So...You Bought A Crossbow
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- Опубліковано 14 лют 2023
- Medieval crossbow are quite different to modern ones in all sorts of ways and when you buy one from me, you need to understand a little about the bow and how it works as well as how top load it and shoot it. This video shows these aspects.
If you are interested in medieval crossbows, there are loads of films on the channel and if you want to buy one then visit todsworkshop.com/collections/... I also make high end and custom reproduction swords, knives and daggers here todsworkshop.com
If you are interested in properly made medieval knives, daggers and maces this site will interest you todcutler.com
March can be found here todsworkshop.creator-spring.com
Alternate title: Essential medieval crossbow safety and operation with Tod Cutler.
*Tod, our internet dad 😉
He is doing no cutling of any kind here
Todd. You are a master craftsman
@@CodfishJoe In fairness, he does make a sales pitch for cutlery at the end. He must have cutled those.
More like: if you don't know that you want a medieval crossbow, buy a modern crossbow. This shit is dangerous and you should not have it if you don't want to deal with it. Also, I hope no one sues me when their loved one is killed because I didn't put a safety in.
The essential rule of all machinery, keep your fingers away from the moving parts. Great video.
Very true!
@@tods_workshopNa jaki maksymalny dystans poleci bełt wystrzelony z tej kuszy?
On a side note, Tod's budget knives are absolutely fantastic quality, easily the best value for money you can get in terms of modern reproductions. I've got the scottish dirk and it is a beauty.
Thank you and glad you are pleased
I bought one. Absolutely beautiful and the goats foot is a true work of art.
There is definitely a technique spanning one but once you learnt it it’s surprisingly easy.
I use a leather waist quiver to steady the butt
Thanks - glad you like it
I build crossbows as a hobby, and just got my first commission from a friend. This is a great intro guide for crossbows, and I'll definitely send this her way.
I don't even have any interest in ever owning a crossbow, but I watched and enjoyed the entire video. Very clear and interesting presentation, and just good entertainment.
The goatsfoot alone is a marvel of Engineering for it's time. Well done re creating the bow and mechanisms.
5:39 Bad Tod!
That's your thumb sticking up right where you say it shouldn't be. In the path of the string.
Whilst still tensioning/charging the crossbow string.
Baaaad Tod!
Very interesting info about how to use a medieval crossbow - but I have the sneaking suspicion you made this video because you really wanted to shoot a few crossbow bolts, Tod!
Always nice with a new video from Tod, usually some little tidbit of info my brain refuses to let go of after watching :-)
I ordered my 500lbs 15thc Munitions Grade bow in irons almost exactly one year ago, and have shot it multiple times since receiving it. Other than losing a bolt into a grass field after I missed a target I haven't had any actual problems. This is a good compilation of all the crossbow tips from the older shorter videos I binged watched back then. My bow string is still in good shape but if I start to see any wear I'll contact you through the workshop site. I still need to order a Balestrino...
Thanks and glad it is doing well
For modern versions we use deck wax to keep the string in better shape. It acts as a dry lubricant to prevent wear between the wood(metal/aluminum/carbon fibre etc) and the string. You may want to look into some of that for your crossbow as well although depending on whether the stock is finished or unfinished I'm not sure what effect the wax will have.
how long did it take for it to arrive
@@MrBottlecapBillThanks for the tip, I'll investigate that as an option.
amazing instructional video, but i'm left with one question: does a crossbow ever need to be unstrung like a bow? or can you live it idle for months, maybe years and it will still shoot as fine as when you left it?
Thanks and no steel bows can be left strung, but wooden or composites need to be unstrung
Can confirm the quality of his knives. They really are beautiful, and feel exactly as you imagine a real one back in the day would feel. Given how well balanced and accurate they are, it almost seems like a shame that I only hang it on the wall as a piece of art; I think it wants to be used.
What about if you've spanned the bow but now need to undo that without firing a bolt. I think dry-firing it would be really bad for it, so do you just use the goats foot to carefully ease the string back to its resting position?
Correct n- do not dry fire it. I don't think it harms the bow, but the string gets over loaded and after a few shots can break. There is a knack, but yes you take the FULL load back on the lever, hit the trigger with your left knee and ease the lever back down
Or just shoot it into the ground besides you-make sure your feet are out of the way!
You are a true teacher. patient, verbose enough, answer silly questions (in the comments) and the explanation is easy to follow, Awesome
Spot on advice about keeping your digits off the deck. Screwed up years ago with a modern crossbow and nearly tore a fingertip off. Insane power in any kind of bow!
