Rehairing a bow

Have you ever seen how a bow is rehaired? Be careful trying it on your bow bow, it's easy to damage it!
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[@kentuckysmallbatchstrings4569]

By watching this video I have seen everything I did right, and wrong on my past bow repairs. Thank you so much for the great information.

[@maestrokimon]

Good to hear that you could learn something from my videos!

[@Joachim_M._Mart]

This is the best video that I've seen about change the bow's hair, VERY complete (almost), step by step, but kinda complicated.

[@bobsquires4521]

Very fine chisel work, this video completely illuminates the master's skills necessary for exacting precision. No question it is difficult rehairing bows but you've made it look absolutely clear. Many thanks for these complete explanations! And, most importantly - you helped me succeed.

[@GearZpin]

Thank u so much for this thorough and precise demonstration of this master class craft. I came here to check and see if I could do this myself. Now I will happily pay a seasoned professional for the incredibly meticulous work that has to be put into this highly specialized process.

[@Samuel081074]

Great teacher Maestro-Kimon, his videos always very well explained. I find it difficult to cut the wedges to put in the hole to hold the mane. The way is to train.

[@BennyHarry]

Another excellent video. I have just started learning this so was great to see a concise version done a slightly different way! Thanks!

[@maestrokimon]

Great to hear Ben. You are welcome!

[@jachinhemnath3750]

Amazing workmanship

[@agwbcfjc2]

This was an awesome video, Maestro. I've been wondering all of my life how stringing a bow was done. Now I know. Thank you very much!

[@maestrokimon]

Good to hear that you liked the video! Greetings!

[@ronznine7870]

Well, your name is accurate. Maestro is fitting your level of knowledge and craftsmanship. Maybe toss in generous. Generous Maestro. Thank you for sharing.

[@Samuel081074]

Dear teacher Maestro Kimom, what a perfect explanation! Grateful for good teaching.

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you for your kind words Samuel!

[@jamesoiler2530]

Good stuff here. I've done a bunch of bows and I really like some of your techniques here. Definitely going to try a few of your ways.!

[@exclusivescience]

Excellent work

[@Bargle5]

Had no idea what went into rehairing a bow. Now I know. Thanks.

[@seankayll9017]

You made that look easy. I know from experience that it is a very difficult job.

[@Samuel081074]

I'm from Brazil, but I really like your videos! Congratulations.

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you Samuel!

[@MrViktor59]

explications très précises ! Merc beaucoup!

[@samuelwarshaw9480]

Been a while, glad to have you back! I’m sure the video will be awesome!

[@maestrokimon]

Could it be that you missed a couple of videos? I still post 2 videos per month! KZbin doesn't notifie everyone!

[@samuelwarshaw9480]

@@maestrokimon I guess so! I must not have been getting the notifications even though I have the bell icon on!

[@maestrokimon]

@@samuelwarshaw9480 I friend told me once that GMAIL put the KZbin notifications in the spam folder... wait...WHAT??!?!!?!?

[@samuelwarshaw9480]

@@maestrokimon oof yea, that would be very annoying!

[@markkdarkk2988]

A masterful performance and a clear, well-made, instructive video. I was going to repair my own bow myself and replace a broken frog. After watching this, though, hell, I'm just going to buy a new bow.

[@ShantiTrish]

Thankyou after watching this l will have the professional to do my bow . Fantastic demonstration . You make it look so easy , but you have a skill which you have perfected over the years . Thanks for sharing . 😀😀😀😀

[@HovingtonInstruments]

Really good video 👍 Thanks for sharing this

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you!

[@marcopilati7464]

quanta passione, pazienza, arte e maestria. Grande Maestro!

[@maestrokimon]

Grazie mille Marco!

[@Alrukitaf]

Excellent presentation. Good tip to leave it to professionals if in doubt. But if one has no choice, this is valuable advice and instruction.

[@maestrokimon]

Good to hear, thank you.

[@delllee8365]

Very nice work!

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you!

[@markprentice1961]

Very timely as I'm getting ready to rehair several bows. I'm also rewinding the bows with nickel silver wire and lizard skin grip. I would like to see you make a video on performing this step. Great Job! Love all your Videos!

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you so much for your kind words Mark! I will make more videos on bow maintenance soon!

[@Lancer0047]

Useful stuff. Thank you.

[@maestrokimon]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bonenfant96]

Beautiful job.

