How to prepare a self yew longbow for the season

[@thequantumdad]

I worked at Warwick castle in about 1999, I was just telling someone today about Kevin the Archer and how he gave us archery lessons on the river island at the castle. I then found this video in a serendipitous moment. It was an honour to be shown how to shoot a longbow all those years ago in such a magnificent setting. A memory that has never left me. Thanks.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi, I really do read all the comments, and was happy to read this one. It was my pleasure to be able to shoot with such a lovely bunch at Warwick, I have very fond memories of it too.

[@Ryan-wm7wt]

Keven you're the best. We need more chaps like you in this world.

[@thehistorysquad]

🤣 cheers Ryan

[@longbows]

Glad the Mother of Pearl has given your bow a few more years use, I am also glad to see you have ordered some replacements strings! Will get those made up for you soon.

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, cheers buddy! I'll keep on giving you some well-deserved mentions 👍🏻

[@longbows]

@@thehistorysquad That would be handy, I am still languishing at 16000 subscribers after 16 years of producing videos! Well done on your success.

[@thehistorysquad]

@@longbows Well I always give credit where it's due. Thank you

[@longbows]

@@thehistorysquad Much appreciated, Philip

[@NK-ne9uf]

@@longbowsdo you make a 120# bow?

[@joeyvandijk2617]

Hey Kevin, could you do a video about the activities and kinship of the medieval archers? What kind of work did they do when they were not at war, what did their tent accommodations look like on campaign, that sort of thing. Thanks!

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Joey, as it so happens, I'm working on it, I just need a little more time 👍🏻

[@DenStoraVargen]

It is such a pleasure to watch. I get into archery as a little kid and had no one with the same hobby or someone teaching me some basics so I tried a lot over the years and decades but nothing compares with the elegance of a well made longbow. It is somhow impressiv how good it feels and work and how much detail is hidden in the old "simple" way of bow desing this things. There are no higthech components, no highly synthetic glues but every little secret mother nature have to offer goes into the perfect design. It has almost some kind of magic in it. It is realy sad, that we have only a little comunity spread over the whole contry where I live so I'm verry happy that the english holding this tradition somewhere deeply in their hearts.

[@thehistorysquad]

What a lovely comment, thank you 👍🏻

[@hemaccabe4292]

You have a beautiful bow, it speaks a great deal about you that you have been able to keep her healthy lo these many years.

[@BunchyFishin]

I absolutely love the caltrop as a paper towel holder.

[@anthonyrigley4402]

Simple things but essential. I remember seeing you at Warwick with that bow good to see it again. Thanks

[@Elmore207]

Just got my first bow, couldn’t have come at a better time! Thanks Kevin for bringing me into the hobby :)

[@thehistorysquad]

Brilliant! Have fun 👍🏻

[@TheOnceMoreGaming]

That's the most efficient and easy way to string a bow I've ever seen! I will remember this!

[@thehistorysquad]

Great, glad it was helpful, thanks 👍🏻

[@Exiledk]

I need to do this with my own bow. I made it from a yew stem. Made horn nocks and the string. It might not be the most powerful bow but it certainly delivers an arrow! Thanks for this, Kevin.

[@thehistorysquad]

A wonderful comment Keith, I love it, good for you 👍🏻

[@donaldhart2310]

Thanks Kevin for another outstanding video! 👏

[@Paddyp883]

Love the knowledge you’re sharing mate. Things haven’t changed much in hundreds of years of soldiering, look after your weapon and it’ll look after you. Thank you brother, keep it coming 🆎🟥👊🏻💥🤙🏻

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Paddy, will do 👍🏻

[@Firebutton]

“I know one or two little things…” still humble despite being a master archer. Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge.

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure!

[@birdlawyer4885]

This was really cool, I would love to see how would folks back in the old day maintain their bow without any of modern help.

[@arthurdoucette1786]

Greetings once again from nova Scotia, another fun video to top off A lovely day. I admire the time invested in becoming an archer, I have leaned towards throwing tomahawk, different skill sets, same passion. Thank you once again, please keep the good stuff coming, be safe and as always best regards. Arthur

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, thanks Arthur. A tomahawk eh? Something I've never tried 👍🏻

[@arthurdoucette1786]

@@thehistorysquad hello my friend, I first off want to express my saddness at the passing of our Queen, I feel the weight of moment, we shall not see her class, any time soon. I also wanted to say how much I appreciate the time you spend replying to my comments, thank you. I think of axe/tomahawk throwing as my exercise and it is an inexpensive hobby. I think you would enjoy it. Please take good care of yourself, and be happy. Arthur

[@thehistorysquad]

@@arthurdoucette1786 I feel it too Arthur, having served her for so many years of my career. Thank you for your kind thoughts.