Very informative indeed. I also see you with various daggers at the end there and spotted the TC79 14th Century Quillon model, one of which I bought a couple of years ago. The quality and authenticity is truly amazing and I love the thing. It makes for a nice room decoration and conversation piece. Such a pleasure to own.
Thanks for keeping the faith
Great video on crossbow safety. Every time you engaged the string with trigger lock, my stomach muscles would tighten. Watching you removing the drawing mechanism, I could imagine the lock failing. You, however, know your workmanship is such that you can trust it. I really admire you. You are doing something that you have perfected and love doing, are giving your knowledge to others, and have found a way to make a living doing it. Not many can say that.
Tod, a question about your arrows vs armour series. I've watched all the videos, and heard all of your comments. But, it really would put a final polish on everything, if you were to present a concise summary of your conclusions. Even at close range a long bow wouldn't penetrate a breast plate, so what was its effect across the battle field? Maybe you could get Toby Capwell, as the academic, to wrap it all up, that would be very helpful.
I can't afford your price but I also appreciate craftsmanship
but youre Luke Skywalker
@@beepboop204 but I don't seek money our fame
Tod, you are a huge Inspiration, whenever I've been planning to build my own 110 pound crossbow, I've looked at your Videos to learn more
For a 110lb draw weight crossbow, you might want to look into ancient Chinese designs if you want more power in it. Medieval European crossbows emphasized high draw weight (eg. 300s to 1200s+ lbs) but low powerstroke (4-6 inches) and lower efficiency. Ancient Chinese crossbows had high powerstroke (16-18+ inches) and lower draw weight (170s-600s+ lbs) and higher efficiency. Crossbow power is determined by draw weight x powerstroke x efficiency.
@@Intranetusa thanks for the advice, I actually already have a crossbow...bow with a longer than average stroke
Thanks and good luck, but yes Intraetusa is correct
*120 pounds, just checked the specifications.
Wow, this is really important. Safety precautions for using a medieval crossbow. Good work Tod, never seen this topic has been touched before by someone.
Those bows are straight from "The book of the crossbow" by Ralph Payne Gallaway (or however that was spelled...)
Nice that you are making them :)
Sadly shipping and *customs* will at least double the price of these bows :( (to EU)
Edit: you even have the stone bow! :D
Thank you for the pieces of advise. I recently got myself an old fashioned handmade crossbow and I thought I knew enough...except that part about holding the trigger down after the shot.
Great crossbows btw.
I would love to see a video of the difference in techniques and construction of different crossbows, such as metal vs composite vs wood limbs, advantages vs disadvantages, time periods and cultures, etc.
I can see this guy, in front of a bunch of crossbow noobs back in the old times. I can also see the sarge yelling until he's red in the face at the new recruits who just tore or pinched their fingers while trying to remember everything :)
Good content!
The point about holding down the trigger until the nut stops spinning is one vital thing I would not have thought of, but seeing the worn nut really shows why.
"LISTEN UP MAGGOTS! This is a Crossbow and it's worth more than any of your lifes! So we brought our master craftsman in to show you how you tend to it. Anyone not listening is going to be on latrine duty for the rest of the year!"
Exacyly
"How to keep your fingers attached to your hands" I have a Tod Cutler's left handed Messer. Definitely worth it.
I normally shoot a regular longbow but these really beautiful machines intrigues me a lot. Who knows, maybe I will knuckle under🙂
Ditto.
Longbow & warbow user.....I was offered a trade/deal on a crossbow of this style; ended up with that one plus two others (all different styles & draw weights, etc) - and no.4 was recently purchased at auction 😊
Much as I still love the longbow these things are real fun to use and allow a better understanding of the difference in roles between the archer & crossbowman.
5:39 broke your own rule there. thumb sticking right up into the danger area
@Tod's Workshop could it be a good idea to make a film about the maintenance and sharpening of daggers and maintenance of scabbards?
exceptionally nice craftsmanship Tod!
Hey Tod, can you do a video on how/if they ever carried the crossbow on their back with a sling?
I don't know for sure, but think they must have. Look at late 15thC German manuscripts - you will find it here or not at all
I've been wanting some medieval cutlery for the kitchen. Just because it would be fun to cut the roast with a knife designed 800 years ago.
You would not be the first.
I've got a pair of Tod's medieval cooks knives; they're great, both sturdy and elegant. I use them for pretty much all my cooking cutting needs
Excellent video. I will check the website.
Brilliant! Just ordered one of the 15c munitions units with bow irons. After watching the video, I'm feeling confident I know what I'm doing now.