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you so much 😀

[@kendyboston4225]

Another brilliant video from maestro Kimon . Which way does the grain go in the two major wedges . Thank you

[@stevehammond8393]

Ok, will do. Thx

[@user-bo2ht9mh5w]

Thank you very much

[@ranjeetbanerjee3561]

Beautiful❤ Kimon It looks quite easy to re-hair a bow but it quite a risky without having sufficient knowledge. Thanks for giving the information.

[@maestrokimon]

It is a bit risky. It is so easy to break the tip or frog of the bow.

[@ranjeetbanerjee3561]

@@maestrokimon ha ha ha Yes without sufficient knowledge its quite easy to break anything

[@maestrokimon]

@@ranjeetbanerjee3561 That is so true!!!

[@Rapidguitar]

Great Job!!

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you!

[@teezeeteezee7874]

wow, amazing.

[@ksychess]

Excelente vídeo, parabéns

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you!

[@petermacoviolin]

Dank u voor mooie video. Grtj van Belgie

[@maestrokimon]

Dank je wel Peter!

[@Deluge4000]

Hi Maestro, thanks for sharing your process! Learned a few things from this :) also, I like your wooden clamps. Did you make them yourself, and if so, how? Looking forward to your next bow maintenance video, and interested in how you replace the wire winding and leather thumb grip.

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you so much for your kind comment. The clamps are called "Klemmsia" and you can buy them at Dictum.com or have a look for a tutorial on how to make theme on your own. I will make more bow maintenance videos, so stick around!!!

[@salomonarreguin3748]

Best thing to watch at 3am.

[@maestrokimon]

Good to hear, thank you!

[@alans3935]

Great video. What type of material is the wood used for the vise clamp?

[@user-bo2ht9mh5w]

Thanks

[@notsobigmax]

Good video, but NEVER USE GLUE!!! Because in the next rehairing you can have big trouble reopening. I am Massimo Lucchi, the son of maestro Giovanni Lucchi, bowmakers in Cremona. I am happy seeing you showing how to rehair. Thank you.

[@maestrokimon]

I know, I have had to open bows that are glued and it is challenging! I have had some classes by your father when studying in Cremona. Maybe I can promote some of your products in my videos. Feel free to mail me.

[@notsobigmax]

@@maestrokimon yes sure, maybe you can present the LucchiMeter. Or rehairing with our LucchiSpecial top quality horsehair and with some easy specific tools that can be self-made. I think that it will be interesting for a lot of people. Contact me if you want on our website you can find my email.

[@electronicsheep0911]

Very interesting!

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you!

[@jkbish1]

i am collecting all the parts and pieces. Soon the hair will arrive. I expect to fail miserably for the first few bows. But I will return to this video and get it right,,,, I hope.

[@ellobosolitario19]

Ohhh excelente, thanks a lot

[@maestrokimon]

You are welcome!

[@SOLENOID4]

Cala cala Kir Kimon 😊

[@maestrokimon]

Sorry?

[@Pracownia_Lutnicza_Warszawa]

Thanks for this video. I previous rehaired bows from head to frog, but from 2 years i make it from frog to head. In my opinion it is easier to control correct lenght of hair. Before making a second knot i prefer to use comb dedicated to eyelashes. Hi is very tiny and cheap. I use one method in rehairing: after rehairing i leave wet hair with a little bit taut bow. After being dry, hair needn`t be equalized over the flame.

[@maestrokimon]

I think that I will try ons to see how it is, rehairing from the frog to the tip. I'm also considering a finer comp but with the shops closed...

[@jamesmothersbaugh357]

Arnold Bone at the U of New Hampshire used an old style toothbrush trimmed short with a beard trimmer for the final "combing" of the hair. Works perfectly.

[@spleno1]

You said it at 1:13, the first and obvious first step is to remove the old hair! 😂

[@maestrokimon]

First things first!!! 🤣

[@happyhonker123]

Hi Kimon, you should try rehairing from frog to tip even just for knowledge sake. I was rehairing from tip to frog for over a decade until I learnt how to do from frog to tip and I find I get better results. You don't have to worry about loose hair in the frog and the hair is much straighter and evenly spread. I also never need to shrink the hair with fire because it is all perfectly tensioned without any loose hairs. It took me a few weeks to get good at it but it is worth it. Search for Gilles Nehr videos for a good demonstration.

[@maestrokimon]

Hello Bagel. I will have a look to the videos that you mention and give it a try! Maybe something for a future video!

[@Yosofool]

You are very professional, can I send you the bow for re-hairing?

