Making a Longbow: Osage Orange

I’m really excited to be building a longbow from Osage Orange in this video. This will be the first time I’ve completed a bow on video and it’s fun to break these type of projects down for you. Although it was a challenge, it was definitely worth the trouble.
This type of long bow, which is actually a flatbow, because of the flat, rectangular shaped limbs, being made from one continuous piece of wood from tip to tip, is called a selfbow.
I’ll walk you through the steps of picking out a stave, chasing a growth ring, laying out the measurements of your bow, to finally tillering it to your final draw weight.
Thank you all for watching and I hope you are inspired to start, or continue, your own bow making adventure.
Here is the link to The Homestead Craftsman's draw horse video, where I took inspiration when building my draw horse.
kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5i6coacaMdpiJI
To those of you who feel like you got something special from our videos and want to know how you can supports us further, we have just launched our Patreon page here... www.patreon.com/theartofcraftsmanship

[@OLDBEAR123456]

That is a beautiful bow. Those pin knots give it character and anyone who has built or attempted to build a self-bow knows the extra work it takes. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks OldB! It's definitely worth it. Thanks for watching!

[@TheMiig1513]

I did not intend to spend 48 minutes watching this, but one second took the next x) Great video

[@WhyNot2827]

I see 188 downvotes. Who would downvote this video, seriosly. Is fun to watch , the cinematografy is very good, the guy is likeble and explains well the art. Seriosly wtf is with people

[@MrMoonFlame]

Why Not Those who downvoted are possessed with “envy.” The Romans called it the “evil eye”. You see it more often in videos where humans are demonstrating skills of self sufficiency.

[@rockmanraiden6627]

@@MrMoonFlame I would suggest they are possessed.

[@sgt.guardsman2221]

We live in a World now where no one does/ wants to do the work themselves. If it takes time to do, they want it "Now" and not later. Many schools don't even have an Industrial Arts class anymore. I build one of these bows about 8 years ago from a stave that was provided for me. It still took me about 10 hours over two days to complete. But, I had fun doing it and I still shoot and hunt with the bow. It came out pulling around 87# after the 8-10 coats of tongue oil I put on it to preserve it.

[@atomwhys3028]

I’m almost 50. I rode my bicycle an hour each way to the local library to check out a book to learn something like this. I learned just enough to want to make another ride. On another day. After all the chores and whatnot. With the advent of the internet a glut of information is at anyone who query’s fingertips. It may not seem like it if you are young but I assure you time is precious. Any downvotes are time wasting fodder. Watch. Learn. Help. Move. Create. Any asshole can knock down a sand castle and tell you it’s wrong. Few know the recipe and willing to do the work.

[@BaldLlana]

@@sgt.guardsman2221 agree with you. if it takes to long and actually requires skill they dont want to hear it.

[@donniegray553]

one of the best "coffee hours"' Ive spent in a long while. Thanks SO much for sharing this, keep on keeping traditions alive

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Haha thanks Donnie. Hope you have a few more with us.

[@brianwiggins2169]

This is absolutely beautiful craftsmanship and filmography.

[@keithcheeseman567]

always planned to build a bow.. ive had my wood stored seasoning for years. Then i developed severe arthritis in my hands. So watching you helps to relieve my frustration. Brilliantly crafted, thank you for posting.

[@Cas-sq9sc]

I have arthritis in my hands too. I began to take magnesium two years ago and it stopped. I understand you very well because i like shooting with my bows and also making bows from wood. Good luck Keith!

[@nickibradbeer2815]

Smoke weed it will go then you can make your bow

[@keithcheeseman567]

@@nickibradbeer2815 Smoked weed years ago for my depression, it is an excellent medication. seriously thinking about the herb to get some pain free days and making that bow.

[@scottloar]

Osage Orange was the bow wood of choice by woodland Indians wherever available. The man knows his wood, his tools, and has an experienced eye, feel and a smart mind to get the result. This is craftsmanship, and a pleasure to watch, listen, learn. I have no such skills but do appreciate fine, patient work well done.

[@JustAnotherAlchemist]

There's absolutely no Osage in India.

[@scottloar]

@@JustAnotherAlchemist: I quote from One Vast Winter Count: The Native American West before Lewis and Clark (ISBN 978-0-8032-6465-6) by Colin G. Calloway, 2003 University of Nebraska Press, A Note on Terminology (p.xvii): I have used the terms Indian and Native American interchangeably. This book is regarded as a "monumental history" and the author's authority is well established. Now considering these bona fides don't you find your comment petty in the extreme? But, yes, the tree Osage Orange is not indigenous to the Indian subcontinent.

