Making an English Longbow in Silence

Building a yew longbow with the use of hand tools. The bow draws 60lb at 31". For nocks and arrow pass plate I used horn. It was truly challenging build as the stave was knotty and had many drying cracks. But I've managed to overcome these issues and ended up with my first yew longbow ever.
Gorgeous piece of wood!
Visit my store here:
dreamcraftbows.com/en_GB/new
❗❗❗Working on bows always remember about the proper use of tools and your safety - wear precautions like googles and gloves❗❗❗
Thanks for watching!

[@DreamcraftBows]

Get my bowmaking e-book here: dreamcraftbows.com/en_GB/p/E-book-Bow-Making-Basics-/41 All the best guys!

[@rowanholloway4691]

Anyone else have the urge to make bows?

[@t3amdr3am]

Hell yeah

[@robertthorn9560]

I'm working on a short osage bow, 54" NTN, 40lbs @25", lots of character, a challenge but with patience it should come out quite satisfactory. (I hope).

[@joebrowne9217]

Wouldnt an electric planer be useful....

[@j5892000]

No

[@sochigonzo6854]

I've been making bows since a kid and this was before Brave

[@michaelpond6386]

My cousin is a bow maker. He’s used yew for years. Recently he fell I’ll. The doctors finally figured what caused the serious illness. Yew poisoning. The wood has poisonous properties , you should never use this stuff without a respirator, particularly when sanding. He was also burning the scraps and that also caused a big problem. Just be aware and use the proper safety equipment and never inhale smoke from this wood.

[@noahgilbert8630]

I was wondering about this

[@backinblack03]

Noted

[@DreamcraftBows]

Good point! Working with you one has to be very cautious

[@vergeben]

Thank you. I hope your cousin is getting well soon! My 8 year old son knows about toxic indluences of yew. It is difficult to imagine that an experienced bowmaker as you described you cousin, a carrier of old bowmaking knowledge does not know this very basic knowledge about the wood he is working with. However, yew toxins dont make illnesses due to chronic exposure like asbestos or lead. Yew-poisoning is an highly acute syndrom, resulting in a immediate need for intensive medical care...i wish your cousin he will get well from what is affecting him.😅

[@haroldpearson6025]

It's also poisonous for cattle. Yew trees are often found in church yards, grown exclusively for now making.

[@wyattmasteka4797]

Yew are so cool 😎

[@DreamcraftBows]

💪💪💪

[@jmfa57]

I was impressed by FAR too many things to list here. Suffice it to say that THIS video made MY whole day. Thank you, young man, this old geezer can rest easy knowing that cherished skills - AND cherished aspirations - will, in fact outlive him.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you sir! Really appreciate your comment. All the best for you!

[@darenmiller2218]

If it makes ya feel any better this yungun here wants to learn as well. That’s what I’m doing today actually. Gather as much info as possible and start reading tonight.

[@BoarhideGaming]

Yew is truly the Gods’ gift to the bowmaker. And you, as always, made them proud.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Indeed! Appreciate it.

[@rasmusgarbonzo1411]

this man has lvl 70 fletching irl what a chad

[@DreamcraftBows]

👊👊

[@primalbushcraft3540]

Beautiful bow! I love yew! Your best build yet great job!

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you brother! Appreciate your support.

[@GarryAndrews_]

I love yew too

[@mattheweskender7781]

Beautiful yew longbow! Fantastic job! 👏 👍 ❤

[@jimcorbett3764]

I love the natural look of the bow. Good job!

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you!

[@youenn2180]

Good job , end success well deserved ! I happen to have such a yew stave , straight with no knots but still hesitated , this video encourages me , thank you !

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you! That's great, good luck!

[@britfliptop]

Make your first one with a green sapling and iron out all the mistakes

[@croft5941]

For anyone out there working with this type of wood. My first yew bow was made with a huge 1inch knot on the back side and the bow came out 40 lbs and never broke. Don't be scared of knots. Yew can handle them

[@DreamcraftBows]

Agree! Most of the knots can be overcomed

[@callumbiasnow4825]

Bow wise is 40 to 60lb considered heavy? I’ve heard that war bows and the ones found on the Mary Rose were 100lb+ but is that extra heavy or in the range of heavy?

