Making a Highland Longbow (and a wee bit of history)

[@FireCreekForge]

I am liking the historic bent of the channel. Everybody does "bushcraft" videos, but the history and getting and idea of some ancestral connection / history is cool.

[@MasterMichelleFL]

He breathes life into his info with living connection to our history.💚

[@malcolmlewis5860]

Fire Creek Forge well said.

[@brolly2479]

Agreed

[@MrTacklebury]

For future projects, please for your own sake, use a mask when working with deer antler. I have a close friend who was making knife scales from antler and didn't use any protection. It can cause a major issue in the lungs and as he found out, even occasional use can cause the damage. He's only got one lung now and it's a transplanted lung. He has nearly died many times, so anyone working with antler, do it in a well ventilated area and use at least a paper mask to keep the dust out of your airway. Same goes for napping flint if you try that.

[@ShadeSlayer1911]

Oh jeez, thanks for the warning.

[@codymarkley8372]

Why what did it do to his lung

[@MrTacklebury]

@@codymarkley8372 fibrotic lung disease which also leads to mesothelioma cancer

[@garymccallum667]

Wow.. I wish I'd heard that when I was a wee boy as I used to go hunting for old antlers and either selling them for pennies or drilling & sanding them down for specific purposes Usually letter openers & handle grips

[@christianbowyer7812]

Not only Antler dust isn’t healthy - yew wood is toxic, too. So good ventilation and if not possible, a pretty FFP2 mask ist advised. Nonetheless your successful attempt to make a longbow out of this knotty stave shows quite a bit of craftsmanship. Congratulations! Also the bits of historic research you pass on is quite interesting. Thank you very much - by the way a nice remembrance of of a vacation my wife and I had in the highlands in 2006 😉

[@KrawllUnchained]

beginner to making bows maybe .... but that bow shoots real straight and real fast so regardless of the mistakes you may or may not have made and regardless of the criticism you may get from any bow making experts out there, that bow works and it's powerful so you still get a lot of credit for being the one to make it :-D

[@michaelharris2640]

who else is here to learn the process so you too can honour your ancestors? I am going to use mine for sport, highland games, hunting and fishing #ScottishPride For @Fandabi Dozi you have done a wonderful job on your weapon. Your family and ancestors are proud for keeping our culture alive.

[@screamingnighthog7155]

As a individual with both Scottish and Native American ancestry this video on longbow making appealed to me on two levels. You do a good job of making history come alive.

[@JoeyGee1000]

European peoples had similar lifestyles to those of American Indians, it was just much farther back in the past.

[@mahaliathompson3639]

@@AudioJeep it’s interesting to hear you feel this way towards native culture. I have ancestry to both Scotland and Native American, but I only grew up exposed to the Native American side. Hearing you talk about native culture, I could say all the same things about what im learning in Scottish culture, at least how cool I think it all is, and often take growing up learning native ways for granted. Hope this helps you appreciate your Scottish heritage more

[@tonystone3397]

Och aye the noo Jimmy!

[@magicdaveable]

I started building bows in the early 1950's as a youngster. It took me about 10 attempts to get one that gave me a modicum of satisfaction.

[@jessicaservello6833]

Absolutely loving these historical videos. Side note: I could listen to you talk all day everyday, I absolutely love your accent.

[@kaibrinkley6]

I love how much history you include in your videos (I'm a major history buff). I really want to visit Scotland and get more hands-on research.

[@WickedKingLycoan]

You did a damned fine job! Keep doing these videos, and keep working your hand at perfecting the bow! I have a feeling that you will perfect it!

[@andydavidson4108]

Thanks for the video and the history. Like the kilt. Went out last Friday with a piper friend (where we live in Mt. Horeb, WI) and had a Wee deoch n doris of Glenlivet. Both parents were born in Scotland and still remember my dad singing the old songs.

[@NotAnAngryLesbian]

I made a NA bow. I really like making things. That bow, hands down, was the physically hardest thing I have ever crafted. The tools used were remarkably simple which I felt was encouraging because anyone with access to a junk store could gather the needed supplies minus the wood and cord. After bow making, a friend let me use his atlatl. I really preferred it to my bow. I could throw very accurately and it it simply made me feel like a kid again. Now making the arrows....thats another endeavor.

