

what is good to make a bow with in central oklahoma

[primitivepathways]

@jccrick123 I think you should have osage or hickory and they both make great bows. Oak, ash, elm, locust, and walnut also make great bows..... You should be able to find something like that around you...

[VAhunter1000]

@primitivepathways do you half to let the wood dry

[recurveninja]

@VAhunter1000 Have* But yes. If you don't it'll warp as it does dry, and if you string it it will set curved.

[brianlocal3]

@primitivepathways

Would you be willing to sell one of your Self Bows

[OxygenMcgee]

@primitivepathways Hi, I live in Northern California and I have a whole bunch of different trees to choose from and money is not an issue. What is the highest quality wood that you would suggest?

[ExecutiveDiplomat]

@primitivepathways I don't know how to identify a hickory tree. Can you give me some pointers and tell me how to identify the hickory tree.

[primitivepathways]

@jccrick123 Hickory, oak, maple, osage orange, or elm. You should be able to find one of those woods somewhere near you...

[thehowdoyoudothis]

You can use willow because it is reasonably flexible however it is light and if it is not produced properly it may; slap quite easily .

Correct me if I am wrong

[saintnarcissus432]

I cut down a small hickory and split it in two so my Dad and I can each follow your method and make our own. How much rough shaping as you do here, can/should be done before lengthy seasoning? Thanks so much, you're videos are well done and appreciated.

[jonah214]

does osage orange grow in kentucky near fort knox and also can u send me some chert or flint

[kjackson525]

QUICK TIP IF IT BREAKS KEEP TRY AGAIN !!!!!!!! YOULL MESS UP TRY AGAIN

[666rebel420]

it wasn't so much a spiral but just right at the very end of the log it split weird. more of a small tweak than a twist if that makes sence. i think i am going to use it anyways just to get the feel of shaping and tailoring the bow.

[666rebel420]

so i have added your three videos. i went to make a stave but every time i split the log it does a spiral split. even when i used a saw to make a guide line for it will split and take out a big piece of the side's. im thinking it is the garbage wood im using. i live in central Alberta and cannot find any good wood to use. so my question is what is the best kind of tree to look for in my area??

[primitivepathways]

@666rebel420 Yeah if the wood is splitting spirally then the grain is twisted and isn't good for bows. I'm not sure what bow wood can be found up there and I don't know what the natives used in your area, but if you can find out then I would use what they used. But also keep in mind that primitive people had vast trade networks and could obtain raw materials from areas hundreds of miles from where they lived. This is true of stone, bow wood, and anything else that people needed to survive.

[paulnfld1]

@666rebel420 Hey, I'm in Alberta to, I have found three woods here that I particularly like, Saskatoon (my first choice, but hardest to find good staves), birch, and pin cherry.

[joec123able]

Then yeaa theres some here n there around here not to many ....

[joec123able]

Thanks alot the osage trees grow those "monkey balls" right ??? and i know we have lots of silver maple. mulberry and red elm . which im makin a bow out of silver maple my elm one broke at 18 in pull!

[primitivepathways]

@joec123able I think so. Osage grows large, grapefruit sized fruits that are light green and look kinda like a brain when you look closely at it. They also have milky sap and inch long thorns on small branches.

[AznChinksters11]

@primitivepathways i have a questin how long would this take to make? i wanna do this for wood shop but i have a time limit please reply ;)

[joec123able]

So wood osage trees grow in mid eastern iowa (council bluffs) ???

[primitivepathways]

@joec123able Oh yeah. In SE Iowa osage orange trees are almost as common as grass. I would think that there would be lots of osage in your area. If not, hickory should also be very plentiful in your area and it makes an EXCELLENT bow...

[TheRealGeriBoss]

You're the lord of the *rings!

*=tree HAHA :)

[BUCKSKINNER04]

how long do you let it dry

[KnightValahalla]

can some one tell me what hickory late wood look like

[huntingf0r]

Thanks so much, your videos are # 1 on my list., out of all the bow making videos i have seen i like it how you go out cut a tree and show us from scratch to finish step by step.

[SoundPath]

This is, without a doubt, the best bowmaking series that I've seen on youtube. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[AcYDone]

i used a full hickory tree and took off the bark and started carving away the lims with a chizzel and a hammer i have the one growth ringthe the "back" any ideas to use for a rasper? cause i dont have one

[jonah214]

@AcYDone sand paper its longer but more precise and its more forgiving

[rafire34]

could a draw knife be used instead?

