Making A Bow Out Of A Shovel -WILL IT BOW? (Ep.3)

[@MrArcher0]

Kramer’s wife: “Honey have you seen the broom?” Kramer: “ Umm...” Wife: “ Not again!”

[@therainenetwork3510]

Wife: Hey Babe, what happened to the table? Kramer: ............ Wife: Gasps as she looks at what he just placed on the wall.

[@archerhawke5161]

I just love that you don't just show perfect work. You show your mistakes and show that you can learn from them and keep trying. So many people need to learn this critical aspect of any venture. I myself struggle with that sometime. Failure is every bit as important as success.

[@falkharvard8722]

"A wise man learns from the scars on another's face" - Havamal We learn more from correcting mistakes than succeeding first time and we can prevent mistakes by watching others

[@garrisonh]

“Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.” ― Truman Capote well done...awesome video!

[@1917Enfield]

"The only time you truly fail, is when you stop trying." - My Grandfather. He is the wisest, smartest man I ever knew. I never saw him fail. I saw him rethink his approach. I saw him rethink his mindset. I saw him change his technique. But he never failed. "A loser is somebody who tries once and quits. A winner is somebody who has failed until they don't." - Also my Grandpa.

[@smilloww2095]

Well you should also keep in mind that with some type of woods you just cant make a decent bow. Perhaps if he would have ordered a shovel made of a specific type of wood it would have worked out. Not to offend your grandfather or anything, but you also have to stay clear and realistic in your thinking. Also with the bows he made he could in fact have shotten an arrow, but he just wasnt happy with the draw lenght. Failure is in this case subjective. He failed to his own expectations. Saying failing is impossible is like saying you can break the laws of fysics, if you just keep trying.

[@1917Enfield]

@@smilloww2095 One would have be clear and realistic when attempting.....anything. If there is a realistic possibility of success, then one should not quit until one achieves that success. I never said failure was impossible, I said one shouldn't accept it. My favorite example is Michael Jordan. He failed to make the basketball team. Cried all the way home. He didn't quit tho. He practiced his ass off until he made the team and went on to become the greatest player to ever step on the court. Failure should never be an option, no matter what Mythbusters says. If there is a shred of a chance to succeed, one shouldn't quit until that success is achieved. Like Kramer said, "You need to change your mindset."

[@supplanterjim]

When the third one broke, I let out a chuckle :).

[@JamesJoseph-te3jm]

Theres nothing simple about bowmaking, but you answered all the questions ive had about bow making, i cant wait to get into this craft, cant thank you enough, good work!

[@FR099Y]

After watching this, i can just imagine him just ripping up floorboard, fences etc. just to get random wood to make bows out of.

[@mikestrong661]

In 1987 in 7th grade in my science class, on the wall said “ if you say you can’t or you say you can, you are right. So why not try.” Words I took to heart then and now.

[@waystaff76]

No failures, only lessons. I appreciate your effort, friend, and the lessons we just learned.

[@88Spint]

Dad: Son have you seen my shovel? Mom: Son where is my broom? Son: Got us dinner! :D

[@jacobcritchfield8545]

That made me laugh so hard!!! Also what type of animal is it:)

[@mrpugbot]

@@jacobcritchfield8545 typically you hunt deer

[@Reploidx9]

@@mrpugbot Depends where you're hunting really.

[@nwprimate6416]

Good stuff man. Thanks for posting instead of scraping the video. I'm looking forward to the next one.

[@cameronpain1422]

GREAT channel! I love your content.

[@skelligfiftyeight2519]

I am by no means a bowyer, I am a mechanic by trade, but I really enjoy watching your videos. You are knowledgeable in your trade and you have a very positive energy and that all comes through in your videos. Keep them coming and thank you for the kind words in these bad times.

[@stonehead6257]

Love the vids, If anyone has a negative to say about what you are doing obviously doesn’t do that type of craftsmanship that your producing, I do and know the hard work that goes into each and every piece, keep up the good job you have done and are doing for all of us craftsmen we appreciate that!!

[@Jaxsta001]

Kramer Mate...I'm not into bows or bow making in general. But I really enjoy how you make and present things on your channel. There's a few other bowyer/archery channels that are just soooooo boring. Not you Mate! You make it very enjoyable to watch. I just really like watching people make stuff. Keep up the great work and awesome content. Cheers Man!

