The Ultimate Primitive SURVIVAL BOW? Cable Backed Bow Build

[@caseysmith544]

I saw an old 1960--1970's documentary where one of the tribes in very northern Alaska a person made a bow exclusively from Caribou antler and part of the skull for the handle/riser part. The tribe was so far north they did not have any wood to make a bow with. The summer homes in another video were made of stiff rawhide (untreated hide) that was pressed into a dome shape after it was stiff, sometimes using two caribou/moose hides. In winter they actually lived in Igloos.

[@clayhayeshunter]

very cool

[@caseysmith544]

@@clayhayeshunter It was on KZbin if you want to try and find the documentaries.

[@willyboi8915]

Tuktu, aye?

[@caseysmith544]

@@willyboi8915 I think that was the name of the Native Innuit.

[@GR-kt4le]

This? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ7Jin14ncZqibc

[@yahoshua2527]

Love how this man humble himself to not edit out mistakes he's made, leaving the mistakes to show that he's not perfect and also how to overcome them

[@Sk0lzky]

It helps newbies too by showing what can go wrong, so they check twice (or more).

[@kyleauchtung7715]

18:47?

[@J3N2]

Yeah buddy, we want to see more of this uncommon “emergency-survival” bow concepts bring back to life by your expert craftmanship 👏🏻

[@saimanie6739]

Seeing this made me remember things I used to do when I was a kid. With limited options and a lot of creativity. I remember making a collapsible bow with a piece of PVC pipe and bamboo. Fast forward to now my wife is wondering why I was watching a guy making a bow for half an hour instead of mowing the lawn.

[@mtman2]

Have her doit w/push-unit...lol

[@Svensk7119]

Tell her it's a guy-thing.😂

[@rubenskiii]

Mowing the lawn is something you want to put off because it's stupid: you are basically harvesting useless (for us humans) plants because society is obsessed with it but barely has any function, let the grass grow a bit(unless it's a jungle lol) and make a bow. Much more fun!

[@JohnDoe-ls2ww]

@@Svensk7119lol so is mowing the lawn. I kid i kid...My wife enjoys mowing.

[@Svensk7119]

@@JohnDoe-ls2ww Now THAT is a progressive wife!!

[@braams6895]

I wish I knew that when I was 8

[@nohillforahighstepper]

That definitely opens up a lot more wood options.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep!

[@ogi22]

This is a first time i saw a cable backed bow. It looks wonderful and it's much easier from any other backing techniques i know of. But i loved a bit different part of this clip. Showing how to handle a hatchet. When i was a kid, my grandpa tought me how to split firewood and how to use a hatchet. Later when i got into bushcraft, i learned a bit more on how to use this very versatile tool. And i have to say, you handle this tool very well Sir! Thank you for sharing and spreading good ways of handling one of the most basic tools humans have designed🥰 [edit] Oh, just one tip (you might know about this one). I picked it up on TA Outdoors channel. If you stick your knife into a small wood piece, you will get a nice handle for a makeshift drawknife. It makes a bit easier work with debarking :)

[@reddirt5489]

I am always so impressed with your ability and knowledge. I hope your boys realize how lucky they are to have a dad so knowledgeable about so many things. Hopefully they are soaking it all in like sponges. All of it seems so second nature and muscle memory to you. 👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

You are so kind

[@aidanakach-yn9pz]

От

[@erzsebettoth8933]

[@The907g]

really appreciate the recognition to indigenous people

[@WolfStar08]

This is honestly wonderful and such a coincidence as I began getting a stave ready for steam bending to get the classic cable backed inuit bow design and shape to make one for myself but I wasn't sure on how to do the cable backing. I was getting ready to make it just a self bow as the reading I did I couldn't come up with a good alternative or way to make a decent cable backing. And then this video drops and saves the whole thing! Thank you again for the awesome content and for covering such a cool and unique way to back a bow

[@pharaohsmagician8329]

Cool!! How's the Bow? Any lessons you can pass along please

[@HazyOne707]

Saw this guy win on alone. Best season of that show.