[@mervyndykes5845]

Thanks Kev. I've been shooting for years, but still learned some stuff!

[@bbbcfitchburg2563]

The more I watch of your videos the more I discover the commonality between us and our lives histories. Kudos to you Kevin! Keep your string dry!

[@thehistorysquad]

Will do 👍🏻

[@davidwood351]

I love the Ford emblems on your bench!

[@fortniz2]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge! It's greatly appreciated!

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure!

[@robertdarcy2168]

Dear Kevin,love the fact you still consider yourself not to be an authority on the subject even with your extensive experience. Have a most talented dear friend of mine that has created many a wonderful example of a Split Bamboo Fishing Rod. Like yourself he doesn't consider himself a Craftsman, believing his remarkable talent something anyone capable of. As Alway's an Absolute Pleasure to watch a fellow Craftsman. A Most Impressed and Appreciative Raptor Rob

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, cheers Rob 👍🏻

[@robertdarcy2168]

@@thehistorysquad Kevin,seriously considering purchasing a Traditional Longbow, like your's back here in England. Any recommendations,need your vast experience of knowledge. There are so many so-called expert's out there. Would very much appreciate your advice/contact's! A Most Appreciative Raptor Rob.

[@thehistorysquad]

@@robertdarcy2168 Hi Rób, if it's a self-bow you're after, you'll have to hunt down someone who makes them. I bought my last bow more than 20 years ago, so I really don't have any recent direct experience. I have been talking lately though to a chap called Darren Robson who makes his own bows, if you'd like to drop me an email, I'll let you have his contact details, also another contact that a Patreon member recommends. Sorry I can't be of more help, but as I've said in the past if you look after your bow, it'll last for years. 👍🏻 If you go to the about us section on the channel here, you'll find an email address.

[@sebione3576]

I found this most helpful as I attempted to string a recurve bow for the first time yesterday. I played havok with it and ended up needing help from a friend. If I had seen this first, I would've been able to do it myself and look less like a fool.

[@thehistorysquad]

😂 Glad it was of help.

[@Ethan-xf4or]

You’ll be at a million in no time! Keep up The good work

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, cheers Ethan!

[@richardhucker3577]

Great video Kevin lots of great information as usual 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@MIck1-10]

Always a pleasure.

[@danielleclare2938]

I wipe of excess right away and let the wood dry without any shiny pools or thickness. Better drying that way avoids stickyness and you can do it multiple times until satisfied. good tip on the dry spots. Dry areas are normal even when oiling metal parts. Great demonstration thanks for the info.

[@adders45]

Really really enjoyed the love and affection you have for your bows, I understand completely. I build my bows from fibre glass and even they all do require maintenance from time to time and it is always a pleasure to get your bow back to optimum. Thanks once again Kev really appreciate your videos.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wonderful! Thanks James 👍🏻

[@MZeki-gw2xg]

It’s a really specialised weapon, that amount of care during the medieval times would require well trained and well versed artisans, no wonder bowmen were hard to get

[@Specter_1125]

You’d want to take as good of care of any of your equipment.

[@2bingtim]

Well that was a very relaxing watch Kevin. Thanks. I'm a varnish man myself on my self bows. So long as you keep a watch to touch up any breaks in the varnish the natural moisture level in the wood shoiuld be maintained, as far as I know. Love linseed oiling tool & weapon handles/shafts though. Gives a beautiful lustre to the wood. As an archer I'd have loved to know the draw weight at your usual draw length.

[@thehistorysquad]

So would I, I could answer so many peoples questions then 😜

[@2bingtim]

@@thehistorysquad Is the only issue is you don't have a bow scale to weigh it with? Cheap digital scales do up to 100/110lb c£6-8 online & the tubular spring bow scales up to 90lb are a bit over £30. I can look into higher rated scales if your bow is heavier than that.

[@thehistorysquad]

@@2bingtim Ah thanks, I might take a look one of these days at the cheap one, but to be honest, at my age I'm really not bothered by it. It's my bow and it's comfortable 👍🏻

[@mattottie6410]

Good stuff Kevin, when i was a kid i had a bow with a what we called a carp rig, a reel with a string and a fiberglass arrow for shooting fish, we had lot of fun with bow and arrow, i love your bow, love your vids also, thx matt

[@thehistorysquad]

You did, this is just a shorter version 👍🏻

[@richardluca8562]

I’ve never shot a bow, but I found this very interesting anyway

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, that's great, I'm glad you enjoyed it Richard, thank you.