[rafire34]

do we have to use a hatchet for the back and limbs?

[rnnrgrl1]

Hey Billy, this is a great series, and I know I as well as others greatly appreciate it. However, I know you said you're supposed to let the bow dry, and I've read this elsewhere multiple times, but what I can't find is how long do I let it dry for? And do I shape the bow before or after I let it dry - meaning do I let it sit after I've established my one ring backing, or do I let it sit after I've done the handle and general shaping?

[primitivepathways]

@rnnrgrl1 It all depends on what you want to do. I prefer to make my osage bows out of wood that is already dried and still in log form, but that takes a long time, sometimes up to a year. To speed it up you can rough shape the bow, then let it dry for 3 months or so....reducing the wood shortens the time it takes to dry. This bow I let dry after the back was established and the handle was rough shaped. Some small cracks developed but they don't hurt anything.

[zb2247]

where can u find out where to put ur handle at

[ThatsAsian]

i was wondering if its better to shape the bow then establish the back. seems less work

[MistaMojoe69]

whers prt 3

[coltontonamor]

Are u the host to Discovery Truth?

[primitivepathways]

@coltontonamor no...wish I Was tho!!

[trampolinejumper11]

hey i am nino im 13 years old i am inspired by ur bow making and i have also made some bows, out of a ash.i wuld like to have ur email addres so i can send u some pics of my bows and maybe u can tell me what i can do better next time thanks.

[KillerFlyingFish]

when's part 3 coming?



[urbman29]

PART 3!!!i plan on making my own hunting bow In Ohio this year.U just fricken inspired me

[S1L3NTP1G]

Greatest bow making video on youtube.

[KillerFlyingFish]

can you do a quick video on what hickory and oak saplings and trees look like and where you can find them. I did some research, but not enough to definitely identify the saplings for bow making.

[kkkkksssssmmmmm]

whens part 3 going to come out

[ThatsAsian]

I love your videos man can't wait for part 3

[GreenKid24]

When will part 3 be out? And how do you still if a tree is hickory? In winter when there are no leaves?

[thomasthearcher1415]

Awesome video! you explained ring chasing really well! looks like you are using a very sharp drawknife to chase a ring, i prefer a dull on for ring chasing. When is part 3 coming?

[thomasthearcher1415]

Awesome video! you explained ring chasing really well! looks like you are using a very sharp drawknife to chase a ring, i prefer a dull on for ring chasing. When is part 3 coming?

[cheeselover223]

Awesome videos! I can't wait for part 3.

[tinytimtrack]

Hey Billy, would you be willing to sell any of your bows? I've made one myself but it turned out...well not nearly as good as yours. Thanks!

[primitivepathways]

@tinytimtrack Yes, I sell them. Send me a personal message and we'll go over the details.

[freindif]

@primitivepathways how much do you usally sell them for and do you have a left handed bow for sale

[primitivepathways]

@freindif They sell for around $500 each. They are expensive because each one is custom made for the person...

[sasukex101]

great videos billy hey just a thought have you ever tried to make a primitive bow into a recurve bow

[primitivepathways]

@sasukex101 yes I've made a few. They're not too hard, but they just add more work to the process.

[swtchbckshtr]

awesome cant wait for part 3, is this bow dry or is it green. I stripped the sap wood off of my stave and sealed it with poly to let it dry some more. just curious about yours

[primitivepathways]

@swtchbckshtr The stave in this video is partially dry. It actually had some small drying cracks appear within the last 2 weeks because I didn't let it cure slowly. That's ok though, it doesn't hurt the bow's performance and the cracks are small so they are only cosmetic.

[OrmadFilms]

part 3?!?!?

[primitivepathways]

@OrmadFilms I will get it uploaded just as soon as it's finished! Patience my friend...these videos are currently a work in progress....

[OrmadFilms]

@primitivepathways ok awesome i love these so much your the best cant wait

[MegaBiggsie]

Billy... i am quickly becoming a fan. I like the thought you put into what you are presenting, it is organized and not all over the place. Just on a technical note... not sure if it is a hick up on my end but the audio was off towards the end there.

Friend from Final Cut Pro Digital Filmmakers and Editors Group on LinkedIn

[primitivepathways]

@MegaBiggsie Hey Mega, Yes, the audio is out of sync at the end of the video. It wasn't like that when I uploaded it on youtube....it has to do with youtube's processing.