[@joeontko2186]

Your a badass Clay. I always feel a little more manlier when I get to wow these average Joe's emulating your teachings . Thankyou brother.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Rock on!

[@DuxLindy]

you could give him a toothpick and dental floss and he'd come back in an hour with a 50lb bow

[@davidbrand5326]

Great video Clay! Years ago I made one using artificial sinew . It stretches too. I kept the cable close to the back of the bow and had to tie it on in several spots. I would love to see a pine bow build. I was helping a kid build one but it never got finished. Keep up the great videos!👍👍🏹🏹

[@clayhayeshunter]

That’s on the list for sure

[@chadblechinger5746]

Super cool. I have a maple bow I am working on ( learning on ) and you have shown me two things that blow through my two major issues. I love the draw stump! I can remember it from the books and survival manuals now that I saw you doing it. I will combine it with my sanding stump( bone glue/sand) and leave just enough room to drop my double bit on the edge of the sanding surface. Flipping game changer😊 . The second nugget was confirming that I can bake the wood dry under tension. Saved me two weeks at worst or another broken bow in the pile. I am going to pull the tips towards the back of the bow with 550 and then tiller the back while she is green. Once even(ish) I will dry with fire. After the set has taken place from baking I will back the bow with drywall tape and bone glue ( works well). When that has dried I will begin floor tillering . My setup is near identical to what you have here and it was awesome watching you do it. I have another dwarf maple that I will start a cable build on. Tyvm

[@jameshall5784]

I was making apple wood bows with stick and string when I was a kid. Now learning how to really make a bow. Thanks for the video.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad I could help!

[@stephenballard3759]

Just as an aside, apple is actually very good bow wood, if you can find a suitable stave.

[@jameshall5784]

@stephenballard3759 I was just talking stick and string and a flat piece of wood sharpened on the sidewalk.

[@stephenballard3759]

@@jameshall5784 I understood. Good luck, have fun.

[@jonathanhoang6253]

Loving these primitive bow builds! This is the first time I've seen a cordage backed bow built and shot. just curious, but have you ever looked into making horn bows like ones from the Sheepeater tribe or like the ones from Asia? A bit of a different beast from this build but I bet it would be cool nonetheless.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’d love to one day. Just gotta find some good horn.

[@rocket_hops]

its kind of nice to see imperfect motion in your work, feels a lot more genuine

[@hualiangyu8779]

It was the first time I had ever heard and seen a drawstring bow. This is a very new thing for me, and I may have to find more information to make myself more aware of this new thing.

[@lovelore]

Living legend

[@mikelovesnifer]

Great walkthrough! I appreciate the fact you show it can be done with limited tools and materials, great inspiration! Yeah! The conifers will be interesting!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@asmith7876]

Blew my mind on the Penobscot and now here’s ANOTHER type of bow I’ve never imagined…awesome!

[@theodoreplume4861]

Mourning dove cooing nearby. Beautiful!

[@renadenison6759]

So cool bruv. This is why I love archery, it's such a complex but simple concept. Just one stick makeing another stick deadly and accurate.

[@garysapper8716]

Thanks for a very instructive video, Clay! I've gotta try this one.

[@clayhayeshunter]

You bet!

[@gideonkugbonu9768]

Can you suggest any tropical African wood suitable for bows?

[@shivaram4110]

​@@gideonkugbonu976854r ki

[@Bushmanschool]

Great video brother thanks for sharing.

[@clayhayeshunter]

no problem

[@BeeLady66]

I haven't made a bow since I was a kid but watching you made me want to try it again. Very impressive. Thanks.

[@JuliaJulia007]

Beautiful ASMR 😊

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank ya

[@eddiec4058]

You continue to impress.😊

[@clayhayeshunter]

I get it right on occasion!

