How to Build an Osage Bow with Ryan Gill of HuntPrimitive

[@lenopoli6642]

At 10 years old I tried to make my first bow from a Popular Mechanics article. It broke in half when I tried stringing it. I was CRUSHED_________ now 67 years later in watching your great skill I've relived a successful build and feel a sense of accomplishment through you. You've helped me to heal. THANK YOU, Ryan! God bless you.

[@huntprimitive9918]

thank you very much for following along and very glad you enjoyed it!

[@mattjack3983]

So you feel a sense of accomplishment from Ryan successfully building a bow? And are you saying that for 57 years you haven't been able to get over a failed bow build from when you were 10? And that you were just healed and able to get over if from watching this video???

[@user-mb4se6km5p]

​@@mattjack3983he never thought to try again LMAO 🤣

[@wiZkHaliFafan27]

Best video I've seen so far. Thanks for not overcomplicating it for us

[@larrybenson233]

This man definitely know what he is doing and is a good teacher! Great instructional video from start to finish . Thank you for a non nonsense guide to bow building!

[@HalfQ]

Outstanding Video man, best i have ever seen for good solid advice. Ty for taking the time to make it. A real treasure.

[@huntprimitive9918]

thank you very much and thanks for following along

[@dariuswhite2543]

@@huntprimitive9918 do u sell real sinew bow strings

[@huntprimitive9918]

@@dariuswhite2543 I don't normally but I will likely be adding them to the website at some point

[@oscarmolinasoriano5607]

You have been my reference since 2014, thank you, from Spain, for a primitive archer, congratulations

[@EthanFetter]

My dad loves your videos! Keep up the good work

[@ironhorse1888]

Since I have retired I've been kicking around the idea of making a bow. I live in West Virginia therefore I do have access to wood, mainly Hickory. I have been viewing several videos on "self bows" when I found yours I thought wow that's a long video and it is !! But I am so very glad I viewed it totally because I learned so much from your excellent instruction !! I'll be visiting your web site for supplies, Thank you so very much... An Old Vet. God Bless America !

[@jesschambers6551]

Thank you for your service ironhorse. Did you ever start a bow project?

[@nestorivan112]

Dang I got so much knowledge about you than watching the other bunch of people making bows. Very detailed video I love it

[@huntprimitive9918]

I love to hear that. thanks very much!

[@nevadafitch5647]

This is probably the best video i've ever seen on primitive bow building. Your Hickory bow making vid was very good, also.

[@sarangunya]

absolute cleanly explained...thanks for all your good hints...

[@danielspain7231]

Don’t know if this thread is still being read but apart from the Ed Scott video, this is the most informative and valuable demonstration of the art of bow making available to view. Thanks for this 👍

[@dv9747]

Big thanks to Ryan . The simple beauty of the hand made natural bow is joyous .

[@magicdaveable]

Great information on "chasing the ring."

[@sourdough51]

After having built eight bows previously I continue to learn thanks to your excellent instructional videos. I'm working on my first Yew self-bow now and find your instructions very informative so thank you!

[@mattjack3983]

I just finished my 3rd successful self built bow. I had 4 failed attempts before I was able to finally successfully build my first bow, and another failed attempt before successfully building my second and now third bows. So there's been a fair amount of trial and error, and it's definitely been a learning process. My brother has been building his own bows now for about 20 years ¡d hasbeen couldn't find ⁵a tremendous help. But even with 20 years of experience and alot of really good bows built, he says all the time that he still constantly learning to get better, and work more efficiently, and make a better bow each time.

[@wheelbarrowfriend2035]

Deep experience and wisdom here. I think I was only to truly appreciate this after making and breaking a few bows first. I am putting the tape measure and rasp down. Thank you!

[@Hwaigon]

Man, I've seen a bunch of videos on bow-making but yours is by far the most informative and, well, primitive in the best sense of the word. I'm happy I've been using the same approach, especially with the axe. Haven't made a working bow yet but I'm working on it. Thanks.

