The Ultimate Primitive SURVIVAL BOW? Cable Backed Bow Build

Wherever they lived, primitive peoples adapted to their environments and learned to make use of whatever natural materials they had to thrive in the wilds. Every primitive culture, with the exception of Australia's Aboriginals, utilized some form of primitive bow and arrow. But that presented a special survival challenge for those living in the arctic regions where good bow wood was nonexistent. Enter the cable backed bow. Using this ancient primitive technology, the natives of arctic regions used scraps of driftwood and whale bone to build powerful primitive survival bows. If you'd like to get into bow making but don't have access to good bow wood, this might be the way forward. I'm using paracord for the backing cable and bow string but those could be replaced with natural materials such as rawhide, gut, sinew, or plant fibers if you want to build a more primitive bow. If you're into gaming, you may know this as the thehunter cable backed bow.
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[@braams6895]

I wish I knew that when I was 8

[@YahushaRU]

Love how this man humble himself to not edit out mistakes he's made, leaving the mistakes to show that he's not perfect and also how to overcome them

[@Sk0lzky]

It helps newbies too by showing what can go wrong, so they check twice (or more).

[@kyleauchtung7715]

18:47?

[@caseysmith544]

I saw an old 1960--1970's documentary where one of the tribes in very northern Alaska a person made a bow exclusively from Caribou antler and part of the skull for the handle/riser part. The tribe was so far north they did not have any wood to make a bow with. The summer homes in another video were made of stiff rawhide (untreated hide) that was pressed into a dome shape after it was stiff, sometimes using two caribou/moose hides. In winter they actually lived in Igloos.

[@clayhayeshunter]

very cool

[@caseysmith544]

@@clayhayeshunter It was on KZbin if you want to try and find the documentaries.

[@willyboi8915]

Tuktu, aye?

[@caseysmith544]

@@willyboi8915 I think that was the name of the Native Innuit.

[@GR-kt4le]

This? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ7Jin14ncZqibc

[@J3N2]

Yeah buddy, we want to see more of this uncommon “emergency-survival” bow concepts bring back to life by your expert craftmanship 👏🏻

[@ogi22]

This is a first time i saw a cable backed bow. It looks wonderful and it's much easier from any other backing techniques i know of. But i loved a bit different part of this clip. Showing how to handle a hatchet. When i was a kid, my grandpa tought me how to split firewood and how to use a hatchet. Later when i got into bushcraft, i learned a bit more on how to use this very versatile tool. And i have to say, you handle this tool very well Sir! Thank you for sharing and spreading good ways of handling one of the most basic tools humans have designed🥰 [edit] Oh, just one tip (you might know about this one). I picked it up on TA Outdoors channel. If you stick your knife into a small wood piece, you will get a nice handle for a makeshift drawknife. It makes a bit easier work with debarking :)

[@saimanie6739]

Seeing this made me remember things I used to do when I was a kid. With limited options and a lot of creativity. I remember making a collapsible bow with a piece of PVC pipe and bamboo. Fast forward to now my wife is wondering why I was watching a guy making a bow for half an hour instead of mowing the lawn.

[@mtman2]

Have her doit w/push-unit...lol

[@Svensk7119]

Tell her it's a guy-thing.😂

[@rubenskiii]

Mowing the lawn is something you want to put off because it's stupid: you are basically harvesting useless (for us humans) plants because society is obsessed with it but barely has any function, let the grass grow a bit(unless it's a jungle lol) and make a bow. Much more fun!

[@JohnDoe-ls2ww]

@@Svensk7119lol so is mowing the lawn. I kid i kid...My wife enjoys mowing.

[@Svensk7119]

@@JohnDoe-ls2ww Now THAT is a progressive wife!!

[@reddirt5489]

I am always so impressed with your ability and knowledge. I hope your boys realize how lucky they are to have a dad so knowledgeable about so many things. Hopefully they are soaking it all in like sponges. All of it seems so second nature and muscle memory to you. 👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

You are so kind

[@aidanakach-yn9pz]

От

[@erzsebettoth8933]

[@PrithvirajSaw]

Very nice bhaiya ❤❤

[@The907g]

really appreciate the recognition to indigenous people

[@joeontko2186]

Your a badass Clay. I always feel a little more manlier when I get to wow these average Joe's emulating your teachings . Thankyou brother.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Rock on!

[@nohillforahighstepper]

That definitely opens up a lot more wood options.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep!

