Starry Night Sky with Bow

Making Torval’s Bow (Video)

Sometimes you read things in novels that you know are just impossible, especially when you have some experience in that field. Running into something like that can make it a lot more difficult to lose yourself in the story. After completing the chapter on Torval’s bow (the bow made in a day with only a hunting knife), I wondered if I had just delivered a few thousand words of nonsense. I’d made bows and strings from natural materials before, but always using a range of tools. So I decided to put the tools aside and try out the technique.

Leave a Reply to Swiss Onrye Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

23 thoughts on “Making Torval’s Bow (Video)

  1. Savannah

    I actually know someone in my community who actually makes Longbows and I wonder how he would react to watching this! I love your book and that you went and made it very interesting and realisitc. Thank you for your time with writing it. (I look forward to the next coming books!) Thank you and keep up the good work!

    Reply
  2. Stephi

    Wait…a real functional, usable bow can be made in a day with a knife and rock? That is BRILLIANT! I am gobsmacked!!
    I read a lot and when I say a lot I mean about 1000pgs a week. I am a full time social worker, take care of my dad who lives with me along with my adult son who is attending college and working. When I am not doing all of that you’ll find be worlds away elbow deep in some adventure or another.
    I immensely enjoyed the journey through Dawn of Wonder and on oins annd neeldles anticipating The Wakening Book 2.

    Reply
    1. Jonathan Renshaw

      If you mean the glue used for the arrow, that was melted pine resin. The plant used for the string was agave. Those aren’t necessarily the best options, just the ones that were near at hand. If you work with agave, just bear in mind that the sap is pretty corrosive. It really eats your skin. Gloves (and glasses or goggles when pounding) are a good idea. Good luck!

  3. Sarah

    I just finished Dawn of Wonder, and I’m excited to read the second book. I was impressed with the sheer breadth of the first book. I had wondered how all the different scenes involving the many different skill sets seemed so realistic. Now I have my answer. Thanks for taking the time and effort to perfect your craft!

    Reply
  4. Shannon Edmondson

    I am an avid reader and just came across your book two days ago. I just finished it. I am in awe of the expanse of your writing. It is thoughtful and humble, incredibly well crafted. Thank you for the time you have allowed for this in your life and how it expands ours by reading it. Waiting expectantly for book 2.

    Reply
  5. Christina Tenhoeve

    I am amazingly impressed by the amount of research that you have acquired for your books! “Dawn of Wonder”, is one of my absolute favorite audible books, ever! I am sure that I would love the printed addition as well, but Tim Gerard Reynolds, does such an amazing job at the narration, that I am unsure if my imagination, while reading the book, could actually do justice for your books! It is hard to wait for the next book! But, after watching this video, I have gained a tremendous amount of respect for how hard you work at your craft! I will try to be more patient in my waiting for book 2 ( and hopefully, 3, 4, 5 and etc lol). I am truly a fan of your work! Well done! And good luck! And most of all!! A sincere thank you!
    Trying hard to patient,

    Christina Tenhoeve

    Reply
  6. Ian Kirkland

    So far I have listened to the book 2 or 3 times. I will probably be relistening to it in the next little bit.
    I was sold on Torval making that bow. And then I saw this video start and kinda said to myself…..”eh, maybe.” but then you did it. I may need to find myself a piece of wood and get a good knife and rock. Hmmm…..I am not sure Texas has agave.
    Anyways, since I first listened to the book about a year ago I have been looking forward to the second one. Keep up the hard work!

    Reply
  7. Joe Ruder

    I listen to at least one book a month. This has been one of the best in a very long time. Thank you and looking forward to the next. I am actually thinking I will purchase a actual ‘book book’ and read it first, then the audible later on.

    The narratter of the audible did a amazing job.

    Joe

    Reply
  8. Jeff Stott

    I’m currently half way through book one and i’m completely captivated! Love it! Reading the many descriptions of weapons and weapon making it’s obvious you have a wealth of knowledge. It’s incredibly hard to put down at night, but it keeps me entertained thinking about what will happen next while I try and go to bed. The Torval story was awesome and I’m very glad I found your website and watched your video. Amazing work! Book two coming soon? Cant wait!

    Reply
  9. Mike faulkner

    Amazing work. As an archer myself I felt the thrill as the story moved from the telling of how he would make the bow to actually doing it with a knife and rock. Such a great read. To see it done made me so proud. I really can’t wait for the next book. Thank you for the imagery.
    Faulkner

    Reply
  10. Vince

    Shared your video with my family, and am trying to get my 10 year old daughter to read your book. The video may have sold it! Truly impressive – you, sir, are a Renaissance man!

    Reply
  11. Chase

    I was just browsing to see if there’s an update on the status of the second book and am so glad I came across this video! I remember thinking while reading that it seemed impossible for Toval’s bow to be made in a day; now I stand happily corrected.

    Reply
  12. Richard J (AUS)

    Great vid Jonathan….only about 20 more required to sate my appetite. You go to some length to thank the illustrator in your ‘epilogue’ but I only saw 2 or 3 including the cover. Are there more? Can there be more? I’m 50 but I still love picture books. Whilst the magic of novel reading (listening) is our imagination being relied upon to generate individual virtual worlds, I’d love to see your interpretations of some scenes.

    Reply
    1. Renshaw Team

      Hi Richard. There are six sketches in the book. You’ll see a table of sketches at the beginning. One of the things we are looking forward to in the new year is getting more graphics to go with some of the scenes. Great to know that we are on the right track!

  13. Billy

    Finishing my second exploration of book 1 and this time it’s to the voice of one Tim Gerrard Reynolds. Listening to the story being narrated, after having read it myself a little over a year ago for the first time, adds a whole new layer of depth and recasts the magic of a first time read.

    I can’t wait for book number 2! (Also, awesome video. I can’t wait for pea-shot to apply those skills in a tight situation.)

    Reply
  14. Swiss Onrye

    Truly amazing. Added a whole new depth to the novel I’ve already read through several times. Although now I am even more anxious for book 2, I thank and curse you at the same time for letting my imagination run as wild as possible.

    Reply
  15. David Thompson

    The Torval story was moving. It both tugged at my heart strings and had me on the edge of my seat. I really hope we get to hear more about Torval in future book, he seems like a good mentor for pea-shot.

    Reply
  16. Matt

    I don’t think you had to prove that Torval could make a bow in one day, but the fact that you did is amazing, and gives everything else you do a ton of credibility.

    Reply