How to make a Halloween / Witches Broomstick / Harry Potter / Besom Broom

A very traditional Besom Broom, also known as a witches broomstick or Harry Potter broom. In this video I show how to make it, the traditional way.
If you make one here are some tips
select small twiggy birch
store the birch for at least a year in the dark and dry
tie in tight bundles - and put something on them, this helps shape the twigs
make sure your handles are also dry, I used Hazel, but anything will work.
the handles do NOT need to be perfect, bent ones work best
clean them off - get rid of the bark and any knobbly bits
the handle is 42" long to start, the head is 3' long
the head should be a tight bundle 10" or 12" diameter
wire about 1mm is good but anything will work
the handle should be central, to knock it in hold the handle not the head and bang it on a solid surface
use a Nail to secure the head once its in place
a final trim just gets rid of any straggly bits
Always store you broom in the dry, and with the head UPPER most
if looked after your broom will last many years
If you intend to FLY your broom you need to obtain the correct SPELL, I will post a video on this later. Full training should be given before use.
Filmed at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, 1 frame per second and rendered at 20frames per second so 20x normal speed. i.e. it took about 20 minutes to make

[@harryrogers]

I think that qualifies you as a Broom Squire.......great explanation.....so when are you starting rake making!

[@Manuel_Z_Kayaks]

The crooked handles would be preferred!

[@teetracyfrazier5162]

Do you have plans of the press u use to keep handle in place

[@arcanearcanum8926]

How much could you sell these for?

[@midnightmenagerie7346]

If the twigs are not straight, will wetting them first to make them more malleable help to bundle them together?

[@arcanearcanum8926]

Yes, with warm water…especially when they are still fresh twigs. That’s what I do. Lightly wrap them while still wet so that it is slightly compacted and let them dry this way, still wrapped and it will stay in this shape.

[@mlstar1695]

Crooked stick is ok