[@noelgomariz3038]

It's awesome how a man with only his intelect and his hands can turn a piece of wood into an all functional weapon. Thank you for sharing!

[@terryweaver2961]

RENOVATION UPDATE!! (and yes, I'm rockin' sweatpants and work boots...don't hate! 😜). I've got a crew here this week fixing up the penthouse room. If you follow me on IG, you'll know I started trying to do the siding and windows myself back in August, but quickly realized that the framing was rotted and it basically needed to be rebuilt...so that was put on hold. Now winter is coming up and I'm knee deep in some other projects for the building (more on those soon 😉), so it was time to call in some help and get things moving in parallel. And now, we've got some progress....the old "windows" are out. (I use quotes because they werent proper windows....just pieces of glass siliconed to the frame, which leaked like crazy). New windows going in shortly. I'm filming bits of this so I can share the transformation in an upcoming vid. If you want a SNEAK PEAK of it, then head over to my KZbin stories for a behind the scenes look. Hope everyone out there is doing well! I'll catch you in two new vids coming later this month!

[@rcmakingtracks18]

Wow, really enjoyed watching you make the long bow. The 48 mins went by in a flash. Wonderful craftmanship. Thanks for sharing.

[@BTeehanKnives]

I made knives for a long time, lost my passion for it, for a while, you my friend, and your videos, sparked my interest into the knife making world again, thank you, subscriber for life.

[@terrellmassey9808]

That bow has a unique blend of elegance ,rustic character , power and beauty! Very well done, thank you for sharing this, so much information! This project is not easy and it requires a artistic touch with patience and perseverance .

[@Cloverdale82]

Fantastic! I made my first bow about 9 years ago. I sure wish you had produced this back then. Anyone considering making a bow, do not underestimate how long the tillering process can be. If you rush tillering, you will destroy the bow. Nice job!

[@vaidasliutkevicius3234]

It was really cool seeing how the bow bends properly at around 35th minute. Nicely done.

[@Javafiendcuppajoe]

Great video learned a lot, including the oil and heat method. Also, I think it is great that you have father-daughter time.

[@dharmendargr8544]

So much skill, hardwork and patience required. Great job!

[@notamouse5630]

Thank you for showing that heat bending technique, I scoured the internet for references to it and found it nowhere else. Not on Wikipedia, forum references were dead links, etc.

[@ryankennedy3109]

Also used very frequently in piano and organ maintenance.

[@RomaInvicta202]

@@ryankennedy3109 I saw it in some other video regarding wood crafting (it wasn't about bows, though)

[@lisarivas4540]

Super interesting, had never seen that hot oil timber bending before.

[@byrongreen2167]

I've made a few ( Osage) bows myself, and will be making a few more this fall....this video brings back alot of memories.....thank you....

[@romulusbuta9318]

What wood,please ?

[@gregwalker4236]

this, to me, a retired handyman/construction worker, is real craftsmanship--way beyond my ability....subscribed!

[@jasonball2406]

I appreciate how the video keeps it honest by showing the painstaking effort that went into this bow. By giving great patience and being soft spoken, I have learned many things. Thank you for sharing.

[@tbillington]

Super interesting, had never seen that hot oil timber bending before.

[@jasonlawrence2911]

Me either but, I'll sure say that's a superb trick to bend wood aggressively and true awesome video!

[@ironninja9873]

Nem eu! Achei um truque incrível! What s the oil that he have used?

[@xFanGame23]

this felt like true science fiction. Totally doing this from now

[@solomontown2808]

What kind of oil???

[@TheChase008]

This was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. It was a joy to watch you make this. I'm looking forward to seeing many more such projects from you. Loving all of your videos. And by the way , you have the perfect soothing voice to go along with these projects. Kudos to you.

[@cameronalexander359]

Thnkks for posting. Awesome to witness how slow one has to go scraping back the growth rings. I've been rushing it. (I feel the pin-knots add character to the bow)

[@jasoney3264]

Give this man a TV Show! Your youtube channel already has amazing production quality and you do a great job talking through everything you're doing. Don't stop!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Jason! Hope we can keep making good videos to keep your attention.

