Yeh the yanks are spoilt for materials and land , here we have hand me downs ,,,,if they're still worth wearing 😉 The English are tight but the British are trying to give us away for free 🤨
I mean stone heads would have to be pretty unrefined ones to meet the same standards of ease of access and quick/ simple production, unless you happened to find a lot of chipped stone. Perhaps bone, horn, or fire hardened wood points?
Part one of TD's historical and practical bushcraft series. I'd even share that on social media. And thats not my thing. Especially as I could show that version. We could have a speed run or quality or authenticity competition judged by the man himself...
To make sure that my future bush craft crossbow will work.....i put Tod in my backpack and carry him around. You never know when it's handy have Tod around, you only know that Tod is very handy.
For those interested in the previous video tutorials on simple all-wooden, pivot-trigger crossbows, see here: ruclips.net/video/wWiZpenRGx8/видео.html - Colletiere a Charavines crossbow reconstruction (functionally the same type, just workshop-made instead of a bushcraft version) ruclips.net/video/S8pivOifGFQ/видео.html - Skåne crossbow reconstruction (slightly more complex trigger, workshop-made, but achievable as a bushcraft version if you have a tool for drilling/knocking holes)
I wonder if this was done historically. I mean it makes sense, so I think it should have happened, but I'm curious if there are any records or artifacts that suggest bushcraft crossbows in medieval times.
@@Kabissz The Skane crossbow find was dated to a siege in the early 16th century. And the crossbow itself was very simple and seemed to have been home-made from whatever wood was lying around (not necessarily greenwood, but it wasn't a crossbow that was fashioned to look impressive).
I love Tod's work. I have a Seax, a quillon dagger, and a bowie knife from him. They are all incredibly well made and beautiful. I highly recommend anything from his shop. The Bowie and the Seax are very durable, I've felled saplings like these with them. I'm sure his bushcraft knives are equally awesome.
I've come across numerous intricately crafted handmade crossbows, but yours stands out as the one from which I gleaned the fundamental steps. Thanks for the video
The couch arrived in two boxes four days early, which was great because we'd just moved into a new house and needed places to sit. My son and I put it together pretty quickly ruclips.net/user/postUgkxitRzxya-XugamYgLwa_2G1gxPg4MCJHa . Another reviewer suggested inserting the seat into the side and I'm glad they did as the instructions weren't clear on that matter. It's incredibly light and slides easily across the wood floor, making it easy to move. It's firm, but comfortable. It will even be great to nap on. I got the gray, which definitely has strong blue undertones, but I'm okay with that.
The wife asked yesterday, 'what do you want for Christmas?' ...I was like....'er there is nothing I want really'....Tod releases a range of Bushcraft Knives..........Boom
I was going to say that'll be an expensive christmas present, but pleasantly surprised with the pricing on them. Not what most people would consider cheap but also not unreasonable for something not made in a large commercial factory. Actually considering if I might want one or more myself now even though for functional reasons I probably don't need more, but these would be more traditional than my current stuff with a wooden handle and plain leather sheath.
Bushcraft is all about getting by without the best tools for the job… unless you’re making the knives, those look amazing and I am seriously considering taking them on a tour of Appalachia. Do you make draw knives?
While it's only the 2nd simplest crossbow design I've heard of, this is the first video I've seen of sombody actually making one with properly with what is found in the wild. This crossbow I feel like I could actually make - even the bow part feels useful because I could make a normal bow in a pinch too.
You know, I have been somewhat lost watching your videos on making proper crossbows. I am simply not a practical person, so some of that goes above my head. But this back to basics and minimalist video actually made me understand how a crossbrow essentially works. Thank you, Tod.
I'd love to see you do a kukri for todcutler. The knives make great bushcraft tools, especially for the chopping tasks, plus there's also appeal to martial artists. Matt Easton could also give you some pointers, as he has a good collection. Anyway, just an idea. Keep up the quality craftsmanship!
Crossbow aside, I have to say Tod genuinely knows how to use his knives well. I do a great deal of cutting when I build things like fences and outdoor racks and Tod's technique is spot on for both rough and detail work. Well done!
Brilliant! Exactly the experienced know-how of tillering a bow done in an easy to understand format. THIS is how to make a bow. I have needed this for a while. My bows have not been very good and I have had no one to show the way. Most videos on the topic are useless.