[@chucklearnslithics3751]

Good tip about leaving the string naturally, and slightly, to the side.

[@larryreese6146]

I've made a few bows but never paid much attention when I went to the final front profile. I just sawed it out and rasped it. I can see how following the wood when making your profile makes complete sense. I've made a few that lasted but I've blown a few too and some are wrapped to hold them together. Thanks for the tips. Really like that Cherokee diamond shaped limb tip.

[@smokinwraith1512]

Nature transcends tape measures. Very True Great Build! Advice for all

[@DriftWander770]

I love watching these videos of bowyers, i like this dudes style of freehand and relationship to the wood grain. Minimum tools too, i think il practice with a green ash but around my area it looks like elm would be a good choice. I’ve always respected elm when my axe bounced off of it when i went to split it as a young man

[@gmartin4946]

Thank you for your videos! I am a Spainard raised in Florida but living in Dallas! Your videos are awesome! I learn so much from you.

[@eribertoacedo9505]

I followed your build I like where you’re at and I like your method of tutoring I’ll be watching you more I like your style very much thank you for displaying it by the way that is a very nice looking bow for being primitive that’s first rate!

[@madscientist8138]

Olympian grade accuracy with no rest or sights. amazing shooting

[@justingondola2490]

I like rubbing olive oil on when using dey heat for an adjustment. It spreads the heat and prevents scorching. Great video.

[@dv9747]

What do the microorganisms in the olive oil do the wood over time ?

[@j.shorter4716]

Outstanding video! This knowledge gives me a little more confidence when trying to make a bow

[@anthonywindsor4277]

I Love your works great passion you are not afraid to take the hard road and very respectful content class act Ryan Gill from Chesapeake bay Maryland

[@abu_abdulmalik]

thank you for giving information. i like the way you making bows, simple and beautiful!!! watching you from Azerbaijan.

[@metalmix7773]

Great video man! I'm always referring back to your channel for a refresher.

[@jimrowland500]

Your instruction on managing grain runout was excellent. I really enjoyed this video and learned several new things that I had not heard before.

[@bienyamientoefy1923]

greetings sir and everyone.what a good video.lots to learn from.i need every bit for my bow building. from south africa cape town.thank you for the lesson😃

[@avidanglerorobsession6127]

You are by far the best KZbinr I love you longer videos also could you do a video on aligning bow handle and tips I have always had a ton of trouble with it

[@seanmcbee7937]

You are an awesome guy, I could/will listen and watch for hours

[@BobyChanMan]

Where I live there are tons of Osage orange, and their peculiar fruit caused me to look up some history about the uses of the tree, and I found out that native Americans used them to make bows. Wonderful video!

[@mattford8499]

Man you explained all the bits just right . Cheers from kent, UK . Lockdown and playin with my 1st bow build. Yew limb cut about 12 months ago.

[@dmaschy599]

Thanks for the information,I got osage orange wood across the road.

[@simonphoenix3789]

the sound and feel of osage earlywood crunching beneath a drawknife is so satisfying. Everytime I made a bow out of osage I had to stop myself from chasing another ring. Establishing the growth ring on osage was probably my favorite part about making a bow.

[@jasoncook6301]

Thank you hill for these tutorials! I’m generally im a knife Maker but ALWAYS been drawn to primitive techniques and living I recently started my first primitive bow

[@stevejenkins9984]

I learned alot this was very detailed from an experienced Bowyer. Great stuff thank u!

[@Ozarkwonderer]

You know I like your style and approach. There's a science, but I've learned there's more of an instinct and art to primitive bow crafting.

[@czechmix221]

This was a master class. Thank you.

