How to make a Viking style arrow, with tanged war head

Part of my series of videos looking at arrows I made many many years ago as part of my apprenticeship, this week we take a look at making a Viking style arrow, this was based on the Nydam finds.
I show you the entire process from carving the decorated nock to fitting the hand forged head. We have plenty of bits for sale if you want to have a go at making your own, here are the links to some Tanged heads we have for sale...
Hector Cole Tanged head
www.longbowand...
Tanged heads, Pyramid shape
www.longbowand...
Want to help us keep our bow making website going and these videos? Please consider helping us pay the costs by using the donate button here...
paypal.me/rich...
My Bow and Arrow making website... www.howtomakealongbow.co.uk
Please hit the SUBSCRIBE button if you want to encourage me to make more videos and friend us on Facebook/Instagram if you can.
Our shop www.longbowanda...
My Facebook page www.facebook.c...
#viking #arrow #tanged

[@longbows]

Want to help us keep our bow making website going and these videos? Please consider helping us pay the costs by using the donate button here... paypal.me/richardheadlongbows?locale.x=en_GB

[@garychynne1377]

some vikings brought back asian bows and this arrow shows the asian influence on our ancestors. nice workmanship. thank yew.

[@kevingambrell]

Ignoring the Italian Norseman, that was a cracking good video. Never understood why the knock end was reduced like that. I cant get past it being a weak point in the most stressed art of the arrow. Thank you for your efforts with these videos.

[@longbows]

Thanks

[@decab8292]

Oh dear pillage my village 🧐 We'll have none of that pillaging going on in our village, I'll have you know we're British you know. 😉 hahah. Wonderful dexterity sir a pleasure to watch you work.

[@longbows]

Lol, thanks, the pillaging on only happens if you don't subscribe!

[@longbows]

Thanks!

[@sethmullins8346]

Just what I needed. I'm trying to make musket arrows for my medieval hand cannon, and all the socket type heads for sale have a socket for a much smaller shaft than my gonne would fire. The dowel that fits my barrel is about 5/8".

[@longbows]

Great, I hope our website helps www.richardheadlongbows.com

[@cameronworne1844]

Me: high af: KZbin: watch this video of a guy making a Viking arrow. Me: yes

[@longbows]

Brilliant to know KZbin are recommending my videos, thanks, hope you enjoyed a random video?

[@Soviless99]

i just started a bow making apprenticeship as well! :) its a dream come true yo!!

[@longbows]

Best of luck!

[@Soviless99]

@@longbows ty!!

[@dragonofhatefulretribution9041]

Awesome stuff! I always felt like the socket-style arrowheads were quite flimsy-looking but these tanged ones look right up my street!🔥👌🏻

[@longbows]

Glad you like them! We have them in the shop now and again.

[@dragonofhatefulretribution9041]

@@longbows Awesome to hear! Just came across your channel today and subbed! Do you guys make and sell Norse longbows? That’s the kind I would love to own and practice with for my viking re-enactment costume etc, plus I want to learn how to make them myself at some point👍🏻

[@longbows]

We have a video of making a bow from that era, but dont make them to sell. Thanks for the sub, really appreciate it.

[@dragonofhatefulretribution9041]

@@longbows No worries-and thanks, I’ll check it out!👍🏻Glad to be along for the ride🍻

[@Hutchie2112]

Excellent video, the copper wire looks so fiddly , I best stay well clear with my fumble fingers. Beatiful work.

[@longbows]

Thanks!

[@wolfieevans7023]

Great video Phil. Really like those arrows. Think I might have a crack at doing a few myself. Need to find an open BT van first.

[@longbows]

Thanks, of you order the stuff off us I am sure we could bung some wire in for you.

[@Theshadow38ish]

Awesome video, this is my next step in archery.

[@longbows]

Thanks, glad to have inspired you, if you need the tanged heads we have the on our website www.richardheadlongbows.com

[@Theshadow38ish]

@@longbows Great I will be getting them from you for sure!

[@TheRedhawke]

Very nicely done sir.

[@longbows]

Thanks!

[@sebastienraymond3648]

Very very beautiful arrows! It's almost a sacrilege to shoot such beautiful arrows for fear of damaging them. :-) I made several arrows almost identical to yours some years ago, except for the nocks because I was worried about their fragility. To fix the arrow heads I also drilled a hole, however I used tendon (sinew) and birch bark tar. I did a few with Brass wire also (where you used copper). I do not have access to horsehair unfortunately. I think a lot of nations used that to tie the feathers around the shaft.

[@longbows]

Thanks for the kind words. Check out my Native American arrow video, I use horse hair on that one.

[@CrimeVid]

Richard Head Longbows only after about 1520 !

