Tillering a 100lb Laminate English 'Warbow' Part One

[@rilledulu]

Mick... you are the David Attenborough of bow making....Totally mesmerizing...

[@gizmonomono]

Haha, exactly 😁

[@monkeyboiz4281]

Clear, concise and entertaining/educational as always. Still my favorite bowyer channel!

[@jmfa57]

Mick, I just got back from a 15 day cruise from Los Angeles to Hawaii and back. One of the very few disadvantages to spending time on cruise ships is the inability to watch streaming videos. I saw hat you'd posted this just before we left, but didn't have time to watch it until now. Once again, Mick, you've outdone yourself with an utterly captivating, informative video. I will be watching the next in this series with baited breath. Thanks again, Mick, for giving me something to REALLY look forward to when I have some downtime, and decent internet access. Bravo, Sir!

[@MickGrewcock]

Wow, great trip John. And thanks as ever for your appreciated support! Mick

[@micicioamore]

So good mick!! From italy🇮🇹

[@gizmonomono]

I'm not into longbows, or bow making, but this is very interesting to watch 😁 An awesome tutorial

[@MickGrewcock]

Thank you 🙏

[@jasonpercy184]

Another fabulous addition to your video compilation. A month ago I had no interest in archery and I had never even built a birdhouse out of wood . Last night I loosed the first arrow out of my first bow . That is the bow I made after watching your videos . I made every single piece by hand on my back porch with a planer and a rasp and sandpaper .oh ,and plenty of patience .I did choose to make bow with multiple parts and two different woods . I made a horsebow that draws 30lbs and I have you to thank for helping me find this incredible hobby . I think the passion you put into your craft passes onto others that are lucky enough to see what you do . Keep on doing what you do ,your brilliant at it . Thank you for helping me make my first bow ,Jason .

[@MickGrewcock]

Great stuff Jason. Delighted that my videos have helped in a modest way to get you starting on the fascinating craft of bow making. Good luck!! Mick

[@darinmbicknell]

Two vids back to back? What now. I am so thankful for these videos. Finally another bow!

[@chriscopeland1455]

hey mick you probably already know this but an old bow maker here in Tennessee once told me if you can take the stave from the uphill side of the tree you choose the wood is strongest there and the growth rings much tighter passing it forward my friend again another awesome video

[@MickGrewcock]

Yes, the knowledge these people have is mazing. I've learned the hard way about how a tree's life and growing conditions are reflected in the wood. Oh to have long enough life to learn it all!

[@chriscopeland1455]

@@MickGrewcock im 44 yrs old and not even close to knowing it all lol i love trying thou

[@MickGrewcock]

@@chriscopeland1455 Well, there's one race I'm winning - I'm 63!

[@chriscopeland1455]

@@MickGrewcock lol you keep it up my friend i hope you make these bows for 100 yrs more my friend best of wishes to you and yours

[@MickGrewcock]

🙏@@chriscopeland1455

[@kp.co.6074]

Glad to see you make a tri-lam mick! I love lam bows, it really gives you the option to create a bow with whatever charter you want. I mainly use ipe for belly/core since it’s super dense. Although I mainly do American flat bows. I’ve been trying to make an elb type bow for a while but it’s way more delicate and I’ve snapped the last 3 I’ve tried.

[@MickGrewcock]

kyle plants Ouch, that’s a pity Kyle. Laminates are not my favourite but they do offer a way into bow making and of course some people much prefer them to self bows. Never laid one up myself, just tillered. Do may be another project one day! Best wishes.

[@robertniezwicki684]

Mick your a great teacher and helped me out allot on making bows even the wanky ones lol keep the videos coming

[@fancymcclean6210]

Good morning Mick and greetings from New Zealand. I admire your zeal and you give me hope that my bow making skills will improve. As for the heavy draw weights- phew! I'm happy with my old English longbow with a 66lb draw. Not sure I could pull back the 100lb variety. Anyway, keep up the good work, the flaxen haired one approves. Flaxen Saxon

[@MickGrewcock]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed. I think my 100lb days are nearly over, creaking at nearly 63 :-{ Keep making! Best from the UK!

[@fancymcclean6210]

Mick, me and thee are a similar age- I'm 63 in February. I retired in June and bought a house with 3 acres of land so I can practise my archery without shooting the neighbouring proles. If you can still pull back the heavy bows, then applaud and my hat is doffed to a fellow Englishman and bowyer. Flaxen Saxon

[@MickGrewcock]

Wow. Three acre back garden, superb. Enjoy, it sounds wonderful. Best from 'Home' ;-)

[@sergeantcrow]

The heaviest draw weight I have reached so far building a D section longbow, a bi-lam Maple backed Cherry 72", is 50lbs @ 28"

[@javanbybee4822]

Sergeant Crow that’s pretty awesome! My heaviest bow (which is my first) is around 30-40lbs at 32 inches

[@javanbybee4822]

Sergeant Crow that’s pretty awesome! My heaviest bow (which is my first) is around 30-40lbs at 32 inches

[@sergeantcrow]

@@javanbybee4822 30-40 is great.. I just wanted to see if I could push the Cherry and Maple to 50. I bet that is near the limit for D shape for that combination.

