Building a Snakey Osage Orange SelfBow - Start to Finish

This week we're back with another traditional bow building video, building a snakey osage orange selfbow from start to finish. We'll start with a seasoned osage bow stave and use a draw knife to remove the bark. Then we chase a ring to get the bow's back to one single growth ring. I'm using a very basic bow building tool kit on this one - for the most part just a draw knife and farrier's rasp. I'll take you through laying the bow out, drawing the limb profiles, roughing out the bow and final tillering. When we're all done I strap on a bow quiver, load it up with arrows and head out to the pasture to shoot a few arrows. This longbow has slightly reflexed tips but you could use the same heat bending techniques to make a recurve bow if desired. For the most part this is an ASMR video but you should be able to see what's going on if you want to use this as a guide for building your own osage longbow. But i do have other videos on the channel that explain primitive bow making in depth.
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[@mitzisexton9695]

Please let Fen know that I enjoyed his videos. I'm a 65 year old grandmother, I'm from Texas. I hope my grandsons learn how to do some of the things that Fen has.

[@jadersaid50]

my brother your work with archery is wonderful. Jesus Christ bless you Hugs from Brazil Amazonas

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 👍

[@gideonkugbonu9768]

Is the stave too slim that's why you added an additional piece to the handle?

[@davidjacobs828]

@@clayhayeshunter Well done for winning alone ... Impressive...

[@SamiBayasi]

What the hill a jew have to do with the Amazonas

[@crabmansteve6844]

​@@gideonkugbonu9768 No, larger handles give you much better control over the bow. It's not strictly necessary, but it's nice

[@zacharydavis2033]

This is my favorite channel on KZbin for all things archery & outdoors. No fluff, and straight to the point. Thanks for all the knowledge, hopefully one day I’ll have the courage to dabble into self bows. What a beautiful build, congrats!

[@davidmerriott7356]

I probably wont ever build a bow, but the art of craftsmanship is not practiced much and yours is a joy to observe. Nice work!

[@nicholascoble7266]

Dude, first, your awesome sir. Second, thanks for making these videos. I embarked on the self bow journey about 10 years ago and still learn stuff from you. Would love the chance to sit and visit with you.

[@clayhayeshunter]

That is awesome!

[@andrewwinger6711]

Thanks to your inspiration and instruction, i started making self bows a year ago and im totally hooked! Ill be trying to take a deer with my 60 lb elm bow this year. You are a great mentor and a true craftsman!

[@jonathanhoang6253]

Loved seeing the minimal tool build! That was how I made my first selfbow after watching your original bowmaking videos. That bow wasn't as beautiful as this one, but I've gotten much better since.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Cool, thanks!

[@diy-hyrum9842]

That template is really smart! I've been watching you for 4 years, never seen that trick before!

[@ChavsADV]

Thank you for these videos! You inspired me to get my old red oak bow and practice more before hunting season and also to grab on of my Osage staves that I harvested 10 years ago and get back into the craft. My bow should end up similar to this so this is a great build along. I need to build a stand like you have though because it's hard to work the stave any other way.

[@JeffShappell]

This is the most beautiful yet simple bow I can imagine. I tied to make one, but my stave and my process were just not up to pare, so...snap. Bummer. Yours was Beautiful!! Thanks for the video, it gave me hope to try again some day. LOVE that Osage. Especailly the Snakey/curly stuff! Blessings, j

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you very much!

[@TheMercian01]

Your videos are brilliant and so useful. They have inspired me to have a dabble myself. Here in the UK we don't have the woods you talk off but I have harvested Hazel, Ash and a few rough Yew staves. They are only 2 - 3" diameter but I am enjoying it and learning while I have a go

[@clayhayeshunter]

Wonderful!

[@Bms20082]

Started watching you after your win on the TV show called alone I'm sure you remember that You have really gone far since then Nice job man Edit: I really like how you do everything by hand instead of using machines that do it for you Again I have to say Nice job man

[@ffaoutdoors]

Just watched you on Alone! You definitely are the best of the best!!