[@longbows]

No, it was in the 90s

[@BerserkerGang2019]

NICE JOB: THIS VIDEO HELPS ME OUT ON MY CHANNEL: I AM PUTTING TOGETHER SOME VIKING ARROWS FOR MY HAITABU STYLE BOW. happy new year.

[@longbows]

Great

[@matiass.4344]

Nice for a showcase

[@longbows]

Thanks

[@matiass.4344]

Thanks to you for your videos

[@longbows]

Welcome, thanks for subscribing

[@rikijett310]

Awesome!!!! 👍👍

[@longbows]

Thanks 👍

[@SeadartVSG]

This is a great video for anyone interested in making viking age arrows; I've made several more primitive viking style arrows with sinew and pine tar. I'm going to have to try decorating the nocks now, that looks great. I think some arrows found actually have red pigment on the top layer of the wood as well as black in the indentations. A couple of summers ago I visited several museums in Scandinavia checking out viking age arrows. The wire used on many of the finds was made from brass I believe. It took me a while to find 24 gauge brass wire, but it's apparently used by bassoonists to secure the reeds.

[@longbows]

Interesting, thanks for watching and commenting. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.

[@helihandler]

Perfect work, as always, you are truly a craftsman! and one that enjoys his work :-) You mentioned that you made you're collection of arrows during you're apprenticeship. Would you have any footage of that, or how others may be inspired towards an apprenticeship? or perhaps you would guide us (and inspire others) to take up this art with another vid?? Big ask I know, but for youngsters to try this career there seems so little information to explore, (unless I've missed a lot...?) and perhaps why we have slowly dying crafts...? Cheers Graham.

[@longbows]

Hi, thanks for th ekind words. I started my apprenticeship in the 90s, so no, I dont have any footage of that. I have made a100s of videos, thay are here on this channel, feel free to have a look. I have a bow and arrow making website www.howtomakealongbow.co.uk are these the sorts of thing you were thinking of?

[@helihandler]

No, the point I’m just thinking about is how you feel about how the craft that you have will continue without apprentice or just youngsters that want to follow 👌

[@longbows]

There are people making a business out of traditional bow/arrow making every month, when I started there was about 5, now there are over 50, so it's in good health.

[@whistlingbadger]

Great video. I've been wanting to try some tanged heads on a new set of hunting arrows, so might have to get out the dremmel and give it a shot. Seems like it might be better to glue the head on first, then taper the wood to fit after. The copper wire is an interesting touch...I wonder if the texture would adversely affect penetration.

[@longbows]

I sell tanged heads

[@whistlingbadger]

@@longbows I had a look at your site and I'm not seeing any, just target points (which look very interesting) and socket bodkins. What am I missing? Anyway, I love the workmanship on this. I do self-nocks on my arrows, but don't want to work this hard. I guess the Vikings had a lot of time on their hands while sailing across the ocean in search of plunder. ha ha

[@longbows]

go here...www.longbowandarrow.co.uk/ then type TANGED into the search

[@whistlingbadger]

@@longbows There they are! Thank you.

[@fishmaniachannel]

👌

[@shamoavdalyan3744]

❤

[@longbows]

Thanks, I hope you subscribe, glad to have you here.

[@bbqridge]

Great video. Incidentally, contrary to popular belief , Vikings never wore horned helmets .

[@longbows]

Thanks, yes, I pointed that out in the video

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Well alcoholic Vikings did. It was a handy skull protector cum cup holder.

[@davidmunro2077]

@@redtobertshateshandles that meant all of them as they drank only mead

[@mickruhdorf9916]

awesome, youre a funny guy

[@longbows]

Thanks, you just made my day, merry Christmas

[@jasperdenney6237]

Great video guys Could you guys do a video on bowstrings please how you guys make them in general also with one solid color instead of two different colors and like how many strands and bundles you guys use also what you guys use like the brand/miterial and how many strands you use for different bows draw Wights also how to know how long to make your bow string ps how many srtrands would you recommend for say a 120 lbs war bow Please and thank you

[@longbows]

OK, we will have a look at doing that for you.

[@jasperdenney6237]

Thanks

[@Alestorm5000]

For the nock - wouldn't it make more sense to make the lines and designs before filing the nock and grinding down the end? If you messed up at any point, you would have had to toss it instead of getting a slightly smaller arrow. Just something I feel could assist anyone making this.

[@longbows]

Interesting idea, maybe this will help someone.

[@stephenmelton6381]

Loved the video and will be creating some arrow heads like those featured. On a previous video, your father? Showed how to tighten a plastic knock so the arrow didn’t move to the side when he drew the bow, the knock you just created looked very shallow and doesn’t look like it would slightly grip the string.( for the tap test) Did they employ another technic to stop the arrow moving in an unwanted manner? All the best Stephen PS do you provide courses in bow and arrow making?