[@jake4194]

@@callumbiasnow4825 people don't shoot bows of that draw weight any more as there is no real reason to, no one is trying to pierce armor these days. 40-60lbs is the average hunting weight range for traditional bows. It is more difficult to make a very heavy bow as there is a higher chance of breaking. I'd say anything higher than 70lbs is in the range of extra heavy, those 120-160# war bows can easily injure you or deform your skeletal structure with long term use.

[@moorekurtashley7377]

Thank You I dont know Why ! But i imagine before i fall asleep making a Longbow i worked a lot off it out on my own but to finally see it Done by a Proffesional is very therapeutic ! ps what do you fall asleep thing about ))))

[@theoldboy70]

Yew have the talent to make it look easy brother.

[@DreamcraftBows]

I do my best! Thank you for the comment.

[@Skenderbeuismyhero]

Great job! It looks great!

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you, appreciate it!

[@T.J-and-Soul]

Excellent mate thanks for showing us your work 😎

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you appreciate it 👏👏

[@kennethgreene7124]

I live in Oregon and have been collecting yew staves for bow making. I have been very picky to find straight staves without branches to have no knots. But I see now with your video that it doesn't really matter. So I will be able to harvest a lot more yew staves. I have also been thinking about selling them too

[@DreamcraftBows]

That's great! Yew is the forest gold. All the best!

[@kennethgreene7124]

I am heading out this Sunday again for more yew staves. Now all I need is a garage or shed to work on my bows. Trying to make bows in my tiny apartment with 3 young children driving me crazy can be hard.

[@TheNemesis442]

@@kennethgreene7124 lolol....finding yew without knots.......you don't live in oregon and you don't have small kids. you're full of it.

[@joedaniels4646]

Another great bow build! 😊

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thanks brother!

[@Cantshred777]

I'm currently curing 2 staves. I've been making bows since i was 6 years old. There's something very spiritual about it, a past connection perhaps.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Agreed! Good luck with your staves 👊

[@user-mr5xn5jd5m]

You are an inspirational young man

[@scottrobertson9452]

Just beautiful looking bow. Perfect tiller.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you, appreciate it!

[@sigmanarchery54]

One thing is for sure you should have plenty of tender. Another great build my friend thanks for sharing Take care my friend God Bless.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you brother! All the best!

[@nightwalker5278]

I really enjoyed watching this, very interesting indeed. Thanks for sharing ATB

[@DreamcraftBows]

I'm happy to hear that! It's my pleasure 👊

[@twanweyen372]

Great craftmanship as always

[@DreamcraftBows]

Appreciate it!

[@gondolaservicepeschieradel4115]

I want to do one long bow by my self, but i never do one before, and i need a video like your, to understand the orientation of the fiber. THANK YOU. Mine need 2 years of seasoning i'll start in dicember 2026

[@hawkinatorgamer9725]

Beautiful bow, well done.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you!

[@jake4194]

Thats awesome, I'm going to be buying a draw knife soon so I can make self bows like this!

[@DreamcraftBows]

Great to hear that! Good luck 👊

[@Verradonairun]

You can use a regular knife???

[@frantisekvrabec7258]

beautiful bow and tiler looks great

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you sir!

[@terryboehler5752]

Satisfying to watch. Goes on the to try list before I die.

[@DreamcraftBows]

💪💪

[@longcastle4863]

Super cool.

[@simonphoenix3789]

it looks beautiful. That looks like a perfect tiller too, I'm surprised it turned out so well with all those pins and knots.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you! Yes it was a challenging build but I enjoyed it 💪

[@lanceschaerer6875]

My son and I have made a bow every year for the past 10 while camping. Now it is not a masterpiece like this one just a fresh sapling that we clean up and string. Still a good time every time and they always work for about 20 25 yards

[@Primitive-Hunter]

Well worth watching. Well done.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you!!!