[@marcrobitaille4159]

Right On ! ThankYou!!!! Splendid Work, Active Art !!!! Beauty& Gratitude Born ! This IS ,,, I don’t have the Words to describe It,,, It Is “Prayer/Praise”to Creator ! Wow !!!! Thanks again for Sharing, More Power to You ! 👌👍🇨🇦 ( yes, I want One )

[@williamstewart8449]

Thanks for this great how to video. Been making self bows now for 4 years and thought I knew about all there was to learn but after watching the entire video I picked up some pointers that will help in my next project. Good Stuff!!

[@schuetzeboge]

Oh man just got a band saw - but now i‘m again inspired to use my handtools

[@tommycollins7254]

Best information I have ever read, or watched hands down! Will go buy from your website, and do business with you because of your desire to share the art of bow building and primitive hunting! Thank you brother

[@bobcatbarnes2522]

thanks Ryan...great video. It reminded me of many years ago when I could watch Bill Metcalf make and shoot a bow in one hour. He used nothing but a machete to build the entire bow. Very well done sir.

[@2anonymous]

Thanks for bringing up Bill's name. He would come to Mo-jam and build a bow with a machete, and I couldn't remember his name. Now if I could only remember how he made his strings. He could make a string in just a couple minutes.

[@bobcatbarnes2522]

@@2anonymous The few times that I watched Bill at MoJam, he used artificial sinew to make a quick flemish twist string.

[@cdunne1620]

..brilliant stuff, well done and thanks very much for your generosity in showing how it's done, your the man!

[@mikenorris6769]

Hi Ryan, greetings from New Zealand, have watched your whole video and honestly I have learnt more from this than from countless other videos on bowbuilding,unfortunately I can't get some of the wonderful bow woods you have access to so I'm rather confined to board bows, still, I can take all your teachings and apply to my efforts as much as possible, thanks so much, I'll be watching this more than once!

[@EE-li4ci]

A great video to watch and refer to while making a bow. Helped me to make my first bow a success.

[@bens1055]

Thanks a lot for the great tutorial. I tried to build a wood bow from ash wood once in my life so far and failed. Now I know exactly what I did wrong and the video encourages me to give it another try!

[@lymanclark5537]

Well done Ryan, I really enjoyed the instructions.

[@arjun9w748]

You are a Great teacher

[@UnknownPerson-rf5rp]

Yes this call perfect way now making. Good job brother

[@dustinthewind3925]

"A few hours for a beginner"... lol it's taking me over a week for my first osage stave, but the wood is so beautiful I cant help but stop, smooth out the rough belly and look at it in the light... it's so fiery.

[@mrmudslideslim]

Great video, Ryan. Learned a few more tips. Great looking bow as well.

[@ashleysmith2936]

I should have so watched this video before building my first bow, but already learning and all this makes a lot of sense. I can see this first one breaking at some point but will carry on - its all learning, and start looking for another stave too for a future project

[@HaggardOutdoors]

very informative video, I got into bow making because of you. I've made only a couple bows so far. But I finally came across some osage. Your video was spot on with all the knowledge you shared here. Thanks for all you do Ryan, your a beast. I've gotta get a arrowhead point from ya for my collection sometime.

[@Hwaigon]

You've mad a couple? Kudos, I've made a bow but broke it by an idiotic test of its limbs. Actually, I'd be quite interested in somebody comenting on it, whether it would have been a working bow if I hadn't like, pushed it to the limits. My estimation is it drew around 190 punds because I could hang on its limbs and it didn't break (that's not actually how I broke it...).

[@mohdhusein4510]

The best selfbow maker

[@PrimitiveVsns]

This is the best how-to I’ve seen. Thank you!

[@huntprimitive9918]

much appreciated, thank you

[@PrimitiveVsns]

@@huntprimitive9918 Looking for a knife like what you used to chop most of the wood. Do you know the weight?

[@huntprimitive9918]

@@PrimitiveVsns they are all going to vary a bit because they are hand forged, but I just weight one and it was 1lbs 8 oz

[@PrimitiveVsns]

@@huntprimitive9918, got the knife! Worth the cost. Had a question on bracing. How do you know when your bow is ready to be braced?

