Making A Medieval Longbow

[@Desasteroid]

That kid is a natural. Seriously.

[@roccov3614]

Definitely. Robin has a future as a youtuber. I think the problem with that bow is that the wood was too green. Probably after it has had time to dry and harden, it will perform better.

[@christopherweise438]

Well.....a bow is a "stringed instrument" in a sense. You managed to stay on brand. Thanks Daisy

[@TheGamingMason]

Best Comment, period. Its not called "plucking the yew" for nothing. 🥰🤣🥰

[@Hyo9000]

An instrument of death, no less!

[@christopherweise438]

@@Hyo9000 - LOL!!

[@andresilva8444]

Oh, what a relief!! When I saw the "Criminal" thumbnail I thought you'd made a banjo!

[@DaveMiller2]

I don't build guitars but I do build longbows. An actual English Longbow is far more complicated to make, but this isn't a bad way to have some fun with a youngster. And Yes, Daisy, you can make a real longbow with just a hatchet (and maybe a piece of broken glass or obsidian) so you certainly could make the bow you and Robin did with only a hatchet. There are Yew trees in England in church yards that over 2000 years old. There is a yew tree called the Llangernyw Yew in Wales, which is between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. To make a yew longbow, the staves are quartered from larger trees, and the staves are ages for years before they are ready to be used. The particular characteristics of yew are indeed perfect for longbows. There is no better wood for them. A yew guitar would be interesting . Maybe you could do a video on that sometime.

[@brentwalker8596]

Yeah, I was worried about making and pulling a bow made from green wood.

[@treelore7266]

Nothing makes memories like stealing wood together.

[@Andyloveswood]

You're a cool aunt! Every kid needs one.

[@bhmptn2006]

@andyboybennett She clearly stated they are cousins. So unless there was some seriously diabolical intermarrying going on, cousins can’t be aunt/nephew

[@zuke-ci4vd]

Saw the thumbnail for this video...was not surprised... "That Daisy, she a king mixer, she is..."🤨🤪🤣

[@lucasgssilveira]

He's got the right name for managing a longbow, maybe born some centuries late, but the name and attitude are just spot on.

[@Hyo9000]

That kid could easily be an actor, what the hell. Such charisma.

[@halfabee]

The longbow was manufactured from the trunk of the tree. A typical longbow; the dark heartwood (hw) is on the concave (belly) and the lighter sapwood (sw) is on the convex (back) side. Henry VIII longbows were manufactured from yew from Turkey. Which is slower growing and denser than English yew.

[@FreviriousQuigby]

1 and a quarter Robins... it's nice to see you embracing the American tradition of measuring things with anything but the metric system. As an American, I salute you.

[@forrestw62]

The Robin is obviously derived from the Smoot, whose namesake was chairman of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and president of the International Organization for Standardization.

[@Zjefke86]

I build both guitars and bows. I love this video! It's not at all how bows are maden (it's more like putting strings on a log and call it a guitar), but that's not always the most important thing. It looks like you both had a great time and that's what counts. That said: if you take the time, you can make excellent, fully functional bows out of cheap wood from the hardware store. Once you get the knack of it, you can finish one in a weekend, so it could be a great project when he decides to level up.

[@bernard832]

Robin is a natural on camera.

[@curiousman1672]

Go Robin! All he needs now is a hood.

[@robeigner4390]

I'm glad to see you educating a family member on how to use manual woodworking tools instead of training them on a CNC system. My grandfather was a cabinet maker (wheelwright in Germany) who had his home shop in the basement (ground floor) in San Francisco. He taught me a lot, especially the love of building things with my hands. I still have a bunch of his original tools, many about 100 years old. They still work, although some of the chisels have been sharpened to the point where there's n ot much metal left. I hope your cousin keeps working with wood. The process and results are life changing.

[@woodland8902]

Young lady, never give up! Your style is refreshing.

[@lessismore74]

“spit-roasting a pheasant he shot and planning a revolt” 😆

[@DigiLab360]

Robin's presentation skills are very impressive. I see another KZbin star in the making. Awesome video!!🤩

[@timbeaton5045]

"...Robin wanted to be a YEW Tuber....." I'll get my coat.

[@AquaPeet]

Robin yew from the graveyard

[@markg454]

Well done, I salute you.

