Building a Yew Crossbow from Scratch

This week I'm mixing it up with a recurve crossbow build. We'll be using an old board and a junk piece of Pacific Yew left over from building a longbow. With just scrap materials and hand tools we're building a yew crossbow from scratch. Although I've build hundreds of selfbows, longbows and recurves, this is the first crossbow I've ever attempted. It was a fun project and definitely not the last one I'll build. Anyone with basic woodworking skills and a few simple tools could build a simple crossbow like this in a day. I'm pretty impressed with the performance of the wooden crossbow. The cast and penetration on a foam target isn't nearly as good as one of my longbows but for hunting at close range on small to medium game, it should work just fine. Heck, I may even build one and take it hog hunting this winter. If you're into gaming, you might see something similar in the games Elden Ring or Albion online (I have no idea what that is but it's a pretty popular search term haha...). Towards the end of the video I shoot it a bunch with some slow motion thrown in for good measure.
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Website: www.twistedstave.com/
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[@fernandoheminwayreed3271]

A másterpiece of crossbow, with minimun electrical tools, specialy the trigger, guy you are gold hands' Man Congratulations

[@jadersaid50]

Congratulations my brother you are an artist with full hands. Jesus Christ bless you and your family. hugs from Brazil

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Jader

[@grieveromega6060]

Even though this is truly impressive and admirably work, Jesus never was a friend of making or owning weapons.

[@Zenon120476]

King David hunted with a sling... no problems when weapons are used for feeding oneself or family. Read your Bible dumbard

[@wileyharris6188]

A weapon becomes a weapon only when it is used against another person. Until then, it is only a tool. ​@grieveromega6060

[@TheCrowwMC]

​@@grieveromega6060 You are very wrong if you think that Jesus is just Peace and Love! study a little more! Jesus judges your intention, your heart!

[@tomjjackson21]

Idk why I laughed so hard @28:27. Guess with no commentary I was really invested in this build, and I felt stupid for it being such a dramatic moment. Those were some pretty impressive camera angels and transitions. You're a legit editor. Spokshave closeup on the desk while you were working the draw knife was impressive. I've toyed with the idea of starting a channel for years so I'm always paying attention to content creators camera work and editing. I would have never considered the shot, and it was amazing.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Go for it Thomas

[@TheBudgetguy_K.T]

go for it Thomas, You'll do amazing work!

[@WetaMantis]

Yep he is an artist in many ways :)

[@MM-fb9fi]

Clay you are the bomb, this video is the bomb. As a cub scout I had a leader who built beautiful bows from what we called hedge apple wood. I later found the "real" name was osage orange. Your children are so lucky to have a real man such as you to show them how and teach them how.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Many thanks

[@lexbeats13]

Found a very nice Orange Osage grove just 100m from my house! Gonna collect some logs, put em to dry for the next fall and make myself some bow's and crossbows. Thank you so much for the inspiration, been watching your bowmaking videos for a while now!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Don’t forget to seal the ends of the logs.

[@lexbeats13]

@@clayhayeshunter Thanks for the advice, i'll look into your tutorials on how to properly store my staves!

[@stevedriscoll2539]

Good luck!

[@stevedriscoll2539]

I thought about trying to build a crossbow years ago (I have built about 20 self bows), but that is the difference between you and I, Mr. "Alone", you did it, and that thing works! I love the final touch: that little metal spring thingy that holds the nock end of the arrow down. Big Kudos, amazing 👏. Wish you and your family continued health and success

[@stephenjohnson6841]

Another great video Clay. I really like the fact you don't use a bunch of fancy ir technical tools to get the job done. Major kudos for that and excellent craftsmanship as week. I'll bet you and the boys get lots of use out of it. Thanks again!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks much

[@neanderthalnonsense]

This is pretty awesome. My bet is when you were all done you thought to yourself..."I made a frikin crossbow hehe" beaming with pride. Really good stuff. Be proud my friend be proud.

[@Aneesh___Vg]

❤ un

[@suponoimam352]

A

[@brunoboaz7656]

Pure craftsmanship! Thank you for this video, Clay!

[@vitezzeleni8664]

Beautiful crossbow. Especially for the first! :) Of course, the most important part - the bow - you already know all to well how to craft. There is one simple small modification which will make this crosbow to work much more efficient. You made "seat" for the bow horizontal - bow pushes its string hardly to slide of stock. String is "broken" over the stock. This introduces a great deal of friction and a lot of problems in the making. Just slightly cut a seat of bow, so the back of the bow is slightly facing downwars - a string will be lifted, it will be closer to straight taut line. I enyoy your videos for years. Thank you for beautiful content It is full of gathered wisdom and exellently filmed!