[@hadjiic]

you do have a passion for your work! way to go and, just love the way you work

[@patricksmith9297]

I used the same oil heating technique for putting recurves on my hickory longbow and it works very well. Great job and a true pleasure to see you shooting with your daughter

[@maximusmeridio1970]

It's very nice,very good mr Robin Hood

[@kevchard5214]

Great vid!!! This is the best realistic bow making vid on youtube. Thanks for sharing!!

[@botfoblhrp]

Awesome bow. I learned hard way about exercising and longbow that been sitting. I was left with just the handle in my hand. Great video.

[@martarmis]

This video is THE ABSOLUTELY best one I saw about bow making up to now. But not only that, the way the video is made... A master piece. Thanks a lot for sharing this. WOW!

[@hebrewhomesteadupdatewalee8303]

This is the best explanation of bow making I've watched. THANK YOU SIR!! YOUR A GOOD TEACHER

[@garethbaus5471]

The bending technique with the oil is a nice technique, I don't think I have seen that exact technique before.

[@4wdguydrivesby]

The oiling of the bow tho... so.... satisfying to watch...

[@jonfox1919]

Absolutely fantastic video. This isn't just a video about bowmaking, it's about understanding wood. As an aside, the cabinet scraper! One of the most underestimated and useful tools a carpenter should always have. I am constantly amazed by the number of 'highly educated' "artisans" who don't even know what on is.

[@shadetree2992]

I will remember the dry bending technique you demonstrated. Great vid. Beautiful longbow.

[@ristok4494]

A beautiful bow, and your craftsmanship is a delight to watch. Thank you!

[@UtiliTerran]

I've made a number of bows, and none as nice as this. This guy's legit.

[@aaronluna4341]

UtiliTerran Yeah, he’s really good!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you for the kind word sir!

[@graysoncarlyle6212]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching your " Build a Longbow " video. Thank you for breaking it down, especially how to work with knots and heat-to-move stubborn areas.

[@patrickwelch3274]

You brought me back to my youth. I used to make bows , go in the woods and shoot dinner. I knew nothing about making a professional bow. I’ve bought bows for my kids and now my grandchildren. I lost my dominant eye ( left handed) in an accident and have tried switching to right handed with no success. I wish every kid grew up shooting a bow . Like fishing. Don’t listen to anyone unless it is positive feedback. I watched the entire video. I may watch it again in two weeks.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you Patrick!

[@matthieuseassau6574]

Watching at your great work and your patience and also the atmosphere around, I feel very comfortable, thank you very much.

[@kennethrosbury2819]

Awesome bow I love Osage orange it looks so gorgeous when it's done absolutely beautiful job thanks for sharing the video

[@mache3984]

The most difficult thing for me to understand is the whole "growth ring" thing. I've never seen anyone really explain what that means and how you find them. Thank you for showing us!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

It is tricky... and thank you for watching!

[@draven3838]

Trust that when there are knots and holes in you bow limbs that they won't affect your bow ,I have one with worm holes in the limbs and a couple knots that I've been hunting with for 20 years and it's my favorite bow

[@ronthunders6124]

How on earth are you soo good and knowledgeable about such an old art form like this? You are a black belt craftsman and I would think one would have to be an old man to acquire this skill hahah. You were put on this planet do be a insanely great craftsman!

[@cephasmcpher67peteroutdoorspip]

Wow, no wonder hand crafted bows are so expensive, that is A LOT of work. Awesome bow.

[@noctismortis7349]

yeah, his draw knife is dull. It doesn't need to be

[@RageBearer]

As someone whos never even attempted to make a bow in his life, I can proudly say if I was using as a make along video of sorts I would have no issues. Good job man you did what alot of people on this platform cant do I hope to see more of your videos in the future and maybe someone will take some pointers from this.

[@throngcleaver]

I have a farm that's loaded with Osage Orange trees, and I cut some logs (large limbs) for a friend's brother-in-law that makes bows. He's supposed to make me one, since he's got enough wood to make far more than he'll ever build. After watching your video, I think I'll give that a try one of these days. (don't hold your breath though...ha!) Great video and great bow!

[@angelbowman1486]

A great build. I’m a long term bearbow archer. A quick suggestion for you is on raise your nick point. As you see the arrow was flying point up. The other thing is aiming. If you draw your bow back an place your middle finger in the corner of your mouth you get a consistent draw length as well as a repeating sight picture. This will help shrink your groups. God bless and great work.

[@ataria5609]

Finally something new, not knife or axe. I'm so impressed, love it!