[@bomaite1]

What kind of wood are the wedges made of? Don't you have to make a hollow groove in the bottom of the wedges? I saw a groove on the wedge that came out of the bow. Is the hair slightly damp or completely dry when you run it over the flame? How do you measure the length? Are you measuring the entire depth of the hole up to the very top, and then adding that on from the very back of the wedge hole? Then that will be the length of the hair to the back of the knot? You disregard the length of hair sticking out of the knot?

[@GoUncleBuster]

what kind of wood do you make the wedges out of

[@ardathbelzer9891]

Wonderful video! My husband and I keep thinking of trying to rehair the multiple hairless bows we've collected. We have a lot of small-sized bows with fiberglass hair-all stuck together with old rosin. Many of the kids have such bad bows and I keep thinking we should find a way to rehair those bows! Thoughts?

[@maestrokimon]

You could try. You will need some tools that you have to buy and some you can make. At the beginning you can buy hair for single bows instead of a big hank. You can find everything that you need at dictum.com

[@johnbrock1602]

Where is the door to your shop? Love your channel

[@maestrokimon]

There is no door!!! I'm locked in!!! Haha!!! The door is behind the camera and covered with isolation like the walls, that's why you neve see it.

[@sergiomanzetti1021]

What type of wood material is the new wedge?

[@chriskelly9653]

What kind of wood is used for the wedge that’s keeps the hair from coming out .

[@lemenyves34]

According to you, what is the appropriate length for the hair? I thought that ideally, when the screw is entirely undone, the hair should be just loose with no tension. Is it normal practice to have to pull the hair in order to put the frog in its place? If any, what is the advantage of that pre-tension at screw 0? Thanks for your answer.

[@violinmaster2011]

Can you make a video how wrapping silver wire or install thumb leather grip??? I love your videos

[@maestrokimon]

Hello. Thank you for the suggestion. I will make more videos on bow maintenance soon.

[@edwardbass09]

Loved the video & very helpful as I'm venturing into bow making! Can you tell me what kind of lamp you're using at the end & where I could get one?

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you Edward. It's a simple IKEA lamp. I had a look at the website but didn't see it, maybe they don't make it anymore, but it looks like the "NÄVLINGE".

[@edwardbass09]

@@maestrokimon Hi, thanks so much for the reply. I actually meant what burner do you use, as in the blue burner which seems to have no wick?

[@maestrokimon]

@@edwardbass09 A! Haha! That is a simple gas thing to make coffe or cook when camping! I cut off that base to put on the pot.

[@gerardcullen2853]

Thank you maestro. What kind of wood is used for the "dowels" used to lock the hair in the top and frog?

[@maestrokimon]

I used to buy them but I'm not sutisfied by the quality. Now I use maple and make them by myself. Any kind of hard wood will do the job!

[@rossthefiddler5890]

I wish I could just cut the hank of hair off like you do, but even with 'premium quality' hair I am not satisfied with some of the strands of hair, so my clients pay for a 'premium' rehairing job as I select each strand of hair for the job (throwing away 30-40% of the hair). As you do it from one end & not the other I do it the other end & not tried it from the head first. One bow maker showed on a video he ties his bundle of hair tail at the end so that none of the newer hair is wasted, but I had glued & bound my last tail at the top like I normally do before I saw that idea, so a few cm is usually wasted before it goes into the frog. Ah yes, superglue on the knot works well for me too & I dip it into a little of methylated spirits as it sets it off immediately, then a quick blow with the hair dryer takes care of it before I insert it into the mortise. I really should make more use of my shooting/cutting board like you too for cutting the wedge etc. It's always good to see how others do their work as there are methods & ideas I may not have thought of.

[@tc-dj8kf]

It's funny, I have been buying ultra cheap and broken bows to practice repair techniques on and I'm just this week getting ready to practice rehairs. Do you put more hair on the playing side of the bow or is that a preference thing?

[@maestrokimon]

I always put the hair even over the hole width. I think that the uneven way of putting the hair has only effect on the first 10cm of the bow. Only if a client wants it I do it.

[@bluehoo0]

Very informative thank you. It’s a bit scary watching you pass the bow over the flame😱

[@maestrokimon]

Thank you! It is, isn't it? But it always ends well!

[@schlorkl]

@@maestrokimon How about a hot air gun instead of a flame?

[@superatech]

How much hair did you use?

[@marcosmarcalmendes6452]

Mestre gosto de finalizar pela ponta do arco,esta errado,ou simplesmente técnica diferente?

