How to Make a Longbow

MrCrispin Merchandise can be found at mrcrispinenterprises.com
Instagram: mr_crispin
In this video I follow and document a modern method for Longbow making. The video begins with the process of wood selection and continues through all the stages of manufacture including planing, gluing and scraping. String making and grip fitting are also shown. A brief shooting demonstration concludes the footage.

[@UncleKennysPlace]

"And now for something completely different ..." - Monty Python, MrCrispin

[@thermicdude9164]

The smell in that wood shop must be delightful

[@MrAndyoneill]

I was said student and it was a pleasure to be part of the video.

[@leerogers6423]

Fond memories of the green Hazel bows my Grandfather and I made every summer. Bledlow village was safe from the French until school started again in September.

[@johnrhodes3350]

What a fantastic memory

[@canalboating]

"Careful you'll have someones eye out with that!" King Harold 1066

[@mopedmarathon]

Really great teaching and workmanship there. The carved warrior head was a really beautiful touch. And I raise a glass to your late friend Mr Derrick Conway. Long may his memory live on!

[@ImolaS3]

As a professional engineer who makes furniture for fun, this a lovely inspiration for something new to try:) thanks

[@BillySugger1965]

What a delightful video, and a super team of instructors and students!

[@ianbertenshaw4350]

Well, you have done it again Crispin! You have somehow taken something that is totally foreign to me and made it fascinating! A superb video as always - thank you !

[@glenn_r_frank_author]

Fun Video! I watch your channel for your machining work but I didn't know you loved archery too. I have been shooting for years and woodworking on and off since my middle school days. In just this past year have taken up the goal to learn to make my own bow. I have made one which I have successfully shot but was under-powered. my second bow was coming along nicely before it broke on me during tillering and testing. It was great to see how the club in your video teaches the crafting techniques. I hope to complete my next bow soon.

[@johnmcdyer7297]

Really enjoyed that mr crispin fantastic insight into bow making thanks

[@peterconnan5631]

Very interesting! Longbows are very scarce here in South Africa, so I really enjoyed watching the process. The bows we made as boys were a lot more crude, basically just a single piece of Rasinbush, and all the shapong was done with a pocketknife. We made our strings from animal sinew though, and that was almost as laborious a process as making the bow. First you had to kill the animal, and that without a bow. After finding and cutting out the sinew, we boiled it to get it to seperate into strings, then clean them thoroughly before plaiting them. However those strings lasted many years of boyhood practice and mischeif. Thanks for bringing back the memories Mr!

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Wow that sounds quite a process

[@Throughthebulkhead]

I haven’t seen Cascamite glue since I helped my father mix it up from powder with water as a boy. I will be sixty next year. Thank you for the memory!😊

[@russelldold4827]

I had a disappointing experience using Cascamite for building a dinghy as a schoolboy 60-odd years ago. I don't know what went wrong but I suspect the dry climate of South Africa may have had something to do with it since the glued joints suffered brittle failure.

[@Dave5400]

Fascinating! I went to a castle some years ago where there were some demonstrations of medieval English archery. After the demonstrations, I asked them about the longbows and what they would have been made of. The bloke doing the demos reckoned that the stave of the bow would have been made from yew (for its flexibility), and ash (for its strength), although I'm not sure how they would have been bonded. The string would have been made from willow I assume as it has long and strong floppy branches. Not sure how true it was, but he also told me that this was the reason why church yards always had yew trees in them so that could be easily farmed for their branches.

[@samrodian919]

I think the string was made from Flax. And I'm not sure about the medieval period but most war bows were purely made from Yew using both the sapwood and the heartwood. As that time a great deal of Yew was imported from Italy as it was supposed to be better than English Yew. Those were the type of many bow staves that were brought up with Henry the Eighth's Mary Rose from the Solent back in the 1980's. You can see many examples at the Naval Dockyard Museum at Portsmouth.

[@jamesjakowyszyn7032]

Hey mate! Hope everything is alright! Keep the videos coming!

[@macbilling6410]

That was very interesting. I have been interested in archery. Brilliant.

[@stevedriscoll2539]

As much as I love the bow calculator, the nifty tools, and the gorgeous woods, my favorite part is listening to your wonderful English, Mr. Crispin...I don't hear it where I am from.