[@oldgold5848]

Great stuff Mick. I am a new archer, just learning recurve, but I am drawn to the longbow, and the simplicity....no sights, stabilisers etc.

[@MickGrewcock]

Good luck! Longbows are my favourite I must say - for the very reasons you list!

[@davidharrison6615]

I wish I had the physical strength to draw a war bow. It was a challenge I set myself but it was clearly a step to far . I still enjoy using my English longbow just not at the draw these amazing beasts achieve . yet again a fantastic piece of film , a pleasure to watch and hugely educational as well . I was wondering if you have tried to carve a "fancy" nock , an animal maybe ? It really sets your craft apart from others and instantly makes your bows stand out next to others . well done Mick , a craftsman on so many levels .

[@MickGrewcock]

Thank you David. No I have never indulged in carving or such - I do prefer bows simple and unadorned! But that's just me, I have seen some works of art on the tips of bows.

[@davidharrison6615]

Mick Grewcock I agree , I prefer things plain and simple . I wondered because my longbow has a carved nock which is his trade mark . never seen them before then . i must confess im paranoid about damaging it !!!!!

[@rubennijkampphotography]

Nice! I love your videos! Keep on with the good work!

[@FandabiDozi]

Hi Mick. Just found your channel and really like its style! I have a question for you: I am currently making a yew long bow. I still think the draw weight is too high for me, but I am running out of heart wood on the belly to work down and i dont want to work down the sap wood in case I mess that up. What should I do?

[@MickGrewcock]

Hi there, I can only suggest thinning the limbs (side to side) rather than reducing the belly. That said, thinning the limbs has less affect on draw weight than working down the belly so it depends on how much weight you want to lose. Is it a lot heavier than you can handle or just a little?

[@FandabiDozi]

@@MickGrewcock Thanks for getting back. I would guess its about 15-20lb heavier than I can comfortably draw.

[@MickGrewcock]

Fandabi Dozi That’s quite a lot from the limb width. You should try sharing the reduction between sides and belly. You might try working up to the weight rather than working the bow down to a lower poundage. Good luck!

[@FandabiDozi]

@@MickGrewcock Hi Mick. Okay, thanks I will try that :) keep up the great channel!

[@TheScholesie09]

Lovely video as usual Mick, did you use a green screen for 11:33? Seems like you'd make a great weatherman haha

[@MickGrewcock]

TheScholesie09 No, I used draw mask in Final Cut Pro. One duplicated clip overlayed, masked and inverted. Thanks for watching. Mick

[@superscience8944]

I love heavy bows keep doing them

[@hipanny3792]

What is the wood used in this bow?

[@richardimmell5688]

Mick do you think it is better for a beginner to start with a pre- shaped laminated stave, or to build a self bow from a dingle piece of wood? I imagine they both have their lessons to teach, but which, in your opinion, is the best one to start with? Great video, as always. Keep them coming.

[@MickGrewcock]

Richard, I did both: a self bow first then two pre-shaped staves (finished at 44lbs and 86lbs) because I was frustrated waiting for wood to season. No question, laminates are easier to tiller and if pre-shaped well then you have a good leg-up on the process. Self bows are - for me at least - much harder and less predictable. If you have ready access to some green wood - ash, hazel or the like - then I suggest making a 'green' bow just for the experience first. It's quick and you'll not be too precious about it. You could make one in an hour or so or take a day at it - whatever. You'll not get a powerful bow but you will get some experience. Then it depends on what you would really like to do - laminates or selfs. Lams will give you a quick result but will still test you when tillering. All depends overall on whether you can get bow woods or not. If I had endless supplies of bow wood then I would never have touched a laminate!

[@rodparsons521]

Clearly the shape created by the initial taper is good enough that there isn't too much left to do, just bring it to length and weight without spoiling it! From the point of view of durability the flattish cross -section is useful, from the point of view of setting up for shooting, less width through the pass (with the necessary slight increase in depth) might be preferable.

[@MickGrewcock]

It was well shaped Rod but with heavier weight bows I still find it doesn't take much to to get the limbs out of tiller and a then a devil getting them back again!

[@rodparsons521]

@@MickGrewcock Very true Mick. The tillered shape is a product of the combined taper. When this is realised there is a greater likelihood of efficiency and economy of effort. My only reservations are relatively minor, with regard to some careless description and inattention to details that have an effect on outcomes when shooting. Tillering and set-up are not divorced in their consequences on efficiency in use. Will the final geometry produce a bow that favours divergent or convergent arrow flight? As you know very well, any movement in a bending handle is better felt as a slight "give" as you come through the draw, rather than being obviously visible to a casual observer. The tips are brought round only if deemed necessary after the bow is brought to the string by a little shooting My ideal in this style is a bow that is stiff nowhere, bending most through the mid-limbs, less in the tips and least of all in the handle.