[@guitardavepdx]

This was a very good walkthrough. You have a very good way of teaching

[@StanCrafted]

Enjoyed every second of that video! Takes me back. I've made quite a few bows, but only a couple out of osage. Still have one that was a bamboo backed osage bow. Love those longbows!

[@GrigoriyBabenko]

Really enjoyed watching whole video. Good luck in your craft.

[@OUTDOORS55]

So cool! Totally jealous of your bow making skills!

[@visjesvanger]

ye and not only for that, even more jealous at the way he s living there in the countryside,, wonderful

[@godzillaburger9690]

One of the best bow building videos I've seen. I hadn't thought about using oil when heating the wood. I will do this on my next bow. Subbed.

[@hobbyhermit66]

Thanks for the waffles. When you said that, instant craving. Lucky I have a gal that understands, and likes to spoil me. Great video. Turned out beautiful. Now I gotta find that Flemish string video. Oh, there it is. Next in play list.

[@hansvonmannschaft9062]

One of the many great parts of the video, near the end, he says: "...it's been *two great days* ..." This gentleman made *that* bow in *two* days. It would take me two days to find a bow online. I bow to you, fine sir, (silly pun intended). And I tip my hat for sharing your sport with your family. For whatever it's worth, I was already giving a +1 and subbing before the 1 minute mark, due to the crystal clear speech, contagious peace of mind, camera angle, image quality, and illumination. Remaining 47 minutes only got better. Thank you very much! Amazing craftmanship. YT nailed it with "My recommended" today.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you for all the kind words Hans. We are looking to make another bow video soon. Thanks!

[@MrBrokenwrenches]

Making a selfbow was the most rewarding and frustrating thing I've ever done.

[@joelkelly169]

Amen to that lol

[@treadfall1926]

Killer video! Always great to see you work around the difficult spots in your projects. Talent , knowledge, and fortitude. Awesome! Congrats on 25K!

[@bryanquick3349]

really satisfying to watch the bow take shape from start to finish.

[@BryanDenlingerKJVM]

I made a baseball bat out of Osage Orange on my wood lathe many years ago. Beautiful, and very strong wood. Nice job on the bow.

[@kostjapm4171]

So far in my opinion this is the best bow making video, really enjoyed watching it. :)

[@LordLuminor]

piece of art youve created there.. i am carpenter and building a bow is on my to do list of projects too :)

[@kcraig51]

I'm usually working metal (machinist) this video just showed up on my suggestions. Glad it did. I thought I'd skip through it. Watched the whole thing start to finish. The oil and heat to bend the wood was interesting.

[@budslack3729]

As you were working the draw table, i was thinking to myself how much ungodly itchy saw dust you must have in your shoes, and think to myself, I'd be smart and wear sandals.... low and behold your miles ahead of me lol

[@apatheticAnxiety]

Care in your craft, and camera angles to help understand your explanations. Thank you for showing us this

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Osage is my FAVORITE wood!!!

[@roberth7707]

Thank you for making this movie. It was exciting to see your good work making this bow.

[@pipisugbo]

This was an incredible amount of work, and an impressive level of attention to detail. I'm very impressed with how well you know the wood you're working with. This is so much more advanced than the sticks we used to tie strings to as kids 🤣

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Metal scrapers are such a useful tool. You are a master craftsman Sir !!!!!!! Amazing Longbow.

[@noctismortis7349]

he thinks that dull tools are better, compared to skill. he can't control a draw knife and therefore apparently likes his tools dull...does he evenm know how to sharpen his tools?!?!

[@AlvinHanson1708]

Yeah, right on. Cool contour at the handle. Looking forward to learning more.

[@tommybarrios3307]

I just happen to come across this video, and as a craftsman myself I just had to watch it. It was awesome. Thanks, you have a new viewer.

[@flywiseman]

What a great vid. thank you for the detailed explanations with each step

[@miakaal]

Cannot imagine how they produced so many back in the days of Henry V. Must have taken months of prep.

[@tonniesoms]

Rough work is done by apprentices probably.

[@Jaguartmb]

I was thinking something similar. Gives one appreciation for the crafts of years ago. You were born to do one thing, because to do something like this well, it takes nearly a lifetime probably. I wonder hey

[@kangheelee5076]

One of the best vids I've seen from stave to bow.

[@OscarRodSeedsofG]

Longbows are my passion and I fallow Howard Hill's style. I used to make them out of bamboo which is not very strong unless they are laminated. Your longbow making skill is amazing and your shooting form is very good. Thank you for sharing your skills.

