Monday, August 1, 2011

13 fresh forks from Common Dogwood!


I just felled the dead brush/tree something in my garden, and harvested 13 forks in various sizes, plus a good amount of very nice clubs that will make excellent handles.

It is "Cornus Sanguinea", the hardest wood you can find here in Germany. It is extremely dense and was very often used for bows and clubs in ancient times. It was sheer luck to have this big brush in my garden dying just when I needed it.

Soon these will be beautiful frames!  The rest of the brush will be used for my fireplace in the winter, every bit of the plant will be used. I like that thought.
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73 comments:

  1. DukaTheAugust 1, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    WOOOW.. You will make nice slingshots out of this, Im shure :)

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  2. Ser Barks a LotAugust 1, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    What a great way to have fun and be green at the same time!

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  3. Tosh TogoAugust 1, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    The straight branches of the dogwood have been used as shafts for arrows for a long time. The frozen mummy in the Alps has arrows made of this wood, so they used it the same way back then. Strong wood, but not much grain pattern. Did you use the guillotine to chop them down or did you use something else? I look forward to seeing the finished products. All the best!

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  4. BladerunnerAugust 1, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    Respect for not wasting a thing. Looking forward to seeing the slingshots made from this wood.

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  5. Mark August 1, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    nice, looking forward to what you create with these.
    I made a few slingshots from Hazel & English Elm a litle while ago and fitted them with traditional square bands, not overly powerful, but great fun for plinkng, little more info on them here

    http://kepisbushcraft.blogspot.com/2011/05/old-fashioned-catapults.html

    http://kepisbushcraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/old-fashioned-catapults-pt2.html

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  6. JDAugust 1, 2011 at 11:49 PM

    Really look forward to seeing the process of shaping these.

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  7. BavarianBarbarianAugust 1, 2011 at 11:51 PM

    Wow, congratulations on your harvest. I guess it will be hard to carve, but it seems to have a nice rose colour. Most of our german wood has a rather boring appearance.
    I lately had a nice thuja fork from my garden but it broke due to my clumsiness :)
    Good luck and have fun!

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  8. ioAugust 1, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    Hello Jörg!
    This is Ivan, that one who made a girlish slingshot with a flower, a ladybug... :D for my girlfriend. She liked much, maybe you could carve some nice one for your wife as a present, sure she would like :)
    Take care!

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  9. Tosh TogoAugust 2, 2011 at 12:57 AM

    I have to share this because I think it's darned funny! Next to the photo of the forks and clubs Joerg cut down, is now an ad for 'tree service'-- to cut down trees in my area.
    I am still laughing while typing this, so forgive the typos....

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  10. TimAugust 2, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    So this is where you get your wood from, using what you have must help with the costs. You are so skilled with wood working, these sticks will be beautiful slingshots in no time!

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  11. RafaDibujanteAugust 2, 2011 at 1:30 AM

    In Venezuela we used to polish a good natural guava fork for our slingshots, those were awesome days. We used the yellow tubes normally used for medical tourniquets.

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    Replies
    1. Victor FoxJuly 19, 2013 at 7:05 PM

      The same here in brazil!!! my latest slings are guava wood and made a small of out of elderberry for my 5yr nephew.

      here a pic of my guava: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-27f60EprAhI/USJrfuWXxXI/AAAAAAAAATg/OgMKfJU-ib0/s400/2013-01-24_19-39-11_874.jpg

      very plain, but effective.

      still have 2 more forks in my toolchest.

      Delete
  12. Viper3395August 2, 2011 at 2:19 AM

    WOW!!!! i never been more interested in sling shots and ts all because of you . keep it up you may inspire more people in to it. :)

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  13. BubbiebrewsterAugust 2, 2011 at 3:32 AM

    Cant wait to see the forks on the left finished should be interesting to see how you prepare them. You better up date us with the finish products from these forks.

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  14. Al CAugust 2, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    This is one of the great things of living somewhere rural. You can harvest your own wood for projects. I was wondering why slingshots are so popular in Germany. I like slingshots fine, I mean I'm checking out your channel and blog, but I've never heard of a slingshot party here in the states. Maybe in the south.