[deertracker48]

Good video. Looking forward to the next one.

[GreenKid24]

What type of wood was yolur bow made out of? Also, what was the draw weight? I'm planning on making a a bow. Will the wood e ok if I get it now during winter?

[primitivepathways]

@GreenKid24 My bow is made of osage, although I've got bows made of many different woods. And yes, you can cut the wood in winter. If you have your eye on a good tree, go get it!!

[flamefinger1989]

great videos mate the closet thing we have to osage in the uk is hawthorn but i am startng a first oasage bow with my teacher which will be sinew backed.

[ujahooda]

I think you need to invest in a better hachet (and I will invest in a draw knife) but I recommend Gransfur bruks. I would not be surprised if it halved the time of all your axe work

[hellerZauberer]

@ujahooda That, or sharpen the snap out of the one he has.

[p00ner2011]

Nice video, good, clear explanations and examples. Other videos, even when they explain you're sort of going "huh?"

I don't get the whole "primitive" bit though, it sounds so disrespectful. The "real" (wood) bows without wheels or pulleys are beautiful.

[cbasswm]

cant wait for prt 3 have a nice piece of black walnut

[vemkanmanlitapa]

hey billy! awesome bow! just want you to know you're my favorite on youtube:)

greetings

Alex

[primitivepathways]

@vemkanmanlitapa Thanks Alex!!

[b291k]

I CANT FIND PART 3!

[hellerZauberer]

@b291k Possibbly since it wasn't been finished yet. He finished and posted this only a few days ago.

[b291k]

@hellerZauberer  YEAH, I SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AT THE DATE.

[hpfff]

you're a very good teacher, and a person i'd like to emulate. well done!

[bowlista]

very nice work. chasing the ring is dreadfully boring. looks like sharpening your hatchet would make things easier on you. still.very nice work and very nice video . thanks for posting.

[MajesticChicken]

Nice work man, it's a logical progression in the theme of your channel, and very needed these days. Two things I dislike though: I have to buy a decent draw knife, and second, I have to wait until August. lol. Bravo.

[primitivepathways]

@MajesticChicken You can use a machete to work the wood down, though it's not as desirable as a drawknife. And you don't have to wait til August. Go and cut your bow wood now!! Just leave the bark on and follow my video. I'll be posting part 3 when I get it done...

[blowgunking1994]

so what if you didn't even touch the back after bark removal, would it still work good?

[primitivepathways]

@blowgunking1994 Yes it will!! When you bend the bow later in the bow making process, the bark will just pop off and that's all you need to do!

[Woodenarrows]

Very well done and fully explained. Thank you. I will be following along with the rest of the series.

[suvivaldude]

thank you for this video series... before this video i had no idea how growth ring work.. now i  completely understand this

[HoboBob2]

very nice man this is turning out to be an excellent series

[GreenKid24]

Have you every hunted and killed an animal with your home made bow?

[primitivepathways]

@GreenKid24 Yes I have. I've killed squirrels, rabbits, two deer and a turkey with my bow.

[Guitararcher]

Dude I have seriously learned soo much from this series!!! Awesome!!!!

[masterthomas919]

thanks for your video. do you know if there are osage trees in central NC?

[DroPsyDro]

very nice vid! thanks for your work!

[kyadak]

Wow, what a great video ! Keep them coming... This has really made me want to try and make my own bow...Can't wait for part 3. Thanks for all your hard work.

[greaper55]

i love it. great job. ur super good at editing ur videos and ur really smart and know ur stuff on what ur showing keep it up love watching ur videos

[khaniu]

Awsome job thx for the vids

[CdnLifeguard71]

Another excellent video in the series. How long do you dry your staves for?

Nate

[Boughtone]

Nice work. You definately know your stuff.

[albc3333]

Great job again Billy! I am working on a couple of hickory staves now.:) Looking forward to Part III.

Al Chapman

[blakeblazer7]

man i have seen some good bow making videos but this one is probably the best i have seen

i love how your taking your time and being very gentle with your wood

Blake

[bclskateteam45]

i love your videos! im a huge fan of bushcraft. that would be cool if you could make more primitive weapons. like a bola or spear.thanks!!

[hobbexp]

i have make a few bows my self, and have see lots of videos about it, but yours was one of the better.

fredde