[@Brandon-so9fp]

Love the fact that the hatchet is sharper then most of my kitchen knives.

[@brendanroos7102]

Nice. I definitely want to try this now.

[@sh0]

Love this video - great informative stuff. I've always had a fasciination with bows but the steep learning curves in both building and being accurate (not to mention the time commitment of making ammunition) has always been a huge obstacle. I've relied on snares for most of my bushcrafting expeditions, mostly because I'm solo (and can stay fed on small birds and rodents), but also because I have no efficient way to prep and store the meat on larger animals.

[@bobkelly2447]

the interesting thing to me about this design is the ability to increase the draw weight ! although it probably wouldn't be like 100lbs on a bow that was initially 20lbs but it could substantially increase the bow strength if needed. easilly doubling the strength. although the cable back design has it's draw backs, it certainly is a viable bow and in survival conditions it may well save your life.... thank you....I never would have thought of this ! I am an avid archer and feel the bow and arrow are so often over looked for self defence. a bullet proof vest is not a problem to a strong bow...most people do not know that ! I grew up with a Howard Hill bow 58lb pull at 28", my Dads was 68lb at 30" I practiced all the time and got to be quite good even getting birds for my cat( which he loved) but the down side was braking all the arrows just before bow season and my Das was not happy....because of that I got the nick name of brokenArrow on the CB radio LOL

[@geoffcrumblin9850]

It's amazing that there was zero technology transfer from neighbouring New Guinea, where the natives had bows, a wide range of tools, maintained gardens and farm animals. Although the humans interacted traded, and travelled, no such weapons made their way into Australian culture

[@waynestevenson9613]

Love your videos Clay! They are a respite from the hustle and bustle of a complicated world. Thanks.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like them!

[@plywoodcarjohnson5412]

Excellent video! Spruce and paracord it is!

[@PrithvirajSaw]

Very nice bhaiya ❤❤

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

That's pretty cool Clay 👍🏻

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@ratzfatz8723]

Cool video as usual. Since you mention spruce: Having messed around with spruce branches (trunk wood is completely unusable for bows over here in southern Germany. The branches come closer to arctic spruce) . I have this kind of bow in mind for a couple of years now. Never got around to try, though. Reminds me to get back to it... BTW The lower half of spruce branches make pretty a good bow if you put a backing on (tensile strength is lousy). I made one bow with rawhide and one with a hazel backing. Both over 70#@32" and they are great fun to shoot.

[@Dirk_Berserk]

it looks like an alternative to the one where there was another piece of wood in front of it. now its cordage and blocks. pretty damn cool and never would have i thought of doing this or that it would have that effect

[@clayhayeshunter]

Exactly

[@GypsyTinker2012]

Thank you for sharing so much knowledge. ❤

[@clayhayeshunter]

You are so welcome!

[@nathanelgraves4953]

Looks like something out of far cry primal! Super cool

[@bobpeterson1906]

Great video! Aside from the bow making I really liked that you dug down in the earth to have good dirt all around your fire. If you don't go to dirt you risk the fire burning down a few layers and then burning horizontal underground. Well after the camper is gone a forest fire then can start. BOB

[@whothefoxcares]

Surviving on warm sunny days are the best!

[@clayhayeshunter]

definitely!

[@lukebable]

Next time you go into the wilderness to make a bow, I'd suggest to take a Jointer, a table saw and a chainsaw. I realize that this is a survival video, but I couldn't live without those machines !

[@johnclark1925]

Wow Clay, the way you used that hatchet. Masterful. 😎🤘

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 👍

[@filipiversen1331]

Really cool video! Do you have a video, or would you consider, making one that goes in-depth into what you are considering and feeling for when you are finishing the stave. I can see you are feeling for how flexible it is etc. but for someone that has no experience with what the "right feeling" is it would be really interesting to hear more about what you are looking for.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Search for bow build for beginners on my channel and you’ll find some vids.