[@robertholler7262]

As a mandolin luthier I can tell by the sound of the chisel that the wedges are of soft wood. Please tell what species?

[@Jeff034]

What is the wedge wood species?

[@maxlever9196]

Maestro, in the last step, is flame necessary? Or would a high temperature heat gun work? Thank you.

[@maestrokimon]

Hello Max. I have to say that I have never tried it. I have the feeling that the flame has a bit more concentrated heat that a heat gun but not sure about it. You could try though but not with you most expensive bow!!!

[@newtsfarm]

What kind of wood do you use for the wedges?

[@maestrokimon]

Some kind of hard wood will do the job. Even maple. But you can also buy theme at dictum.com

[@bruceb1534]

What type of wood do you use to make your wedges? Is it a softwood or hardwood?

[@maestrokimon]

Hardwood will do the job.

[@KangurSinguatic]

Could i know my friend,what wood do u used for tip and frog to fix i n the hair,please

[@maestrokimon]

I buy them at dictum.com, I think that you could use maple.

[@koskar3242]

Εξαιρετικό και αυτό το βίντεο Κιμωνα!Μια ερωτηση έχω:Όταν βαζεις τις τριχες στην βάση,το ταλον σε ποιά θεση βρισκεται;Τελειως βιδωμενο ή τελειως ξεβίδωτο;

[@maestrokimon]

Ευχαριστώ πολύ! Το ταλόν είναι τελείως ξεβίδωτο, όσο πιο κοντά στο δερματάκι γίνετε.

[@koskar3242]

@@maestrokimon Ευχαριστώ πολυ.Ελπιζω να σε δούμε και στην Ελλαδα σύντομα!

[@maestrokimon]

@@koskar3242 Και εγω το ελπίζω αλλα μας έχεις κλειδώσει ο ιος!!!

[@estebangranados4949]

Hello,i've been checking lutherie schools lately but i don't know much italian yet to get more details. You studied in the current "Istituto di Istruzione Superiore "Antonio Stradivari"" right? Is it private or public? how many years did you study there? Thanks for the answer, and for your videos too!

[@maestrokimon]

Hello Esteban. Have a look to this website, and change the language to English: www.scuoladiliuteria.it It is a public school and (although the curriculum has changed sins I was studying there) it is 5 years.

[@estebangranados4949]

​@@maestrokimon thank you very much

[@sergiomanzetti1021]

Great video, but you forgot to tell whether the Froch should be tense or slack when measuring the length of the hair

[@maestrokimon]

It has to be at the most slack position otherwise you won't be able to put tension to the hair when it's ready.

[@sergiomanzetti1021]

@@maestrokimon Thanks Kimon. I found out that if I barely fix the froch with the long screw (just barely), then I can cut the hair exactly over the round-marble like decoration on the side, after gluing the hair together at the knot, as you showed. Thanks

[@lloydsplace101]

by watching this video i realized ill send mine to california for a 22.00 redo

[@Pracownia_Lutnicza_Warszawa]

Next video about french polishing a new bow and redrilling Old screw hole please!

[@maestrokimon]

I'm sorry but I don't make new bows and don't do so extensive repairs. I only do the basics (rehair, wire, leather and tip replacement).

[@Pracownia_Lutnicza_Warszawa]

@@maestrokimon so make video about wire and about center point of weight of bow. It is very important subject. Greetings!

[@maestrokimon]

I will do my best! Thank you!

[@user-pw2gh7fk9m]

May i know the small pieces of wood is what kind? Is maple or pruce wood?

[@maestrokimon]

Any hardwood will do the job. Maple is fine, spruce not.

[@waltony1]

What type of wood do you use for the wedges please? Thank you

[@maestrokimon]

I use maple.

[@waltony1]

@@maestrokimon thank you, I followed your video today, re-haired my bow, total success, many thanks

[@stevehammond8393]

Kimon, can I use a heat gun instead of flame?

[@maestrokimon]

I haven't done this before, you could try but be careful not to melt the varnish on the bow.

[@Samuel081074]

What kind of wood does the teacher use to make the plug in the holes, and which serves to lock the mane?

[@maestrokimon]

Any kind of hardwood will do the job. You can also buy theme at dictum.com

[@Samuel081074]

Thankyou teacher.

[@tritony20mr37]

Saludos en donde puedo comprar la cerda de calidad?

[@maestrokimon]

You can find links to all my suppliers here: maestrokimon.com/links- I buy my bow parts and tools at Dictum.