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

I just remembered that back in the 70s when I was a camp counsellor at the YWCA and I was at my wits end to come up with activities, one day I took my group into Sherwood Park and we collected 'Y" shaped branches (which took hours) ;) and I taught them all how to make slingshots using bits of an inner tube that we 'appropriated' from a local bike rack... Needless to say, my supervisor wasn't overly thrilled, but then the parents were so impressed with how enthusiastic the kids had got so all was forgiven. Then the next week I taught them how to build a mortar/rocket launcher using the tube from a TP roll... (Just kidding...)

[@johnduffy6546]

You're going to have to put him on the payroll. The little fellow knows how to work the family cute gene. He's a natural...As always, great video!

[@kevinmeachem2138]

You had me at the title! Love the unusual topic.

[@bc3024]

Great. Love the luthering, but nice to see something off piste but still woody. Lovely.

[@michaelelwell7476]

Good one, Daisy! The balance between one’s art and one’s family.

[@timmotz2827]

A warning about yew and lutherie. It was commonly used for lutes in the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly with staves that combined light and dark sections. But at least Pacific yew can cause severe allergic reactions. If you do experiment with it-have lots of ventilation, wear a dust mask and gloves. I remember a luthier who sold off all of his Pacific yew because he found he couldn’t work with it.

[@malcolmgray1227]

Great video, your cousin is a natural, I see a double act here. A couple of months ago I was in my woodwork shed with my 12yo son. He says, "dad I want to make a crossbow with a bungy cord". Naturally I said "OK"! Had a rummage round the offcuts box and basically just started making it up as we went along. The trigger mechanism took a bit of thought. By the end of the afternoon we had it made. I was actually quit shocked as to how powerful it was the first time I fired it at the wall of the shed. Its now locked away. Was really good fun to make.

[@BobPrager]

Robin's enthusiasm and infectious grin really sold this video. I think we'd all appreciate it if you'd make a few more with him! Thanks for this one!

[@sgsax]

Super fun project, and looks like Robin had a good time too! Let's face it, who among us, British or otherwise, didn't dream about being able to shoot like Robin Hood as a kid? This Yank certainly did. Loved the project and the history lesson! Thanks for sharing!

[@rocknroller912]

I made a longbow on a week long course about 20 years ago,. It was good fun using a tiller and weight scale nailed to a tree. Shaved off bits to make the pull even on both sides of the centre.

[@glenby2u]

nice light hearted clip. thanks. I thought the longbow was made from a thicker branch and split so there was heartwood (hard facing forward) as well as more flexible wood. also dried out to add more power. anyhoo - it was lots of fun.

[@seanbaines]

As others have pointed out, the process here isn't completely accurate. :) But that doesn't matter at all, of course. As you say, so much fun!

[@KevinTurner-aka-keturn]

Robin's delivery on camera is great! The economics of being a youtuber are obviously rubbish, no mistake about that, but I'm glad you were able to collaborate on this project and share it with us!

[@leemcintyre3943]

Awe Daisy! I wish that was as charismatic as Robin when I was his age! Great guy!! Also what's your vibe on how much the neck and headstock produces tone? Pretty sure you've covered this and I've missed it. Keep up the great work!!!

[@devonf5764]

Loved everything about this video! Thanks for inviting us on this fun adventure!🎉

[@tom314]

As an archer (well archer on a break) I'm not going to deny there were a few things which made me wince but more importantly you both had fun and I'm sure Robin will remember making a youtube video and a longbow with you. Best I've done with a homemade bow was 69.5m using a bamboo cane!!! Making a proper longbow is on my medium term list though. Oh and don't go down the bowyer rabbit hole, it's a very deep one :D

[@jritchey267]

As an archer and archery enthusiast, a lot of this kind of hurt to watch...but it's too eager and adorable not to love.

[@svenlima]

A psychologist does not tell all the people he meets what they are doing wrong in their lifes. A proofreader does not correct the mistakes in the love letter he receives. And an archery enthusiast should remain quiet when he sees a non-professional making a bow - as long as he (you) doesn't intend to buy it.

[@MichaelBuilds]

Get this kid a KZbin channel! Haha. Great job Robin!

[@oldmanzen6682]

Absolutely loved this. A nice break from the guitar building to teach this young man. Great stuff.