Been watching for a couple years now and love this simple project. I built a rolling nut trigger for my homemade crossbow that you inspired me to tackle. I need a better bow (made it kinda weak) on it but the rather modern stock and rolling nut trigger mechanism work flawlessly
As someone with a slight motor issue that is commonly called "being clumsy" or "rubbish with your hands"; I am intensely terrified of the new image of a man holding multiple knives also talking with his hands. Also I envy the ability to be able to use a machete to cut a wedge in a branch, which sounds a silly thing but when you are physically incapable of aligning your blade it is like seeing someone breathe fire or jump 10 storeys. I have ruined many knives and arts and crafts projects over the years due misaligning the blade and ending up ruining the piece, or indeed a finger.
I have a great example of this: I needed to cut a piece of plastic with a stanley (spelling) knife, I don't remember what exactly, but I didn't manage to get through, so I decided: lets give it a chop. and lets put it this way, the only thing I chopped was my finger.
@@mathewvanlonden8310 you just require a bit more practice than the average person. But you can learn to be more precise. It might also be a patience issue rather then a motor issue, seeing your finger chop story...
You can make fast rudimentary fletching on bamboo with a bamboo leaf folded into a triangle and slotted in at the rear. One half of the triangle for each of the two flights. It's how the Hmong people used to do for their small crossbows it in southeast Asia.
I have "fletched" arrows with a short (4-5"?) length of string or thin strip of torn cloth attached about three fingers up the shaft from the knock end. I suppose you could do the same with a skinny length of sapling park or split reed, just scrap and flex it until it is limp. Not perfect for guidance, but the drag does keep it point-forward.
I use rabbit fur as fletching for all my small game and bird arrows, jumpy bastards are easy to trap too. It's quick and easy too, just take a strip of skin and wind it around the shaft, tie it off with some thread and finish with pine pitch glue and you're golden.
Wow. Honestly, I really hope Les Stroud sees this, because he could easily make this on a survival outing in the right places, and he's only really be using the materials he normally brings.
I watch your channel because 1) I'm interested in history and historical weapons 2) I'm a nerd and a wannabe novelist. Sometimes I see things here that I might want to include in a story. I could see a character fashioning a weapon on the fly to escape his enemies by creating a weapon like this while hiding out in a forest. (Maybe a bad idea, but it's the first thing that hit me when I saw the title of your video.) More vids like this would interest me. Thanks.
Yep; ash makes for a really nice bushcraft bow as well as a properly- built pro longbow from seasoned timber. If you have no ash nearby, hazel is as good: it has similar flexion properties when green or dry. Don't be fooled into using willow: (as in most of the vid's background): while its flexion is good (hence cricket bats) it's too brittle for any even semi-serious draw weight.. & almost any softwood (pine, cedar, spruce etc) isn't strong enough either
you made that look so easy, but as someone who spent 6 years in the meat industry on a knife, I am so impressed with your skill level, even if I cringed a couple of times when you appeared to be cutting towards yourself. quite possibly the camera angle but that does not diminish my admiration of your mastery at carving. if you run out of video ideas, how about some basics of carving and knife safety combined. thanks for another informative and entertaining video, as an ex archer, hoping to return I have found many of your videos wonderful. thanks
I've been taught how to do this project with bamboo. I live in the northern hemisphere temperate zone. There no bamboo unless I'm in someone's yard. This is an excellent demonstration. Most people without practice have no hope with a self bow or longbow, but a crossbow may do the trick. Thank you for the vid, keep up the excellent work.
I keep imagining that these types of crossbows been used before medieval ages, just for hunting boars or such. Crossbows are way more esthetic and powerful then Bows them selves. Maybe they already used these types of crafts back in Stone Age 🤔 wish we could do time traveling
If there's anywhere on RUclips I know I can go and not be dissapointed, it's to Tod's Workshop. Absolutely fascinating stuff every time and good, honest down to earth commentary and content. Keep it up Tod, a happy customer and viewer here.
My favourite "Tod's Workshop" videos are those in which you show us how to make something. Thanks! My daughter and I made a mini version of a crossbow from another of your videos. We used popsicle sticks for the stock and trigger. We glued and shaped bamboo skewers for the prod. It works great. The hardest part is definitely the ammunition though. It is not hard to make something to shoot, but to make something that shoots with some sort of accuracy required a lot of trial and error. I would love it if you could share some insights into making bolts.
This is the most fun I've ever had and the most I've ever learned from an advertisement! They look like nice knives! I really want to try this project!
I learn new things about crossbows and woodmaking in just minutes. Thats avesome. But your videos Tod also very good for learning english. When yoy make some things and talk about them with passion very consistens, I remember a lot and never need to use subtitles.
Great video Tod! I built a similar crossbow as a kid but had no trigger mechanism so I pushed the string with my thumb. I used it to shoot apples out of trees so yes these work.