This is an incredibly entertaining and informative video for a product I will never own. Love it.
Beautiful! I just bought a Stiletto from you! I’m excited, and can’t wait to receive it!
Just got my budget rondel dagger and all it did was make me want a Tod Cutler custom job even more... Such a pretty dagger and built well. Will look great with my garb.
Thank you for the video. Wish I had the money for one of your crossbows. Works of art.
I've had a Tod's Workshop crossbow in my shopping cart so many times....One day...
Dreaming is nice, but having a medieval crossbow in your shopping cart is the origin of 'my wife left me' memes.
Having a video like this is great for those that do buy one, it isn't something you can easily replace if something bad happens and your fingers are even less so.
Do it
Day after I start looking at your crossbows you put this out. Now I have to get one!
Wish you were based in Canada! Love the material!
This is very informative. Thank you.
What a nice surprise. Been looking at modern hunting crossbows. My 2nd youngest wants to hunt. Gonna get a tripod and I will use it when age catches me.
"The more things change,..." Many of us crotchety old vets can recall learning the hard way all about the "M-1 thumb." That's why we're crotchety....
I love Todd's medieval style hat. The crossbow is pretty marvellous too. Todd's a great salesman 👍 I would really like one of those bows; but I'm not sifficiently certain that the Zombie Apocalypse is coming.
clearly you just need explosive-tipped bolts for the AIpocalypse instead
You could always have some fun while waiting
Another couple of months and you'll probably have politicians canvassing in your area. They may be the closest thing we have to zombies, and some of them have certainly created a few apocalypses.
Great Video as always ❤
Thanks 😋
i got my first pointy toy from you and i be lovin it muchly
Very well done video
Very good idea for a video. Definitely needed i expect. Simple machines they may be, but that does not mean automatically or always easy to figure out how to properly use.
Or to make them. Thery seem so simple, but there is a lot more to them than it seems
@@tods_workshop That too.
Though i did my own when i was a kid, took the stock off an air-rifle, mounted the bow of a weak-ish, plastic (not quite toy-)bow on it through the use of a thick papertube that just happened to fit perfectly onto the front ends of the stock, then taped metal supports to the bow to raise power, a lot, and used a screwdriver held up through the hole in the stock where the trigger normally went as a "not exactly trigger".
Very very VERY not convenient to use, but after many adjustments, reasonably accurate and many many times stronger than the original bow. Tripled the range compared to just the original bow IIRC.
Kept using the original arrows with it, so very NOT a classic style kind of crossbow.
Also, no loading help beyond a place to put your foot to hold the front steady with, so ooh boy was it harsh(and tricky, as you had to hold the screwdriver trigger correctly or it would just fall out) to load, really needed those leathergloves for it.
Looked like someone made a doublesize crossbow. Possibly triplesize. Had to have the bow within less than 30 degrees of vertical to fit through doors with it, lol...
One of the many crazy things we built as kids that somehow didn't kill me or my friend off...
Good one, greetz from the Netherlands!!!
Could you do a comparison of crossbows, bows, and early firearms? My understanding is that the crossbow is seen as the median between the other two, but I'd like to know when the crossbow may shine over both.
Early firearms had a limited range but were just as simple to load and fire as the crossbow, so the crossbow really shined when you wanted something that was fairly easy to load and fire and still had the range.
From what I've read and seen, defending castles seem more likely to use crossbows than bows or early firearms, they let everyone get involved regardless of strength or skill
supply for crossbows was probably a lot easier to handle. not really cheap, since crossbows kind of had the same scam going on as printers and ink today, but blackpowder takes some not that easily available ingredients. I think salpetre did take some effort.
I'm not a user/expert in any of them, but I'd guess a bow/crossbow might have an advantage over early firearms in rain/wet conditions since for them you'd have to worry about your black powder getting wet whereas the bows you can shoot in the rain no problem. I'm not sure how correct that is as movies have shown me both people dropping their guns for another weapon because of wet powder and entire battles in the rain where no one has any problems, but logically it does seem to be a concern.
Another thing to consider is the cost/effort of ammo. Bolts and especially arrows take a lot longer to manufacture than lead musket balls. I'm not sure how many crossbow bolts you could make per day but it's possible to produce hundreds of lead balls daily (or even thousands if you had a facility like a shot tower).
The early firearms were a handgonne largely, a cannon on a pole. Lethal, yes, accurate... Sort of? They were usually effective to about crossbow ranges. InRangeTV has a video on one.