[@clayhayeshunter]

many thanks

[@scotttoye4609]

What season was he on alone

[@nookymonster1]

​@@scotttoye4609, season 8

[@woodsy3495]

That's some tough work with the draw knife! Sure is rewarding though. Watching you pull out your pocket knife to finish off the tillering sure put a smile on my face. 😊Nice job man.

[@gtchalie5038]

Just came across some Osage orange and I used your KZbin videos to research how to split into staves and store. I would love to someday build a bow like this, say when I retire. Hopefully in a few years. This is what gets me stoked on really doing this. I archery hunt, compound, every year. I have never seriously shot a longbow, only played around with one. I will do some more in depth watching on some of your other videos. You are a great teacher!

[@Swamp-Fox]

I always enjoy the bow building content. It is amazing what you can do with minimal tools.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 👍

[@fulcrum789]

Yes this content is why I enjoy this channel. Good simple fun that we all can do. So Long as we work hard and have patience.

[@martarmis]

Wow this trick for the tips with the piece of paper is wonderful! Thanks so much!

[@clayhayeshunter]

You are so welcome!

[@stevenj9251]

Been wanting to make me a bow for a while now and watching your videos has me excited to do it

[@johnsomebody972]

Thank you I’m impressed with your bow making skills. Great demonstration and explanation in the art of making self bows.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you very much!

[@tonperme2840]

As usual you made a beautiful bow with simple & minimal tools. 👍 I wish i could have a bow made by you 😊

[@locomotivecommanderpicca4869]

You make it look so easy I'm always impressed with your work !

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you very much!

[@locomotivecommanderpicca4869]

@@clayhayeshunter you're welcome very well deserved

[@PhilosophyofSurvival]

That’s another beautiful bow Clay. You never cease to amaze me. Nice work

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you very much!

[@johnbuchel7220]

Perfect video. I just finished making two osage orange bows, like yours, from a limb I cut 5 , 6 years ago that was stored in the barn. They turned out nice. All my questions, when making, were answered in this video. I learned terms, too. Again, the jigs, tools, shaping, tillering, and dimensions were well edited. Now I need to practice so I can shoot a turkey and deer. Thanks. 28:20

[@carpNcoffee]

Thoroughly enjoyed this thankyou. Got a lovely piece of black locust waiting for the better weather. Can't wait to get stuck into it. Sending big love from Yorkshire UK.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Nice! Have fun

[@cecilsowers8242]

Awesome build! Love the “character wood”!

[@gregbagwell5543]

Clay, I’ve made quite a few bows and have helped easily several hundred folks in all the various stages of making a self bow. Having said that, I always come away with something new and worth while to incorporate into my process. I especially liked your template for laying out the bow tips working off the centerline. I always measured and marked out linear distances and dropped a 1/16” or so. Your way is much easier and quicker! Also should mention again that your ability with a drawknife is enviable! Outstanding video!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Greg, those templates are pretty quick to make as well.

[@ryansbr2096]

Awesome timing on the video release. About to start on one of my better osage staves tomorrow. Many thanks!

[@happyaccident105]

Clay, I would absolutely LOVE to see you and the boys build a tree fort. I know it would be amazing. Thanks for the vids!

[@lyndaniel3369]

I admire your tool that holds the stave in place. In Missouri, Osage Orange, with its two-tone wood, was often planted along fence rows as a natural fence post. Had no idea the wood was suitable for a bow, but it makes sense. Thank you so much for your wonderful video!

[@justabill5780]

I remove the bark and sapwood and chase a ring as soon as I harvest my trees. It's much easier than waiting until it's tried out, IMO. But I love your content. I've learned a lot from your videos.

[@calebwright5721]

Here in Oklahoma we have Osage orange everywhere or as we call it 'bois de arc' a lot of the old timers call it iron wood its very strong we use it for post on our fences and h braces would love to have a bow made out of it

[@caseysmith544]

real iron wood from the tree of same name is a treat to work with.