I used to make those too. I remember making one using thick fishing line as the string and then knotted a bit around my tongue when I was pulling a knot tight with my teeth and Dad took me to AndE with a crossbow tied to my tongue. He could of cut it away for me, but I suspect he was trying to teach me a lesson
Camo and white...a grand wee video, complete with an even wee'er joke . I've made a few of these things and triggers have always been tricky...this system is so so simple...IF the stock suits etc etc. Still, another method for the future. Thanks Tod, for both the bow tutorial AND the new blades.
Wow, your best ever. Thank you! Please keep going with the bushcraft crossbow. More on field expedient arrows and tips? Bush-made string? bolt clip? I would love to see how accurate and powerful this green bow is, as well. The idea of using it for small game is interesting, but even small birds will need a good punch to become your dinner.
I bet bushcraft channels like David Canterbury, MCQ Bushcraft , Survival Lilly, Fun In The Woods, TA Outdoors, & Dutch Bushcraft Knives would be willing to take on this challenge.
it's VERY important to remember that with green wood, you don't want to leave it drawn for very long at all or you'll lose a LOT of power. Basically don't draw until you're ready to shoot to get the most power possible out of the green stave. Kind of makes a green wood crossbow stave useless, unfortunately, with the main advantage of a crossbow being you can carry it around ready to go.
Great fun! I can imagine a troop of scouts taking an afternoon off in the local woods and carving out a platoon's worth of these. Then, look out starlings and crows!
Great work, and a nice range of knives. I was surprised that Tod used the blade for the scraping, and not the back of the knife. Also that the scraping was down AND UP on the grain. You'd definitely need to have a means of sharpening with you !
Tod! You have just filled the hole left by Primitive Technology. The only difference between yourself and David is you talk more, and are a little older. Great stuff, thanks for showing this.
You don't need flights on a primitive arrow or bolt. The shaft is not going to be straight or uniformly dense (radially) so correcting this with flights is complicated and not worth the effort for a primitive tool. Instead, you can attach a bit of cord, long grass, etc. to the nock end of the shaft. The trailing material causes drag that will stabilize the missile while in flight and will greatly improve accuracy at range.
You should do a series on bushcraft crossbows and bows. Also please make a video about making flights or fletching. I would love to see how creative you will be.
DAMN IT! You should do these construction videos more often. I don't think i've ever learned that much about craft in almost any of your regular content.
that is brilliant, and I'm sure if the chips are down you could just use what he called the camp knife, but having the smaller knife makes a world of difference
as a child, we made bows and used bamboo for the arrows and tipped them with the cut-out round lids for soup cans. cone-shaped . great for small game acts as a target point
Duong, on Primitive Skills made a cross bow very similar to yours. He is also worth watching . He makes everything he needs out of the jungle. Fascinating!
Another incredibly entertaining and informative video! Thanks Tod! For everyone else, please please if you find yourself in an actual survival situation, don't start crafting a crossbow. Find shelter, find water and instead of hunting, forage for edible plants. That's a thousand times better investment of your energy and time. Instead of learning how to make improvised weapons, learn what you can and mustn't eat. Hunting is very difficult and unreliable, especially if you're not trained in any of it's aspects (seeking, tracking, killing, processing the carcass, cooking, etc). It is however absolutely fine to learn and craft a crossbow and have fun with it if you're not in danger. :)
Excellent work- both in crafting the knives, and carving the crossbow. BUT- (isn't there always) I was curious that Todd didn't just grab a rock (preferably sandstone) and sand down the knots. That triggered a knife-as-woodworking-tool question/suggestion "why didn't I think of that"? (actually I didn't, I noticed an Amish wood carver/whittler's brilliant trick at a craft/farm show) The trick? The inset grips of his woodworking knives were rasps. So; the big caving knife had one extra-coarse side, one coarse; the medium shaping knife had medium & small rasps; and the whittling knife had inlaid grips of 2 fine rasps or perhaps a nail salon metal nail-file.
That's actually a really clever concept. Another is to actually make the blades out of old rasps and files as you want to harden a knife blade anyway, so just heat an old file to forging temperature and carefully hammer one side into an edge, let it cool, clean up the rasp/file teeth, forge weld a full width iron tang on it and punch holes in the tang for riveting. Then heat it up again for the hardening, douse it in oil or water, and then pop it in a cooking oven for a quarter hour to temper the excess tension out of it.
you can't sand the knots down, it creates a weak point in the bow where the grain with lift. I love the idea of inlet rasps and files in a knife handle though, that's great!
One of the reasons you wouldnt use sandstone while in the middle of working on yoir project is that it leaves sandstone dust inbedded the wood that can damage the blade the next time you run it over that spot.
