How do you all make arrows? This is just how I do it. Most bowyers use a shooting board, but I think it’s more fun to carve the shafts freehand

@dankolord

Жыл бұрын

what is a shooting board when it comes to arrow making?

@simonlauber9014

Жыл бұрын

@@dankolord It is a board with a groove in the middle and a stop at the back. Usually the grove is a right angled triangle. You place the arrow shaft in the groove against the backstop and can then use a plane to get a rather even shaft and reduce it down to the size you want it.

@primitivepreacher8964

Жыл бұрын

Great video! My technique is very similar to yours up until the final shaping. At that point I use a hand plane, and then a sizer which is essentially a hole, the correct diameter, drilled in a piece of steel that I pull the shaft through... Thanks Dan for another well done and educational video! As for the "bow gods" well... there is only one God and His name is Jesus Christ! (1 Timothy 2:5) God bless, Jesse Gjefle

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

@@primitivepreacher8964 I don’t remember that part in the bowyer’s bible 😂 Thanks for the kind words Jesse!

@georgepats1168

Жыл бұрын

I buy beech dowels from a hardaware shop, I would also like to make the shafts on my own, in the future...

I'm 70yo now; but when I was nine years old, I made my own bow and arrows. The arrows I hand carved out of 3/4" corner molding with a pocket knife, which I then hand sanded; fletching was from local pigeons that I tied with thread then glued; the tips were also handmade out of 1/8" thick by 1" wide steel strap. They were some of my best arrows outside of store-bought ones. Looking back, I would guesstimate that the bow was around a 45lb. draw weight - it was made from a branch off a tree in our backyard, and it was actually a pretty good bow for what it was.

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like a blast! Think you got any more in ya?

@waynegroves6922

Жыл бұрын

@@DanSantanaBows I started teaching myself to shoot a bow at eight years old, and got quite good with it - I could nail a tin can at 50 yards damn-near blindfolded. The weird thing about it was that I am right-handed, but I learned to shoot a bow left-handed; however, I shoot pistols and rifles right-handed. As a teen, I would shoot big carp, and hunt frogs along a three-mile stretch of a local creek here. I found out from watching a friend trying to shoot big 'ol bullfrogs with a .22, that unless you hit them right between the eyes, they will motor on away. Using a bow, however, I was able to pin them to the mud clear across the creek, where I would meander over and retrieve them easily. Carp, though, I had to learn to aim low because of light defraction making the fish appear closer to the surface than they were . . . and I was quite successful at that. Since about 17yo, though, I haven't picked up a bow once. I was tempted to pick it up again many years later, but found that left-hand bows are not as easy to find, and are much more expensive than right-hand bows. So, no . . . I don't think I have it in me anymore, especially since I gave up hunting way back in 1976. But, I still think about it.

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

@@waynegroves6922 Thanks for the stories Wayne, sounds like a heck of a childhood! I only started making bows as an adult and really regret not giving it a shot sooner

@kevinglennon2770

Жыл бұрын

@@waynegroves6922 I didn't realize until I was in my 40's that I was left eye-dominant. Been shooting guns and bows for decades using my right eye (I'm a righty) and basically I realized I was guesstimating almost all my shots (even through the NRA's marksmanship program as a kid - go figure). Now at 50 I'm learning how to shoot lefty with a clear sight picture for the first time... go figure, right??

@waynegroves6922

Жыл бұрын

@@kevinglennon2770 An interesting point to how I sighted my shots, was that since I was right-eye dominant, but shot left-handed, my sight picture was a weird view of two arrow tips. Imagine holding out a finger at arm's length and focusing on that finger - you will see just that finger; however, if you focus on a spot beyond that finger, you suddenly see two fingers! That's how I aimed, by aligning the target exactly centered between those two arrow tips and adjusting for windage and elevation. I ran into a local bowman from an archery store at an indoor swap meet, and upon hearing that I was right-handed, but shot a bow left-handed, wasn't able to understand how that could be possible . . . but there I was.

The 1950's boys made their oun bows & arrows !! I'm 75 , and we did well frog hunting , dove , etc . Home made sling shots , useing the old red tire tube!! Good hunting my buddies !!!! 👍👍👍👍

Apart from everything else stellar in this video, these are the best sounding arrows I've ever heard. Absolutely lovely.

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

They’re a little louder when you don’t trim them but I love it!

@mrTwisby

Жыл бұрын

I've long since lost count of the number of bows I've made but I have yet to make an arrow. This will be my inspiration. My brother hunts geese. I'lll ask him for feathers and will definitely leave them untrimmed.

@BurntBread39

Жыл бұрын

@@mrTwisby Do you use the bows you make for hunting or just for fun?