[@joell439]

Absolutely Fascinating 👍👍😎👍👍

[@bienyamientoefy1923]

greetings to everyone. i love this.😃

[@alex4alexn]

Of course Mr Crispin is an Archer, and has awesome friends like Andy and Mel who are beautiful craftsmen, love the content and appreciate the hard work

[@ivanuriegas3905]

I just spent one hour of my life watching this whole video. I'm a new subscriber. I don't know man, there is something about Mr. Crispin that just draws you in...

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Glad to have you watching

[@joecolanjr.8149]

We really need a new video!!! Hint...hint...

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Ah right yes ok good idea I hadn't thought of that. I'll put a new one out on Tuesday for you.

[@daverichardson5861]

Well, did a course some years back to teach Archery and enjoyed teaching young people in the use of. Didn’t know how they were built up though. Thats another string in my bow. Excellent video Mr Crispin and all the cast. Many thanks for sharing. Till the next one, stay well.

[@rayzugar4776]

Hello Crispin, enjoyed the video. I too am a engineer, started in my father's factory at the age of 7. Health and safety, Hmmm. I also do archery, have done for many years, not only target shooting but making them as well. My heart was overjoyed to see the art of engineer tea drinking isn't dead. Carn't beat a cold cup of tea, but now I'm in my 60's I've installed a microwave in the workshop to keep the tea hot. Keep up with the archery, nice to see we've got something in common.

[@bertjetolberg103]

Archery is a Nice sport 40 years ago half of our family was shooting competition weekly No Some nephews are shooting

[@SymonDavis]

I’ve been watching you machine and never realised you are a fellow archer.

[@markwatters6875]

Good evening (2159 here in Australia) Sir, Just a quick check in to see that all is good in your world. Look forward to your next video. 👍🇦🇺

[@MaxWattage]

This was an interesting insight into modern longbow manufacture, with its odd mixing of English and Japanese woods and hand-tools.

[@davidberlanny3308]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this one, very well presented. Big thanks to Andy and Mel for showing us all the details. Well done!! Good luck from Spain!!

[@BillSikes.]

That opening clip made me chuckle 🤣🤣🤣 Great work Mr C 👍

[@johnwest219]

That Sir is probably the best piece of KZbin i have ever watched. Hats off to you (pun intended) congratulations.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

High praise!

[@jerseyjoe2684]

Good day Mr. Crispin!

[@michaeljohnson-li5nn]

Mr C, they used to have archery practice next to the main office at RR Hucknall. I can remember being stuck in a rather boring meeting and looking at them practicing their archery skills.

[@alwaysbearded1]

You are multi talented. A new facet to you. Thanks for making this video. If my shoulder will let me I need to get to my local range and try to shoot again.

[@trentbowen3649]

A very interesting departure from the machining content that is typical of your channel. Attention to the nuance of how these are built is right in line with your presentation style and I enjoyed it immensely. A nice peak into the other parts of your interest portfolio. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@markhelseth253]

Fantastic! Nice to get out of the workshop once in while. Excellent instructors and a blast to watch. The comments are nearly as fun as the video. Very enjoyable to read about all the past experiences folks have with archery.

[@keithyinger3326]

Brilliant. What a fantastic way to get out of the workshop. I really enjoyed this little out of the shop video.

[@BruceBoschek]

Very interesting and very educational. Beautifully presented video. Thanks very much, Mr. C.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Thanks

[@StuartsShed]

Excellent. Now we’ll all be ready to take part in the Agincourt rematch.

[@bengunn3698]

Very interesting , nice to see people making their own equipment.

[@dennispura5861]

Amazing bro

[@mattheweskender7781]

Bow making course is looks like fun class

[@magnusklahr8190]

What great episode!!!👍😀

[@normesmonde5332]

Far out that’s a long way from me with a green branch and string.😊

[@classics289]

In your opening scene I almost expected to see the butler holding the target up.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Don't give me ideas, Jefferson won't thank you!

[@ianbertenshaw4350]

Thats a classic 🤣🤣

[@ianbertenshaw4350]

@@MrCrispinEnterprises He owes you one after you got the hat out of the tree for him 🤣

[@chrislee7817]

That was an unexpected treat. I used to shoot. Set up an archery club at uni and had an instructor from Overdale Bolton. Couldn't draw a longbow though too heavy. Still have my old yamaha somewhere.

[@angelgil5558]

Muy buen trabajo de enseñanza y muy bonitos arco, mi enhorabuena

[@richardmeyer418]

What a great idea. Thank you, sir.