[@nunyabusinessfriend]

Super impressive. I also dig how you made the video itself- very calming to watch. Felt like I was “in the zone” right there with you.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Joseph

[@ronnyrudeboy7461]

@@clayhayeshunter I wonder what type of wood is that bow part?

[@hawkinatorgamer9725]

I get the same vibe, its like ASMR watching a master at work.

[@SkeletonXin]

@@ronnyrudeboy7461 Yew.

[@brianeaton3734]

@@ronnyrudeboy7461looked like an old chunk of Douglas fit for the stock, I think yew for the bow.

[@foxyredsheri]

The couch arrived in two boxes four days early, which was great because we'd just moved into a new house and needed places to sit. My son and I put it together pretty quickly kzbin.infoUgkxitRzxya-XugamYgLwa_2G1gxPg4MCJHa . Another reviewer suggested inserting the seat into the side and I'm glad they did as the instructions weren't clear on that matter. It's incredibly light and slides easily across the wood floor, making it easy to move. It's firm, but comfortable. It will even be great to nap on. I got the gray, which definitely has strong blue undertones, but I'm okay with that.

[@wilmesz1992]

Thanks for the video! I used to make rudimentary crossbows out of the left over pieces of osage when I started bowbuilding as a teenager. I got back into bowbuilding this year but I have not revisited the crossbow, I'm going to have to add one to my collection this winter!

[@Swamp-Fox]

What an awesome build! Your crossbow turned out great! Looking forward to the next video.

[@sebastienraymond3648]

Wow Clay, I've been following you for many years, and unless my memory fails me, this is the first video where I've seen you make a crossbow. Although I'm not a crossbow fan, it's really very interesting. Have a nice weekend !!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep, this is my first

[@pettheray4177]

Hello ray

[@saiko3902]

@30:00 the smile on your face says it all! I felt that bc I like to build stuff especially for my kids. Them so excited to see what you made and try it, it's priceless! How it was so primitive in the material yet it turned out beautiful and deadly.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Many thanks

[@user-bv5mm1lp4p]

איזו עבודה באמת כל הכבוד לך.זאת הפעם הריאשונה שיצא לי ליראות עבודה כזאת מושקעת באמת יוצאת דופן

[@Coelumadventures]

Yes!!! I was literally looking for a build like this yesterday and couldn't find anything I enjoyed, or even looked remotely this good. Thank you from western Washington!!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like it!

[@MTBJJ2001]

This is my next big project, gonna makes few more bows and gift them to my friends. And then begin on a cross bow. Will be be saving this video for reference. Thanks for all you do sir!

[@frankgeimer5952]

Thanks Clay! I love your VLOG and hope to see more soon!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SilverShadow2LWB]

Nice work. I'd suggest on the next design either making the front stock and inch taller, or make a wider bottom platform. Both designs will help prevent you from getting your thumb or fingers away from the bowstring trajectory. Thumbs and fingers tend to slow the arrow. Looking forward to the next video.

[@Johnny.]

Amazing and nice work in details! Thank You very much, Clay!

[@philholman8520]

A man with his passion on display! Awesome video. Thank you!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@OsborneExploration]

Deadly devise you've created there! Arrow holder and trigger were spot on! Turned out beautiful.👍👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you so much 😀

[@supijadisupi5686]

Anda Tekun, telaten, teliti, pasti hasilnya, Sangat memuaskan, terimakasih, telah memberikan contoh yg baik dengan hasil yang baik. Selamat berkarya.

[@fulcrum789]

Well now I am going to build a crossbow. My kids watched this video and they as do I want a crossbow to go with the bows we made. I may try a Riser to allow for a shelf that will get closer to center shot. Clay you are a visionary leader.

[@clayhayeshunter]

👊

[@fulcrum789]

So the center shot concept with a shelf will require a trigger set up that is more complicated. Clay's design is eligantly simple and easier to do. This is the way.

[@weekendstuff]

Amazing build. Thanks for sharing.

[@guitfidle]

That really tuned out nice! I love making things out of scraps- I've built a few complete musical instruments entirely from leftover stuff. You should try to find an old round cutting molding plane. That cuts a flawlessly straight groove for the bolts. (although if you never plan on building another one... 😊)

[@bruceallen6377]

I love the Mr. chickadee videography! Nothing more than the sounds of tools. I must say, a fitting conclusion would be Mr. Clay Hayes harvesting some dinner with that there crossbow! Thanks for your channel Clay!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Bruce

[@chris_1337]

Clay, you're amazing, thanks for everything you do and for your wonderful videos! Looking forward to seeing you get a hog with a crossbow!

