That's pretty impressive. I'm glad you showed the string breaking, we need to understand that things happen but we keep on moving.

I love that you put the sequence of string breaks in the video. It really helps show all of us that aren't as talented as you that everyone makes mistakes and it's how you move past them that matters. Thanks for the great content by far the best channel out there

In regards to the nettle string: while you can get serviceable survival rope out of using nettle "bark" as is by braiding it, for purposes where it needs to take a lot of strain, like a bowstring or sewing thread, you need to get rid of the green gunk surrounding the nettle fibers. A fairly easy way is to use a dull table knife, press the strips of nettle fiber/bark lightly against it using your thumb and drawing the fibers so that the knife scrapes some of the plant matter off them without cutting them. Fairly soon you should start seeing the pale whitish fibers starting to separate. The cleaner you get them, the stronger the end product will be, but at some point you just start losing fiber for no real gain. You can also just clean the worst of the gunk off, let the fibers dry and then roll them between your hands vigorously for 5-10n minutes per bundle and that should get majority of the remaining dried plant matter to flake off. (I tend to scrape my fibers as clean as I can get them rather than using the rolling method, but in this regard I'm too much of a perfectionist for my own good.) The nettle fibers are really strong, but the stuff surrounding them decidedly isn't so the cleaner the fibers, the lighter your string will be and strength in relation to string diameter and weight will shoot up dramatically. Things like when the nettles are harvested and the exact species of nettle also affect things, but nowhere near as much as separating the fibers. (In regards to harvesting, unsurprisingly the later you harvest, the longer the stems will be, which means longer fibers, which directly correlates to a stronger end product.) Processing the nettles like this will probably take enough time that a 24 hour setup isn't really feasible, but a luxury archery set, where you take leisurely two days to complete it should be doable. 😄 I started testing out nettles as a string material a few years ago, as I wanted a natural, "primitive" material to use on my bows, but didn't have a reliable supply of sinew. Of course things eventually got out of hand and now I'm hoping to harvest enough nettles this year to make a set of shibari ropes from start to finish. The amount of work is frankly stupid, but well, I'm just not that smart, and the the rope you get as an end product from properly cleaned nettles feels amazingly smooth and soft.

Hey folks, couple notes on this vid. First, when the nettle string broke the first time, it looks like I may have cut it while tillering the limbs. But it actually broke about 18 inches from the nock and well away from the knife. Second, the knife is from northmountainknives.com Enjoy, ch

In the years, I've been watching videos about traditional and primitive archery. This one is truly a proper representation of making a bow on the fly and surviving.

Your channel is one of the very best UKposts has to offer. So much value here. High quality techniques and learnable skills. Thank you, Clay Hayes!!

That was super cool. Have you ever considered doing an up close video on identifying these arrow and bow woods? Sometimes its easy for beginners to overlook them, or misidentify. Thanks!

Hey Clay, just wanted to drop in after finishing Season 8 of alone and just say how touched me and my wife were with how genuine and enthusiastic you were about nature, life, your family, everything really. You seem like a really good person and keep on shining. Much love from Salt Lake City.

This has got to be my all-time favorite bow building videos! Thanks so much Clay.

I watch and learn from all bushcraft/primitive skills/survival videos, but I love watching yours the most. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

That is pretty cool. I agree that a video on finding and properly identifying the materials that can be used would be fun and educational as well. Thanks

Loved the way you stuck the hatchet in the stump to plane and shape your bow!!! Next level stuff!

Wow, Clay. The struggles I go through to get a good-shooting bow built on my work bench, and here you are getting it done with a hatchet and a tree stump! 😆 Well done, sir!

Clay you are a bushcrafting legend! You are the perfect blend of outdoorsman and craftsman and I really appreciate you sharing your talents and skills with the rest of us.

your book will be a great treasure for the future generation when thw world goes back to the ancient way of life.

Your skill is priceless and having videos like this on youtube is so important... Thank you !

No annoying narration. Just survival plane and simple. I love it. You earned a new sub sir.

I really enjoy learning the methods of primitive survival from your channel. Really enjoyed watching how to build a bow in a back country. I am definitely going to give this a shot.