[@2greeksandacamera]

Always a 10 thumbs up for Clay :)

[@RemiLeonora]

Wow this is interesting, gonna try to make one

[@clayhayeshunter]

Get after it!

[@nathanpattee1629]

Shoots very well.. especially since its a quickly bow! Very nice to see the primitive skills out there!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you very much!

[@scotttaxdal5297]

Pretty badass using the hatcet as a shaving tool.

[@moonhunter9993]

My daughter and I love it! Very impressive. It's so cool.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like it!

[@rodbaker5782]

Perfect message at a perfect time; Thanks

[@didjhopkins4135]

I know that cracking was the bark…but it still went into my soul! Heard that too often mate. That’s my favourite alternative bow so far 🤙🏼 Cheers Clay

[@clayhayeshunter]

I bet this would work well with some of the woods you have.

[@didjhopkins4135]

@@clayhayeshunter I’m sure of it!! Will be giving it a go this summer, Clay. Thanks mate

[@johnsharp8627]

Dig watching people chop wood and make things, even if it's just firewood or kindling.

[@joesgotya9930]

You always provided the most fascinating content Clay. Thank you 🙏 ❤

[@hansg6336]

Very meditative watching you work. I've found that to be true working with any kind of bush craft. You tend to immerse yourself and forget much of the BS in life.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Very true!

[@Lahire-s7l]

Super cool large😊

[@GuyonYouTube173]

I saw lots of cable backed bows in the museum when I lived in Alaska. I always wanted to make one. They used spruce and willow in them where I was living up there.

[@gameon7566]

just a good guy making good videos.

[@williambooth6796]

Great substitute for sinue backing. Awesome video thanks

[@timdimon8214]

That’s an interesting build for a bow build

[@urbanoutdoorsman]

Hey Clay, thanks for this build! I was thinking throughout the video if you would have taken down your deer in Alone with this bow. Imagine being the only one on the show who replaces the bow with a quilt duvet! That'll be some legendary legacy! Haha!

[@charleswood7505]

I really do wish you would explain each step as you do it.... it would be really helpful. Just a thought for future videos.... thank you for this one

[@caderbavahmuhammadsiddick384]

Thanks lot for sharing ❤❤❤

[@clayhayeshunter]

My pleasure 😊

[@jadumanipujari6193]

Very nice ❤❤❤

[@rauliuonac7542]

Nice 👋👍👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you 👍

[@druidjuicer636]

Hi Clay. I've just picked up your channel because my teenage son is showing an interest in greenwood bushcraft, something I dabbled in happily some years ago. I have a Parang on its way to me and, as money is tight, it will have to serve as axe and froe, with my old carving knives for detailed work. I may even try a bow- on the hills here we have a sorbus variant called Rowan or Mountain Ash that grows in profusion and is resistant to the die off were getting on Ash. I think that might make a unique bow and a great experiment. First though we will make a hexagonal long staff and see how Rowan takes to crafting. Local tradition holds that Rowan has magical properties when worked. Thanks for the inspiration. Love your videos.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’ve heard it’ll make a good bow.

[@druidjuicer636]

@@clayhayeshunter That's great. Thanks for the answer.. Cheers!

[@RedmanOutdoors366]

Cool stuff man nice Bow 😎👍🔥💯🏹

[@MattWilliams-vf8kf]

That is a fine hatchet for sure

[@donwaldroopoutdoors3665]

You ever feel comfort being in the shelter camp like u were in on alone ? Kinda put u back there in spirit ? It seems u never left kinda , there doing cool bushcraft projects

[@jamesmcswain8120]

Your videos always get the brain juice flowing.

[@clayhayeshunter]

🤔!

[@kevenbeene4585]

Never seen a bow like that . Ill have to make one.Nice work

[@americannavajopatriot9412]

Thank you. You did a beautiful job👍🏾

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you! 😊

[@lawndiqenyia2909]

Your channel is awesome, thank you for your content, knowlege and efforts!