The real issue is the lack of metallurgy. It is much easier to make a consistent, safe crossbow spar to military standards than a short cannon. They predate exact powder measurement: the odds of under or overfilling powder are equally disastrous to the gunner. The margin of error on firing at their effective range is really, really small. They have an atrociously long lock time;; the gunner must essentially predict they will need to fire seconds beforehand.
They mimic early crossbow development. They were seen as expensive but effective counters to heavily armored enemies; just the standard of armor improved significantly. Not everyone agreed they were more lethal; it is a ball rather than a bolt, after all, and the rate of fire is very poor.
You missed one vital tip, you never dry-fire a crossbow, once spanned you have to fire a bolt or the pressures will damage the bow.
Yes I did miss this point. But for the record, I think a steel bow will be fine, but the string will not like it after a few shots
У вас всегда очень интересно, вы увлеченный человек и это прекрасно. Сам такой, увлекаюсь луками и арбалетами давно, но вы профи.
Hey Tod, have you ever made a crossbow with a skåne/pin lock. Would love a video about that if you ever do, love the content and your shop.
Great and very important Video
You know it's hardcore when you have to create your own safety system.
love the vids and cheers from Estonia
Lovely TODD
great, now i want a crossbow as well!
To get around the release wearing, maybe add a brass insert to the trigger catch? It might not be historically accurate, but in modern engineering, meeting parts w/high force bearing use typically t options. One using 2 different materials, one of which is less hard than the other and can be replaced, consumable. The other options would be too current-time I think, using bearings or high polymer grease etc. But machining a key way for a brass insert would be a cheap/simple fix to the issue. Then, either provide a couple with each bow, or use a standard part that a consumer can easily purchase if needed.
Tod should start putting some sort of painted design on his products.
Or brand the wood with the hammer / anvil in the broken circle logo from the barn door behind him.
I have one of Todd's bollock daggers, I've used it while bushcraft camping for general stuff as well as batoning wood for firelighting and it performed wonderfully. One day when I have saved up enough I will have a crossbow from him too, although justifying it to the wife might be harder than the saving!
Have you done a video on that goats foot lever? Looks like a nifty piece of tech. Do I interpret the action of it right, that the fulcrum slides along that long hook during the pull to change the proportions between the lever arms? Looks like the required force to pull the lever is spread out over the whole arc of the pull instead of peaking in the end.
I second this request. I was fascinated and wondered the same thing.
Not done a video on it, but essentially it is deceptively complex and yet simple. Basically a crossbow requires more force to draw it the later in the power stroke it is. The lever gives more advantage the further in the stroke it is so, it makes the process really quite easy
i didnt know you sold your crossbows!!! ill buy one as soon as i got some extra money
Good timing! It's been a few weeks since you've uploaded, and I was just wondering last night if you've been OK.
Great works guys, can you test the throw in full armour, footwear and using a scutum? This would get closer to a real world use max distance.
Looks fun
Such a simple little complicated device! 🙂
question for you. how do you store crossbows and do you need to store differently depending on how long you're storing them (i.e. days, weeks, months etc.)?
The best infomercial I've ever watched.
Nice video
I want to build a low power crossbow
As I harvest Bull Frogs , normally with a spear
But sometimes we can't get the boat into the shallow water
I want a crossbow , to shoot a barbed bolt with a line attached
So I can shoot the bull frogs and reel them in
Not sure what I'd do with a crossbow, but this makes me want to build one. Has me eyeing the pile of truck leaf springs in my forge lol
Its funny you mention the kick. A 200lb draw excalibur when shooting a 350 grain bolt has a kick back like a .22 if you are not expecting that it can surprise you. Yes crossbows kick but its not as bad as a 3030 or 30-06 lol. I do enjoy these older historical crossbows too. I may have to buy from you one day soon.
Would it be possible to make a goats foot that stays on the bow? That way you could more rapidly draw it back. I know it would make the entire thing heavier, but it would still be neat to see if you could make one. It would need some way of folding down in the front so as not to obstruct anything.
Also Tod, how accurate are these bows at range? I assume that if you are reasonably used to the weapon you could hit a man-sized or deer-sized target within 25 yards easily, but how accurate are they at 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 yards respectively? How long does their trajectory remain flat? My guess is out to about 30 yards and then you have to aim higher? Can you accurately lob crossbow arrows/bolts/quarrels at longer ranges? How does range dissipate their impact energy and penetration? I mean, we have seen you pierce a shield at, what was it 50-75 yards, but how it is at 100+ yards?
Sorry, for all the questions.
Thank you so much for all you do. I really enjoy your channel.