[@Bog_Wizard]

Im tempted to try this.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Good luck 👊👊

[@user-zb9px4fg7f]

Perfect!

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thanks!

[@daigans]

it's been a while that i didn't see a vidéo of your work ... it still a pleasure waching you making a bow.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Glad to see you here! All the best for you!

[@daigans]

@@DreamcraftBows thank you for you too

[@fredazcrate4362]

Great yew bow my friend.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you sir!

[@britfliptop]

Best video out there takes away all the myths

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thanks 👊

[@bizeldo]

Beautiful longbow!

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you!

[@johnroberts3723]

Lovely stuff.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you sir!

[@fredazcrate4362]

Great looking long bow my friend.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you! 👊

[@brucewaynehdl6388]

Hermoso trabajo mis felicitaciones al artista 😎👏👏👏

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@raivis2973]

The feel of this bow must be something out of this world.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Glad you like it 👊

[@leevespa4564]

Nice bow mate 👍🏻

[@jeffbell9256]

Good job man loved it

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thanks 👊

[@juanherrero1605]

Beautiful job

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you!

[@jackcollins8271]

beautiful bow

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you sir!

[@krashanb5767]

Awesome bow

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thanks, appreciate it! 💪

[@Hordalending]

Highly enjoyable and learningful video

[@DreamcraftBows]

Glad you liked it! 👊

[@charleyarchuleta4932]

So satisfying

[@DreamcraftBows]

Glad you like it!

[@fishmaniachannel]

So beautiful bow class👌❤️

[@DreamcraftBows]

Appreciate it!

[@jimbojet8728]

Great. Thanks

[@DreamcraftBows]

My pleasure!

[@jonasfuruholm5768]

Nice bow build, yew really looks good in bows. Good to see that you don't ruin your axes by smashing it with a hammer or directly with another axe. Jonas.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you sir!

[@bonsaivlaamseardennen2269]

Nicely done, good effort with that trunklet with knots and humps and bumps. But just a few 'finishing' tips: the horn arrow pass is not properly made, it should be inlayed in the wood and not rise up. Your horn nocks are unnecessarely fat. You should also put the nock groove further up the horn because besides that it doesnt look nice, you also hardly use it. Taper your bows ends and put it in the horn about 4cm. Then you don't have to be afraid to put the groove higher up, your nock will not break or snap off if it fits properly and is glued properly. When braced, a string should not touch the wood. If you put it higher up you, the use the whole purpose of a horn nock, it will be more functional, nicely looking and without risk of snapping off.

[@hydre94blitz91]

Nice job!

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thanks!

[@danram69]

love the skills you have so young to

[@DreamcraftBows]

Appreciate your comment!

[@josephreichart7545]

Artistry ,Gladly observed your craft ,

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you 👊

[@primafacie5029]

Been waiting for this

[@DreamcraftBows]

✋✋

[@Jopmasselink]

a thing of beauty

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you sir!

[@alessandropigna8124]

Ottimo lavoro!

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you!

[@dariusmonita8457]

Super tare.

[@AlexdkGameVlog]

Dá muito trabalho para fazer um Arco, parabéns! exelente trabalho

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you!

[@davethelich]

silent crafter youtube is best youtube

[@DreamcraftBows]

👊👊

[@GanjaGanja89]

I love these videos . You should make longer videos ! Also have you been hitting the gym ? You aren’t as skinny as you used to be !

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you for sharing your insights. No, the workshop is my gym 😂👊

[@rejvaik00]

See this is what KZbin should ultimately be for the videos just like this Not what it's currently devolved into sadly

[@DreamcraftBows]

Appreciate your comment!

[@chrismccaffrey8256]

I harvested a yew limb from a generous tree today. Very thick sapwood, which is wonderful, surprisingly small heartwood but likely thick enough. My question is, what do you do with the thinner end of the branch, that is too thin for a bow?

[@baumannjorg9998]

Extremly good and funny 👍👍👍😄😄😄

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thanks!

[@martiniv8924]

Good for Yew 😁👌🏻😎

[@DreamcraftBows]

👊👊

[@garychynne1377]

nice. thank yew.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you sir. Enjoying your content since a long time. All the best!