[@TheArtOfMistake]

Love the humour. Almost as dry as in my video

[@paulpipitone8357]

Great.... now i have to look into a class here in the states

[@steved8038]

So something totally different and very enjoyable Thank you

[@carlpalfreeman8094]

Great video fantastic team of instructor's well done for putting up something so different on your channel

[@poetac15]

Very interesting topic. Thanks for posting.

[@alexmoffat]

So very interesting. Thanks for making this.

[@fladder1]

When you threw your hat, I somehow was expecting it to land in your workshop on one of your machines, or on the head of Jefferson😅 And as always thanks for another very interested video!

[@catabaticanabatic3800]

Excellent video. That process was big industry 700/800 years ago. All ye named Fletcher,Bowman, Archer, Arrowsmith or whatever can attest to that,

[@joecolanjr.8149]

Hope all is well sir. Was watching another channel and they mentioned your name and just thought i would stop by and see how you were. Are you still working on the locomotive?? Hope to see some new content soon! Cheers!!

[@westers1514]

Blimey, what a workout the bed was getting at 52 :30

[@rickoshea8138]

I now know what a knocking shop is. It is where you add knocks to a longbow.

[@hammeys1]

This was great ! thanks

[@mumblbeebee6546]

Thank you for this interesting and well presented feature! The audio was perhaps not as finely crafted as your metalwork, but headphones helped and nothing was lost. Like a Meister you have the sitting, drinking tea, watching with half an eye down pat - but you can’t fool us, there was enough footage of you giving a hand - you are a good man :)

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Yes audio was a challenge. I have never tried filming in a group workshop environment before. Glad the headphones helped.

[@bcbloc02]

I have an old 90lb long bow and that thing is a bear to pull!

[@kevinwillis6707]

hope you dont get an allergic reaction to that funny coloured metal mr crispin!, shot longbows myself, not as easy as you'd think, nice to see the tradition kept up.

[@russelldold4827]

Coming up: Violin making, followed by Church Organ building? Joking aside, I found this fascinating!

[@tom314]

Oh **** I may well have competed against you, I started shooting 22 years ago (recurve) until about 6 years ago (kids). I used to compete rather a lot including shooting for Warwickshire and I have a couple of good friends who shoot at Anchor Bowmen... Also nice technique :) Funnily enough my main hobby is fine woodworking and making a longbow is on my list of things to do so this'll be a useful video!

[@100yojimbo]

Now that MrCrispin was very interesting to watch 😁👍👍 , do you have any plans to do more future videos on this ?

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Thanks. This was just a one off

[@100yojimbo]

@@MrCrispinEnterprises Your welcome, that's a shame really enjoyed watching the video.

[@stevebosun7410]

Something different, very interesting. Arrow making in the future maybe?

[@RedDogForge]

brilliant! next, come visit Texas and ill teach you how to hand forge some bodkin and swallowtail arrowheads. :) ( cant blame a fella for tryin )

[@ocs748]

Thought that longbows were usually made from yew.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

I think the phrase you might be looking for is 'traditionally'.

[@UncleKennysPlace]

Osage, in my neck of the woods.

[@glennwright9747]

Far more sophisticated than the bows I made as a lad from a sapling!

[@tiredoldmechanic1791]

@@MrCrispinEnterprises If they aren't using longbows to follow tradition, why use them at all?

[@kevinwillis6707]

@@tiredoldmechanic1791 basically lack of suitable material, even in medieval times lots of yew was imported from italy, very expensive and hard to get nowadays, and a totally yew bow, or a "self bow" takes a lot more skill to make , you have to allow for small knots and imperfections in the stave. these are easier for begginners to start on and lemonwood is very consistent in grain. like anything it takes lots and lots of skill and experience to do well.

[@alanremington8500]

Way cool !!

[@kevinsmith3274]

Nice video. Although I seem to remember something about a locomotive that was being built. 🤔

[@ThePottingShedWorkshop]

Very different to your usual videos... and very interesting! As a former hobbyist woodturner of 25+ years ( I now turn steel into chips!) the wood selection seemed somewhat surprprising. I thought you'd be using some fine English yew rather than exotics.

[@pastmyprime4920]

Another fine (but unexpected) video Mr. Crispin! If my history is correct the English longbow is a key reason you folks north of the Channel don't speak French as your first language. I enjoyed my days in target archery (compound bows) but haven't participated in nearly thirty years.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Yes the Longbow played a vital role in resisting the aggressor down the ages.