[@joesimte6506]

So nice to watch your working and your works too 👍

[@jonathanmorais1249]

The firt test really got me 😂😂😂😂😂😂 you're awesome man. Incredible work!

[@Gillesgip]

Well done! Thanks for sharing. Looked like a fun build. Your family had fun with it too!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Absolutely

[@cantorii6385]

Big thanks for nice video!!!! Great craftsmanship

[@ambiguousman_6961]

In Puerto Rico my grand father used to make spearguns for fish very similarly to this, he made a metal trigger from nail and and spear shaft from metal bar and tire tubing for the bands this vid really makes me want to try to make my own for fun project

[@clayhayeshunter]

Give it a try!

[@user-ne8nm4ec1d]

Beautiful work, impressive performance.

[@Net_Observer]

I love these videos. This was therapeutic on some levels. Great content. 👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@josephheinecke1992]

That was a lot of fun to watch! End product was legit! Hell of a skill set you have.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@stevenhess5616]

Nice job Clay! 😁👍

[@JaccoVasseur]

Awesome build and video going to try this build!

[@kevinsloan3019]

Very awesome!!!;,built my first crossbow yrs ago been watching your hickory bow builds happen to have a abundant supply so may give one a try always been into traditional archery !!!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Have fun

[@stihl888]

Hi mate, love your work been following you for maybe 5-6 years now and i just got around to watching your incredible win on Alone, congratulations i never doubted you for one second! I also accomplished a great feat recently, i finally got around to completing my first bow build thanks to your early tutorials. A task seemingly impossible where i live in Australia but being an Arborist i came across some heritage listed Osage Oranges about 150 years old from an old Estate property, after splitting them i guess i've had them drying for about 4-5 years now. I managed to find and make a traditional bow string like my Cherokee ancestors made and have some sinue drying and will follow your tutorials for a traditional sinew string also. Next will be primitive arrows, i have Turkey feathers arriving from the US...

[@clayhayeshunter]

That’s great to hear!

[@stevedriscoll2539]

Congratulations Mr. Keep up the good work!

[@georgemorrison1888]

impressive craftsmanship!!

[@julianp2868]

These videos are just way to cool, I'm hooked

[@user-pn4wv3zy2u]

Amazing work 👍

[@MrTacklebury]

Really cool crossbow build. I like the simplicity of your trigger. ;)

[@EarthyBlendPOV]

That was awesome!

[@shanebaker3907]

Grand job!. Very fine craftmanship. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@07huaste]

Great work ! Thanks

[@johnd0e25]

That was very enjoyable to watch, I didn't see the time pass. Great job!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks John

[@christophvogler4545]

Good showing how to make a bow!

[@mikewolfe6496]

Very interesting and creative. Thanks for sharing

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrPeter924]

Great video great work woodworking

[@garanyiagoston3426]

Really nice work!

[@Alin.Bereanda23]

When you started it was looking like you was making a mini bow,after that it started looking like a crossbow,i checked 2 times to see if it's the right video 😂.And I love how it looks like, it's like from a zombie movie.

[@clayhayeshunter]

😂

[@Voted-po3hq]

Nice work!

[@fulcrum789]

Enjoyed this one!

[@guadalupeskitchen3734]

Incredible! You Sir, are a master craftsman.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Many thanks

[@capthappy345]

Excellent job

[@landonhays1458]

You should do a hunting video with it for sure. Excellent craftsmanship displayed here.

[@slingshotwarrrior8105]

Fine craftsmanship bro!

[@jillatherton4660]

Splendid stuff, I've made 5: the first was a 4/5 scale colletiere a charavin (see Tod's workshop) then a full size one. Nos. 3, 4 and 5 were based on the remains of a Skane type, both of the originals are from the10th century. Maple tillers and ticklers with ash and hazel prods using various types of natural cordage for lashings and bow-string. I look forward to your future builds. 👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

Nice

[@jansam300]

Finally i can watch you play with crossbow. Nice 👍.

[@djinn201]

Clay I haven't watch for a while half into second video now I'm feeling like I'm meditating. Really realaxing to watch this format👍👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@founderofthemodernturkey1675]

You’re an artist 👏🏻

[@gesiisak3120]

Nice work 👍

[@TheBudgetguy_K.T]

Amazing Work Beautiful and dangerous absolutely lovely!

[@greenstreet5287]

The master bow maker back at it again!

[@greenishapples1732]

This may be the coolest thing I've ever seen.

[@ToddWittenmyerBackwoodsLiving]

I enjoy all of your bow builds, but this one was exceptional! Cheers Clay!