[@josegodoy9160]

Muy bueno quedó saludos

[@DreamcraftBows]

🙌🙌

[@BowtellBows]

Very nicely made bow! Are you drawing it all the way out to 31” now? That seems quite a bit longer than your previous bows of 26”-27”.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thanks brother! On the tillering tree - yes, up to 31". Shooting it - not exactly. I struggle with underdrawing

[@DialMforDavid]

Your work with the card scraper is amazing. Really interesting videos.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you!

[@darenmiller2218]

What exactly is that card scraper thing? It looks like you’re running it backwards but is still shaving into the wood.

[@bone0944]

It was a very satisfying watching the process that you use, and though I'm sure it isn't as easy as you make it look, with some trial and error most could make a bow of sorts. Shame that you didn't show more clearly how you plait the bowstring

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you very much for the feedback! I show it in my other videos 👊

[@stevenlawson4717]

Nice selfbow. I would use rolled heavy wieght leather for handle. Like the late Gerald welchman. On that yew bow.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you sir!

[@stevenlawson4717]

@@DreamcraftBows nice bow. Have you ever made a billet bow.

[@AEROBLINDER]

this what 200M fletching xp looks like

[@DreamcraftBows]

💪💪💪

[@yegorvolhv]

Какая красота! Браво!👏

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you!

[@salsatheseagull3847]

ive been using limbs to make canes for a couple years now always had problems with the piths splitting, have you found anyways to mitigate or at least lessen the splitting?

[@allencummings7564]

Looks like he takes the pith out entirely, utilizing the heartwood where it meets the sapwood

[@matthewyu3531]

I have a question, usually people use bows to hunt, sometimes in rainy weather. what do you paint on the wood of the bow to keep the wood from rotting and decaying?

[@DreamcraftBows]

On this one I've used gunstock oil, but usually I use water varnish or linseed oil

[@matthewyu3531]

@@DreamcraftBows Thank you very much. People also said true oil. What true oil? Which oil is the best?

[@pulsarplay5808]

The English fishing rod. If you are not French, the victory result is not guaranteed.

[@DreamcraftBows]

😂😂 👊

[@eclipsearchery9387]

Not a bad effort young man :) The only constructive critism is the tiller should be a little more 'elliptical'. eg. bending less in the handle, then increasing bend as you progress towards the tips. It yields better efficiency and less handshock.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you! Agree, these tips could bend a little bit more. All the best!

[@Dr._Spamy]

No need for rounding the belly ! Rectangular is the most efficient cross-section shape !

[@DreamcraftBows]

That's interesting idea 👊

[@chrisess2581]

Is the 'arrow pass plate' to stop wear from the arrow rubbing against the body? Very interesting build.

[@DreamcraftBows]

It is to mark the place where the archer should hold the arrow while shooting

[@peterpecsenye9792]

Yew wood? Great! best wood make the bow.👍 Jew and Corylus wood!!

[@DreamcraftBows]

Indeed it is!

[@ppaooh]

Very beautiful. Is it possibile to make a bow like this out of a dry piece of chestnut?

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you! To be honest I have no experience nor never seen any bow made out of it. Make the bow wide and long limbed to increase the chance for success. Good luck!

[@mongoloidhorde]

Do you have a picture book for us beginners to use in making bows? I like to collect sticks and would like to start making some useful tools out of them.

[@DreamcraftBows]

A good choice is Traditional Bowyer's Bible series. I have also my own e-book for beginners (available on my website) 👊

[@bienyamientoefy1923]

greetings to all.🙂💗

[@stevenpercy4172]

Beautiful, how long from start to finish to make a bow like this?

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you! Approx 15-30 hours + drying time

[@Serjo777]

Why is it necessary to heat treat the center? Doesn't that dry that spot out too much and make it brittle?

[@marianiurea6217]

Doesn't it bother you when your hatchet hits the concrete floor? Get a stump? Other than that,nice work. Where do you get the wood? How much string follow?