[@scottishcanaltrash7067]

In a Jacobite society myself, and just loving your bow. Also have spent the night wrapped in my plaid on Culloden moor. Keep up your excellent informative work

[@likejohnnyandjune2024]

American here. So are you a Jacobite or a Jacobite historian? It's be cool to think the Jacobites are still an active group

[@scottishcanaltrash7067]

@@likejohnnyandjune2024 In a Jacobite society which does commemorative events . We used to do battle exhibition but it became too tied up in red tape etc.

[@bencameron539]

@@scottishcanaltrash7067 how dae yi join wan ae them sounds class

[@MasterMichelleFL]

I KNOW it's not the same, but I'm learning Irish (Gaeilge), and I also like Jas. Townsend and Son (American frontier historian and reliving history guru). These videos are like the Townsend's...Brilliant, and combine cool cultural history, skills and life. Except this stuff pre dates American settlers skills. It's fun to realize where American skills came from. ALL over. 💚 I adore your channel. Thanks!💚

[@Stephenrsm7600]

I applaude your effort in making a long bow!!! Great job at finding and explaining the history of Scotish long bow use!!! Thank you SO very much for your education!!!!

[@Gillian1746]

Amazed at how fast the fleche actually travells once fired. Well done. Very interesting and exciting to watch you make the long bow.

[@Detrucci]

This looks like so much fun, I have always loved archers and bows and your one shoots so fast!

[@feralgrandad4429]

Tom, im an Archer as well as a "Bushcrafter" that is an awesome video! Top, top job. I also think that the bow stayed popular was because (sometimes) the ammunition was reusable and of course it was quite. Which im sure a Highland raider would appreciate. Great upload, one of my favourites. Thanks for sharing :-)

[@lonniecrook1684]

Great video and great job on your first bow! Keep up the good work! Loved the history lesson!

[@merricevans1341]

I’m in North America of Chickasaw-Choctaw and Henry clan Scottish… I have spent a lot of my life learning the “old ways” but have no exposure to the indigenous knowledge of my European ancestors This is really changing my life

[@jackdorsey4734]

With the exception of your torch I like that you did most of the work by hand

[@Labroidas]

Fun fact: the european yew, once a very common tree, has become extremely rare in the wild. The reason for that is that they were systematically cut down and exported to England for making English long bows. By 1568 there was according to Duke Albrecht no "yew worth cutting down anymore" in all of Bavaria. It's extremely rare that you will come across a true european yew (other species of yew are being grown in cities) by chance in the wild. That's a shame, because yew trees are extremely slow-growing and long-lived, and could potentially live up to 2000 years, though no tree of that age has survived to our knowledge. So to anybody from Europe who wants to make longbows themselves: please consider making your bow out of ash or oak wood, or use imported wood from other yew species♥don't go into the forest and cut down a yew tree.

[@america8706]

Now I want an authentic Scottish RPG in the vein of KCD. Man that would potentially be really cool.

[@Merlin1]

That bow is of such pure beauty that it literally touches me.

[@jamescooper2618]

Great video! You know, if you're not making any mistakes, you're not getting anything done! Well done making the bow. I especially liked the view of the arrows coming at the camera. That was a good idea!

[@stellarguymk]

Dude! Idk if you can tell, but your scottish accent is very mild. I'm from the US, North Carolina, most of us here are descendants of Scottish people, at least where I live. It's crazy, because some of the words you say, I can hear a North Carolina/Appalachian accent in your voice. I enjoy your videos dude!

[@jasonkraus2831]

That's where the southern accent comes from! It's a rhotic English/Scottish accent that eventually turned into what you hear now. The proper/posh English accent is typically non-rhotic and didn't start coming to the fore until the mid 1700's. There's some fascinating stuff out there about the connection between the Britain, immigration, and the US's Southern accents.

[@phdotsco]

His accents extremely common for anyone living in central Scotland.