I love the videos that have No talking and just existing in the element of nature & the sound of tools creating a beautiful object. Quite serene

That video turned out awesome. I didn’t like not having any narration at first but ended up loving it!

He makes his own rules when it comes to primitive bow building, and I love it. Dude is amazing.

Fantastic video! Took me from age 15 to 30 to gather all these skills from books I had to track down before youtube was around. Great to see the techniques brought together here. 1000 thumbs up from me! I've been curious to attempt all three, bow, cordage, and arrows, from one eastern red cedar tree. Also would love your expert forensic analysis on otzi the iceman. What he must've been going through and shaping a yew bow with a copper axe and flint flakes.

I could sit and watch this all day long. Like the no talking, just listening to the nature in the ground back.

Oh man, when the plant fibre string kept breaking... I really felt for ya! great vid!

Man this is such quality content! Thank you for this piece of amazing craftsmanship. Peaceful and beautiful.

That’s literally how I spent my entire childhood. With a hatchet trying to make a good bow from a tree. Never got very great at it till age 38 but I never got tired of it either.

Thank you!! More Please!! I was introduced to you on season 8. Bought the book and then rewatched season 8. Thank you for sharing and teaching.

Beautiful bow I’m really impressed by your craftsmanship I learned a lot from this thank you

Thanks for all the free knowledge you provide us, Clay. I'm about to start my first bow thanks to your channel. Any book recommendations for new bowyers?

True craftsman-thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Osage orange trees on my property are some day destined for life as a bow. Video idea if I havnt already missed it-long term care of a primitive Wood bow

Not only natural materials, lovely that. But the equally natural soundtrack is well-matched.

Great job!I love seeing people keep the native traditions!

Hello Clay and thanks for showing the process of making the quick serviceberry bow. This often overlooked wood is really good. Even here in Germany we have a species of this small tree family. Made a bow of it years ago in Mollegabet style - it shoots well and can compete with Osage orange bows. Thanks for sharing your expertise again and again.

Thanks for the great videos, Clay! they inspire me to go into the forest and make bows too. I did not know that you can stick an axе into a stump and use it as a scraper. thanks for the idea.

Love the crafting, simplicity of tools used, camera angles to see crafting details and quality of steps presented. Good man, great craft, excellent books on Bow building (if not the best and most comprehensive on the market) Thanks 4 sharing your knowledge and skill

Outstanding I had often wondered if this would be possible in a survival situation. Also makes me rethink the way primitive peoples may have built their bows.

Thanks Clay, I really enjoyed your take on an ancestor style bow. Is it just coming through differently on the video or is it WAY louder than one of your Osage bows with modern string? I understand it doesn't have silencers but it sort of sounds like it bangs when you release. It's cool as hell in any event.

Love the vids man, super cool to see someone who lives near me not only get onto Alone but to win and then to find you on UKposts. Just awesome. Inspiring to get my boys out and start teaching them some of this stuff now that they are reaching a good age.

The way you used that axe was something I had never considered before! Excellent! I wish I could take a class with you, but I doubt I could afford it!

Great survival knowledge to learn here. The bow making videos are top notch. Well done.👍👍

Hi Clay, I have thought about writing you about this for a while. When you make cordage you add a new piece straight in. I have seen a few primitive guys put the cordage strips in by bowing it near the center and then twisting it in down both sides. This leaves less ends sticking out and if you stagger the length from side to side you can make thickness adjustments as you go. This also means there is zero chance of strands pulling loose in the wrap. If you do know this method why would it not be better? If not, it would be an honor to think I added a solid piece of knowledge to your tool box for all the amazing hours you have been my teacher and quality entertainment. Oh and I'd like to know how you carelessly grab all that stinging nettle lol. I'm a native of the mountains of NC and still in my grandpa's house where I came home from the hospital as a baby over 50 years ago. If you ever need a roof in these parts, you always have one here. Thank you for all the hard work and sharing this hard earned priceless knowledge. You and your boys teach the younger generations what being a good man, a real man and loving father actually means. All the best, Mike.