@@DH-xw6jp Oh, agreed on that- I worked as an arborist/tree trimmer; NOTHING kills chain saw blades (or any other blade) faster than "street trees" - i.e. trees growing along a road, where road-salt, cinders, and grit get embedded in the bark every time a snow plow goes past. My thought was more that since it's a "rustic" bow, that you wouldn't be re-carving the knots. Now, I understand the video is "what CAN these knives can do" aspect ("it can chop wood, but STILL stay razor sharp.. wait , there's MUCH MUCH more, we also want YOU to have this 6 in 1 kitchen tool...") Simply, it seemed to me that in a survival situation, you'd conserve the sharp knife edge- avoid "the law of the instrument" aka "Birmingham Screwdriver" - "If all you have is a knife, everything looks like a knife-problem. But if you can fix it by bashing it with a rock, use the rock"
Was watching that camp knife bite into the green wood. That thing is sharp. Was also noticing that you weren't babying the edges of your knives: confidence.
Reminds me of the crossbows we made as kids. No ash wood here in northern Finland. I think we used spruce branches. A bit too elastic but the bow made a nice thunk and the arrow did drive a nail arrowhead through a wooden wall at ten meters or so.
Marvellous!! What a fun and ingenious idea, a vital new tool in my bushcraft toolkit! Thank you so very much for your continual output of such informative and fantastically fascinating content - it really is tremendously appreciated!
Awesome video. I liked how you used historical knowledge as a survival skill. This gives more inspiration on what to teach my kids besides the blacksmithing that I do.
Great video! Instead of a twig leave a lump in the trunk, no more twig problems of any sort as it is a weak component. Also, if you tie the cord around it slightly to the front, your trigger goes into firing position after firing automatically because of the cord tension.
I wasn't aware that the shortages in England were this severe, good luck Tod!
Might make one of these myself - any good at hunting toilet paper?!
Great video as always
What game are we hunting?
Yeh the yanks are spoilt for materials and land , here we have hand me downs ,,,,if they're still worth wearing 😉
The English are tight but the British are trying to give us away for free 🤨
@@Jawawenthe rare and elusive, North Eastern Stockpiler
Continue this as a series, please. Securing small stone heads, like field points, to the bolts?
someone needed to pick up the primitive technologies torch!
I mean stone heads would have to be pretty unrefined ones to meet the same standards of ease of access and quick/ simple production, unless you happened to find a lot of chipped stone. Perhaps bone, horn, or fire hardened wood points?
Part one of TD's historical and practical bushcraft series. I'd even share that on social media. And thats not my thing. Especially as I could show that version. We could have a speed run or quality or authenticity competition judged by the man himself...
Bone is easier to work if you can find it, in my experience anyway. Bone heads just need patience and some good workstones to make.
Tripwire triggers for *ahem...traplines!
To make sure that my future bush craft crossbow will work.....i put Tod in my backpack and carry him around. You never know when it's handy have Tod around, you only know that Tod is very handy.
Apparently, if you rub two Tods together very quickly, you can start a fire.
@@euansmith3699 If you rub 2 Tods together, the friction probably just turns into a clamor of crafting, really
Be careful, if you rub only one Tod you may get an unexpected result.
Save the video to your phone and make sure you don't run out of juice, watch it as you do it.
Where do we clone Tod few million times?
Brilliant, what a great idea for a video and really educational too!
I always liked Holly for a green bow. hazel for arrows,
For those interested in the previous video tutorials on simple all-wooden, pivot-trigger crossbows, see here:
ruclips.net/video/wWiZpenRGx8/видео.html - Colletiere a Charavines crossbow reconstruction (functionally the same type, just workshop-made instead of a bushcraft version)
ruclips.net/video/S8pivOifGFQ/видео.html - Skåne crossbow reconstruction (slightly more complex trigger, workshop-made, but achievable as a bushcraft version if you have a tool for drilling/knocking holes)
I wonder if this was done historically. I mean it makes sense, so I think it should have happened, but I'm curious if there are any records or artifacts that suggest bushcraft crossbows in medieval times.
@@Kabissz The Skane crossbow find was dated to a siege in the early 16th century. And the crossbow itself was very simple and seemed to have been home-made from whatever wood was lying around (not necessarily greenwood, but it wasn't a crossbow that was fashioned to look impressive).
@@ZemplinTemplar thanks! Fascinating stuff.
"Available in cammo and white". I laughed SO HARD. Awesome video as always, Tod!
"Some assembly required."
@@IamOutOfNames All the assembly required!
@@marpheus1 and crafting the pieces before assembly ...
So African blackwood is not an option.
Awesome!!