@mrTwisby

Жыл бұрын

@@BurntBread39 Well, as of yet, bow hunting is illegal here in Iceland. So just for fun.

@D1E5ECT

3 ай бұрын

​@@mrTwisbywow. Iceland sounds lovely. Just kidding ha. I bet Heroin's legal and age of consent is 10tho

Your videos are just the right mix of information, relaxation and skill in the craft. It is always a pleasure to watch them, no matter the topic!

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!

I’ve watched a lot of videos and read a lot of books on making both bows and arrows. This has to be the most easily digestible and comprehensive video I’ve seen on the topic condensed down into a reasonable amount of time.

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

Wow! Thanks John I’m glad to hear that

I was fortunate to see the opening of sealed barrel full of arrows. What struck me most was that even they where tightly packed few feathers was damaged or they where all waxed and in prime condition even though they where several hundreds years old.

Superb work Dan , a real antidote to the crazy world we now inhabit . Thanks again for sharing .

Awesome video Dan! There's something special about shooting your own arrows from your own bow... Keep up the great content!

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

Thanks David! Can’t get enough of it

I know nothing about bow/arrow making but I really enjoyed this video. Thanks for the informative and entertaining content.

Like many old methods I feel like this is an almost lost art. Beautiful work.

Regarding arrow thickness: a good rule of thumb is: shorter target range = thicker arrows. I don't know any numbers for wooden arrows though I used to do competitive archery for several years and I had different sets for 18, 50 and 80 meter competitions for this reason. Granted, they were aluminium-carbon-compound, not wooden, but I suppose this should apply regardless. A thicker arrow will bend and flex less and thus reach a stable flight more quickly, making you more accurate at shorter ranges. A thin arrow at 18m will bend enough to lose you one or more points just by the variation in tip position at impact. Not to mention that arrows impacting the target while still flexing can easily snap, something that can get expensive quickly if you're using ACC or CC arrows lol. Conversely, at longer ranges you will want the substantially lighter, thinner arrows. Because of their lower weight, you don't need to aim as high and get to shoot from a more comfortable(read: accurate) shooting position, allowing you to be more accurate. Thick arrows might not even reach the 80m targets if you're using a "normal" draw weight, i.e. one that wont ruin your shoulders within 5 years

@stefflus08

Жыл бұрын

It does apply, but only for the more center-shot bows. Mongol flight arrows were very barrelled, so both stiff and light. For a bow that needs a spined shaft to go around the handle in a tuned way, that will be a very limiting factor, so then you'll need stiffer wood and lighter points to be able to use a thinner shaft. Your bow might not thank you for that. If it isn't tillered like a Greyhound and can't transfer all the energy to a light arrow it will try to yank your elbow from its socket.

@davidrichter9164

11 ай бұрын

Long winded speech.

@ehisey

3 ай бұрын

Feels like you are conflating thickness and weight. At very short range getting thicker shats helps to reduce breaking, but your spine will be the same as smaller shafts since you have to adjust the weight to alighter wood, which in turn will typically be softer in spine. And finally high draw weight bows with proper thecnique and training will not ruin your shoulders, conversly even light (30-40#) bows will mess your shoulders up with improper techinique.

Oh my. I dont have the skills, tools, nor raw materials to do any of this but iI love target archery and enjoyed the sport in my youth. Watching your video feels like taking a masterclass. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

Awesome craftsmanship combined with awesome editing/narrating and awesome music. What more can one ask for?

Looking you do it looks so easy!!! The video and and the music have therapeutic calming effects! Great job!

The sound of your arrows is on point. Just amazingly satisfying.

Awesome video Dan, you certainly are an awesome Bowyer ... God has really blessed you with knowledge and talent. Tanks for sharing.

Beautiful overview and final product! The beaver footage made me giggle ☺️

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

That was a muskrat, but I have some beaver footage for the next one!

I’ve been making crossbow bolts for my medieval style crossbows for years, and it just occurred to me how much more work full length arrows are. My Bolts might end up being 14 inches with the head, so the actual shaft might be around 12 inches. This seems like just that much more wood working. Love it, super interesting.

Nice work. Hey a tip for sanding shafts - you can put them in a drill and spin them - that might actually help with consistent shape.

I love these nature scenes you put in the video

Great tutorial, awesome cinematography and craftsmanship.

Beautifully done it's a shame that not too many people practice and study the old ways anymore

Your videos are an audiovisual delight! Candy for the brain 🎉

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you!

What a relaxing video. Your skill is amazing.

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Thank you very much, you are very detailed and that is appreciated.

Great attention to details in your craftsmanship! Excellent didactic! Keep up the good work.

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Awesome video man. First time ever looking at how arrows are made, mad skill bro! Music is awesome too!