Good stuff Clay. I was fully absorbed in the video thinking you are out there alone until I realized how well the video clips were stitched together and that there has to be another person with you shooting. Top notch all the way! 👍🏻

that is a DAYUM fine bow Clay. & the sound of its whipp-ash is inspiring! thanks for this I'm gonna have a go at making one ❤️

All with just a hatchet and a knife... Amazing! Thank You!

I've found that with raw nettle and flax you must make much smaller cordage and then twist it together again to make larger cordage. It makes for stronger cordage when you are making bow strings. Yucca can be done like what you've done without any issues at all. It is very strong.

Thank you for taking the time to show use all. I’m thinking about going off to the woods to try it out, I’m just curious what type of wood, I would use in northern Michigan and what I could use for cordage? Any advice is helpful thanks again Clay

Your bowmaking and your videos are a real ART!!! AMAZING! thanks

Hey clay great video. The learning is in the chore. When I make natural coordinate there isn't a material that I don't wet when I twist it. The initial drying of your Material, pre shrink set so that there are no gaps when you twist it. But after you've dried it you need to rewet it when you twist it. It will relax into place and be a much tighter to twist. The way you are splicing your material leaves fraid edges throughout. Simply re wet your cord lightly and let the afraid ends dry while the cord is wet. Then run it through a flame and burn the frame edges off without damageing your cordage. I think what would have made the biggest difference in the end result of your bow string would have been to simply wet the cordage as you were twisting it so that it twisted tight and neet.

Freaking 😎 cool. It was fun as a little kid making a bow. But always had string laying around and never got this deep into it. A more detailed explanation would be mint!! Like how much and how do you know how much wood to take off the bow for the correct amount of flex. And how much shorter should the bowstring be than the bow. A million more questions. But those were just two off the top of my head. These days everyone should know how to do this !! I have a bunch of paracord bracelets that will definitely be on my arms in a big out situation. Along with Pemmican. Also need to know how to get drinking water in the wilderness. And trapping animals!! The more knowledge the better. As a young man I was always in the woods in the mountains of upstate NY. Now. Not so much. Always had a rifle and store bought traps. Also made a few box traps to trap raccoons. Had a few babies growing up. That was for fun. Now it’s for survival without Anything but what you find in nature!! Great video just wish it went into a bit more detail for older brain dead people like me. Ha

Very impressive! The string would have been the toughest for me. What was the plant you first used...thistle, dogbane, other? Would have been nice having the long strands to work with from the plant material. Do you think they needed more drying time causing the issues you had? I appreciate though you showing the process even though it failed. Given enough drying time, or whatever the issue was, I know those plant derived strings can work. I liked the creative way you tillered with that sharp Hachet sunk in a stump. Cool video Clay! I respect your knowledge!

Watching you make that bow is like watching an artist painting a masterpiece! Awesome video thanks clay

Man, you are an artist. Watched the whole build..... the way you used the axe to make a draw-knife function: cool.

I want you on my team if the apocalypse hits. I was really hoping the fiber string would hold, it's a bit complicated to get the sinew, but still a solid build. The force on it was impressive! Thanks for the vid man!

Morning, Teach! We're here and ready to learn! (I'm wondering if the bowstring could be made stronger by first running the fibers through a hard bit of resin before twisting them up...I use a similar trick when sewing with linen thread where I run it through some beeswax before I use it)

Great bow, seems like it can pack a punch without snapping. I like the technique of rounding the grip because it looks really comfortable to handle

I wanted to say that you made this look easy. NOPE. Respect!!! Absolutely Amazing. Cheers from Alaska

me in the next 10 years :

Mr. Clay. First of all, I just want to say thank you very much for your generous content your like a brother from another mother. so I’ve been breaking bows for about four or five months made a few decent ones but just got my first stick of Osage and it the guy sent me a green stick so I went taboo and speed, dried it and checked right down the middle, so I split it in half got two narrow staves i’ll have to be super careful to get a bow out of them with my inexperience but that being said I’ve got the sapwood cleanly removed off the back of the stave but it’s the thin rings on top. You know I know you know what I’m talking about and it seems like everybody wants to go down to the thicker rings well I got this top ring clean. Why do I have to go down anymore? I guess I don’t really care about anyone else’s opinion I’ve watched enough of them to know that compared to you. They’re full of shit. If you get time, I would appreciate your input, sir. God bless your family and take care.