[@John-mf6ky]

A video on how to make a bow or chose wood to make one would be interesting!

[@thehistorysquad]

I'm not a bowyer by any stretch, but I am thinking of making my own one of these days.

[@greghelms4458]

Very good videos Kevin. Really enjoy your content. Thanks again.

[@classeb666]

This is absolutely great! I really appreciate these videos. Now I'm about to destroy a pair of garden gloves to make a couple of string keepers. Thanks, and greetings from Sweden.

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, nice one 👍🏻

[@deathhawke674]

Love your videos, always been a history buff and am happy to always learn more. Plus my you look like my grandfather with that mustache. Sadly he passed last year. but seeing you with it, while teaching me history is amazing.

[@thehistorysquad]

That's very kind, thank you.

[@PeterDay81]

Excellent sir.

[@Caffeine_And_Seawater]

It’s cool to see this. I visited Warwick castle with my school in 2002 and remember you shooting what was probably this bow. I also remember you giving an interesting demonstration of the bolloc dagger with an American tourist.

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, oh yes it would have been the same bow and I still have the very same bullock dagger 😜

[@stephenfields6236]

Kevin I truly enjoyed your videos on arrow making and preparing a longbow for shooting. Excellent job! Do one on selecting a proper archer’s sword and dagger.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hmmm, let me think about it 👍🏻

[@stepheneatch2793]

I have stopped several archers in our club including the mainstay from trying to string my bow over their knee as the maker stated it was bad for self bows and I sensibly listened to that instruction

[@stupidhandles]

Other archers shouldn't be touching your bows without first asking

[@LIQUIDHEAVYMETAL]

Very well demonstrated and explained Kev !!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@stav1369]

Thanks Kevin.

[@als3022]

A visit to the workshop with a bow with a personal history that can never be replaced. Thank you for taking us in for a viewing and with a lesson on bow care. Makes me wonder what else remains to be seen.

[@thehistorysquad]

Arrow making perhaps?

[@ss17892002]

That bow is just beautiful!

[@MegaSuperpotter]

Thanks Kev, brilliant stuff as ever, missing you in the uk!

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers!!

[@oberstul1941]

I simply love how careful and respectful you are to your bow. Cheers!

[@thehistorysquad]

It's served me well 👍🏻

[@ninthhouse6602]

Another great one!!!! Thanks Kevin……..love your show.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers very much 👍🏻

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

A caltrop as a paper towel holder? Well I like that...you're a reg'ler renaissance man, Kev!

[@thehistorysquad]

😜 I wondered if anyone would notice it

[@williamwallace9427]

Thanks Mr. Hicks 👌👌

[@thehistorysquad]

Any time!

[@madmeerkat1158]

A very informative video. Well done Kev!

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jagrench62]

Kevin, we had a traditional archery shop , where I bought my first long bow, they offering a course in self bow making.. I ended up working with the owner later when I worked on Jaguars.

[@thehistorysquad]

Brilliant!

[@michaelpage4199]

This was great. Thanks for sharing

[@leonardwood8024]

You must be right because you have a FORD emblem. Thank you for your very informative videos.

[@thehistorysquad]

😂 Cheers Leonard

[@thetexan1011]

Just got my first longbow, can't wait to start shooting, first I'll have to get some arrows for it.

[@thehistorysquad]

Oooh nice 🏹

[@thetexan1011]

@@thehistorysquad i should have been more specific, it's a 30lbs draw weight and a 28 inch draw length pecan bow, Least that's whats written on it

[@tomhirons7475]

great job Kevin.

[@MZeki-gw2xg]

Just got the news today about Her Majesty the Queen, I’m in a different time zone and was at work when I heard it, I wish to express my deepest condolences and regrets; the memory of her will be everlasting

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you.

[@kiwifruit27]

Fascinating as usual. Thanks

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure!

[@Raleos121]

By chance could you do a short video on caring for and doing repairs on the bowstring?

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, I'll look into it for sure. 👍🏻

[@kimtozer5517]

Brilliant. Very useful

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Kim 👍🏻

[@mikef6948]

Dead interesting Kev. But then , as Linda said , your videos are always fabulous whether they're teaching us about certain battles or about the lives of people and especially your many careers. Completely wonderful !! 👍👍

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Mike, I appreciate it 👍🏻

[@SweatyBandsGotEm]

Thank you for your wisdom Kevin I appreciate it! From california

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure!