[@MasterMichelleFL]

I noticed that first when watching Diane Jennings (an awesomely sweet and fun Irish KZbinr, if you don't know...). I completely understand what you mean! There are lots of Irish, in my research of family lineage and the areas my ancestors settled (Cades Cove, for one...Shady Grove, Florida for another). I heard vocal attributes of the Irish folks I hear, and my family's "accent".💚🇺🇸

[@stellarguymk]

@@MasterMichelleFL oh I love Cades Cove! My family used to take trips to Eastern Tennessee all the time. That's where you're talking about right? I loved the slow meandering drive through the park and all the nature and animals we got to see. And then stopping off at those old cabins and houses and churches. Such good memories 😊

[@MasterMichelleFL]

@@stellarguymk YES! I am a direct descendant of the Olivers... John and Lucretia, and others in the area. They were the first white settlers, had to leave when the government stole all the land, sent native people and friendly settlers off the land they worked so hard to survive, on...😥 You saw their cabin, and others, probably. ❤ The descriptions make it sound like they left voluntarily. They didn't, according to family history.

[@lukebell9945]

I've been a bowyer for about a year. My first bow was made of PVC and fiber glass rods so it was easy. It still sucked real bad. For this being your second attempt I gotta give you props because this bow kicks ass. Sent those arrows fast and straight. Good job man

[@foxglove8836]

Got some power :-) Good for your second time making one, I used to have a long bow just loved it.

[@iainooooo]

Fantastic video! Facinating to see how the highlanders lived and what they used in the harsh terrain. Amazing power and strengh in that bow! Very good shooting.

[@cameronhall4593]

Your videos make me so proud of our Scottish heritage

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Nicely done! The longbow in one form or another is a pretty useful and simple tool.

[@sawahtb]

I enjoy your amateur approach and enthusiasm. You are trying to learn and experiment and aren't afraid to risk the consequences.

[@chrisjensen8369]

I enjoy your channel. It's much more personable than just reading a book. And, you put a lot of enthusiastic energy into your presentations. I chuckled when I noticed you use a Black & Decker Workmate. It looks like a twin to the one I've used for over 40 years, even to the moveable orange stops.

[@archONtour]

Sympathic guy. Easy to watch and highly appreciated thanks

[@gordonlawrence4749]

Jack Churchill was still using a longbow in WWII so if you count that then the Scottish longbow was still in use to 1945.

[@harkonen1000000]

He was captured in 1944, and he got too late to the Pacific theater to do anything there.

[@skeltonslay8er781]

He also used a long sword if I’m not mistaken

[@ignacejespers8201]

@@skeltonslay8er781 broadsword

[@sethbennett617]

He was from shrilanka, his parents were english. He only played the bagpipes because of the military traditions. in shrilanka. His longbow was english, as are almost all longbows. The "scottish" longbow only exists because the scots knicked it from the english.

[@Dante2099demon]

I think he use a English long bow aka a warbow

[@congdaniel7796]

I like your bow so much! Greeting from Vietnam.

[@andrewdesroches8669]

For an amateur bowyer from western canada where we have no yew or oak that stave looks beautiful. Great video.

[@Tesshier]

Running all the way from so far.. I thought you'll just say : It's... (cue the Flying Circus intro)

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

He'd have to be out of breath for that.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

"And now for something completely different..." Fits his videos perfectly as an intro lol.

[@LonnieD-jq9rt]

I actually just found your channel yesterday while sitting in my hospital room. Your videos are awesome I love this kind of content.

[@jasonconnor576]

Outstanding! I appreciate how you are not afraid to dive into a project, and I like the historical aspect of your videos.

[@haroldellis9721]

Props for getting stuck in. How many years have I had the same book, and talked of making a bow? I rather not say.

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

This is brilliant. Educational. Inspiring. Skilful. Love your passion!

[@pdavis7537]

Very well done for a first ever bow! You are a good shot with it as well!

[@FandabiDozi]

Thanks buddy! I have made quick bows lots of times before but this was the first "proper" one. Where I took the time to season the wood etc. :)

[@williammccaslin8527]

It looks like the first time out you already have a winner, good job lad.

[@DamonHowattHunter]

That bow has an impressive amount of cast to it. Very nicely done!

[@Gee-Man-Adventures]

Well done Tom, it's not easy to make a decent bow from native yew. You did yourself proud there. Love the channel. Keep it up.

[@stevejenkins9984]

It's awesome to see another aspiring Bowyer. To give you a quick tip when you cure your wood slap some paint or wax polyurethane anything to seal the ends of your Stave. It forces the moisture to evaporate more slowly and evenly. Instead of all escaping from the ends. That will keep your wood from cracking God bless and happy bow making! By the way for your second bow you've done a nice job!