[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

Osage Orange is the most unforgiving wood in the world . One can spend hours and hours working on a stave which looks promising ... only to start seeing "whorls" in the grain . You got my respect and my first primitive Osage bow was made with stone tools . ATB

[@leebarnhart9725]

SAR TRACKING ...we call it hedge wood here in Kansas and you are spot on. The only wood that is easier to drill and tap than to nail. The older it gets the harder it gets. The Osage Indians of this area made their bows and even arrow shafts from this frustrating wood. This lends me to believe they had to have had at least a few cuss words in their vocabulary.

[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

Lee Barnhart - I have a home in New Mexico and a home not far from Wichita . I grew up in southern Missouri where hedge wood is known as... and pronounced "Bow Dark" . The original spelling is French and spelled BoisD'ark . Pronounced bweh dare..k . It means "wood for bows" in the French language and was coined by early French explorers . There is a town in Missouri named Bois D'ark . Good luck asking for directions from the locals if you do not pronounce the towns name Bow Dark . I have made 6 primitive Plains flat bows from hedge wood - hedge apple - "bow dark" . A couple looked fantastic until you hear and feel that faint "crack" at full draw on the 10th shot . The same feeling like that letter telling you your property taxes just went up again . All the best Lee and Thanks for your comments .

[@leebarnhart9725]

SAR TRACKING ...From one flat lander to another-- Thank You!

[@nakoawarrior3186]

Awesome video,..............He draws the bow and shows the actual lay out of the bow. He shows you how to get the waste wood off down to your bow's back. He explains that all woods have character and you must work around it. All bowyers have a style of their own and different process's. I start with green wood,..... depending on species. If the wood don't check/ crack I take it from bow blank to stave,....but I never bend a bow till the wood has dried. I use a angle grinder and a sanding disc with rubber backing. I use a draw knife and a spoke shave. I totally shape the bow with an 80 or bigger grit sanding disc and turn the wood to dust in about 20 minutes it go's from bow blank to stave. I get by,........but this guys band saw make's it look so easy. But I use vegetable shortening and a heat gun to bend wood,..... because it work's great. This is excellent you-tube content,... bowyers college.

[@benth162]

On the property I grew up on, we had two very large Osage orange trees. The wood of the OOT when cured is so hard you can barely get an axe to make much of cut in it. My brother and I used to play war games using the fruit of that tree, which were as large as large Navel Oranges but were much harder. The yellow wood is beautiful though.

[@Johnbro8]

Thanks for sharing your skills, very therapeutic to watch artisan work in progress 👍👍😁

[@waynebyerly9681]

the time lapse of the "un-bending" was a nice touch. instructive. interesting to see it progress.

[@hankvana2149]

Great video - Thanks for sharing! As a kid I had a passion for pellet guns, homemade bows and slingshots. Retired now and those passions are still there - stronger than ever! Draw a self-bow and feel the live power there - can't help but smile. Have a bunch of staves in the garage, think I will go out and have a discussion with a nice hornbeam one. Cheers! Hank

[@xunxhinexuicide]

I hope you were successful

[@hankvana2149]

@@xunxhinexuicide Yes, thank you, it turned out well. The bow is a Holmegaard style that has a 52 pound draw weight.

[@squirrelgunsmith1131]

THE BEST self bow tutorial EVER!!!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you.

[@timguard]

I'm so impressed by how you build your own bow. it's so cool

[@SuperJupiter9]

Great craftsmanship and understanding of the natural feel of a piece of wood! I like how you worked the annual rings to retain the strength of the tree. Also it's the first time I see that wood bending technique with the heatgun and the oil, very impressed with it and can't wait to try it, thanks for sharing.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks for watching Pierre!

[@neorich59]

How random is KZbin? I was drawn to watching some videos by JoergSprave and then to suggestions on comparisons between Long Bows and Cross Bows. Having watched many a film where both were used it was fascinating and that brought me here. It's not something I would've chosen to watch, but it's been really interesting and so good to see that these arts are being kept alive.. Who knows, come the end of fossil fuels etc. we may have to revert to using them again! 😉

[@wolfpackscrum284]

You Sir, are a craftsman! Very well presented.

[@jacobneal9445]

I dont know anything about craftsmanship but I very much enjoyed this video and seeing you take pride in your work. Thank you for making this.

[@DerekScottOHara]

Masterful work. Congrats on the 25,000 subs guys!