[@ghlscitel6714]

I'll count the number of hair needed. Which sort of wood did you use for the wedges?

[@maestrokimon]

And how many do you put on a cello bow? I use hard wood ones that I buy at dictum.com

[@ghlscitel6714]

@@maestrokimon Thank you for answering. I only rehair violin bows - my own. I need around 300 for a new rehair. I have some stock of beech wood, and also oak wood. I will try with one of these.

[@jamesmothersbaugh357]

@@ghlscitel6714 300 is what I use in a bass bow!! I studied rehairing in 1988 with Arnold Bone at a workshop in New Hampshire, and he said the amount of hair used in rehairing affects the response and tone of a bow. As a player I agree with him. I have a bow which weighs 57g, and when I rehair it, I use about 145 hairs; I have a 62g Prosper Colas that is quite rigid, and I can use 190 in it. In each case, those bows play quite well. Mr. Bone said he thought in general rehair persons put too much hair in a bow. I have over the years had many people say that my rehair of their bow improved the handling and/or the clarity of tone; what did I do? I just put what I think is the correct amount of hair in a bow. And not a hair more.

[@ghlscitel6714]

@@jamesmothersbaugh357 Thank you of your remarks. You obviously are much more experienced than me. I will take your remarks as suggestion and try rehairing with less hairs.

[@infinitepawer]

May I ask is there any reliable online shop selling materials for making the bow Wedges ?? Thanks

[@maestrokimon]

Hello. I buy almost all my supplies for the bow-repair at dictum.com

[@infinitepawer]

@@maestrokimon May I know which wood is suitable for bow wedges ?? Maple ?? Thanks

[@maestrokimon]

@@infinitepawer maple will do the job perfectly.

[@infinitepawer]

@@maestrokimon Thank you for your reply. Have a great day.

[@samrix5793]

What wood is used for the wedges?

[@maestrokimon]

You can use some maple, but every kind of hard wood will do the job.

[@samrix5793]

@@maestrokimon thank you for the reply

[@JNaysh]

Just curious, is there any good reason why every time a bow is rehaired you have to make all these wedges and stuff? Would it behave worse if it was designed with removable, reusable parts instead?

[@maestrokimon]

Sometimes they get out in one piece, thene I reuse theme, but mostly ylthey are so stuck that they break. It isn't so hard to make new ones.

[@JNaysh]

@@maestrokimon that makes sense, I guess im just annoyed cuz this used $3 bow I'm trying to rehair has all the wedges stuck 😭 I can see why they decided to give it away instead of try to get rehaired, some genius thought superglue would help solve all their problems, and I feel like that would happen less often if the design were a bit more user friendly

[@maestrokimon]

Cheap bows are harder to repair than expensive ones. The parts don't fit properly and everything is stuck. Even better, buy a new one for €50,-

[@jamesmothersbaugh357]

@@maestrokimon Agreed! The SHAR Fusion is the worst bow on the market! I find it interesting that SHAR criticizes poor violins, which they call "violin-shaped objects," but they continue to sell "bow-shaped objects" like the Fusion!!

[@teentheblue3644]

My local master does the wood block while rehairing bow differently from you: He would put carbon paper in the hole, try to fit the block and see where is most blackish, there he will proceed to carve those particular areas off He said it'd save a lot of time of trying to tightly fit the block into the hole, do you think it's a good method?

[@maestrokimon]

To start with, everyone does things in his way, that's not so important as long as the block fits well. And second, I need 1 or 2 minutes to make my wedge, I don't see a lot of time saving!

[@teentheblue3644]

@@maestrokimon Professional that is

[@maestrokimon]

Sorry? I don't understand you!

[@teentheblue3644]

@@maestrokimon I mean you truely are a pro, finishing the trivial under 2 mins XD

[@maestrokimon]

Ah thank you!

[@rstevep9413]

hello

[@maestrokimon]

Hi!

[@lloydsplace101]

i was gonna put new hair on my bow, but i decided to put it on my head instead.

[@whigwood]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@AmandaViolinGirl]

I have seen another luthier use a cigarette lighter instead of the glue.

[@maestrokimon]

Yes, I know, the use rosin and a lighter. I have done it also in the past but was not very satisfied.

[@spleno1]

🤣

[@Vurligan13]

Ωραία παρουσίαση Κίμωνα. Συγχαρητήρια! Που βρίσκεται το εργαστήριο σου;

[@maestrokimon]

είμαι στην Ολλανδία.