[@chadblechinger5746]

Super cool. I have a maple bow I am working on ( learning on ) and you have shown me two things that blow through my two major issues. I love the draw stump! I can remember it from the books and survival manuals now that I saw you doing it. I will combine it with my sanding stump( bone glue/sand) and leave just enough room to drop my double bit on the edge of the sanding surface. Flipping game changer😊 . The second nugget was confirming that I can bake the wood dry under tension. Saved me two weeks at worst or another broken bow in the pile. I am going to pull the tips towards the back of the bow with 550 and then tiller the back while she is green. Once even(ish) I will dry with fire. After the set has taken place from baking I will back the bow with drywall tape and bone glue ( works well). When that has dried I will begin floor tillering . My setup is near identical to what you have here and it was awesome watching you do it. I have another dwarf maple that I will start a cable build on. Tyvm

[@WolfStar08]

This is honestly wonderful and such a coincidence as I began getting a stave ready for steam bending to get the classic cable backed inuit bow design and shape to make one for myself but I wasn't sure on how to do the cable backing. I was getting ready to make it just a self bow as the reading I did I couldn't come up with a good alternative or way to make a decent cable backing. And then this video drops and saves the whole thing! Thank you again for the awesome content and for covering such a cool and unique way to back a bow

[@pharaohsmagician8329]

Cool!! How's the Bow? Any lessons you can pass along please

[@rauliuonac7542]

Nice 👋👍👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you 👍

[@jameshall5784]

I was making apple wood bows with stick and string when I was a kid. Now learning how to really make a bow. Thanks for the video.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad I could help!

[@stephenballard3759]

Just as an aside, apple is actually very good bow wood, if you can find a suitable stave.

[@jameshall5784]

@stephenballard3759 I was just talking stick and string and a flat piece of wood sharpened on the sidewalk.

[@stephenballard3759]

@@jameshall5784 I understood. Good luck, have fun.

[@renadenison6759]

So cool bruv. This is why I love archery, it's such a complex but simple concept. Just one stick makeing another stick deadly and accurate.

[@rocket_hops]

its kind of nice to see imperfect motion in your work, feels a lot more genuine

[@theodoreplume4861]

Mourning dove cooing nearby. Beautiful!

[@JuliaJulia007]

Beautiful ASMR 😊

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank ya

[@HazyOne707]

Saw this guy win on alone. Best season of that show.

[@lovelore]

Living legend

[@davidbrand5326]

Great video Clay! Years ago I made one using artificial sinew . It stretches too. I kept the cable close to the back of the bow and had to tie it on in several spots. I would love to see a pine bow build. I was helping a kid build one but it never got finished. Keep up the great videos!👍👍🏹🏹

[@clayhayeshunter]

That’s on the list for sure

[@eddiec4058]

You continue to impress.😊

[@clayhayeshunter]

I get it right on occasion!

[@johnclark1925]

Wow Clay, the way you used that hatchet. Masterful. 😎🤘

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 👍

[@aydencook03]

How well do you think this compares to the penobscot design? These emergency/survival bow videos are very cool.

[@clayhayeshunter]

If you have the cordage, this one is definitely easier to make

[@mikelovesnifer]

Great walkthrough! I appreciate the fact you show it can be done with limited tools and materials, great inspiration! Yeah! The conifers will be interesting!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonathanhoang6253]

Loving these primitive bow builds! This is the first time I've seen a cordage backed bow built and shot. just curious, but have you ever looked into making horn bows like ones from the Sheepeater tribe or like the ones from Asia? A bit of a different beast from this build but I bet it would be cool nonetheless.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’d love to one day. Just gotta find some good horn.

[@hansg6336]

Very meditative watching you work. I've found that to be true working with any kind of bush craft. You tend to immerse yourself and forget much of the BS in life.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Very true!

[@Bushmanschool]

Great video brother thanks for sharing.

[@clayhayeshunter]

no problem

[@DuxLindy]

you could give him a toothpick and dental floss and he'd come back in an hour with a 50lb bow

[@RemiLeonora]

Wow this is interesting, gonna try to make one

[@clayhayeshunter]

Get after it!

[@garysapper8716]

Thanks for a very instructive video, Clay! I've gotta try this one.

[@clayhayeshunter]

You bet!

[@gideonkugbonu9768]

Can you suggest any tropical African wood suitable for bows?

[@shivaram4110]

​@@gideonkugbonu976854r ki

[@BeeLady66]

I haven't made a bow since I was a kid but watching you made me want to try it again. Very impressive. Thanks.