Thank you for doing this video been doing it for years but I honestly needed some more advice

Beautiful video And amazing work

Great video Dan. Lovely work.

Very cool! A good sequel might be primitive building or techniques from various points in history.

Hermoso video! Saludos de Uruguay

I go the easy way and make my arrows from garden bamboo stakes from Lowes. Straighten them out with a propane torch, which also cures the bamboo, add a point made from a duplex nail and fletch them with locally collected goose feathers. I use a fletching jig which helps with alignment. The tricky part is adjusting the weight and balance and getting the spline right for the bow they're meant for. I like your use of hot glue.

@DanSantanaBows

3 ай бұрын

Yeah those are fun. I made some like that for the bundle tutorial

Excellent. Thanks for sharing.

Elegant! A delightful film

very nicely done. i like the nature footage between segments. here in the east the emerald ash borer has decimated all our ash. it is all gone. (thank you China)

Beautiful work as always

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

Good work. Very nice video.

realy love your videos and whole your work thanks

Great Job my friend, love the music

Excellent video_ very informative !!!

I love your workshop bro!

Cool video. I love the chemtrail skies we all live with now.

muchas gracias por tu contenido de gran calidad. felicita a tu primo por su música

@MarcosTopolanski

Жыл бұрын

Muchas gracias Juan!

Well done! presentation, I look forward to seeing some of your other videos.

Your arrows have such a satisfying whoosh when they're in the air

Beautiful video, thank you.

Parabéns pelo belo trabalho, foi inspirador. Faço minhas próprias flechas também e seu vídeo me ensinou formas de torna-las melhor. Muito obrigado e continue fazendo mais belos vídeos como esse.

Great video and sweet arrows!

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Damn the sound is amazing! 😮

those feathers make a wonderfull sound! 👍

Awesome video, you are very talented.

I can definitely agree with preferring natural grain arrows over machined ones I like split ones but I usually prefer to use straight shoots that are already about the right size, which leaves me with a lot less work to do. Either way, it's a lot of fun. I'm no expert but I believe this has been a pretty common practice with many cultures throughout history, so I definitely didn't come up with it.

Excellent video

Thanks for the video!

Nice work sir, you have a very nice shop

Great work

hey great video I checked it out because my mom has an arrowhead that got stuck in her tire while she was driving and she wanted to know if I wanted to make an arrow out of it. Thanks for making this video it was really helpful.

Wow work ❤👌

Excellent work! Thank You for nice details video! Merry Christmas and happy New year!🎉🎉🎉

Great video

Keep making bows and playing flamenco bro. Enjoyed the video.

I used to make crossbow bolts by roughly shaping a bit of straight-grained wood and driving it through an ordinary steel nut of convenient diameter. I made my arrows from bought POC shafts though...

Very interesting thanks for sharing subscribed 👌

That is really nice

loctite gel super glue is a very nice glue that i use when fletching. i do love all natural though!

I craft my own arrows. Each one, a meditation

majestic

You could also make a dowel jig with a sharp chisel or plane knife to make the shafts round, they will all be the same size that way as well. basically just a board with a hole in it and a slanted slot for the blade to fit.

Love the opinel knife

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

That’s the mora classic I think you’re referring to. I do have an opinel but not in the shop

Making arrows Tremendously Necessary Skill.... Great job ....I also enjoy making Em.....Wild Roses, have the best spines....(not thorns) to those unlearned..... Dogwood, Tamarack, Chestnut, ( nice straight shoots) of course Cedar, River Cain...Bamboo, Ash...Willows in a pinch..... Chokecherry....Probably the best...!!!!

Let me put in my order for a bow and 10 of those arrows please!! But leave the points off so I can attach my own arrowheads I hunt for. Great skills and I love this video, thank you sir!

I make my knocks using a small rock with an edge that leads up to two smoother & wider sides

I'd love to see you try stone knapping some stone arrow heads

15:59 Damn that bow sounded just like the ones used in the Troy movie

Great work as always! Love the different ways to make arrows and attach fletchings. Looks like some nice Ash arrows. I know spine matters a lot to how an arrow shoots out of a bow and it looks like your arrows are flying pretty true out of that bow. Do you think you got lucky or is there some magic involved from making them by hand and splitting them? Would be interested in your thoughts of course.