[@caseysmith544]

Great Job showing people the minimum for making a reflex deflex type bow with shelf. 👍🏻

[@blakeumthun8128]

I just finished up my 1st bow, Maple Board Bow. It's a lightweight (35#) longbow that shoots like a dream and is great for building form. Most of the techniques I used came from watching your videos. I'm not going to say it was easy, but it wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. The next bow, I will probably shoot for a laminated R/D. Thanks for the lessons!!

[@JKWavvy]

I’ve been discouraged about making another bow since my last attempt failed. I made my first bow with zero thought or care and it worked out. But then I attempted to source quality wood and actually dry it, even sourced my own rawhide for a backing. All for it to snap during the first string up before the tiller 😂🤦🏻‍♂️ However, Clays videos always re-inspire me and show that all that work is worth it in the end.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Broken bows are pet of the learning process. It’s only a failure if you didn’t learn anything from it😉

[@MaineSnowman5509]

Donnie DOES make a nice quiver. I picked one up for my longbow a couple years ago. They're light, effective, seems to be durable. They're light too, it didnt change the feel of my longbow hardly at all.

[@OCALION1]

Thk Teacher !! I m waiting a stave of hickory ! From u.s.a ! And i have a piece of ash waiting for drying. Thamks for all !!!! God bless you and your family ,!! Greetings for all !!!

[@OCALION1]

A big hug from Uruguay .

[@daronkillins7212]

It still amazes me how Native Americans built and constructed bows with primitive tools! Great video on how to build a homemade bow man!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks for watching!

[@timothylongmore7325]

Thanks for mentioning elm. Ryan Gill mentioned elm as a wood to use. I've cut a lot of elm firewood and milled some as well and there is no "following a ring" with elm. I dont even think a draw knife would even be usable on elm. I had a 10 diameter block that wood splitter would not break ! I tried it every which way.

[@donthornton7528]

I have to admit you sure make it look easy very nice looking bow

[@rondumb6055]

That’s awesome remember this name next time you build one and want to give it away I’d love to feed the family from a bow you crafted what a world

[@Zupfo]

Nice Work Clay! Come to Germany and give some lessons in bow building! I swear i would come! It is so satisfying to see how a piece of wood becomes something very special!

[@mentarisamudera9984]

beautiful bow, Thank you I’m impressed with your bow making skills😍👍

[@phornthip1991]

Great work with simple tools.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@josephwashington2823]

Beautiful bow. I’ve been watching all your bow making videos and even bought your Traditional Bowyers Handbook. Planning to buy the dvds as well once I buy a new player. I have a black locust tree that’s leaning against another tree that im planning to cut down and get a few staves out of.

[@jazapercival4379]

I enjoy and learn alot from each of your bow making videos clay. I'm a huge fan. I live on the other side of the world. Everything I know about archery and being a bowyer I learnt from your books and videos. Thanks alot bro.wish to meet someday

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like them!

[@jazapercival4379]

@@clayhayeshunter hey man. I have some questions on bow stave selection I'd like to ask. How. Can I message you or contact you..

[@dukeitsk9624]

Beautiful bow!!

[@a.b.k1983]

I have a nice stave but the back is slightly cupped. Chasing a ring isn’t typically difficult even to a novice like me but this one is a pain! Nice work as always Clay. Been watching your stuff for years!

[@neanderthalnonsense]

Love these types of videos. Really nice work.

[@OutdoorGabe_FL]

Brother I’m from Florida; I just wanna meet you to shake your hands for your good videos and for tracking that freaking bear in alone , I believe in you since the start of the show,and now I found you!!! Great Job bothering

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank ya

[@MrNoguncontrol]

Just perfect. No more words to say.