[@longbows]

Glad you like the video. This type of arrow, with a bulbous nock is shot with a pinch grip, much like the arrow in this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4Ktqpt8r7toec0 We have a bow and arrow making website www.howtomakealongbow.co.uk We do not have open lessons yet.

[@Graywolf116]

So cool. Thinking of spending time learning to do this since there's a *lot* more options for buying screw-on points than glue-ons (especially if you're going for heavier tipped arrows). What diameter is the wire you're using? I didn't find it on your site -- I'm guessing 0.2 mm? Maybe 0.3?

[@longbows]

Thanks. No, we dont sell the wire, I have no idea what diameter it is, sorry!

[@Graywolf116]

At 14:11 - have you found drilling with a dremel vs. a regular drill any different? I find getting a perfectly parallel hole to be a real challenge, even with a drill guide. The bit can wander when parts of the grain are harder/softer, and straightening an off-axis hole is a nightmare: the bit just wants to follow the path that's already there. I've found drilling at full speed w/ a guide to produce more parallel bores than drilling at a slower rpm - hence why a dremel may help.

[@longbows]

I have just got used to it over the years, I've been making them since the 90s.

[@richardthompson3791]

I regulary drill out center holes and have a jig I made .I mean if you do it a lot you dont need drill bits wandering off its axis.My jig consists of a steel tubular sleeve to guide my drill with a mandrel which is self centering in the guide tube.Easy Old school Richie

[@RAkers-tu1ey]

Did you apprentice elsewhere? or exclusively with your father. Where did he apprentice? Was the decoration also a matter of a specific historic arrow? Great stuff, fun to watch. Thanks.

[@longbows]

Just with my father. He is self taught. The arrows are based on the Nydam finds.

[@j.j.kuiper22]

Normal nocks would nock on the string. This nock looks more like a halve moon that is used on a crossbow. Did the vikings use a release technique where they hold the arrow when pulling it back?

[@longbows]

Yes, they used a 'pinch grip' with this sort of nock.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I pinch gripped before I can remember and only stopped when using more powerful bows. Wonder how these arrows actually work.

[@jasperdenney6237]

Are thier any books you guys Could recommend for a beginner bowyer please

[@longbows]

Not specifically for a begginer, but a good set of books that covers everything is the Bowyers Bible.

[@jasperdenney6237]

Thank you

[@adampalamara]

Would linen wrap aroybd the tang shoulder be more historically accutate or was copper wire actually used historically?

[@longbows]

Yes, copper wire was used historically, hence using it in this build.

[@viktorsilva4017]

The binding wire, does it have to be copper ? Why not simple thread or chord ?

[@longbows]

I gues they used it because it was stronger and they wanted to use the arrow again, its a huge amount of pressure trying to prise open the tang hole.

[@timormsby1722]

I really want to make arrows with tanged heads but I’m so worried about being able to drill straight holes in the shaft

[@longbows]

Simply practice on bits of spare shaft until you are happy, didnt take me too long to get the hang of it.

[@dano4206]

I made a jig. I drilled a hole the size of the tang all the way into a bit of wood. Then i drilled a hole half way the same size as the arrow shaft. I then put the smaller drill back in and used a side nut to tighten it. Let me know if you want pics and i can email info.

[@zippybrandt9472]

Nice video! I have been curious about trying this out myself for a 11/32. What type of glue would you recommend to make this kind of arrow?

[@longbows]

Thanks, glad you like it. What are you trying to glue?

[@zippybrandt9472]

@@longbows Hi! I´m curious what glue you used when attaching the arrowhead.

[@viggoblochmller6145]

Well done! What is the diameter of the arrowshaft?

[@longbows]

Thanks. These ones are 23/64

[@viggoblochmller6145]

@@longbows Okay, thanks!

[@jacobhurt3821]

Try to make elvish arrows

[@longbows]

OK, what are they?

[@jacobhurt3821]

@@longbows ones from lord of the rings I think they photos of them on bing

[@jacobhurt3821]

@@longbows I don't know what type of wood I think u can use wood normally put on you're arrows but the feather fletchings what makes looking like elvish arrows

[@Kurogane_666]

How long for the Tang on the arrowhead be?

[@longbows]

Between 1 1/2" to 2 "

[@mushlovemushroomshop8341]

What size shaft was used ?

[@longbows]

23/64

[@colinmartin9819]

hi Richard/Phil...what gauge of copper wire are you guys using to bind behind the point on these viking arrows?...cheers

[@longbows]

See FB

[@philipplafenthaler5420]

@@longbows I couldn't find it, but I've use 0,25mm is that correct?

[@longbows]

It will do, I made this 20 years ago so I can't remember now.

[@James-en1ob]

But... but...why is the Viking man wearing a honed helmet!? 😳

[@longbows]

He makes that point in the video, did you not watch it?

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I reckon Vikings were a great thing. After pillaging the village and ravishing the wives, the wives stopped complaining about their husbands.