[@andreweastwood862]

More than happy to see Robin again; a star ✨. Great video; thank you

[@clauslangenbroek9897]

Robin did a really good job! Thank you! :)

[@bhmptn2006]

@DaisyTempest Not that you’ll ever see/read this, and maybe the sponsorship has changed, but the genealogy thing was a bit of a life changer for me. Not that I ever really felt unsettled, but when I was given the results of a quick dive into the Métis records by a wonderful lady named Lorraine (RIP Lorraine Freeman née McTavish 1954-2005) and learned my rumored Native heritage was for real (Cree) and that French ancestors all the way back to the mid-1500s from the West Coast of France sailed to Montreal and made their way west from there, I just felt settled. My grandma was taught to despise that part of herself and was extremely reluctant to talk about it, but thankfully passed along the names of her parents and European grandparents which allowed Ms Freeman to unzip that part of the family tree and get all that info from nearly 500 years ago. Don’t know why or how it matters so much to know these things, but it does. Glad you know some of your family history too 😊👍

[@sloth-hand8138]

So refreshing to see entertaining videos by a true craftsperson.

[@TheGuitarCurator]

What a cool thing to do! I bet your cousin loves hanging out with you. It looks like you two had a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing this!

[@johnforguites4800]

This is a great episode! It is obvious that you're both having fun!

[@caseycarbone17]

Reminds me of when I tried something similar as a kid haha (probably around Robins age). Think we had the same level of success as some who new nothing about bow making.

[@rogerlacaille3148]

This was Brilliant Daisy,definitely let's see more of Robin😊

[@snakezdewiggle6084]

Very C😎😎L. Thanks Robin, Daisy, and Partner. A rather bold strategy, Axe vs Rock...

[@Don-ih4st]

Daisy, you make me smile. Thanks.

[@RYwoodview]

Reminds me that when young I was hiking through the Ozarks (U.S., Missouri) and came across a shack with just a little boy at home. He was delighted to see me, evidently had only rare visitors, so I made him a bow from a limb, strung it with a vine, and cut several stick arrows. It worked, and he was almost not sorry to see me go, he was having such a good time with it!

[@MattEstlea]

When is Robin opening a school of presenting and where can I sign up? Loved this video. Great work both 👏

[@DaisyTempest]

I’m working on him 😎 thanks my lovely!

[@seekersofrhythm]

So love the channel. Great builds and you learn something on the way. Looking forward to the next installment. Stay safe J.

[@bimscutney1242]

What a cool activity! Some of those long bows had huge draw weights. Between 80-100 pounds. You couldn’t hold the bow back for long and aim. Kind of had to knock the arrow, raise the bow while pulling back, get on target quick and release. Almost all in motion.

[@jpavlvs]

I have friend in the UK that make Yew bow. They don't use Yew for arrows. They use Poplar.

[@markg454]

Great job Robin. He is so cute. Well done.

[@woodstoney]

Robin of Loxley likely had similar beginings...of something like that... Fun video!!

[@AndyCallaway]

I'll keep an eye out for Robin in Sherwood Forest...

[@stephenmiller4948]

What can’t you do, Daisy?! What a fun episode! And, Robin is a cute kid!

[@JeremyBowkett]

This was tons of fun to watch! Also, thanks, Daisy and Robin, for giving props to the Welsh!

[@dougreid1951]

Every part of a yew tree is toxic - with the single exception of the red part of the "berry" - sand with care - you're better off with scrapers. Classic project - enjoyed.

[@sapelesteve]

Well done Daisy & Robin! That bow & arrow turned out great! Perhaps one day Robin will make it onto the Olympic Archery Team. It just takes practice, practice & more practice! Have fun.... 👍👍🎯🎯

[@grekiely6245]

Thanks Daisy, appreciate the history lesson, I had heard all abled persons were required to be proficient with bows. Thanks for the into to Robin, top little Bloke.

[@jozsefizsak]

I enjoyed that very much. He's a great kid and you're always a delight.

[@blackdog850]

Absolutely entertaining video! Darling & informative in every sense! Well done y'all!

[@LewHarriman]

A KZbin natural, indeed. He's got a great future ahead of him.

[@zororosario]

Cool project, must be nice to work in such a beautiful country with your cousin. Gotta bring him back😊Cheers

[@donalddparker]

Hey Robin from Portland, Oregon, USA! You did great in this video. We'd love to see you help out your cousin in future videos!