[@robmarshallofficial]

Very informative, thank you

[@stepheneatch2793]

Greetings my good Sir..I am sure like me you were devastated by the news we all knew was coming. Her Majesty was a beacon to all of us who had been in Service may Charles 111 be a growing light in the coming years. God save the King

[@jps3b]

We use Lin seed oil for our hickory handles of our axes here in Los Angeles county’s fire department. I really enjoy your channel. I’m a new subscriber

[@thehistorysquad]

Great to hear that, and welcome to the channel. I'll be working with my local fire department on a video coming up involving incendiary arrows 😉

[@lyndalawrence4383]

fascinating, but then you always have wonderful topics and info. Thanks Kevin for all the years of your knowledge shared with us........

[@thehistorysquad]

Thats so nice of you Linda, thank you

[@marcoengelbracht4141]

Many thanks for posting some archery content again. That's what brought me to the channel. Nice to learn how you care for your bows, what is new for me is to wax the serving. I have been taught not to do that. Don't get me wrong, I do it from time to time to make it last longer, but I don't do as regular as on the rest of the string.

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure! Do/have you ever replaced your serving?

[@christianbowyer7812]

Hi Marco and Kevin, especially linen strings - Kevin often referres to use a traditional linen string - last longer if regularly treated with beeswax. I‘d recommend to open the knot and to treat this portion extra well and the upper ear, too. It might be smart to peel off the serving, wax this portion really good, string the bow, rub the wax into the string with a leather pad and make a new serving and nocking point. The serving can be rubbed with stearin to make it slick for a clean release. 🤦🏽 Some pedantic behavior pays off sometimes. I just love linen strings. ❤️

[@wyrrlynmyrrlyn]

Thank you!

[@kingjamesii404]

Another great video thank you so much!

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure!

[@thehistoadian]

Awesome looking bow! Defiantly want to make myself one someday

[@thehistorysquad]

Go for it!

[@yorkshirehirst800]

Very interesting Kevin, the only thing I used to do differently is I used melted beeswax and linseed oil to oil my bow and I changed my string every year

[@soma4u289]

Mr Meticulous in Life, Work and Play ,a joy to observe.

[@peterrussell9231]

Thank you

[@carolynwatson4301]

Love it!

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@bobthompson4133]

Long live the King

[@marksingingforasmile.8457]

Great bit of information 👌

[@G3PWP]

Your a Legend bloody good video

[@thehistorysquad]

😜 cheers mate

[@youenn2180]

Helpful ? Oh yes ! I happen to have made some bows , one supposed to be a " yew longbow " , by far not as well made as yours , sir , my main problem having been to find a proper stave (in Brittany ) , the best I found had the softwood running only three quarters of the length , but it can somehow shoot despite that , two others are ash and a mix of ash and yew , thanks for the "extra groove" , its a great idea !

[@thehistorysquad]

You're welcome!! 👍🏻

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

fantastic vid.

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@malkomalkavian]

Great video, thanks :)

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure!

[@ЕгорПещерский]

Dear mr. Hicks, thank you for sharing with the world your 1st tool of the trade, the longbow, alongside with your 2nd, the wit and charisma. Tell me please if the special temperature for the bow storage is require, alike in the situation with music instruments, is it humid or dry? And what about precations for archers? Does the bow might be dangerous for the shooter on par with firearm? Cheers.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Erop, a temperate room, not too humid or dry. Precautions for archers - don't shoot a bow that is too heavy in poundage for you, it will tear muscles and takes a lot of practice to build up. Bows can snap and splinter, but maybe not as dangerous as a gun. 👍🏻

[@Stormbringer2012]

The way it's going over there, you ppl will need it.

[@thehistorysquad]

Oh yeah, we're locking the doors that's for sure.

[@jenskreibach9424]

I think it doesn’t take any more oil because linseed oil turns into a sort of resin after a while. That is what happens when painting with oil color. It builds up a film. This works as a seal which hinders new oil to get into the wood. Of course this makes also a fine protective layer…

[@simontierney6992]

I learned a lot here. Very interesting Kevin. :)

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Simon! Hope you're doing okay.

[@simontierney6992]

@@thehistorysquad Really very good, thank you. :)

[@tihlsteinig2465]

Nice how too do! 👍👌😁

[@tihlsteinig2465]

I am honored, thank you.

[@exzendar2523]

Amazing knowlege🙏 Thank you good sir!!! Is it the same for hikory, osage or other wood types?