Thanks Lilly, Really appreciate it and love your videos and your attitude to what you do. Nice to have you here
I love Tod's work. I have a Seax, a quillon dagger, and a bowie knife from him. They are all incredibly well made and beautiful. I highly recommend anything from his shop. The Bowie and the Seax are very durable, I've felled saplings like these with them. I'm sure his bushcraft knives are equally awesome.
Thanks for the feedback
I've come across numerous intricately crafted handmade crossbows, but yours stands out as the one from which I gleaned the fundamental steps. Thanks for the video
"What you're not looking for is beautifully smooth, a little bit lumpy is just fine" words to live by.
This the best survival crossbow tutorial ever.. the process in making and teaching is entertaining and very detailed
The couch arrived in two boxes four days early, which was great because we'd just moved into a new house and needed places to sit. My son and I put it together pretty quickly ruclips.net/user/postUgkxitRzxya-XugamYgLwa_2G1gxPg4MCJHa . Another reviewer suggested inserting the seat into the side and I'm glad they did as the instructions weren't clear on that matter. It's incredibly light and slides easily across the wood floor, making it easy to move. It's firm, but comfortable. It will even be great to nap on. I got the gray, which definitely has strong blue undertones, but I'm okay with that.
The wife asked yesterday, 'what do you want for Christmas?' ...I was like....'er there is nothing I want really'....Tod releases a range of Bushcraft Knives..........Boom
I was going to say that'll be an expensive christmas present, but pleasantly surprised with the pricing on them. Not what most people would consider cheap but also not unreasonable for something not made in a large commercial factory.
Actually considering if I might want one or more myself now even though for functional reasons I probably don't need more, but these would be more traditional than my current stuff with a wooden handle and plain leather sheath.
I'm a simple man:
Tod says "bushcraft survival crossbow" I hit Like.
Bushcraft is all about getting by without the best tools for the job… unless you’re making the knives, those look amazing and I am seriously considering taking them on a tour of Appalachia. Do you make draw knives?
This channel’s content just keeps getting better and better!
How refreshing to see a genuinely talented craftsman do this style of video
While it's only the 2nd simplest crossbow design I've heard of, this is the first video I've seen of sombody actually making one with properly with what is found in the wild. This crossbow I feel like I could actually make - even the bow part feels useful because I could make a normal bow in a pinch too.
You know, I have been somewhat lost watching your videos on making proper crossbows. I am simply not a practical person, so some of that goes above my head. But this back to basics and minimalist video actually made me understand how a crossbrow essentially works. Thank you, Tod.
Pricing that beyond a doubt, that *WEAPONS CAN ALWAYS BE FOUND!*
(Skills like these prove that "disarmament" is a fantasy)
Genuinely impressed with the value of the bushcraft knives. Really good deal for what looks like a truly excellent set of knives.
I'd love to see you do a kukri for todcutler. The knives make great bushcraft tools, especially for the chopping tasks, plus there's also appeal to martial artists. Matt Easton could also give you some pointers, as he has a good collection.
Anyway, just an idea. Keep up the quality craftsmanship!
Crossbow aside, I have to say Tod genuinely knows how to use his knives well. I do a great deal of cutting when I build things like fences and outdoor racks and Tod's technique is spot on for both rough and detail work. Well done!
Thanks
Brilliant! Exactly the experienced know-how of tillering a bow done in an easy to understand format. THIS is how to make a bow. I have needed this for a while. My bows have not been very good and I have had no one to show the way. Most videos on the topic are useless.
Been watching for a couple years now and love this simple project. I built a rolling nut trigger for my homemade crossbow that you inspired me to tackle. I need a better bow (made it kinda weak) on it but the rather modern stock and rolling nut trigger mechanism work flawlessly
As someone with a slight motor issue that is commonly called "being clumsy" or "rubbish with your hands"; I am intensely terrified of the new image of a man holding multiple knives also talking with his hands.
Also I envy the ability to be able to use a machete to cut a wedge in a branch, which sounds a silly thing but when you are physically incapable of aligning your blade it is like seeing someone breathe fire or jump 10 storeys. I have ruined many knives and arts and crafts projects over the years due misaligning the blade and ending up ruining the piece, or indeed a finger.
Sounds like you need to learn to forage? Never feel bad for what you can't do, concentrate on what you can. I guess unless you can't breathe.
Practice is the answer.
After all, you have got ten fingers still, ne ?.
I have a great example of this: I needed to cut a piece of plastic with a stanley (spelling) knife, I don't remember what exactly, but I didn't manage to get through, so I decided: lets give it a chop. and lets put it this way, the only thing I chopped was my finger.
@@mathewvanlonden8310 you just require a bit more practice than the average person. But you can learn to be more precise. It might also be a patience issue rather then a motor issue, seeing your finger chop story...