Very clever using the hatchet as a makeshift draw knife. Never seen that done before!!

Clay was my favourite winner on alone. He was always doing the cool stuff you knew he was going the distance.

Outstanding as always. Thanks again for teaching and sharing 🙏🙏

quedo muy hermoso !!! aunque te volvió loco la cuerda !!! FELICITACIONES CLAY !!

Really liked the idea of how you used the Axe for shaving wood off ... Never saw that. Little bow was nice, had reflex to it and some kick to it. Making Arrows & String is more work then making a bow which is realized when you make this stuff from natural materials.

Love your method of shaving the bow with the stump and Axe, I will definitely be trying this one

Awesome. I wish I could live close to nature like that.

Great video thank you for sharing this valuable information.

The Bow and Film is a work of art! Amazing job

Wow, this is awesome! I have to try it! 😁 Very impressive skill and knowledge! 🤯

Absolutely admire how you didnt get over irritated with the string brother. Your discipline shows how and why you won Alone. And thank you for another great video. I wish i had the time and money to come go on an elk hunt with you

That was absolutely fascinating to watch. Thanks for showing the process.

Great video; I like that you show the good and the bad. Keep up the good work.

Awesome, Awesome video, you are the king, I love that you left your screw up in, but I also think you did it on purpose, switching materials and providing that there is more then one way to string a bow.

Very nice video! I would like to see with more details how you make the rope and what the alternatives of plants used for it.

Congratulations for this amazing video, great job.

This is THE best archery video i have EVER seen. wow.

You're one of the best Outdoorsman I've seen in a long time and if I was out in the wilderness I would sure love to have you by my side cuz I know you would Keep Us Alive

Great work. Thanks for showing us and take care.

I watched alone and you’re my favorite person on the show I loved your shelter

Wow, Impressive! Thanks for showing this.

Great craftsmanship Clay, I have used sinew for string but not plant fiber yet, thanks for sharing

Had arguably the best content section on Alone

Well done! Thank you for sharing!

Once again thanks Clay for your knowledge and skills...also to your patreon funders who make it possible for people like me to see this at all.

Best UKposts video ever ! True skills here.

Amazing work! You are master!

Clay you are a master builder to make a bow in 24 hours and fail on the string 4 times makes it seem easy! I would love to try my hand at building one someday thanks for the inspiration!

Sticking the hatchet in the stump and moving the material looks so much easier than how I do it on my shave horse using draw shaves/spoke shaves. How I’ve never thought of is amuses me since I stick my knife into a stump to make leather laces. Lol. I will never forget this method now. Thanks for sharing. 👍

Really enjoy your video’s. My family comes from WoodyPoint Nfld. In many ways a time capsule of life in the nineteenth century. Things changed post Second World War, however places not connected by roads so called “out port’s “ were likely the last places in North America that held on to that way of life. My Grandfather like many others of his generation fabricated most things needed to live. One of the Main things I remember in his shop was a large stump, hatchet and pocket knife. I think he could roughly fabricate anything starting with us those. I enjoy watching you demonstrate there use. Lots of other tools in the shop, but the capabilities with those tools is endless.

I waited a very long time to see the results of what you are working on. salute bro

Congratulations from Brasil , your Chanel is showing what we whont to see about primitive archery !! Good work Thanks for all !!

I'm truly Amazed, and inspired to learn the things i see in this Vid, far away yet (mostly the patience) but possible :)

This video is so good it's therapeutic. Just incredible.

This is one of the coolest things ive ever seen

Love that you show the Flemish twist!

I struggle so hard with getting my tools sharp. Great video and content. Thank you.

Man that axe in the stump trick just blew my mind! Thank you for that!

Taking a page from Stiliyan Stefanov on this video I see...You know what they say imitating is the best form of flattery...Two of my favorite you tubers for sure!

Nice vid, and you did a better job than I could have done keeping your language PG-rated when the string broke!

Your skill is exceptional.

I am SO impressed... gonna buy your book