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  15. yerhuckleberryAugust 2, 2011 at 4:47 AM

    Looking forward to the finished products. I'm still a novice in creating slingshots, but my seven year old son keeps me motivated to hone my skills and his. We have mostly poplar and willow on our property, but also don't have to go too far to find more appropriate woods to work with.

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  16. AndrewAugust 2, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    I once had a wooden practice sword made from dog wood. It's fairly strong wood and should make some excellent slingshots. I'm not sure how the grain will look though, but it should be very functional.

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  17. The Slingshot ChannelAugust 2, 2011 at 5:03 AM

    The grain is boring, looks almost like bone. But well polished and coated, that has some appeal, too. Plus, you can brand it, or add some nice detail - I have just bought some ornament brass nails from an upholstery supplier, for example.

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  18. BeanflipAugust 2, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    I look forward to seeing what you make out of those.

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  19. AbsintheurAugust 2, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    looks like a lot of whittling in your future...some of those are pretty massive forks.

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  20. CamilloNAugust 2, 2011 at 5:42 AM

    I am really sure everyone here can't wait to see
    what you are producing out of these..

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  21. The Slingshot ChannelAugust 2, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    I love the massive forks, as they give you total freedom in shaping.

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  22. bittuAugust 2, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    Looking forward to the finished products

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  23. RyanAugust 2, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    Looking forward to another Jorg Sprave "natural" I'd like to see a Rufus Hussy inspired frame.

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  24. RichiAugust 2, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    entry ticket :D

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  25. JambeAugust 2, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    Wow, nice haul. Speaking of hard woods, we an old ironwood (hornbeam) branch that needs to come down out here. I'd like to carve something out of it!

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  26. DJ'sAugust 2, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    hi jorg. i see you have a lot of frames cut from that dogwood bush/tree in the yard. and i think you could really make some great naturals out of this one. you may know me as Daniel J from slingshotforum.com and i haven't even done that eucalyptus fork yet. maybe i'll get some more information from what you make out of your dogwood forks and then make the slingshot(if you don't mind). anyways, hope you have a lot of fun carving:)

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  27. AlonzioAugust 2, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    Can't wait to see the finished work! :D

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  28. DarthWafflesAugust 2, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    Now that is green!

    Also dangerous. But green.

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  29. jRoAugust 2, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Looking forward to seeing what craziness you come up for these forks. I really enjoy your videos on YT. When we were younger, my brother and I always asked our grandmother to bring home slingshots from the Philippines. You'd think she wouldn't encourage that kind of stuff haha. Coming across your channel, I think I might get back into them. Keep up the good work!

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  30. Barry4125August 2, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    hi jeorg as a challenge you should try to make a football lanching slingshot crossbow

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  31. Lloyd781August 2, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    To bad this brush/tree something died.:(
    But looking forward to the new slingshots
    you will make out of them:)

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  32. LeverkakaAugust 2, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    Hi. I just wanted to say I really enjoy your vids and tips. Used to build a bunch of crossbows and slingshots with my father when I was younger, and we even built a shootingrange at my summerhouse. I keep following you in youtube and on your site, you're a great inspiration. Greetings from Sweden /Leandro

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  33. UnknownAugust 2, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    I found your blog through YouTube. You got some awesome stuff. It reminds me of my childhood growing up with some slingshots made in the Philippines. The wood forks you have brought some nice memories. I look forward to see how they turn out.

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  34. ChristianAugust 2, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    good thing, that you can use almost everything of the Tree...i look forward to see, what you build out of this

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  35. oawbfoinsklfbawoAugust 2, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    would you be able to make a video of the entire process you do to make a slingshot, from carving to varnishing?

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  36. The Slingshot ChannelAugust 2, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    I already have such a video, here:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlWecURh_OU

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  37. szymonidesAugust 2, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    I am reminded of old times ... Hehehe!

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  38. SyrithAugust 2, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Have you ever made a staff sling shot?

    That long piece of wood you harvested looks like it would work nicely :D.