@@DrTheRich Oh I know, its a combination of both by the way.
this is proof that with some imagination and skill you can make whatever you need from anything you can find. from one todd to another, well done!
Simple template to a workable setup. Good video
The look of genuine surprise on your face when it worked is priceless.
The knives are so obviously, beautifully sharpened and its so, so satisfying! Just going through that wood like butter
Love it mate! I've been dreaming up something like this, glad you shared such a simple design :D
Seo Fandabidozi! :D
I'm happy to see your new bushcraft series knives! Classic design and look.
You can make fast rudimentary fletching on bamboo with a bamboo leaf folded into a triangle and slotted in at the rear. One half of the triangle for each of the two flights. It's how the Hmong people used to do for their small crossbows it in southeast Asia.
I have "fletched" arrows with a short (4-5"?) length of string or thin strip of torn cloth attached about three fingers up the shaft from the knock end.
I suppose you could do the same with a skinny length of sapling park or split reed, just scrap and flex it until it is limp.
Not perfect for guidance, but the drag does keep it point-forward.
I'm slightly concerned with added drag at all for the power that this crossbow would seem to have, but if it were increased I'd agree. Simple and easy
I use rabbit fur as fletching for all my small game and bird arrows, jumpy bastards are easy to trap too. It's quick and easy too, just take a strip of skin and wind it around the shaft, tie it off with some thread and finish with pine pitch glue and you're golden.
Wow. Honestly, I really hope Les Stroud sees this, because he could easily make this on a survival outing in the right places, and he's only really be using the materials he normally brings.
Exactly. :-)
I like Tod's presentation style much better.
I watch your channel because 1) I'm interested in history and historical weapons 2) I'm a nerd and a wannabe novelist. Sometimes I see things here that I might want to include in a story.
I could see a character fashioning a weapon on the fly to escape his enemies by creating a weapon like this while hiding out in a forest. (Maybe a bad idea, but it's the first thing that hit me when I saw the title of your video.) More vids like this would interest me. Thanks.
Ash is a good choice, it's easy /sweet to carve when it is green and is really hard when it is dry /seasoned.
Yep; ash makes for a really nice bushcraft bow as well as a properly- built pro longbow from seasoned timber. If you have no ash nearby, hazel is as good: it has similar flexion properties when green or dry. Don't be fooled into using willow: (as in most of the vid's background): while its flexion is good (hence cricket bats) it's too brittle for any even semi-serious draw weight.. & almost any softwood (pine, cedar, spruce etc) isn't strong enough either
you made that look so easy, but as someone who spent 6 years in the meat industry on a knife, I am so impressed with your skill level, even if I cringed a couple of times when you appeared to be cutting towards yourself. quite possibly the camera angle but that does not diminish my admiration of your mastery at carving. if you run out of video ideas, how about some basics of carving and knife safety combined. thanks for another informative and entertaining video, as an ex archer, hoping to return I have found many of your videos wonderful. thanks
You are a great instructor Todd. You explain well, you are patient, and you show exactly what you are trying to say. Thanks for the freat video.
I've been taught how to do this project with bamboo. I live in the northern hemisphere temperate zone. There no bamboo unless I'm in someone's yard. This is an excellent demonstration. Most people without practice have no hope with a self bow or longbow, but a crossbow may do the trick. Thank you for the vid, keep up the excellent work.
I keep imagining that these types of crossbows been used before medieval ages, just for hunting boars or such. Crossbows are way more esthetic and powerful then Bows them selves. Maybe they already used these types of crafts back in Stone Age 🤔 wish we could do time traveling
If there's anywhere on RUclips I know I can go and not be dissapointed, it's to Tod's Workshop. Absolutely fascinating stuff every time and good, honest down to earth commentary and content. Keep it up Tod, a happy customer and viewer here.
My favourite "Tod's Workshop" videos are those in which you show us how to make something. Thanks! My daughter and I made a mini version of a crossbow from another of your videos. We used popsicle sticks for the stock and trigger. We glued and shaped bamboo skewers for the prod. It works great. The hardest part is definitely the ammunition though. It is not hard to make something to shoot, but to make something that shoots with some sort of accuracy required a lot of trial and error. I would love it if you could share some insights into making bolts.
This is the most fun I've ever had and the most I've ever learned from an advertisement! They look like nice knives! I really want to try this project!
Best moment is when you have a genuine smile after the first arrow flies off. Great work superb video
Love your reaction to the first shot, there’s nothing quite like using something that you made yourself.
I learn new things about crossbows and woodmaking in just minutes. Thats avesome. But your videos Tod also very good for learning
english. When yoy make some things and talk about them with passion very consistens, I remember a lot and never need to use subtitles.