[@jesseblackburn8437]

Wonderful video and advice, a true professional, thank you for being true to your craft! God bless!

[@lobopropredatorcontrol]

Sure love that you are passing on this information 👊

[@donwaldroopoutdoors3665]

Love it I’m on an Osage bow journey rt now

[@tonymaurice4157]

Best video you ever made👍

[@lisamcqueen8509]

Awesome! Thanks for this how-to, Ryan!

[@jessegiles663]

Awsome I learned something about the first growth ring thanks

[@noelcaballero5950]

I really like the shirt you are wearing and thank you for sharing this tutorial with us!👍

[@huntprimitive9918]

thank you very much. I greatly appreciate it

[@charlesrooker989]

My first attempt at stone age build failed because the Hickory I harvested was to small for the top limb, but I learned as much from what I did right as I did from my mistakes. Second attempt success beyond my expectations. 62# lbs @ 28 inch draw, I targeted for 45 to 50 # lbs ,got 49 #lbs @ 28" but curved tips brought more weight than I expected. I'm shooting 100 arrows a day in a 35 minute session, very happy. I harvested a 7 foot 10 inch diameter dogwood log, straight, no knots, dark like black Walnut, much harder, do I remove the sapwood and chase a growth ring like osage and what profile, extremely heavy small rings (thin) I also have a large hop hornbeam about the same dimensions. I'd love to send pictures ,but this format does not accommodate that. Thank you very much for your help.

[@Rowanbows]

I enjoied the whole process. its exactly how I would build a bow too - follow the grain and wait for the bow

[@BryanKoenig379]

Simple, basic, primitive thats what I love 💕

[@alchapman7376]

Outstanding tutorial Ryan!!!! Thanks so much for all you share!!!

[@j-kingl.a6768]

Yes this is the video i'm looking for he explained it all ima subscribe now

[@shelltowee8629]

Not been able to get my hands on a stave size piece yet, but got some smaller pieces and this wood is a dream to work

[@jerrycox2058]

Enjoyed the video, well done and explained as to why. I'm still a little nervous when chopping, more worried about taking too deep of a chop. experience is golden

[@TrungDungTheCarpenter]

Thank you for detailed instruction!

[@collinblazer6427]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing your expertise with us!

[@robertthorn9560]

Just finished an osage bow which came in quite a bit under weight; thinking of tossing it but remember some of the articles I read about bow efficiency and how to improve which I applied, giving me a very efficient but light draw weight bow. Moral of the story, don't give up, experiments and learn from your mistakes therefore applying to your next bow.

[@williamproctor8614]

The chopper vs draw knife is a sweet idea.

[@08Roadgl]

I built about a dozen self bows before buying a bandsaw. After building 8 more with the band saw I will say this. Listen to Ryan and just do it by hand.

[@VotteyDaily]

Hi Brother

[@Youzack1]

All around awesome man. Thank you for all the information you put out. I owe ya a rock.

[@JolicoeurAbear]

do you have a video on going out to find bow wood, cutting it and then splitting it into what you have there?

[@tannerdavis8915]

that is a cool bow you have made!! i was thinking of a project that you should try when you have the chance. I would think it would be cool to try to make a primitive horse bow. i have loved those since i was a little kid.

[@chadharrington1749]

Thanks to you I am almost finished with my bow project, an 80 - 100 yr old bodark fence post. It is going to be a short bow. Have you ever worked on a well aged bodark for bow making? Thanks in advance. Looking forward to your book coming out this fall.

[@Theshadow38ish]

I learned more from this video then I have of watching 6 years of Bow making videos.

[@williamproctor8614]

Ryan, You are fast man nice work! I've built a few but it takes me a good night's work to get that first ring right.

[@monicaturner5984]

My sons and I are wanting to make one. We have some Osage trees I’m going to cut some staves off of. While they are seasoning I might try some red oak I have access to. Thanks for another great video!