[@ashscott6068]

Do you make a new temporary string each time you brace it a bit higher? Tying a knot in it seems really unpredictable and even a bit dangerous. Or do you make a new one each time or just keep a bunch of them, all at different lengths and re-use them when possible?

[@ashscott6068]

Okay, I shoulda watched the whole video rather than typing that question when it first came to me. D'oh!

[@BrianTimmonsTX]

For reference, I don't think I saw which woods are laminated into this stave?

[@hankczinaski915]

Looks like Hickory on the back and Ipe on belly. Not sure about the core. Probably Lemonwood.

[@MickGrewcock]

Ash back, satinwood core, ipe belly. Mick

[@fordman7479]

I can never get it to stick together, i have one self bow where the back of the riser fell off, tried gluing it back on but as soon as a drew it back the glue came lose

[@rodparsons521]

If you stick a short stiff piece to the outside of a longer bending piece you should not be surprised if the short piece pops off when the carrier is bent.

[@kp.co.6074]

If you look up poor man bows website he has a few different raider designs that are supposed to help with that. I typically like to glue the riser in between then core lam and belly lams.

[@rodparsons521]

@ kyle plants Simply put if the carrier is stiff enough that it will not bend where the supplementary part is attached, then a stuck on "riser" or handle, all else being equal, is unlikely to pop off. . It appears that Fordman 1991 is describing a self-bow made from a piece of board that is thinner than he would like, to which he is trying to glue an additional piece of wood, whereas you probably know that you are not describing a self-bow.

[@Durag_jaca]

Amazing!

[@sicilientwarkan7109]

Hello Mick , are you selling your bows , do you have a website ? Greetings from France

[@MickGrewcock]

sicilient warkan Good Evening and greetings from the UK! I’m afraid I don’t sell my bows, sorry. I can recommend people in UK if you wish - but I know a longbow maker in France too. Mick

[@sicilientwarkan7109]

@@MickGrewcock , thank you for your reply. If you have any contacts , both in the UK or France , yes i would be glad to get them .

[@botcheek482]

do you sell your bows?

[@MickGrewcock]

I am sorry but I go not. Mucky

[@MickGrewcock]

I am sorry I do not sell bows. Mick

[@abrahamreyes4698]

I love what you do sell me that bow please

[@delcat8168]

Some say "Minutes on the tiller" ... that's total nonsense! If you want a good bow, it needs to be tillered with care and patience. Anyone can make a poor bow quickly. On a positive note... I like your "digital string" expression.

[@MickGrewcock]

Del Cat From my standpoint and experience, you are bang on Del. But I do ponder often how bows were turned out centuries ago, pressured by costs and time, and do acknowledge that there are other ways to get a tillered bow. I can’t imagine that careful deliberation over tiller was a daily worry of the medieval bowyer, whereas we now have the luxury of time. Each time I make a bow, time on the tiller decreases. Which nudges me in the direction of thinking that manufacturing pressure found ways in the past to get a tillered bow much more quickly than we now do. Forty plus years of daily challenges making electronics equipment ever more quickly and cheaply taught me never to underestimate our ingenuity in solving such problems. But today, when we look for perfect tiller and, where the wood allows, beautifully shaped bows, the only way I know is the care and patience route you highlight. But there are others who can do magic with wood and they have to be heard.

[@MickGrewcock]

Glad you liked my digital string!

[@rodparsons521]

Minutes on the tiller is correct, just so long as those minutes are not too many, if we are talking about the duration of those brief periods in the process when the bow is actually held drawn to a length on the tiller.

[@delcat8168]

@@rodparsons521 Indeed one shouldn't hold at full draw on the tiller (which is why I use video) and also flex it dynamically whilst observing. But it does need constant checking... do a little check it, do a little check it. The problem here is "time on the tiller" is ambiguous. I'd change it to, number of checks on the tiller... IMO if one isn't heartily sick of putting it up on the tiller and having another look, then it's not being done enough. The key is getting your eye in and being able to see the curve.... to many people "look" but don't actually "see".

[@rodparsons521]

@@delcat8168 You hit the mark there Del. Too many look without seeing. The proof is all around us. This realisation and the acquisition of necessary skills are fundamental to the art, from making the gear to learning the effective use of it. Keen observation and the useful application of intelligence is a basic requirement. This doesn't mean we can't have fun doing it. "It's meant to be simple, not easy."

[@fredflintstone7986]

Oh man you sold out and went over to laminate land, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[@MickGrewcock]

A temporary breakdown I can assure you!