[@ethannutting]

I don't often leave comments but I cant watch enough of your videos it is equal part funny as it is information and you are careful in what you say and not careless about every bodies feelings I appreciate the time u take in your videos.

[@OndFilm]

Well, ain't you a ray of sunshine? Way to stay positive and spread the joy. Love your videos.

[@mladenjerkic6105]

I've made many bows throughout the years. I'm 18 now and started 8 years ago. Broke every single one in the first year. Learned from that and applied it to the next ones. Currently I have about 10 bows, from simple longbows to reflex deflex bows. Experience is much more valuable than just watching others do it.

[@benwhite9033]

This vid is teaching more than just bow building its a character building class that is also relevant to life in general. learn to fail or fail to learn great stuff Cramer

[@gumjidio4844]

I admire your tenacity and determination. This should be a lesson for the new generation. Most people give up before they know what they are capable of. 100 thumbs up from me

[@gazal1978]

Thanks for your kind words. In this time I am learning how to make bows and you are a great teacher

[@lesliegordon2313]

Your tenacity is truly inspiring. Thank you. Love from the UK.

[@otismurederface]

Impressed ! Not too many people are willing to show or admit to failure. Thank you for your efforts.👍

[@therealdeal3866]

For the record, Kramer, you do not make bowmaking hard. You make it INSPIRATIONAL. You make what LOOKS hard become something that anyone can do.

[@eaglpaul1]

I totally agree with your "change your mindset" comment. I watched my first video by you two days ago and I decided right there that I was going to make myself a bow. That's how I got into leather work and I've been doing that now for 6 years and I'm pretty darn good at it now.

[@sheaw.b.6846]

You're humility is as admirable as your bow making. I am a huge fan. I do a lot of woodworking. I make mostly tables and chairs. I have also done other furniture and I even made a cross bow for the fun if it. After watching one of your videos I decided to make a bow and while attached to my tillering tree I snapped my bow. It was awesome! Not as awesome as finishing my first bow, but I'm on my way to doing that now, hopefully. Thank you for the inspiration and guidance.

[@shaynecarter-murray3127]

Watching someone use a draw knife is super satisfying to me for some reason. Seeing an experienced person make mistakes or have projects fail is refreshing, it makes skill seem more attainable and also shows the realistic difficulty in the craft. Bravi

[@hamiltonplant7768]

This is awesome! I felt super discouraged after 2 bows I made with fiberglass backing broke while trying to put bow string on after days of work. I finally have one that shoots at 40lbs. I have shot it 60 times so far, and its still shooting consistent with my 3 finger grip and homemade arrows out of 3/8 red oak dowels (2$). Thanks so much for you diy cheap bow video!!!!!

[@ladyluckdrums]

I appreciate your attitude sir! A few years ago I watched a ton of videos and made a bow out of a leftover piece of oak flooring. It threw a splinter on the back and I shelved it and never tried another. With your inspiration, I'm going to back that bow tomorrow. Thanks for your videos!

[@tedbryer2512]

Back when We were little kids - my grandfather would get us to go around to all the hockey rinks and pick up all the old broken hockey sticks. Then He would build us a bow out of these. He always got us to make and glue on a handle and he would show us how to make strings and arrows. These little bows were great. With our imagination and wood working skills We built forts, and defended them with our new found weapons. We even had a 3d coarse before they were popular. Man - old memories are coming back. Also - I still have the bow my grandad built. Greetings from Perth Ontario!!!

[@rdr6269]

I love these episodes. No matter it doesn't always work. It makes you realize bow making doesn't have to be this almost unattainable art. Anyone can find a stick and work into a bow of some sort and there's a good chance it will work.

[@frankfanelli5700]

I've tried making a bow many times and I'll continue to try but I'm sure for a lot of people, not having the tools necessary can be a hindrance. I love your videos.

[@terrordome3616]

i like you more and more as I watch this channel. That is exactly what I have been telling my friends and 2 kids since this crisis started. my first bow is almost ready to fire! 2 days ago and had never even thought to make a bow. You have been my only reference. thank you so much.

[@shooterfeline6601]

You're my favorite Bowyer of all time!!!