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, it is 👍

[@Pedro8k]

I rub it down with fine sand paper and then wipe it will diluted oil I leave it to dry I then check the bow for any damage then brace it check the first melle and adjust if needed then wax the string and leave flat under a bed in a linen bag

[@thehistorysquad]

Excellent, sounds good 👍🏻

[@Zanuth-001]

Fantastic video, Kev - informative and charismatic. Also, looking sharp with that moustache there! You looking to grow it out more?

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks! If my wife will let me 😉

[@nerdofhappiness]

Thanks so much for doing this for me! Really interesting as always (Sandy)

[@thehistorysquad]

You are so welcome!

[@totherarf]

Good video! The only thing I would add is to rub the string to let the friction melt the wax in.

[@thehistorysquad]

Great tip 👍🏻

[@davesheppard8797]

Yes Dave, I do this with all my bow strings. Wax them and then rub them with a piece of soft smooth leather to warm the wax into the string. I have never waxed the serving though. I was always told not to. I shall now though!@ Dave.

[@STEVEN-STEELE]

Hello from Alabama again. Im an Archer as well. Love the video. So I also noticed you like the Blue Oval too. Ford man all the way. Interesting stave on the right. A new project? Perhaps you can tell us about it. Iv made a few self bows Osage Orange. And a few sinew backed as well. I have a few staves seasoning now.The tillering to me is the best but sometimes most nerve racking bit lol. Thanks for the video.

[@thehistorysquad]

That's for sure, I've always found that if your bow lasts you 6 months it'll last for years 👍🏻

[@clockmonkey]

I've a couple of forty year old Quarterstaffs, and another that's closer to fifty. I wax them with beeswax and check for nicks and splinters, using sand paper if I absolutely have to. They are stored flat on the floor at room temperature and played with most days. Chances are they'll outlast me and end up as firewood!

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, absolutely wonderful 👍🏻

[@WowLookatThat-xu5eb]

Great video! When you were talking about binding back down the parts that start to split up, what is that black material you use to bind it?

[@thehistorysquad]

It's just a serving thread, the same as you would use to serve your bowstring 👍🏻

[@KosherFinance]

Why do I enjoy watching this? Lol

[@philvanderlaan5942]

Because you have an interest in history and Kev gives you the info without boring you to death a good many college professors could take lessons.

[@KosherFinance]

@@philvanderlaan5942 but I don’t need college or history, I am refugee from Africa

[@philvanderlaan5942]

@@KosherFinance it’s ok if you don’t want college and I have no problem with refugees or anyone who want to better their situation, But History is always important.

[@KosherFinance]

@@philvanderlaan5942 its not my history

[@philvanderlaan5942]

@@KosherFinance that’s fine , I’m not Japanese and I study the sengoku jeidi , the most important part of history isn’t what happened but why

[@katthompson3852]

That was really groovy. Thank you Kevin. Snapping a bow is like losing an old friend. Thank you also for showing the measurements with the linseed oil and turps. One small Q: what's the bow string made from? As I make my own bow strings. Longbow is simple and brilliant. 🙂

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Kat, my string is a modern mix and I buy them from @RichardHeadLongbows however I do plan to start making my own 👍🏻

[@katthompson3852]

@@thehistorysquad thanks Kevin, I'll look him up. Making strings can be quite relaxing. On another note... absolutely love the models and descriptions of the battles, very visual and informative- they are very cool. =D

[@thehistorysquad]

@@katthompson3852 Great, thanks Kat I'm glad you like those too 👍🏻

[@Talosbug]

Yknow all these people hating on lower-poundage bows, it’s the same rationale as shooting guns. It’s way more fun to shoot a .22 caliber gun all day rather than shoot a 12 gauge shotgun for a few hours. That recoil will wear out your shoulder after awhile. Same with a bow. Lower poundage, you can shoot all day and get accurate without getting worn out

[@thehistorysquad]

Absolutely, I totally agree 👍🏻

[@charlescorris3469]

That was cool. Where you well oiled or just slightly oiled…

[@thehistorysquad]

😂

[@xFlow150]

Very intriguing. Thanks for the exposition of your bow.

[@ek8710]

I'm not sure if it applies to artist linseed oil, but boiled linseed oil will spontaneously combust if you leave a pile of rags soaked in it, so dispose of oily rags safely!

[@thehistorysquad]

Oh yes indeed, that's why I use paper towel and as you say, dispose of it safely 👍🏻

[@TEXASREDD76]

Thanks for this cool insight to the life of a bowmen I can imagine how satisfying it would be to care for a well used bow

[@dmcarpenter2470]

Operator Level PMCS (Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services) for a bow, very cool. Thanks, Kevin.

[@thehistorysquad]

😜

[@muhammadnursyahmi9440]

Take care for your tools, and it will take care for you too.