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

I still spine them, I just use my gut feeling rather than measuring. Ryan Gil has a great video on how self bows can be much more forgiving of spine than we think

Your videos are a godsend for entry level bowyers, love it! Any chance you make a survival arrow video such as using bare minimum tools to get it done with less than ideal materials? I have very little wood working experience but is there a way to compress the fibers of the wood to make stiffer spined, thinner arrows like before making them cylindrical? I draw 29" so finding wood arrows that are spined and long enough for my 50lb recurve is what's kept me from making/trying wood ones yet. I'm still learning basic wood working and starting on a bow rack before I attempt making arrows

This is of course one way to do it by hand however, to let you in on a "secret" (from my Native American heritage), Natives that made their own fletching used a pole lathe and course rock to machine them nice and round then tied them togeher, soaked them in hot water or burried and steamed them to loosen them up a bit, then let them dry for about a week to insure they were straight. They end up super straight that way. They had a lot of time on their hands but there was trading and we couldn't always retrieve their arrows to reuse them so they were manufactured for the scenario of losing or breaking them and for trading, sales, and bartering.

Makes me remember a fallen cedar log that have been strucked by lightning and was already instant splitted in finest material .from thunder beings

😎 👍🏼

You are a very good craftsman, I’m surprised though, that you prefer the vice to a shave horse . Thanks for sharing .

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

I do have a shaving horse but I can get a lot more power and control standing up and putting my back and legs into it

@richardteale3217

Жыл бұрын

@@DanSantanaBows Fair comment Dan, you have clearly perfected the techniques . Looks like you are a pretty good shot too !! Regards from England .

Gracias!!

Bare bow instinctive, the only way to go!

You're a talented carpenter! As a trim carpenter myself, I would love to find time to do a project like this. I used to build my own arrows as a teenager but I used cedar shafts that I bought also pre-made fletching. I would like to know what kind of wood you used. maple? Also, you forgot to mention that one added benefit of the hot glue for the arrowheads is that you can heat them up from the outside to remove them and change them.

Those are big recurves for you Dan! How did it go to make a bow with such deep recurves? How would you say it affects the efficiency if at all? It looks very fast, what's the poundage also? Nice vid btw

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

This one’s from 2019 and draws 37# at 28” with hollow limbs which give it a little more early draw weight. I have gotten a little less interested in big sweeping recurves since they can be so hard to give proper alignment. I’ve tended to prefer stout tight curves since they’re a little easier to tame

Awesome video. What kind of file is that you used for the nocks? Also love the belted kingfisher footage!

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

1/8” chainsaw file. The other one is a flat micro file from a cheap multi set

Damn how’s this dude so deadly. I can’t even place my shots well with a traditional bow

Отлично!!!

Perhaps you could give me some advice on the covering of wooden arrows. I am using an acrylic foor varnish for parque tiles, I am told it is a hard varnish easily applied. All of which seems to be true, but, I always suffer target burn and pulling out the arrows is both difficult and takes some of the target with it being stuck to varnish. You mention chalaque, how does it compare other finishes to be able to avoid this problem, and how available is it . Cheers, and a good video too.

What common found tread could i make my bow string out of? Anything i might find at the hardware store?

Por cierto en donde te encuentras, el paisaje es asombroso

Thanks a lot that was interesting, I've never made my own arrows! I've made my own bows and of course I have killed a lot of deer starting out in the late 1960s

Have you seen that Oklahoma Indian guy teach people how to make traditional bows? Not sure what tribe he is from but he also shows flint knapping and explains why so many bad arrows heads and bad knife blades are found everywhere. He says he reckons, and it makes sense, that they’re practice pieces discarded by children who were learning about it.

liking this video and the other about draw shaves. So, a good way to tell if a feather is a left or right-winged one?

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

Just hold your feathers so the stems all curve the same way (like a bunch of bananas) and you’ll notice some of the feathers come out of the stem to the right and some to the left. Just make sure your fletchings on any one arrow don’t curve against the others (see the drawings in the video)

First person I have seen actually rive the arrows. I know it was a traditional tehcnique and my list to add a set done this way. did you use green or dry stock. Looked dry.

as far as i have seen, historical arrows from europe often were fatter in the middle and slowly tapered to each end (like a super-long stretched out football). have you ever tried putting such a taper on your arrows?

You’re on my apocalypse team

I've started making bow and arrows for my son for a while, and this video clarified a tremendous amount of gaps in my process! Thanks! I had a problem when making arrows the way you taught here: when I split the log lengthwise, it curves from the fibers tension... how do I avoid that?

@DanSantanaBows

5 ай бұрын

It’s hard to avoid, this is just the internal stress of the log relieving itself. It helps if you wait until the wood is fully dry and stable before splitting into shafts. If you google the term ‘reaction wood’ you’ll find a lot more info about this phenomenon

@Aragir

5 ай бұрын

@@DanSantanaBows wonderful!! I'll try that! Thanks a lot

Have you thought about incorporating an aeroplane wing design into the arrow shaft? To give it longer flight time. Why not try it out?

@DanSantanaBows

Жыл бұрын

The aerodynamics don’t check out unfortunately. The friction just isn’t worth the lift. Flight archers have experimented with this extensively