Man sized at 50 is fine, 75 is half hit, 100 would be mostly missed. The power drop off I assume is much like that for a longbow and I looked at he in a recent Arrows vs Armour2 film
You can lob an crossbow arrow without problem ,but aiming is tricky ,still if you get used to it you can do it even without aiming devices.As how strong it will hit -it wont be as powerfull as at close range but this is still a heavy projectile and i wouldnt wanna be hit by one thats for sure.
@@tods_workshop
Thanks again Tod! The work you guys do is awesome! I watched the Arrows vs. Armour2 video, but either I missed that part or I forgot about it. I will have to watch it again. Joe Gibbs is amazing. You all are amazing really. Thank you so much for what you do.
Oink!
= @ )
@@zumbazumba1 Aiming long range is super easy, barely an inconvenience. You hold the butt under your arm and line the bolt with the target.
very nice
Is that I thumb I see in the way of the string at 5:38?
Jokes aside, great video, thanks for the infos ;-)
i can vouch for the knives. hes bloody good a full swords too.
Tod can you recommend some good books or video about making medieval crossbows?
Tod you have some skills sir
Nicely done, well presented.
I don't own any of your bows, but you mentioned taking the wedges out, how would you do that? Tap with a hammer? Vice grips?
Sometimes the wedge shows from the opposite side, and you can just hit it with a hammer. If it is not, you could use a nail or any other thin piece of metal, that can reach the tip of a wedge inside of a stock.
Thanks Tod. I understand the moving of the bow when it does not shoot straight, but if I can thin one horn to set the straightness, please tell which horn must be thinned if it shoots left? Is it difficult to till a metal bow to get even bending, etc?
I suppose filing the width down is the way to go?
Please help.
South Africa.
Hi, do you ship internationally? Thanks ❤️ ilove your works by the way just seeing from your videos it's wonderful, really a work of art 😊
Weird question
In your loading and shooting at the end you out thr crossbow into your leg
In that case why out a stirrup on the end? Surely that just adds weight and complexity not the mention could impact accuracy as the weight is far off the end?
Did they ever make crossbows without that stirrup?
After watching the goats foot lever in action I was wondering if (in theory) the design could have been modified so that the lever remained attached (bolted) to the stock of bow rather just folded back in place along the stock instead of being removed after and carried by the user.
Todd always makes the best commercials. :-)
"So... you bought a crossbow." Feels like something St. Peter has said a few times...
Fascinating video, thanks very much! Question: what would happen if you put a goat's foot lever on a modern crossbow made of advanced materials and increased the draw weight to match? Would you get a supercrossbow? Or is the goat's foot just a way to get power into a shorter draw length?
It’s a way to get power in a shorter draw length
What about maintenance? Do they need to be stored in certain conditions? Do they "need" to be shot once in a while to keep things working correctly, like a music instrument?
No they just sit there waiting, but don't keep them in a damp shed or next to radiator and they will be fine
Any tricks to prevent accidental dry firing while loading with the goat's foot? The trigger rides uncomfortably close to your lower torso and upper thigh. I like the "finger" safety technique when you have shouldered the crossbow, but I'm really concerned about every step before that.
Question if you are using a goats foot to span your bow why do you need a stirrup or the bow?
I think mainly it was a hangover, but you also see particularly Italian pictures where they hold the stirrup whilst spanning
@@tods_workshop It's also a convenient way to hang it on a wall for display/storage.
QUESTION: What use of stirrup if cocking with butt in the hip?
This is perfect
hi Tod...when you are drawing it you do it against your body....so what is the purpose of foot pedal thing (i am not sure what you call it)... if you dont use it when drawing the bow it is an unnecessary weight at the tip of the bow....
Hallo congratulazioni for the video,i would like to build a crossbow like yours, could you tell me where to find a bow lire that of your crossbow
Super...
It is such a shame crossbows are banned in some countries here in Europe, it is ridiculous
I am thinking, how do you get the wedges out once they have been hammered in? Is there space to put a pin in the opposite side and hammer them back out, or can you just pull them out with pliers?
I would think you’d use a drift on the small end.
Correct, you drift them out
What about the bow string? Does it need to be waxed? Does it need replacement every 400 or so shots? How much wear or damage would make it unsafe?
When the servings wear they should be replaced and they are essentially sacrificial to keep the core safe. Saying that I have probably replaced 4 or 5 strings in the 15 years I have been making these, so they do last well
@@tods_workshop Dynema (brand)- ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) rope . . . 3mm holds 150 kg many use it for crossbow strings.its not cheap thou ,like 5€ for 10m (thats probably like 4-5 strings).