[@bobpeterson1906]

Great video! Aside from the bow making I really liked that you dug down in the earth to have good dirt all around your fire. If you don't go to dirt you risk the fire burning down a few layers and then burning horizontal underground. Well after the camper is gone a forest fire then can start. BOB

[@bobkelly2447]

the interesting thing to me about this design is the ability to increase the draw weight ! although it probably wouldn't be like 100lbs on a bow that was initially 20lbs but it could substantially increase the bow strength if needed. easilly doubling the strength. although the cable back design has it's draw backs, it certainly is a viable bow and in survival conditions it may well save your life.... thank you....I never would have thought of this ! I am an avid archer and feel the bow and arrow are so often over looked for self defence. a bullet proof vest is not a problem to a strong bow...most people do not know that ! I grew up with a Howard Hill bow 58lb pull at 28", my Dads was 68lb at 30" I practiced all the time and got to be quite good even getting birds for my cat( which he loved) but the down side was braking all the arrows just before bow season and my Das was not happy....because of that I got the nick name of brokenArrow on the CB radio LOL

[@hualiangyu8779]

It was the first time I had ever heard and seen a drawstring bow. This is a very new thing for me, and I may have to find more information to make myself more aware of this new thing.

[@whothefoxcares]

Surviving on warm sunny days are the best!

[@clayhayeshunter]

definitely!

[@Lahire-s7l]

Super cool large😊

[@plywoodcarjohnson5412]

Excellent video! Spruce and paracord it is!

[@druidjuicer636]

Hi Clay. I've just picked up your channel because my teenage son is showing an interest in greenwood bushcraft, something I dabbled in happily some years ago. I have a Parang on its way to me and, as money is tight, it will have to serve as axe and froe, with my old carving knives for detailed work. I may even try a bow- on the hills here we have a sorbus variant called Rowan or Mountain Ash that grows in profusion and is resistant to the die off were getting on Ash. I think that might make a unique bow and a great experiment. First though we will make a hexagonal long staff and see how Rowan takes to crafting. Local tradition holds that Rowan has magical properties when worked. Thanks for the inspiration. Love your videos.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’ve heard it’ll make a good bow.

[@druidjuicer636]

@@clayhayeshunter That's great. Thanks for the answer.. Cheers!

[@joesgotya9930]

You always provided the most fascinating content Clay. Thank you 🙏 ❤

[@lawndiqenyia2909]

Your channel is awesome, thank you for your content, knowlege and efforts!

[@brandonbrowne4494]

Anyone else swattin at mosquitos that don't exist?

[@nathanpattee1629]

Shoots very well.. especially since its a quickly bow! Very nice to see the primitive skills out there!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you very much!

[@brendanroos7102]

Nice. I definitely want to try this now.

[@nathanelgraves4953]

Looks like something out of far cry primal! Super cool

[@sh0]

Love this video - great informative stuff. I've always had a fasciination with bows but the steep learning curves in both building and being accurate (not to mention the time commitment of making ammunition) has always been a huge obstacle. I've relied on snares for most of my bushcrafting expeditions, mostly because I'm solo (and can stay fed on small birds and rodents), but also because I have no efficient way to prep and store the meat on larger animals.

[@asmith7876]

Blew my mind on the Penobscot and now here’s ANOTHER type of bow I’ve never imagined…awesome!

[@caderbavahmuhammadsiddick384]

Thanks lot for sharing ❤❤❤

[@clayhayeshunter]

My pleasure 😊

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

That's pretty cool Clay 👍🏻

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@waynestevenson9613]

Love your videos Clay! They are a respite from the hustle and bustle of a complicated world. Thanks.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like them!

[@GypsyTinker2012]

Thank you for sharing so much knowledge. ❤

[@clayhayeshunter]

You are so welcome!

[@geoffcrumblin9850]

It's amazing that there was zero technology transfer from neighbouring New Guinea, where the natives had bows, a wide range of tools, maintained gardens and farm animals. Although the humans interacted traded, and travelled, no such weapons made their way into Australian culture

[@moonhunter9993]

My daughter and I love it! Very impressive. It's so cool.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like it!

[@jadumanipujari6193]

Very nice ❤❤❤

[@Brandon-so9fp]

Love the fact that the hatchet is sharper then most of my kitchen knives.

[@2greeksandacamera]

Always a 10 thumbs up for Clay :)

[@charleswood7505]

I really do wish you would explain each step as you do it.... it would be really helpful. Just a thought for future videos.... thank you for this one

[@Dirk_Berserk]

yay! it's Clay!

[@MattWilliams-vf8kf]

That is a fine hatchet for sure

[@rodbaker5782]

Perfect message at a perfect time; Thanks

[@gameon7566]

just a good guy making good videos.