[@FandabiDozi]

Thanks so much! I read somewhere to cover the stave ends, but I have never tried it. Thanks for the great info. What is the minimal time you season a stave for?

[@stevejenkins9984]

@@FandabiDozi depends on the environment in my basement 6month but above my wood stove or by dehumidifier abt 4 months. U can start shaping the belly and see how it's dried. U can always give it another month. Once it's mostly dry u can shape it out in it's rough stages.

[@ericruss4189]

Thanks for the video. Keep the Highlander videos coming.

[@handiman5]

Is there no end to your talent? I really enjoy learning from your videos. Great job, keep up the good work.

[@PineValleyDigital]

My 7th g-grandfather, James Ross was captured at the battle of Worcester 3 Sep 1651 and in May of 1652 was sold as a servant in Boston, Massachusetts. Since I found this information I have been fascinated with the 17th century Highland way of life, always wondering what it must have been like for him before Worcester. I am glad I found your channel and watch each and every video with great interest.

[@tylerwaddell5216]

PineValleyDigital so your like 1% Scottish?

[@PineValleyDigital]

LOL! Oh Aye! Maybe a wee bit more than Elizabeth Warren's claim to be Native American. My mother was also a descendant of the Cameron clan. I'm not claiming to be a Highland Scotsman, just proud to be the descendant of one.

[@kathiego233]

Wow! Awful lot of words. Could've saved us time by just saying "I hate Jews!" Classic example of CYA via pseudo-intellectualism.

[@PineValleyDigital]

@@kathiego233 - I assume you were addressing "loaded brush" ?

[@snorkherder]

Excellent work on the Bow, Impressive for a first build. Thanks for sharing :) ATB.

[@brucemcnally3924]

I love your video! That is a serious bow you made, you've inspired me to make one. Thank you.

[@paulbernard2647]

Wow! You could really put someone’s eye out with that! Good stuff! 😉👍

[@MasterMichelleFL]

LMAO American joke?

[@MasterMichelleFL]

@None of Yourbusiness oooh...LMAO I missed that reference, thanks! BB guns are dangerous!!!🤣🤣🤣💚

[@nightwolf1592]

Yew is a beautiful wood. Well done, fully working and functional bow. Great enthusiasm and energy in your presentation. Great action shots of arrows flying too !

[@charlesdriggers199]

For your first bow, you did excellent.

[@tsavage4185]

Great video. I really enjoyed the way you presented the history of the longbow in both Scotland and England. The process in th bow making was very well done and interesting. Cheers

[@jrhamilton4448]

Fantastic video, bow making isn't easy I know first hand! You looked like a natural to me and I've been making bows for well over ten years.

[@peterlawrence3152]

Brilliant work with the bow.

[@MissMarinaCapri]

I started using a bow as a child. I found your bow making video interesting and engaging. Thanks for sharing

[@Logiwonk]

Nice first bow! I don't watch bushcraft videos but I'm loving your historical content!

[@davidhussell8581]

You've made a very useful and good bow, first time too - well done ! I used to shoot in English longbows, up to 80 llbs force. Now as I'm much older, I shoot Nottingham Forest made, laminated American style flat bows which give very good accurate shots and flat trajectories for very low poundages. Simple, bare bow archery is great fun and pretty cheap to do.

[@francesbehr8082]

Still made it really well, and I liked the information.

[@BardofCornwall]

Nice work!

[@LordoftheOzarks]

Man, i love your video topics. I have read some instances of English war bows having up to a 175 pound draw weight, and firing 1/2-3/4" diameter arrows. Those bows were made for throwing arrows as far and as fast as possible, though....We don't have Yew here, but im hoping to start on an Osage Orange longbow this spring. Cool video.

[@Atkrdu]

I could have sworn I heard something about 210lb draws on the English bows (at least some of them). If I remember, this was in Convict Conditioning 1 or 2 by Paul Wade.

[@BobSmith-cx4og]

Yes, I think I've heard of 185lb English warbows.

[@Brasilikilt]

@@Atkrdu Yes, I believe one of the bows recovered from the wreck of the Mary Rose is the one you're referencing.

[@SuperFunkmachine]

Most yew in England was imported anyway.