These could be the best priced truly functional Bushcraft knives of all time!
Really like this trigger design, it's simple and seems like it would prevent missfire much better than other design
Didn't think I'd ever have the desire to build something like a crossbow, but now I desperately need to build a crossbow. Thanks Tod!
There are survival traps that use crossbows to impale small game, now I’m interested.
Excellent Bushcraft Bow thanks Tod for sharing the finer details on how to make one
This is exactly the type of video I've wanted to see you make for a long time.
This was such a great episode, I can't wait to watch more and make one of these crossbows with my dad and friend.
Wow! Seeing the photos of the knives on Facebook they were impressive but seeing you use them they look awesome!
Great video Tod! I built a similar crossbow as a kid but had no trigger mechanism so I pushed the string with my thumb. I used it to shoot apples out of trees so yes these work.
I used to make those too. I remember making one using thick fishing line as the string and then knotted a bit around my tongue when I was pulling a knot tight with my teeth and Dad took me to AndE with a crossbow tied to my tongue. He could of cut it away for me, but I suspect he was trying to teach me a lesson
"Available in camo and white". Very funny. Clever project. Thanks for posting!
Camo and white...a grand wee video, complete with an even wee'er joke .
I've made a few of these things and triggers have always been tricky...this system is so so simple...IF the stock suits etc etc.
Still, another method for the future.
Thanks Tod, for both the bow tutorial AND the new blades.
Wow, your best ever. Thank you! Please keep going with the bushcraft crossbow. More on field expedient arrows and tips? Bush-made string? bolt clip? I would love to see how accurate and powerful this green bow is, as well. The idea of using it for small game is interesting, but even small birds will need a good punch to become your dinner.
One of the best videos yet! That’s my next weekend with the kids sorted.
Practical tutorial.
Good weekend project for survival training.
Excellent commercial for your own products.
Truly, a perfect video.
Big smile on my face . Thanks Tod
As always, Simple, straightforward and brilliant!
Fantastic! More like this please.
We all could make one of these, not so with your wonderful weapons.
But we can use your knives to save our lives🥰
This is a genuinely workable tutorial, many thanks.
I bet bushcraft channels like David Canterbury, MCQ Bushcraft , Survival Lilly, Fun In The Woods, TA Outdoors, & Dutch Bushcraft Knives would be willing to take on this challenge.
Todd it's good to see you're still at it. I've been following you for a long time. Thanks
It'd be exceedingly interesting to see your workflow and production processes, for those of us who like that sort of thing or have our own shops.
You make it look so easy Todd, but I know it is not. You really know wood and carving. Excellent tutorial.
What a great video! And what a fab lesson in bushcraft, too. Thanks again, Tod! BTW, those knives look amazing!
it's VERY important to remember that with green wood, you don't want to leave it drawn for very long at all or you'll lose a LOT of power. Basically don't draw until you're ready to shoot to get the most power possible out of the green stave. Kind of makes a green wood crossbow stave useless, unfortunately, with the main advantage of a crossbow being you can carry it around ready to go.
Seems like making the bow part is going to take the most time and patience.
Pretty cool video,thanks for sharing friend.
Great fun! I can imagine a troop of scouts taking an afternoon off in the local woods and carving out a platoon's worth of these. Then, look out starlings and crows!
Great work, and a nice range of knives.
I was surprised that Tod used the blade for the scraping, and not the back of the knife. Also that the scraping was down AND UP on the grain. You'd definitely need to have a means of sharpening with you !
Tod! You have just filled the hole left by Primitive Technology.
The only difference between yourself and David is you talk more, and are a little older.
Great stuff, thanks for showing this.
You don't need flights on a primitive arrow or bolt. The shaft is not going to be straight or uniformly dense (radially) so correcting this with flights is complicated and not worth the effort for a primitive tool. Instead, you can attach a bit of cord, long grass, etc. to the nock end of the shaft. The trailing material causes drag that will stabilize the missile while in flight and will greatly improve accuracy at range.
heck, for short range all you need is foc
You should do a series on bushcraft crossbows and bows. Also please make a video about making flights or fletching. I would love to see how creative you will be.
DAMN IT! You should do these construction videos more often. I don't think i've ever learned that much about craft in almost any of your regular content.
that is brilliant, and I'm sure if the chips are down you could just use what he called the camp knife, but having the smaller knife makes a world of difference
This is an excellent skill to learn for survival situations.
This is.. like the opposite of a bad youtube video. I want more of the bush craft survival crossbow!
as a child, we made bows and used bamboo for the arrows and tipped them with the cut-out round lids for soup cans. cone-shaped . great for small game acts as a target point
I have 4 days off and things to do.... but that's gonna be on hold because Imma make a crossbow.