[@DreamcraftBows]

They did not. But good point - I got a stump. I bought a wood from a fellow bowyer. The string follow was between 1-2" 👊

[@Puffymosman9]

Bro, I wish I could so whittling instead of homework right now 😢

[@DreamcraftBows]

Thank you, did my best!

[@bobdoodle6527]

How much is that long bow plus shipping to San Diego, California, USA.

[@anibalmunizaga5207]

Hola muy buen video que tipo de madera es?

[@DreamcraftBows]

It is European yew

[@nailler7250]

Im thinking on making a bow with my dad but im not sure where i can find Yew, is there some place tha i could perhaps buy yew?

[@DreamcraftBows]

Depends on where you live. Check ot Ravenbeak Natureworks, they sell excellent yew staves. Nevertheless you can start with any other more affordable wood, there are many great ones.

[@samcollins3800]

Hello, just wondering what would be used instead of glue back in the day?

[@DreamcraftBows]

Probably glues of animal origin

[@stevenyoung9473]

cool - but 'sapwood reduction' - did he chase a ring or just reduce as evenly as he could?

[@DreamcraftBows]

Well, I guess I should have said it more precisely - sorry. Yes I've chased a ring and managed to keep the intact one on the back

[@BarbedNinja]

Can you make a magic bow next? My fletching isn’t high enough

[@DreamcraftBows]

Will do 👊

[@philipcoleman8184]

Does handling the sap wood in such a manner not concern you since it. Poses such a risk to your life. Is all sap wood removed so you are using just the heart wood? Here in the Uk, Yew is perhaps the most toxic tree we have. To achieve a 400 yard kill, what weight of pull would be required?

[@eastcoastlithics1398]

Does yew grow wild in your area? I am having a hard time finding a suitable tree in Pennsylvania in the US

[@DreamcraftBows]

Yes, but mostly in backyards, almost no wild yew trees in Poland and if there are they are strictly protected. Bought this one from another bowyer. I'm sure there are plenty of yew wood sellers out there, check out Heritage Bow Works or Raven Beak Nature Works

[@MustObeyTheRules]

There’s plenty of usable trees in Pennsylvania. Black locust would be your #1 option. Then you have hickory, ash, mulberry, hornbeam and a thousand others. Try finding some good black locust, hickory or hornbeam. Should be everywhere there.

[@eastcoastlithics1398]

@@MustObeyTheRules just made a sugar maple flatbow but it took like 3 inches of set because it was designed horribly I currently have about 10 BL staves drying

[@andrewsock1608]

Why are the arrows bouncing off the target if it’s 60 pounds ? Shoots like a 35 pound bow. Is it just a really slow bow from having too much material left on the limb tips ? Maybe it’s the heavy bulbous horn tips slowing it down. ? But it’s probably a combination of heavy horn tips , too much material on limbs and heavy arrows and maybe you added something on the front of your target ?

[@DreamcraftBows]

My target is highly devastated in the middle - that's one of the reasons. Gonna shoot this bow through chrono soon so stay tuned

[@andrewsock1608]

@@DreamcraftBows I forgot it’s also a bit of a flat bow design and flat limbs push a lot of air slowing down the bow. Yes it’s actually a D shape cross section long bow but bit wide and flat. All those things add up quickly and take away efficiency. A knotty bow needs extra meat on the limbs so that slows it a bit. I would suggest using lighter choices for tip reinforcement to make up for the meaty knots and flat design. Your bows are absolutely beautiful and worth leaving some safety meat on them. A good bow is 99.9% broken stick. It’s a real challenge to reach that. It means periodically messing up a perfectly good bow wile chasing perfection. It’s hard to justify that these days when wood and time are rare. I will watch your chronograph video for sure 👍👍

[@GaryLiseo]

Do you find it easier drawing 60 lbs on a longer bow compared to 60 lbs for a shorter bow?

[@JamesWillmus]

60lbs is 60lbs, the only difference the length of the bow makes is the angle of the string at full draw.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Well, it has a longer draw than a shortbow would have so you can say it's easier to draw