[@veersingh2730]

Hi Namascarum tanks guruji for this video demonstration Dhanoosh💐👍👆🙌🏳️‍🌈👍

[@flashthompson7]

Thank you for the knowledge. You have freely given may you freely receive ❤

[@flashthompson7]

That’s an amazing bow

[@clayhayeshunter]

You are so welcome

[@gilldanier4129]

Great watch, you make it look easy. thanks for the video

[@clayhayeshunter]

You bet

[@RedmanOutdoors366]

Cool stuff man nice Bow 😎👍🔥💯🏹

[@alfredogarcias6522]

Hola hermano 👋 muy lindo arco.. que madera usaste para hacer ese arco ??Hello brother, very nice bow. What kind of wood did you use to make the bow?

[@brettellis423]

I love it!!! Boom yeah brotherrr...!! I still reckon you should adopt me, bro!!🤣🤣🤣🤣👍

[@bigDbigDbigD]

Really interesting build

[@johnnyandnik2204]

great video..i have all ways wanted to try dougfir here in oregon..and maybe so day i will....cant wait for the next vid...

[@clayhayeshunter]

You should!

[@timdimon8214]

That’s an interesting build for a bow build

[@johnsharp8627]

Dig watching people chop wood and make things, even if it's just firewood or kindling.

[@scotttaxdal5297]

Pretty badass using the hatcet as a shaving tool.

[@MrJustus88]

That is a great hatchet

[@patrickharmon9459]

Cool idea 💡

[@gerardoguzman2193]

Good job, brother

[@calvinjohnson7806]

Thanks great video

[@russparker1647]

I was interested to see you leave the bark on the back until after drying. I would have probably done it first and then had longitudinal cracks. lol. Did you pre stretch the parachord? Synthetic chords stretch a fair bit as you mentioned. I always pre stretch artificial sinew when I use it and am always surprised at how much it stretches. Well done and very interesting. This is the first cable backed bow build I have seen and the first one I have seen in action. Keep up the great work.

[@drewaksparky1013]

Going to have to call like I see it, that was bad ass!

[@alexloader313]

Love the ingenuity

[@filipiversen1331]

Really cool video! Do you have a video, or would you consider, making one that goes in-depth into what you are considering and feeling for when you are finishing the stave. I can see you are feeling for how flexible it is etc. but for someone that has no experience with what the "right feeling" is it would be really interesting to hear more about what you are looking for.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Search for bow build for beginners on my channel and you’ll find some vids.

[@lukebable]

Next time you go into the wilderness to make a bow, I'd suggest to take a Jointer, a table saw and a chainsaw. I realize that this is a survival video, but I couldn't live without those machines !

[@alfredogarcias6522]

Saludos desde Tucumán Argentina.. usó traductor para escribirte.Greetings from Tucumán Argentina and used a translator to write to you in English

[@vladlevytskyi4889]

Really appreciate it. Thank you for your work

[@johngalasso8500]

Good job

[@williambooth6796]

Great substitute for sinue backing. Awesome video thanks

[@OEF_Vet_0331]

Love your bow videos like this! Absolute treasure. Thank you brother, love from Texas.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like them!

[@piapelzer1144]

Perfect explanition😊

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you! 😃

[@didjhopkins4135]

I know that cracking was the bark…but it still went into my soul! Heard that too often mate. That’s my favourite alternative bow so far 🤙🏼 Cheers Clay

[@clayhayeshunter]

I bet this would work well with some of the woods you have.

[@didjhopkins4135]

@@clayhayeshunter I’m sure of it!! Will be giving it a go this summer, Clay. Thanks mate

[@poorboy2012]

Hello! I'm watching your video, have a nice day. Your skills are ammzing❤🎉

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lewisgreenway5065]

Very educational I'm not in to hunting or killing game but I enjoy watching you make bows.

[@GalloPazzesco]

Really enjoyed watching this.

[@timvandusen4192]

That's pretty interesting for sure!

[@Dirk_Berserk]

it looks like an alternative to the one where there was another piece of wood in front of it. now its cordage and blocks. pretty damn cool and never would have i thought of doing this or that it would have that effect

[@clayhayeshunter]

Exactly

[@to8860]

Good stuff as always!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks again!

[@armartin0003]

Really interesting technique!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you think so!

[@peterneyndorff9452]

Love your video Bro….👍💪🏼🙏🏆

[@clayhayeshunter]

Appreciate it!

[@AdlerMow]

Can you do a Bhutanese split bamboo bow? Its quite simple design, would be great survival tool.

[@JorgeEliGarcíaValencia]

That's excellent very instructive the video I need one 😂 thanks friend grettings from Colombia

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks for watching!

[@stranger3131]

Cool bow.