Making a Besom Broom

[@Papag53]

Mother of all brooms 🏆

[@natevasquez1614]

That's very interesting. I use broomweed for the bristles of the brooms that I make.

[@turboconqueringmegaeagle9006]

You're looking really at home on that shave horse, like you grew there! Super chilled video as always my friend, very much appreciated.

[@maryandsam2]

I like the shave horse, it's a really relaxing tool, at some point I need to make myself a tool to add to it for making rake tines and pegs, it's an easy bit of metal work, just got to find the right bits to get it done. Glad you continue to enjoy the soporific videos.

[@jennifermillardX]

Wonderful X I love Besom Brooms much nicer than what people expect as a Broom X

[@maryandsam2]

I know what you mean, excellent at their job. I like being able to make useful stuff for free, definitely a satisfying experience.

[@jgbsweeper7325]

Nice project

[@maryandsam2]

A nice way to spend a couple of hours. 👍

[@mountains_and_moors]

Skills dude 👍🏻😉

[@maryandsam2]

Cheers buddy, next time you are up we'll have to do some form of crafting together...bramble basket or something!

[@joannejogi3377]

Badass!

[@maryandsam2]

Thanks dude.

[@samc705]

I always remember my mum using the word "besom" as an alternative to saying "naughty little girl", she'd say "That one is a wee besom"(pronounced bizzum). Probably something to do with witches.

[@maryandsam2]

That's really interesting, I looked that up and yes a cheeky girl! Could also have be applied to mean twig like stick thin, as besom meant twig, stick etc. But I'm certain your mum must have meant the first meaning. There's much to learn from history and our old language, I love stuff learning things like this.

[@aitormendizabal8473]

It looks a reak witch broom. Great handcraft

[@maryandsam2]

Thanks paquirri, I enjoy trying to make useful things!

[@melinda43]

Did you use oriental bittersweet vine to make that braid? I love the besom!!!!

[@maryandsam2]

From memory I think it was that years flexible bramble stems, stripped the thorns off by running then through a gauntleted hand.

[@abefrohman1759]

Reminds me of Harry Potters broom.

[@maryandsam2]

I think his was a bit more fancy!

[@rialobran]

Nice one Sam, what's the 0-60 and fuel consumption like? ;)

[@maryandsam2]

I'm not sure, I haven't opened her up yet, I'll be needing some more lessons from Mary yet😉

[@rialobran]

@@maryandsam2 No comment, and I doubt you will either once you've had your fingers broken when she sees what you wrote ;)

[@RainyTeaKettle]

If you're gathering birch twigs from the ground to make the broom, is there any kind of special cleaning you need to do for the them? Or just a rinse will do? Great video!

[@maryandsam2]

As I'm using this as an outdoor broom, I wouldn't even rinse them, one thing though...if you are gathering off the ground, the branches are liable to be brittle already having snapped off the tree. It's best if you could prune from a tree any pruning of a birch is best done in the winter months. Hopefully that helps. Glad you enjoyed the vid.

[@thechildofthetrees]

Is that bramble rope you made ?

[@maryandsam2]

Yes, made from the new long runners as they are the most flexible parts.

[@raw6460]

Did you use wet or dry birch branches (I'm assuming)

[@maryandsam2]

As I recall they were pretty fresh green, using what I had at the time. I tend to work on the basis that if I need it I'll make it at that time, I admire those who are more organised than I and can save stuff up for a project. It's all an experiment, and I'm certainly no expert.

[@vinniesdayoff3968]

All set for a game of quidditch! 😁

[@maryandsam2]

I'll need to double check the rules Vinnie, and the covid restrictions, not sure the government have mentioned quidditch yet. 😉

[@vinniesdayoff3968]

@@maryandsam2 Not a lot of sense or logic to the rules so far is all I can say

[@maryandsam2]

Yes indeed, without getting political, it's almost as if no-one knows what to do, and when people are told what to do no-one is prepared to do it.