[@trentenswett6306]

First learned how to shoot bow and arrow at the age of 3, my Grandmother used to have a willow bush in her back yard and she did a lot with woodworking and her garage is one big workshop. We used to go and cut some willow and shape it into a bow, use shoelace for the string, and for the arrows a wooden dowl with one end sanded into a point, the other a noch filed in and for fletchings some feathers I found around the yard glued on, or synthetic feathers she bought from the store for arts and crafts like the synthetic turkey feathers. didn't get a proper bow until I was around 5-6, but I still made my own arrows if the store bought ones broke or I didn't have enough some times I only had one arrow to use. Got pretty good with the bow. However been out of practice for a few years now, I no longer have a bow but watching your videos Mr Ammons, and other archery channels is making me want to go out and start again even if I have to make the bow my self. Keep up the good work and stay safe.

[@blakeromo]

DUDE! A whole video on making and breaking bows???? AWESOME. Been there, felt that man. Frustrating yet satisfying. You earned this subscriber!!

[@robertpayne9282]

Me too! Enjoyed the ride, great effort!

[@MAYLAM96]

Great series I’ve always tried making bows out of scrap wood and the tools I could find this is perfect for me to watch

[@mr_tucano]

I love the this series

[@paulallen1751]

That was awesome! Failure is always part of making cool stuff.

[@human8903]

When the shovel broke I liked the video, at least I knew that you tried. *NEVER GIVE UP*

[@jonathanlopez3663]

Great job. I enjoy your positive mentality attitude and have enjoyed watching you make bows. It has made me want to try my hand at making one. Hopefully to make a good enough one to gift to my son that has a passion for archery. Thank you for your channel I look forward to watching more of your content. Keep up the great work.

[@davidmcgilvray4910]

Really enjoy your positive vibe and words in your videos. Think your outside the box will it bow episodes are great.!

[@frostfire5451]

Thank you sir , I followed your instructions,started with pine and broke it 5 times😂, I learned from my mistakes and tried oak, carved it with hand tools and made my first 42 pound bow and 10 arrows and bowstring got that rite first time , I also took your advice on how to shoot, you are seriously a champion for Archery, and I thank you for the new hobby I Now enjoy

[@troyna77]

ty. i saw some of your "tricks". thanks !!! and your right...just start doing what you wanna do. "break some staves" until you can make "your bow".

[@jamescooper2618]

"So, Kramer, I was thinking about cleaning up the shop a bit. Have you seen the broom anywhere?"

[@therinni2347]

I love your content. Its awesome. But I love your attitude and motivation even more. Thanks for sharing!

[@bjsreef6620]

Great video, I like your don’t quit attitude.

[@josiahfennell]

you deserve way more viewers. your content is super good

[@DeathonDanceFloor]

You do a great Job,makes a lot of fun watching your Videos, grüsse aus Deutschland 🇩🇪

[@rimrodi7]

The title should be “Not making a bow out of a shovel” 😂

[@vereabsolutum9131]

You are absolutely right! If one duels on the negative then you are going to be a VERY miserable individual. SMILE and be HAPPY and do things that help you get by.

[@FatManLeather]

That was awesome, at least you gave it the three strikes it deserved.

[@Duncan-Mac-Raven]

I love your taste in music.

[@olabenne5519]

Videos keep getting better and better. Keep up

[@studentofthegame.]

I really like you and your channel, I am now trying to make bows with my two sons. Thank you so much for all your amazing knowledge. Nice using this time when I lost my job to learn something new. :)

[@josh8494]

Hey Kramer, I really like your content. I’ve shot archery for as long as I can remember, over 40 years. I’ve never been real serious about it, mostly just because I enjoy it and it is relaxing to me. I wanted to take a moment to tell you that I really enjoy your videos. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at building a couple bows in recent years and your content has been very informative. I hope to see your channel continue to grow and I hope to be to the point of picking up some bow strings from you in the not to distant future. Keep up the great work.

[@vladprecup491]

You sir deserve a show on Discovery Channel

[@miguelbinha]

Ahhhhrgh felt fury when the last one snapped!!!

[@GruntPanda11B]

Sir I have got to say I have been watching allot of KZbin channels and yours is by far my favorite man, keep up the awesome videos!! Loving the “Will It Bow” series!

[@jllaine]

I would have loved to hear you explain your shaping as you went for folks at home thinking "its too hard", like why you cut/sanded one end, how you chose which side to scrape to make the back, etc.

[@andrewwheat9819]

Broke my self bow last night. Was being impatient and stupid. This has made me feel a lot better. Don't skip steps or push to hard.

[@rodneymiller4453]

Awesome truth in production. I like it. not everything works and sometimes in life or craft you can do everything right there is no guarantee "it will bow" lol.