Nice work you explaine things well and not boring
Enjoyed that practical demonstration more like it please.
These knives look pretty great for bushcrafting.
Duong, on Primitive Skills made a cross bow very similar to yours. He is also worth watching . He makes everything he needs out of the jungle. Fascinating!
Another incredibly entertaining and informative video! Thanks Tod!
For everyone else, please please if you find yourself in an actual survival situation, don't start crafting a crossbow. Find shelter, find water and instead of hunting, forage for edible plants. That's a thousand times better investment of your energy and time.
Instead of learning how to make improvised weapons, learn what you can and mustn't eat. Hunting is very difficult and unreliable, especially if you're not trained in any of it's aspects (seeking, tracking, killing, processing the carcass, cooking, etc).
It is however absolutely fine to learn and craft a crossbow and have fun with it if you're not in danger. :)
Excellent work- both in crafting the knives, and carving the crossbow. BUT- (isn't there always) I was curious that Todd didn't just grab a rock (preferably sandstone) and sand down the knots.
That triggered a knife-as-woodworking-tool question/suggestion "why didn't I think of that"? (actually I didn't, I noticed an Amish wood carver/whittler's brilliant trick at a craft/farm show)
The trick?
The inset grips of his woodworking knives were rasps.
So; the big caving knife had one extra-coarse side, one coarse; the medium shaping knife had medium & small rasps; and the whittling knife had inlaid grips of 2 fine rasps or perhaps a nail salon metal nail-file.
That's actually a really clever concept.
Another is to actually make the blades out of old rasps and files as you want to harden a knife blade anyway, so just heat an old file to forging temperature and carefully hammer one side into an edge, let it cool, clean up the rasp/file teeth, forge weld a full width iron tang on it and punch holes in the tang for riveting.
Then heat it up again for the hardening, douse it in oil or water, and then pop it in a cooking oven for a quarter hour to temper the excess tension out of it.
you can't sand the knots down, it creates a weak point in the bow where the grain with lift. I love the idea of inlet rasps and files in a knife handle though, that's great!
One of the reasons you wouldnt use sandstone while in the middle of working on yoir project is that it leaves sandstone dust inbedded the wood that can damage the blade the next time you run it over that spot.
@@DH-xw6jp Oh, agreed on that-
I worked as an arborist/tree trimmer; NOTHING kills chain saw blades (or any other blade) faster than "street trees" - i.e. trees growing along a road, where road-salt, cinders, and grit get embedded in the bark every time a snow plow goes past.
My thought was more that since it's a "rustic" bow, that you wouldn't be re-carving the knots.
Now, I understand the video is "what CAN these knives can do" aspect
("it can chop wood, but STILL stay razor sharp.. wait , there's MUCH MUCH more, we also want YOU to have this 6 in 1 kitchen tool...")
Simply, it seemed to me that in a survival situation, you'd conserve the sharp knife edge- avoid "the law of the instrument" aka "Birmingham Screwdriver" -
"If all you have is a knife, everything looks like a knife-problem. But if you can fix it by bashing it with a rock, use the rock"
Was watching that camp knife bite into the green wood. That thing is sharp.
Was also noticing that you weren't babying the edges of your knives: confidence.
Excellent! I'm going on holiday to Wales next week. Gonna try this out
Now I know what I'm going to make the next time I go camping by the river and the fish doesn't want to bite. Great idea and great video!
Reminds me of the crossbows we made as kids. No ash wood here in northern Finland. I think we used spruce branches. A bit too elastic but the bow made a nice thunk and the arrow did drive a nail arrowhead through a wooden wall at ten meters or so.
Marvellous!! What a fun and ingenious idea, a vital new tool in my bushcraft toolkit! Thank you so very much for your continual output of such informative and fantastically fascinating content - it really is tremendously appreciated!
This is one of the best and most informative videos I have ever watched great job!!!! keep it up more videos please!!!
Thank you for what you are doing. Very informative, I shared it with my son as history learning.
Awesome video. I liked how you used historical knowledge as a survival skill. This gives more inspiration on what to teach my kids besides the blacksmithing that I do.
Tod, always educational and entertaining ! Thanks! Best of luck with the new line of bushcraft knives.
Fandabi Dozi's survial bow has a competitor! Nicely done Tod!
Brings back childhood memories.
Great video!
Instead of a twig leave a lump in the trunk, no more twig problems of any sort as it is a weak component. Also, if you tie the cord around it slightly to the front, your trigger goes into firing position after firing automatically because of the cord tension.
I could watch this guy all day.