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Thankyou. Interesting, Informative and Entertaining Video. Awesome. Robin is a Natural. Nice Work. All the Best. Cheers

[@IainHC1]

Really loved this video! Thanks Robin and Daisy 🙂

[@TheGamingMason]

Seriously, every woodworker who has a spokeshave should be required to put googly eyes on them. Great video, simply brilliant. Your cousin's enthusiasm is quite extraordinary. I would suppose the yew branches would be allowed to season for awhile before building a bow from them. Curious to know if there is anything to the legend that the modern pejorative, "F You" has anything to do with supposed moment when British archers were captured by the French and had their middle fingers cut off, where the British's response was to taunt them in battle, saying we will "Pluck the Yew" while waving their middle fingers at them. 🥰

[@RichardT9]

Aye, Daisy, ye're never bored, eh? As a some-kind-of-a descendant of the Wat Tyler, I find this very intriguing! 😊

[@seanbaines]

As soon as I heard the word "yew", combined with the title, I knew what was coming. But then, it's not hard to figure out. :) I've done a fair bit of archery, actually, and I have a long standing interest in all things medieval, so I loved this! It's not quite a completely full and accurate presentation on making a traditional longbow 😉, but who cares. So much fun!

[@walterhambrick8705]

Thanks for sharing. That was fun.

[@stonehenge313]

Just brilliant!! so much fun!

[@keestoft250]

Ace! I remember when me and my mate made willow bows and lethal arrows from bamboo, with cardboard flights made from Sugarpuff cereal boxes. He shot me in the thigh with one, it went in quite deep.

[@LarsFL]

Wow, Robin is a natural!

[@Pablo668]

That was really cool. I thought the wood was dried and seasoned first? I think they also used different grains together to aid in that springy quality. I can’t remember where I got that from though.

[@craftsmanwoodturner]

I've attended a talk by a bowyer. The wood needs to be cut from a larger yew log, and includes both sapwood and heartwood. One gives the strong spring and the other the strength (can't remember which, though).

[@johnwallace2319]

he's a natural presenter

[@gwbuilder5779]

Great video Daisy and Robin.👌 There are many versions of the long bow, from the novice or beginner all the way to the master archer, and of course everything in between like survival hunter along with every level of skill and ability as well. Curious question Daisy.🤔 How much did you pay Robin for the final shot and comment?😂🤙

[@henrysu5100]

A cousin named Robin is certainly destined to have a bow and arrows.

[@davidwilliams1060]

Thanks. I learned the bowline knot years ago but never made the connection to its origin.

[@timpanda3780]

That was a wonderful video to watch, thank you both !

[@danandratis]

entertaining video Thanks Daisy - Cheers from Canada

[@georgeargon5113]

Looking forward to seeing Robin shoot his first pheasant in period costume and Daisy dressed as a medieval lutherie.

[@wouterengels7769]

Ha! just made a bow for my son earlier last week. But due to lack of yew, just used some scraps from the shop. Mind you (yew?) I wasn't trying to make a long bow :D Nice video

[@ndykman_pdx]

I am coming to think that the spoke shave is like the secret weapon of woodworking. Also, wondering how it does yew work in making a guitar. It seems like it would lack the stiffness needed to transmit vibration without a ton of bracing. Then again, maybe laminating fixes all that stuff.

[@karllines2952]

The law which obliged every man (or male over a certain âge) to practice archery still stands. There was an exception, however, if the weather was poor, archery practice could take place inside and on a smaller scale, giving Rise to the popularity of darts (especially pub darts).

[@sporranheid]

Well... didn't expect to say this, but ... That was all kinds o loveliness. 👍

[@extrasmack]

This was a beautiful wholesome installment! Reminds me of my own escapades as a youth. Now just don't let him go getting in trouble shooting the King's deer. With a name like Robin and a yew longbow I'd reckon he's already predisposed. 😉 Happy shooting! 🏹🎯

[@MCsCreations]

Amazing work, Daisy! Really fun project! 😃 And Robin has some talent right there! Well, not with the bow... But you know what I mean. 😬 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@bluplacebo]

Was this filmed in Devon? I've been to Tavistock and Princetown and it reminds me of the moors there.

[@mattomon1045]

Daisy great work

[@JusticeConstantine]

Robin is so comfortable in front of the camera.

[@chrisgreenwood4713]

You would make a Great Teacher!

[@rogerbutchbouchard8019]

I wonder if using a finish stain of some sort strengthens this bow?

[@Ruth_Amos]

Love this!

[@MattTee1975]

Man, you've got great skills. Guitar building skills, drawing skills, production skills, bow-making skills....

[@668nabrovthabest]

👏fun video! Thank you. Keep up the good content.

[@SebasHoning]

Robin is a natural!

[@edl5074]

Great video hope to see more of the both of you very entertaining 😅

[@jamescopeland5358]

Great video Daisy, I know your cousin loves it

[@thetomster7625]

you seem more excited about this build then about any guitar related stuff I've ever seen on this channel xD