[@shaundocherty96]

Soo relaxing to watch this humus up 👍

[@shaundocherty96]

Soo relaxing to watch this! thumbs up 👍

[@urbanoutdoorsman]

I know I'll not be the only one looking forward to Clay building a trebuchet out of Yew!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Funny you should mention that 😉

[@josephkupina120]

Or a Ballista.

[@kevinwalker6829]

That's Awesome, great work

[@3passa]

Brilliant. Looks so easy. Lol at minute 28. Very cool work.

[@eddiec4058]

A man of many talents.😁. Enjoyed it.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Eddie

[@jorgef3988]

work of master and the peace the tranquility of the execution of the work shows all the perfection I also like this trigger it is very functional very good comrade

[@clayhayeshunter]

Many thanks

[@nickdavison9771]

Nice Riker Stavemaster Manouvre at 12:10 😁

[@SM-eu5xl]

Once again, excellent craftmanship and attention to detail Clay! Both vidoegraphy and presentation were top notch~

[@mikefinley4367]

Now this is could make truly hand crafted banjos.

[@VitaliyBunimovich]

Gorgeous!

[@robkaufman9474]

Great video clay.👍 I made a bow string from your video it turned out great thanks so much.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Rob

[@user-zu5fz9li4y]

A couple limbs/bows/trunks from a tree and you can build anything. Amazing!! Way Fun! Blessings, j

[@jamesgray89]

Cool, true craftsman.

[@constantindumitru1309]

Felicitări! Adevărat profesor!

[@richardsmith7539]

Really enjoyed this one, Clay. Almost thought that part when the prod flew off was to me personally, due to my comment on an earlier post, but know you couldn't have left it out, regardless --- the look on your face was priceless, bro! You are SO much better than me at carving prods and bow limbs (but that goes with the territory, I s'pose). As it so happens, I've been experimenting with primitive xbows lately, too, with the express purpose for if my own candidacy for Alone is accepted. The reasoning is this: bolt shafts are a lot easier to fabricate in the bush (12" vs 31"); I wouldn't cry too hard if I lost bolts while taking inadvisable shots at small game; an xbow is easier to use when you're weak from hunger than a recurve or longbow; it allows you to be in prone position, so as to not alert game with the movement of drawing a bowstring. I was watching your construction (loved your trigger, BTW), and am weighing it against how you could fashion it with your choice of the 10 items one could take. I've long since decided I'm forgoing the fishing array --- I can make serviceable substitutes --- and am opting for a gimlet (small 1/2" auger), with which I could construct not only the xbow, but myriad other articles, as well, including stronger shelters. Is it permissible to break off 10" or so from your saw blade to fashion a sheath knife of sorts? I've been wondering that for ages. I still like my idea of carving a prod hole in the stock over a prod slot, but I definitely defer to your workmanship in all else. Cheers, Rick Smith PS: Got my first moose up here in Alaska last month. Elk's great, but it would be hard for me to give up moose for it. No beef compares!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Go for it Richard! once you're out there, you can do anything you want with your tools. Good idea on making a knife from a piece of sawblade and congrats on the moose!

[@matthewcornelison4786]

Bravo sir!!!! Well thought out and well Executed

[@deafrock1580]

trigger grip was perfect

[@omarfranciscobartolomechia3297]

Felicitaciones ,sos realmente un artesano,Omar ,de Arhentina.

[@christianschmidt6463]

I love the moment when you put the bow on the tiller the first time, leaning backwards with almost your full weight. And that little piece of wood does not want to bend...😆

[@clayhayeshunter]

It was a stout one!

[@Chassealarc]

That’s pretty cool, Clay

[@josegodoy9160]

Excelente tu trabajo con poco materiales hicistes una muy buena ballesta ideal para la caza

[@GuyLures-ri9zh]

It's amazing how yew do that.

[@FrankPace54]

Awesome build. Works great without dialog. Glad you didn't put a scope on it 🎯

[@chouchbechich6067f4h]

Félicitations t'as fais un bon travail, vraiment c'est une vraie arbalète .👍🇩🇿🇵🇸

[@user-bv5mm1lp4p]

גם כל הציוד שברשותך עתיק ומאוד משובח.כל הכבוד!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you

[@russellhamer8690]

Love the workshop n can only guess how it feels n smells working there..Great Video liked n subscribed.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Russell

[@seanreese9663]

Badass one of the coolest videos I've seen online in a while thanks for the tips on few videos I've watched and subscribed I'd like to start making some bows so cool. Thanks again wood surgeon 🤙💯

[@buddysept3462]

U7😢😢

[@seanreese9663]

@@buddysept3462 ?

[@808pathfinder]

Watch the hole thing, loved it, and deserve a LIKE for sure

[@mikemoleski1985]

Very cool dude!!