A bowyer talks about authentic longbows

Shot in Visby. I talk to Swedish bowyer Henrik Thurfjell about bows, asking stupid questions so that he sounds comparatively clever.

He talks about wood, of hunting, of string, and of bear fat. Many people in the comments have suggested exotic meanings for the mark on the side of the yew bow. The comparatively mundane truth is that the symbol is a combination of the Norse runes for H and T - the bowyer's initials.

Thanks to Johan Käll for showing me round the re-enactors' camp.

Picture credits:

Lindybeige: a channel of archaeology, ancient and medieval warfare, rants, swing dance, travelogues, evolution, and whatever else occurs to me to make.

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[SquireComedy]

Wish I'd spent my life doing something as productive and interesting as making bows.

The only way I can relate to this video, is through the thousands of hours I've pissed away on Mount&Blade.

[MikeMafiaII]

90 pounds draw weight 'It's a good beginners bow' These Swedes are insane

[alpharage]

7:35 when he says "all over Sweden you can find bear fat" in a joking manner, and then says ..mate I'm just pulling your leg its from the bearfat festival, as if that somehow sounds more plausible :') cracks me up

[aletoledo]

He's quite charming. He doesn't seem to be a braggart, yet he knows his stuff.

[theplayliszt--bitmusic]

For a bow like that, you need a special kind of yew tree.

Its name is YEW MUNGUS.

[harpermorgan]

I just found this youtube channel yesterday, and i must say, what an unequivocal goldmine of content. As a native of blighty, the incorrigibly dry-wit of this man is a joy to behold. I'm also a big fan of the popped collar and cardigan combination, does anybody know what his real job is (or was as that 'youtube money' right). He looks like some sort of professor who enjoys cricket and craft beer!?

[_faultee_]

Officer, my plant is for hemp arrow strings, I promise!

[KnyghtErrant]

Good stuff Lloyd. I found Mr. Thurfjell's talking point about the sapwood/heartwood combination being less significant than most believe to be very interesting. Thank you for that!

[CAARaeed]

Thanks Lindy, this was a very informative video. It also goes to show that the fantasy trope of having the physically weak/skinny guy/girl be the archer is inaccurate. drawing 120 lbs repeatedly isn't a joke.

[vnjabee]

A+ for Henrik. He doesn't sound comparatively clever. He is clever. And he knows a lot about bow making and actual history of bows. He seemingly studied historical facts a lot. His answers are so refreshing. Not boasting crap I hear so often from other traditional archers or in popular documentary movies like english archers could shoot million arrows a minute with two ton draw weight bows made of yew because it is naturally laminated wood second to non. I'm archer and bowyer myself and I like study history but f.e. that info why handle wrap wasn't use is new to me. Thanks Lindy for bringing this to us.

[tohopes]

...
Lloyd: Well, I thought <x>
Experienced Bowyer: No, not really.
Lloyd: It was all about <y>
Experienced Bowyer: No, not so much.
...

[Jukettaja]

Henrik Thurfjord clearly knows his stuff. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Great interview.

[strategicgamingwithaacorns]

The primary problem with longbows is that they have no pommels that you can unscrew and throw at the enemy to end them rightly.

[hazelhazelton]

He's pulling your leg. There is no such thing as a bear fat festival. There are bear fat mines all over Scandinavia, he could have got it any old where.

[Erkynar]

Interesting interview, thanks! Regarding the runes, my take is that it is a combination of "h" and"t" (Henrik Thurfjell, as it were) rather than anything more convoluted.

[jpthomas]

Fun fact: In French osage orange is called bois d'arc, literally "bow wood".

Source: am Texan

[rchetype]

The symbol on the bow is a Nordic rune.
It translates to, "heart, " in English. Hence why it's on the heartwood of the bow.

[Xaines]

Holy shit could you imagine a moose or bear in full plate?... Now THAT is a beast of war.

[mastersKaaP]

This was very interesting. Usually, when speaking to these random people, they aren't very prepared and can only come up with one or two interesting things/stories. This guy was clearly very familiar and passionate with what he is speaking about.

[OttoIncognito]

I really enjoy videos where you interview people because you actually let them speak instead of just responding to your questions. Almost everyone else I see really fail at that. Good shit.