[@robertsroberts1688]

welsh longbows were twice the draw weight and made of ugly elm wood but were powerful weapons and preffered to be used up close and personal as a shock weapon like a combined force of a cannon firing at a group of soldiers or cavalry

[@omid-nasi]

Just wanted to say much respect to your culture and you for sharing it with us, I appreciate learning more about it. You deserve more subscribes and likes. Great job! Keep it up please. :)

[@hydroxide5507]

Very cool! I really like the antler knock

[@pineapplejones1092]

you could use linseed oil or olive oil, or any fat that is soft, that would let you flex the wood without cracking it, if you heat it with oil slowly to let it warm up and soak it in, you can bend the wood to almost any shape or straighten bent parts and it will mostly hold that shape when its cool. Ive never used a straight piece of wood for a bow, ive used really ugly pieces and my bows were very nice when finished. that yew stave you had is beautiful.

[@cdbc4023]

Super Vid. Go back a wee bit to Bannockburn 1314. Scottish archers confounded the English by using triangular formations on the flanks of the Scots to drive the English into the centre of the Scottish formation. The fabled Shiltron of the Scots. Edward the 3rd (son of the defeated Edward the 2nd - English King at Bannockburn) was so impressed (and very, very, angry) he adopted and improved the tactics of the Scots. Have you heard of Crecy? Humm! How History Flows!Very Much looking forward to all of your videos. Thanks.

[@alistairdunlop9174]

Great job! Looks brilliant. I'm really enjoying this channel.

[@vigunfighter]

Having made several self bows myself, I can really appreciate what you've done. You did a great job with the tillering. Very fair. No hinges or stiff spots that I can see in the video. Also seems to shoot fast! would love to know what kind of velocities you are getting from that.

[@hfrendal5374]

I am an archer and I have never made my own bow, but I know a small things about it anyway. Blood was often used on the bows as a coating, I think ötzi had a bow covered in blood and test shows its not a bad options. Your option is probably as good as that for all I know. By the looks of the arrow impacts your bow seems to shoot straight and the arrows are well made. The crack you discovered and tried to fix will have made this your every day bow since it will eventually break, back then someone would start up making a perfect one pretty fast. Since this is your second bow and you did not have a teacher I think you did really good.

[@gregkral4467]

Well done, that bow is working great.

[@murkydepths181]

Love what this guy does ..

[@FandabiDozi]

Thanks very much! :D

[@michael.bombadil9984]

Short and sweet, well done.

[@thewildpanda6836]

I love Scotland and I love bows I love this video

[@anonymousthesneaky220]

In the Americas bows were sometimes sealed with birch tar, which leaves a really pretty finish.

[@williamjhunter5714]

Real nice bow and video. I made the Yew bows for Hunterston Castle in West Kilbride, Scotland. A #120 war bow, #65 long bow and #35 target bow.

[@yarinya13]

This is great and really informative. Thanks for sharing it!

[@robertjohntaylor2369]

Hi, for your second bow that was a great effort. I love your history notes, you have pride in your heritage.No bad thing! Keep up the bow making, there is lots of good wood out there apart from yew.

[@OzLeedsCrew]

Another fantastic video mate, well done! Your content combined with that of Mark Nicol's gives me the weekly dose of all things Scottish that I'm looking for! Clan Ferguson checking in

[@normferguson5209]

Very good vids.i love learning bout the highlands.family history.im a ferguson.alway wondered where my ancestors lived and how they made tools.long live and god bless.

[@OzLeedsCrew]

@@normferguson5209 #teamFerguson. ..Can't help but think- maybe life (as hard as it was at times) was better back in previous centuries. Simplified, skills based, a mans word was his word, trust, community support, outdoor living etc. My full name is Campbell Ferguson, which is always controversial when I chat with a Scot. There is a machinery brand called Massey Ferguson, so I've often had the nickname 'Massey'. Either way, a proud Aussie/Scot 'Dulcius Ex Asperis'

[@normferguson5209]

@@OzLeedsCrew Yes, life is sweeter after difficulty.to have more ppl with honor and integrity would be exellent.

[@suzannetodaro5494]

Hi I just read your comment about the contention for the name Campbell. I recently came back from a Highland tour and the guide explained of the massacre perpetrated by the Campbells on another Clan that took them in the the deep of winter. I have since found out that it was politically a misunderstanding about allegiance the the English King of that time. I hope this explains the feeling you get when mentioning the Campbell surname to some people.