[@deathwish8672]

Great stuff. You're an amazing Bowyer and I wish you great success in future projects. I learn something every time I watch your episodes.

[@eliavery7438]

You should give modern hockey sticks a try. Apparently my grandfather used to make my father and his brothers bows out of old wooden hockey sticks when they were young.

[@jeffsteinbarge8861]

Kramer, love the tood. We should all be so positive. That said is there any way you fix the wiggle in your vise? You're shooting at a moving target

[@rjweed]

I've only done archery once and loved it. In the near future I'll use videos like this to help me make my own bows/arrows

[@AngryDuck9]

I wish I could add pictures to the comments to show you my bucket of bows I've attempted (and snapped or otherwise botched) since starting watching you. But now I am kind of obsessed with making one that works and the one I'm doing now (lucky number 7!) is showing some real promise. Appreciate your videos man!

[@MajorUpgrade]

You may have already done this, but it would be cool to watch you do some PVC pipe bows, please! I used to watch a lot of the backyardbowyer videos on KZbin, and he's a pro at it! I just found your channel and it's freaking great! I love your persistence in this video. You rock man. Very entertaining, informative, and positive message. Thanks dude!

[@victorlarignon2814]

Well I am here because your videos are nice, I like woodworking and you seem to be a very nice person ! Maybe I'll attempt the bowmaking process one day, I just don't really have the space right now.

[@woodslore8537]

I tried making a crossbow prod today. Nice piece of oak. Everything was going good. Until it broke. I didn't see where the grain ran off the side and it snapped. So now onto prod 2.

[@jauniiwolf9349]

In my country there are now more job opportunities to me than before thanks to Covid-19. I still think it’s a blessing from the gods

[@masonaskew3517]

Man I love the videos. I am going to go out and get the stuff to make a bow today and I am looking forward to seeing what I can create!

[@FrancoDLF]

its a honor to see you doa bopw man . plz do more bows . im in the first steps to do my 2nd bow . ! hug from arg

[@wherewolfbf]

Loved the message at the beginning I’m finally learning how to quilt in my newly free time and tour videos are great to watch while I work 💙

[@wherewolfbf]

That said! The experiential knowledge part is so true! Although I’ve always got the techniques behind quilting, I’ve really starting to figure out how all this quilting stuff works the longer I stay at it!!

[@brucerae5522]

Thank you best video in so so long and I appreciate your sage words

[@h0tkoko]

I just enjoy watching you make bows and experimenting. Never give up. Cheers from Malaysia.

[@michaelt6413]

My new favorite channel

[@cafiristanemperor]

How about making a composite-like bow by inserting the wood into a cpvc tapered and flattened with heat gun? Mate, you have just given me an idea, since I make pvc bows and they don't usually last long because the wall thickness of pipes produced in Brazil are thinner then most of equivalent schedule diameters. So, since most of them usually break on the handle or just above it, I'll try and use a wooden bow inside. My goal is actually making a wooden bow but I am still working on the technique and tools. Thank you for the inspiring video, my friend! May God protect you and your family! André

[@chrisfritz6720]

Great effort. Love your channel.

[@petederrick6355]

Kramer, have you tried making heybo out of an old crutch? They're getting hard to find now but I tried it once and it broke at the join. You take the clutch apart and bolt it all back together into a bow with very little modification. The one modification I would suggest it's curving the end of one Stave to prevent it from breaking upon draw. Great videos thanks, Pete

[@ratamahatta1300]

As bad as the worldwide (economic) situation might be - I really enjoy having a lot of time for building bow and spending quality time! Still the days are too short to do all I want to xD thanks for the video°

[@farmonious420]

Bow making isn't hard to do. I'ts time consuming, tedious and highly detailed. Just like anything, if you want to do it well. Keep up the great vids.

[@systemadminn]

I have a question - what do you think would be some options to make a decent/reliable bow string out of that people might have around their house? I'm thinking you might be able to make fine plastic thread from water bottles then plat them together or something? Any other ideas?

[@thomasrobson6370]

I died out laughing when the shovel handle broke, and I said "strike three, your out" on your third brakeage; but...… why not buy a new shovel, trim down the back just enough to put a backing of that fiberglass tape, then see if you cant bow a shovel handle? :-)

[@georghofmann1782]

well .. the last one was a new .. and to make it bow you would need Fiberglas on the Back and the Belly .. not worth it Problem is simple .. Wood for Toolhandles is not seasoned well .. it is dryed way to fast (in an Oven) so it can not build that solid strukture inside for what a bow needs.