[@jakeguitarpianoandcello6203]

Great video thank you! I love how you are at work... in your house slipper!

[@berniewhitewood5925]

Fantastic, informative videa Ryan,you make it look easy.

[@vincentdolente7053]

Nice knife, nice bow, nice skills.

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

That was a sweet stave 👍 Awesome tutorial Ryan 👌

[@dakotahasley7543]

Wondering what is a good place to buy good osage bow staves. I'm just starting and all your videos are very helpful

[@wk9953]

I would suggest going with hickory or a cheaper stave for your first bow and use it as a learning experience and then go to osage

[@jeffreyranew8891]

I’m looking for Osage staves too, most online sources seem sold out right now, I’ve been looking for Osage trees to cut, stave and season myself now, I’m in South Georgia, I’ve found exactly five, several of which are around 2 ft diameter, the grain seems to spiral and do crazy things, and even though a few limbs about 10 inches in diameter look perfect, I don’t want to waste these trees for a few small sections, I’ve just found out about a hunting lease with more than 30 mature trees and I’m going to be contacting the owner when I’m in the area, where are you located? Finding trees has been a something of an adventure.

[@dakotahasley7543]

I'm located in tennessee I have walked the woods looking for osage to cut and season my self but haven't found anything

[@crabmansteve6844]

Doing it this way really makes one appreciate how incredible modern materials are. Especially fiberglass and resin. I love primitive/traditional bows and archery more than any other type. I dont enjoy shooting compound bows, but their power, ease of use and efficiency cannot be denied. They're just not fun to me. That being said, I'll make traditional bows for myself and sneak in some modernity occasionally in the form of a small layer of fiberglass and resin, it really feels like cheating. Lol Making a durable self-bow the purely traditional way that has longevity is an art.

[@charlesrooker989]

I failed on my first attempt on a hickory primitive build because the top half of the branch was too small to keep up with the bottom, my second attempt was successful beyond all my expectations, 62 lbs @ a 28 inch draw with curved tips, 49 lbs before recurves. I acquired two straight, no knots 10 inch diameter X 6 foot dogwood logs,from a powering right of way , do I need to chase a ring like Osage or do I treat it like the hickory ? Being dogwood, the rings are quite thin ,this thing is ancient. Your videos were invaluable. I also make good sinew string and decent stone and blue glass points.

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

Wow great stuff you are a true artist!

[@gregspangler5155]

very good teacher, excelent job

[@xolarwind]

Great video. I used to make bows as a kid from a bamboo grove we had in the backyard. Where can I get the Osage wood in a thick and long enough piece to make a bow?

[@twintwo1429]

People who have worked a real labor job can relate to this and will rise to the top ,quickly. Those that fail at primitive endeavors will give themselves away. Weakness is not necessarily bad if you are willing to put in the time like labor workers already have.

[@stevejenkins9984]

I need to learn how to remove bark without harming the woods? I do ok with a draw knife. But i usually have to scrape a layer of to get rid of nicks and cuts. Any advice? I'm working with black ash for a few bows. I've only made 10 bows so far so anything is gold thanks!

[@charlesrooker989]

Love your videos, very helpful I posted to this site on a dogwood wood log I harvested ,I now have it split out into a 64 inch stave,white wood,extremely thin growth rings. Any suggestions or experiences with or reference materials on this wood greatly appreciated.

[@MisterTactless]

Hi Ryan, can you make shipping of your book available for europe? Love your content, keep it up.

[@lovelygirls9765]

A very beautiful bow. Good skill

[@huntprimitive9918]

thank you very much

[@charlesrooker989]

I would appreciate any input, with the dogwood, thank you for helping me grow as a bow builder, there is no way I should have succeeded this quickly. Thank you very much, I am absolutely hooked, I shoot my hickory bow 100 shots a day in 35 minutes, very happy.

[@chipkyle5428]

Fantastic video. I have a question. Can you build a bow before the stave has dried? Can you work a stave while it’s still green?