[@OzLeedsCrew]

@@suzannetodaro5494 Hi Suzanne, Greetings! My first name is Campbell, ( I usually spell it 'Caimbeul', the Gaelic way ) and my surname is Ferguson. I've also attempted to learn Scots Gaelic for the last 5 years- not easy, but very interesting. Yes, I've spent decades looking into the Ferguson clan, and of course the Campbells - in the end my opinion is.. the Clans all fought each other / had alliances with people north and south of Hadrians Wall, but ultimately all stood side by side when they had to fight against the common enemy from the south. The mixture of Pictish, Breton, Dal Riadan, Irish, Celt, NorthUmbrian and Scandinavian blood certainly provided the people of modern Scotland with a rich heritage. Regardless, I'm proud of my first name- Caimbeul/Campbell and wear it proudly. A safe New Years to you

[@robwalker5030]

Great video, interesting and well put together, and regardless of what or how many mistakes you said you made, it's all about having fun doing it.

[@gregkral4467]

Fine work, good bow. My first ended up only good for a few shots for emergency, but also didn't age it, dry it long enough, was the wood very good, just used aspen that was there..... but not a very good wood for it. Thanks for another great vid.

[@MakerCuisine]

Fantastic build and construction that bow is powerful! Wonderful job my friend! Definitely inspires me to make my own.

[@terrybtk1]

This was really well done. Thanks for sharing.

[@gregkral4467]

That series... traditional bowyers bible, that whole series is awesome. Thanks for another bonnie vid.

[@danmorgan3685]

Could you cover the hand hold area that cracked with raw hide? It tightens as it dries and can be absurdly tough.

[@gordonlawrence4749]

I think he was more going for as good as he could reasonably get for historical authenticity. I'm not sure the Scottish used rawhide, it seems to be a US invention.

[@aal-e-ahmadhussain3123]

@@gordonlawrence4749 rawhide has been in use in the east for a very very long time.

[@masonmason22]

Nice video. Love the scenery outdoors, too.

[@G60J60F80]

You have fantastic aim!

[@stephen-houston514]

Mate thats a lovely bow and looks fine for some small hunting. My 1st bow attempt just snapped but thus video is a nice encouragment and it will help me in my next attempt! Great thanks

[@waveydaveyspoonerbooner205]

great vid, shoot or lose arrows, fire bullets, cannon, mortar etc. keep up the great content.

[@ahorseman4ever1]

Great video, it could be a BBC TV program. I love your balance of b roll and a roll. It really tells a story.

[@sapperinitiative4773]

Well done. Art at its best.

[@darrenprong2632]

Wow! well done. especially for a first timer. um..now I need to get me that book.

[@indianasquatchunters]

Great video! I’m pretty new to the channel. What got you interested in the history of the Highlander culture?

[@FandabiDozi]

Welcome :) Well I grue up in Scotland and have always been interested in bushcraft and wilderness living. Only when I found out about the Highlanders using the plaid as a multipurpose garment did i start researching into how they lived and it just became more and more interesting. Also good to rediscover your history and ancestors :) Hope you enjoy the channel!

[@Atkrdu]

Did the same thing! Only I live in the US, for now.

[@MasterMichelleFL]

@@Atkrdu Me too. I'm fascinated imagining the REAL native tribes of Florida (not the "Seminoles"...but the pre-1500s tribes), the Florida explorers (pre-Plymoth Rock/Jamestown era), and the settlers in my lineage that seem to have come from Ireland. That leads to becoming fascinated with how those coming over would have lived and built homesteads, which led me to Wesley. 💚👍

[@cabotbluegill]

You did a superb job I am very impressed antler being solid was much harder to work with the horn as horn is hollow

[@francisreidjr3788]

Great videos, nice use for the old fishbox!

[@bulow453]

Pretty good looking bow.

[@grahamparr3933]

This is new info for me, obviously we have the English longbow and the Welsh archers at Agincourt, never heard of Scottish bowmen, thanks.

[@kalikopa]

Sweet second bow!

[@bobdoodle6527]

Beautiful bow and impressive bow, good job!

[@kerrymcmanus9188]

Thats a great bow the fat & bees wax finish is nice indeed