[@chrisburbank6484]

The arrows are next? really enjoyable video!

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Yes I might do one on the arrow making course later in the year perhaps

[@garden4wildlife781]

@@MrCrispinEnterprises Please do! Really enjoyed this video.

[@rickoshea8138]

A longbow for Longshanks, as it were. :)

[@drevil8519]

I would blue that stave to measure the cup fit 😁

[@glennmoreland6457]

Good ☹🇬🇧

[@andrewjohnstuart6227]

Hi there. I’m new to your channel, would I be fairly close in saying you’re in/from the Derby/Nottingham area? And is the Anchor Bowmen the Spondon location?? The father of an old friend of mine made locomotives like the one you’re building, but I’m talking way back in the early 70’s, he lived in Pinxton.

[@davejenner7966]

Thats very interesting, did'nt know we share the same archery interests! Forget about all that engineering malarky, lets go shoot some arrows! or playing archery as my wife calls it.

[@plalonde2]

Oh you toxophyle you. Lovely!

[@greglaroche1753]

I was sure that first arrow was going to end up in your hat!

[@andynicoll8566]

Too smooth to glue is a myth! There have been quite a few A/B tests done and there is no difference between smooth and rough sanded. I may sand to remove planer marks or contamination from the planer deck but it's not necessary for glue.

[@mikegarwood8680]

JRR Tolkien's Numenorean Men used hollow core (tube) steel long bows; presumably some kind of spring(y) steel.

[@russelldold4827]

Titanium has great potential as a bow material, until one considers cost and difficulty of working by amateur methods.

[@steveallarton98]

Back in the day, over half a century ago, when I started my apprenticeship with a steel tube making company, they had a sporting goods division, which made tubular bows. If I recall correctly, they were made from a chrome-molybdenum steel, heat treated to give the necessary strength and flexibility. The tubes were made with variable wall thickness, and thus stiffness, to give the correct curvature, when the bow was drawn.

[@montyzumazoom1337]

I thought longbows were made of yew or ash wood?

[@bantampop3532]

👏👏👏👏

[@allanwelsh3095]

Guys headphone warning on the bandsaw. Holy shit that's loud

[@dramanus]

Any chance of a copy of the excel calculator? :)

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

I'll ask

[@ydonl]

Needs a dial indicator... somewhere... I'm sure of it!

[@alasdairhamilton1574]

Are you using Dacron for the strings? Noticed no one from the dark side shooting at the club😱. When do you start your course? 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

It's BCY B55 Polyester. I think i put the exact material on a pop up box during the sting making process.

[@alasdairhamilton1574]

@@MrCrispinEnterprises BCY B55 is commonly known as Dacron. Helical Fletching next video? Happy shooting

[@billdoodson4232]

Just wondering if it's possible to get yew wood suitable for longbow these days?

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Absolutely no idea but I can't see why not

[@lagunafishing]

I have always followed mums advice...."Don't jerk it"!

[@BillySugger1965]

That’s not what I’ve been told 😉😋

[@tiredoldmechanic1791]

I never managed that!

[@markrainford1219]

"It's mine and I'll wash it as fast as I want."

[@Blue_4-2]

⭐🙂👍

[@user3141592635]

I guess I could take an abundant stave of ash, dry it out and carve a flat-bow out of it, just like in the Viking-age. Yew exists, but are mostly not available in Sweden, because of their toxicity to horses and cattle, historically :)

[@drevil8519]

I hate woodwork. Mr Crispin. Make one out spring steel with a wooden handle

[@haskelswain1842]

Message for you sir...

[@rogerdeane3608]

Preparing the string was very interesting. Audio is terrible.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Class room environment

[@eclipsearchery9387]

Tilloer is incorrect for a longbow. Too round in the middle and too much mid limb bend, not enough mid to outer limb. Use a more elliptical tiller. You can get better efficiency eg. arrow speed.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Thanks for your expertise.

[@erniecamhan]

that is not how a longbow is made, a longbow is made from ash, using the softwood for compression, and the harder wood for tension, it's not made from several different woods

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

If it's not a Longbow, then what is the type of bow shown in this video?

[@crowking1877]

Nothing worse than spending a few days shaping the bow for a hidden weakness in the wood to break whilst tilling.

[@pete-davis-photography]

The best longbowmen were of course, not English but Welsh

[@pmaitrasm]

Have you abandoned your steam locomotive?

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

No

[@pmaitrasm]

@@MrCrispinEnterprises, 👍