[@indioalfacacador4247]

gosto muito do seus videos sempre que posso dou uma espiadinha nos seus videos novos aprendi muito com você I really like your videos whenever I can I take a peek at your new videos I learned a lot with you

[@sherwinpalacio3227]

Love the outcome of your bow built🙂

[@sway696]

Clays got skills to pay the bills. 🤣👍🏻 nice work brother

[@scottjerard1293]

That osage stave was seasoned perfect! I think youve done this before ; ) Excellent work

[@rcampbellbassac]

What would the impact have been for not removing some of the "snakiness" from the bow? Would it impact the strength of the bow? Or are there other negative impacts from a bow being particularly "snakey"? Also, thanks for another great video! I love how you make bow building really approachable.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I was simply bending the tips into alignment with the string. It’s ok to leave the snakey curves though.

[@mladen8359]

Clay, i like your way of life, respect. greetings from Croatia👍👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 👍

[@andrewanderson3472]

Awesome , I amlaways impressed with your skills , I would love to see a build with primitive stone tools

[@clayhayeshunter]

Noted!

[@ballisticblake7526]

I seriously want a traditional bow right now after watching this.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Go for it

[@VHARDRADA]

3 things I can watch forever: Clay Hayes hunting, Clay Hayes surviving and Clay Hayes making bows!

[@donwaldroopoutdoors3665]

Always enjoy bow build from u anytime, I was just gonna ask draw weight and you said it at the end lol , good stuff keep the Coming

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 👍

[@royboggs3849]

How to chase thin ring Osage? I noticed that urs is fairly thick ringed…. Great video, Clay!👍👍👌👌👏👏👏👏👏

[@olejaker02]

Top shelf craftsmanship as always dude

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 👍

[@stever.9171]

I enjoyed this very much. Awesome craft.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bigDbigDbigD]

Great channel. Thanks Clay.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Much appreciated

[@filipbertilsson2240]

So nice! Here i n Sweden we don´t have those type av trees. The best wood for making the bow in central Europa is yew ( i think is the right translation). But you will not find it because during many years in middle ages all the bow makers use to use it and now is hardly any left. And those areas are highly protected. As I said I would love to have a bow like this... Maybe in another life.🙂 Thanks for nice video!

[@haoshan]

Hi,Clay.I'm one of the fans from China,I like your videos very much, and I also like archery very much. I hope more archers in China can see your video. But in China, there are many people who can't speak English, and we can't access KZbin directly, so I hope to get your permission to forward your video and translate it into Chinese.hope the reply to my comments.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Feel free to forward them and translate if you like.

[@haoshan]

@@clayhayeshunter thanks

[@saykojosesanchez3560]

Me facina ver tu arte que me inspiró a probar hacer un arco. Abrazo desde Uruguay

[@randomstuff9095]

Great job👍really nice build!!! I wish I had your talents

[@randomstuff9095]

@text1-286 what?

[@chucklambert7470]

Excellent video.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you liked it!

[@josegodoy9160]

Tu trabajo es excelente felicitaciones se aprende mucho al mirar tus vídeos , yo solo soy un aprendis y todavía no e conseguido ese tipo de árbol que tú usas espero conseguir pronto pues lleva un largo tiempo el secado natural saludos desde argentina

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you

[@RedmanOutdoors366]

Nice bow 🏹😎👍💯

[@marius4388]

Will there be any classes at the florida location in the future? I’m interested in learning hands on and would love to know a price if so. Love your work and the way you leave the natural growth of the wood.

[@Пётр-п6н4и]

I love bow making

[@reecedobson4740]

Great video!

[@ofercohen11]

אלוףףףף כל הכבוד לך.ואני בטוח שזה מביא לך פרנסה בכדיי לפרנס את משפחתך.עלה והצלח בכל מעשה ידייך.

[@jamescooper2618]

Thanks for this Clay! Do you have a video on building a Hickory bow? I have access to some nice looking Hickory and Im thinking of cutting one for a bow. Is one species of Hickory better than the other?

[@jessestrong7269]

I love the wobble in this bow. I think it makes it look so natural. Any chance you sell these? Or this one in particular?

[@utdesertghost199]

Beautiful work Clay, that's a great looking bow and I'm sure it'll put some bacon in the pan.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I hope so!