[@horvathbenedek3596]

@@georghofmann1782 It's not just the seasoning. I don't know how these tool handles were, but the ones I own are often cut at a 4-5 degree angle to the grain of the wood. I'm not a bowyer by any means, but I'm trying to get into bowmaking, and the very first thing I started experimenting on... Was a shovel handle. And the thing I have found is that despite being good material (oak), the staff snapped - and it snapped exactly where thr grain was running from one side of the handle to another. Even with fresh, inseasoned wood that would be an issue with a self bow I think.

[@cdp50359]

Will a strip of 3/4 plywood with backing bow?

[@falkharvard8722]

Tool handles are usually kiln dried for hardness. The ash handles can make good bows but need to be rehydrated before use. I call it "reverse seasoning" - the slow addition of moisture back into the hard, brittle wood. Very similar to thermocycling steel before tempering. Thanks for including your mistakes and failures, Kramer, I learn much more this way and it makes the channel more relatable. I cannot abide people who act like masters yet hide their mistakes and frustrations. Always felt dishonest to hide one's mistakes, to me

[@falkharvard8722]

For reverse seasoning, sand off all coatings on the wood and store outdoors in a dark, shaded area. Keep it off the ground! If it sits in water, it'll be ruined! Keep it slightly elevated off the SOIL but close enough to absorb morning dew. And at a slight angle to allow water to run off - you don't want it to linger on the surface, you want it to permeate deep into the fibres of the wood, evenly. Keep an eye on it and rotate regularly, test its elasticity. When it springs without feeling any cracking or tearing in the fibers, its rehydrated and ready for springy work. I've speeded up the process using polythene sheeting to increase humidity but I have had some cases of mould and fungus. Don't allow yourself to be in a rush with this. It's a gentle and delicate (and painfully tedious) process but it does mean that cheap, shop bought, kiln dried wood can be repurposed from construction to ballistics. I've yet to try this for a bow (making my first one now) but I have had success with polearms for reenactment weapons. 5, 6 and even 8 year old weapon shafts are still surviving and they take weekly beatings with steel weapons. Until Corona, that was... Now we're all hitting trees and waiting 😂

[@GLITCHED1]

That silence after you break a project... Yeah I felt that...

[@tonyrosa4750]

I respect your spirit and not backing down , no pun intended brother . Maybe try a new handle not actually mounted, I would like to see your handy work and insight at work .

[@MrLuiswalker]

Would increasing the moisture in the handle wood make a difference?

[@bernabesanchez387]

Oppsy...it was still very entertaining

[@keithpattison6763]

Have been thinking of making a bow, since watching your videos. Used to make our own muzzle loading rifles many years ago, when in a muzzle loading club, but the law here won't let you do that any more. Built a couple of Dulcimers then built a Telecaster Guitar and all turned out well, so will try a bow. Planning, selection of good materials and taking time usually turns out OK.

[@benjaminburgess6880]

Great vid. It's life sometimes. I don't like the grains in most tool handles either. Broken a few shovels doing normal work because of it

[@GerbenNZ]

Speaking of hand tools! Can you head out into the Wild Woody World and make a bow in the out of doors using a (preferably) coniferous tree, which you harvest yourself, using just a knife, hand saw and axe? That would be a very cool video!

[@vanessaboets9506]

I think this might work if you make the back flat instead of the belly. Most forces are stretch in the back right?

[@HeartlandMakesAndOutdoors]

Good job on this video as always my friend. Keep up the fun videos. Dale

[@ChristopherMetcalfCallMeMitch]

I know this is an old video but years ago (2002-2003, somewhere in there) on the primitive archery forums, the old timers used to talk about using two axe handles and splicing them up. Seems like most of them had pretty good results from what I remember. I think the issue was lower moisture content but that's usually taken care of by good backing, which you do already. Just an idea. Enjoy your videos, cheers homie.

[@murphymmc]

Good efforts. I'm bettin' that you could bow a shovel handle, though you'd probably have to select the best grain from the bin down at the hardware store. Maybe several stores.

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

Good man, yerself, nothing but admiration 🏹😎

[@jonathanbennison9220]

I do have a question though. Do you think that you could take a 'shatterproof' composite handle? And find a bow within one?

[@woodrowwoodworks7408]

Your determination is inspiring brother! If anyone could have done it you would have. Interested in how a laminated hockey stick would hold up. Looking forward to the next one!