[@timvandusen4192]

That's pretty interesting for sure!

[@jasonstarr6419]

I sincerely hope to NEVER need to build a bow for either protection or hunting. HOWEVER, it's a great addition to SHTF useful knowledge! Great build!

[@to8860]

Good stuff as always!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks again!

[@flashthompson7]

Thank you for the knowledge. You have freely given may you freely receive ❤

[@flashthompson7]

That’s an amazing bow

[@clayhayeshunter]

You are so welcome

[@vladlevytskyi4889]

Really appreciate it. Thank you for your work

[@brettellis423]

I love it!!! Boom yeah brotherrr...!! I still reckon you should adopt me, bro!!🤣🤣🤣🤣👍

[@gilldanier4129]

Great watch, you make it look easy. thanks for the video

[@clayhayeshunter]

You bet

[@bigDbigDbigD]

Really interesting build

[@fabriceaube4975]

a pine bow build video would be amazing, continiue your good work!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Noted!

[@Joe-qn7ol]

Sweet build.

[@ItsDburch]

I've often wondered about these bows. What a great way to contextuallize it, and present it. Makes a guy wonder how bones would be used. Can large rib bones be utilized for bow purposes?

[@jacoblee935]

not really as they don't flex without breaking, but bones can be useful as nocks, emergency arrow tips, the spacer blocks across the back, etc.

[@jacoblee935]

The closest you'll get to a bone bow would be horn bows

[@stephenballard3759]

Yes rib bones have been used for making bones. But any kind of bone or antler is one of the hardest materials to deal with for this use. It has to be very thin to bend at all, And because of this, tiny (TINY) variations In thickness will destroy the bow. However, most bows that I know of made of bone were made in the fashion Clay just in here.... They were sometimes made not to bend but actually pinned like a hinge. So you may have a 5 section bow with each section being stiff, but which bends at the hinges. The sinew cable, then, is the only thing storing energy as it stretches. Similarly, bows were made out of things like driftwood, which would be entirely unsuitable without this design feature. If you look up the Smithsonian's ethnographic collection from North America, you can see exampes. They are fascinating, the engineering is incredible.

[@veersingh2730]

Hi Namascarum tanks guruji for this video demonstration Dhanoosh💐👍👆🙌🏳️‍🌈👍

[@MrJustus88]

That is a great hatchet

[@OEF_Vet_0331]

Love your bow videos like this! Absolute treasure. Thank you brother, love from Texas.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like them!

[@alexloader313]

Love the ingenuity

[@GalloPazzesco]

Really enjoyed watching this.

[@MrEQ2009]

That axe is very sharp. You should have a short video on how to sharpen an axe without tools in the woods.

[@patrickharmon9459]

Cool idea 💡

[@ma7hatter]

Really cool concept. Have you ever thought of making a bushcraft crossbow? Seems like some combo of a penobscot and cable backed concept could make a crossbow viable.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Interesting idea

[@eliminator7ful]

I seem to remember that Ishi talked about making a quick survival bow that he could create in a few days, as opposed to his actual bow which took months to a year to create.

[@fadeintoyou5341]

Thanks for showing appreciation to these unique bows! Now, I would love to see you try to make an antler bow, like the inuit too used. Maybe elk would suffice?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks for the idea!

[@brandonbrowne4494]

Anyone else swattin at mosquitos that don't exist?

[@Lesservector]

I love these videos. This would be a fun past time. I wanted to suggest you try doing a video of making a primitive tillering system like how you have with the wall and pulleys.

[@aydencook03]

How well do you think this compares to the penobscot design? These emergency/survival bow videos are very cool.

[@clayhayeshunter]

If you have the cordage, this one is definitely easier to make

[@croft5941]

Incredibly fun watching this video! It opens my imagination for survival weapons

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank ya