[@tootall5559]

you should find a protectant that keeps the UV rays off the wood, so it stays that pretty color and doesn't go brown. Common Name(s): Osage Orange, Horse Apple, Hedge Apple, Bois d’arc Scientific Name: Maclura pomifera Distribution: South-central United States Tree Size: 50-60 ft (15-18 m) tall, 1-2 ft (.3-.6 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 54 lbs/ft3 (855 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .76, .86 Janka Hardness: 2,620 lbf (11,640 N) Modulus of Rupture: 18,650 lbf/in2 (128.6 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 1,689,000 lbf/in2 (11.64 GPa) Crushing Strength: 9,380 lbf/in2 (64.7 MPa)* *Estimated crushing strength from data of green wood at: 5,810 lbf/in2 (40.1 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 3.8%, Tangential: 5.6%, Volumetric: 9.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.5 Color/Appearance: Heartwood is golden to bright yellow, which inevitably ages to a darker medium brown with time: primarily due to exposure to ultraviolet light. See the article Preventing Color Changes in Exotic Woods for more details. Grain/Texture: Grain is straight, with a fine to medium texture. High natural luster. Endgrain: Ring-porous; large to very large earlywood pores 2-3 pores wide, small latewood pores in clusters and tangential bands; tyloses extremely abundant; growth rings distinct; narrow to medium rays visible without lens, spacing normal; parenchyma vasicentric, lozenge, and confluent. Rot Resistance: Osage Orange is extremely durable and is considered to be one of the most decay resistant woods in North America. Workability: Working this Osage Orange can be difficult due to its hardness and density, though it is reported to have little dulling effect on cutting edges. It turns well, and also takes stains, glues and finishes well. Odor: No characteristic odor. Allergies/Toxicity: Sap has been reported to cause dermatitis. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. Pricing/Availability: Having typically small, crooked, and knotty trunks, Osage Orange isn’t usually harvested for lumber, but can occasionally be found for sale in either board or small turning block form. Due to its domesticity and adequate supply, the price should be moderate, though likely to be higher than most other native lumbers on account of its “specialty” status. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Common Uses: Fence posts, dye, archery bows, musical instruments, turnings, and other small specialty wood items.

[@aimtrue4540]

Beautiful...can not understand why anyone would dislike this video...

[@faarsight]

I like that you explain what you're doing and not just showing it

[@garethbaus5471]

Where I am it is called hedge, very common here makes good firewood if your stove or fireplace can take the heat.

[@greeneggsandflams7861]

If you wanna make this bow out of a different kind of wood, make sure you research the wood as some species you want to keep the sap wood as the back as it has higher flexibility further reducing the chance of lifting and cracking

[@jakubsitkiewicz8418]

Use hickory... i`m not sure about how it call in english... it makes drumsticks and baseball bats... it`s pretty amazing to make any bows

[@greeneggsandflams7861]

Hickory can be difficult to work with especially if you only have hand tools

[@dannyhardesty1102]

@@jakubsitkiewicz8418 will pecan work?

[@vincentmalpica]

@@jakubsitkiewicz8418 it is called hickory Its also really good for axe handles

[@aintherion111]

YEP, interest is there, thank-you for your video. The Teacher Side of you can't help but shine through.

[@gregoryhare6550]

Awsome work you put in to your bow and i like some of your other work awsome. And pace

[@aaronluna4341]

I’ve stopped using tung oil and exclusively use a beeswax/hog fat mixture to seal my wooden bows. Cool video. I know longer build bows with a steep handle and short fades but I know build fully bending D bows like the Cherokee and Sudbury bows with longer fades and a more narrow handle. I occasionally build a sinew backed bow. Thanks

[@Sourdoughgirl]

So awesome! You just earned yourself a new sub, sir.

[@jackspurgeon]

Thanks for sharing this. I've been wanting to biuld a long bow really bad.

[@tomthomas4666]

Enjoyed your video very much. I have gotten old and have to use a CROSSBOW but I still appreciate your craftsmanship. Have a nice day.

[@thespanishdutchmanelteache4358]

Brother, you are one hell of a Craftsman, and yes, I wrote that with a capital C on purpose.

[@jeffray3143]

Maybe turn your tree 45'.get a square look at it ...just sayin .i love your work ..i got too old to pull my orange bow back.i remember getting it made.back in 65. Aluminium arrows just came out. I make my out of ash these days .no drop shootin straight down.lol great vid my friend