[@technicalhandHJ]

Clay I made my first branch bow... And after 5 days one lim broke... And I am your big fan And I know you can also make guns 😎

[@clayhayeshunter]

Time to get started on number two!

[@saxman7131]

I made a Turkey call out of Osage. Wow. That’s tough wood. It didn’t leave a sharp tool in my shop.

[@Jadeeboy]

Awesome workmanship there my friend. I did get a bit of a laugh when after all that old school work you broke out an electric heat gun though. Lol How would you have done that stage if you didn’t use the heat gun? I didn’t realize you lived in Idaho, what area? I spent my first 24 years on the Oregon side of Weiser Idaho area. Keep it up, I learn much from your vids.

[@MrHellMoose]

It would be a very interesting show if you went to different places in the world and learned about different bow making traditions

[@clayhayeshunter]

That would be cool

[@waynepatton689]

Great job as always!!

[@crabmansteve6844]

You can tell he's done this 1000 times because when chasing a ring with a draw-knife its super easy to accidentally cut or scab your way through the ring you're working. I'm still a complete novice so I use a spoke-shave for this. Its much slower but I dont have the skill required to do this with a draw-knife yet.

[@Tradman47]

That’s awesome 😎

[@neiluscook2283]

Not much Osage here in Idaho, tho I do know of a "secret" stand.. . Lol What is so abundantly here is Service Berry. Could you perhaps be making a video about this wood? I saw the earlier version, but more info from a hand better than mine would help; like fire hardening the belly? Anyway, love this content God bless you and yours!!

[@clayhayeshunter]

I did a video this past summer called 24 hour bow or something along those lines. That was serviceberry. It's a great bow wood.

[@neiluscook2283]

@@clayhayeshunter yup saw that. A little string follow. . .my question is, would fire hardening work like it obviously does with Hickory. I'm verrry interested in your experiment with white wood / heat treating! Also, a wider thinner limb for Service berry: to avoid compression. I have built two fine bows of this wood, but compression seems to be an issue. Have 2 more in the works now. Thanks for all your time and attention!! Really. ( by the way I'm only 40 mi. from you, I think)

[@duffy1298]

I enjoyed this video. I want to do a Osage build.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Go for it!

[@hughswanzy8871]

Cool video, enjoyed!

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Another great build and video Clay 👍🏻 You should do this for a living 🤓😅👍🏻

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Good luck in Texas 🏹🐗

[@RaimundoDiniz-r1e]

Very good

[@randalljones4370]

@11:45 it looks like Cottonwood season here/now. Makes me want to sneeze just looking at the dust , lol.

[@janrobertbos]

Nice!!! Greetz from the Netherlands!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Hey, thanks!

[@hugobaril8476]

Love your content and i can’t wait to sing up in alone also😏

[@thirdworldadv1312]

Thanks...great video.

[@ashishmohanty2167]

Hi clay . Loved this vedio . please get me this one .

[@mattobelix21]

Love your videos and have learnt so much over the years. Many thanks. Was there a reason for making this bow symmetrical as opposed to having the bottom limb a bit shorter?

[@barrychase9969]

Already saw it. Good vid.

[@marais888]

Nicely Done!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks for the visit

[@jesusaguiar9934]

Hello Clay how are you? I discovered your videos on youtube and whenever I can I watch them. I'm Brazilian and I've always liked archery but I've never practiced it and now that I'm retired I'm thinking of practicing it as a sport, because hunting is prohibited in Brazil. I find the practice of archery fascinating. I also saw that you make your own bows in an artisanal way, I really liked them, including the bow you made for your son Fen. That's why I'm writing to you Clay, because I would like to know if you would make a bow for me: an osage recurve Orange like the one you use in your hunts or in the color of Fen's bow, I would also like that support with the arrows attached to the bow . I would like it to be made for (left-handed) 30 pounds and if possible a little smaller than your arch, because I'm short and I'm 1.62 cm tall. I would like to buy this model that you use primitive, because I found it very beautiful. If you don't sell it, tell me a store that makes the bow model you use. A hug Joseph from Jesus.