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  39. UnknownAugust 2, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    I know what I'm doing this fall, I think.

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  40. mckeeeAugust 2, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    some nice looking forks there joerg!

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  41. UnknownAugust 2, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  42. MichaelAugust 3, 2011 at 2:54 AM

    was never particularly interested in slingshots before seeing your youtube videos keep up the amazing work

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  43. NagromAugust 3, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    reminds me of my childhood, haha

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  44. casemaster5August 3, 2011 at 4:57 AM

    Cant wait to see em! :)

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  45. bigboi97August 3, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    hey i really appreciate the work you put into the videos and i really love your designs keep up the great work and if there were a zombie apocalypse dibs on this guy!!

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  46. UnknownAugust 3, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    Great way to give your plant/bush a second life.
    From the photos, you have some very thick pieces to work with.

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  47. BuschiAugust 3, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    Ich freue mich schon auf das Ergebnis!^^

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  48. Sevag KrikorianAugust 3, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    interesting coloration.

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  49. ConnorLAugust 3, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    i bet these will look awesome when made :D

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  50. AsaAugust 3, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    I'm glad you've found a use for the whole of the plant - especially that you are going to enjoy that use!

    I really enjoyed your presentation on making a slingshot from a natural fork; for most of us amateurs who watch your channel it is the easiest way for us to join in with the slingshot fun. Perhaps you could give us another video with one of these forks?

    All the best,
    Asa

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  51. As8MaNAugust 3, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Cant wait to see these finished :)!

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  52. MuizertAugust 3, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Thanks for the answer on my previous question, gonna try that. (the sting attacement)
    Will try it as soon as i have finished my selfmade Cougar, should be done next week or so. Wonder if i can upload a picture once it is finished. Might make a wooden handle instead of the paracord, but ill see stil have a lot of grinding to do :)
    All the best,
    Muizert

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  53. AnonymousAugust 3, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    Yellow :)
    Massive fork means a lot of meet to play with ;)
    If you find some wood boring look into some mosaic pins used as a knife scales attachment. They could look pretty awesome (just as a info - not my page :) ):
    http://www.lotusknives.com/whats_in_a_knife/pins_and_tubing
    Rafal

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  54. Sean80August 3, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    Great selection you've got there! I have a bunch drying out in the shed from one of our apple trees I recently took down. I'm interested in the designs you come up with!l

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  55. PikemanAugust 4, 2011 at 12:57 AM

    Interesting. I hadn't heard of these shrubs before but I just looked them up and they should be perfect for my rather bare front garden. It'll be nice to have plants that I can harvest strong forks from aswell as looking lovely.

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  56. EndGamEAugust 4, 2011 at 1:36 AM

    Joerg, your ideas astound me. Keep making super slingshots. You may be across the pond, but I don't doubt a slingshot of yours will make it to the United States.

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  57. zloki83August 4, 2011 at 4:21 AM

    Can't wait to see some shotputs flung.

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  58. psychomaxxAugust 4, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    Man, they'll become beautifull killing tools once you've finished with them :D

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  59. PopintheheadAugust 4, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    I hope you will make a few really cool and extrem slingshots...looking forward to your next vampire or zombieslingshot video! Nice work!!!

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  60. DorianAugust 4, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Nice collection ;-)

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  61. BerserkerAugust 4, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Exciting to wait for the final slingshots :-)

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  62. Slingshot WraithAugust 5, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    What kind of clubs are you going to try to make? The largest of wood you have up seems like you could make a wicked variant of a gunstock club.

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  63. CrazyEvilJesterAugust 5, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    I like that you're using every part of the tree. It's very Eco-friendly of you

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  64. andrew von slingyheimerAugust 6, 2011 at 2:54 AM

    this is bomb i wish u had a website to purchase your stuff i would buy a crap load of stuff

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  65. HeinzelmanAugust 6, 2011 at 4:32 AM

    looking forward for the results and keep up your good work. greetings from berlin
    and btw ... i would really love to win one of your sprave/dankung panther slingshots, great design.

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  66. ToyfarerAugust 6, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    Dogwood has BITE!
    >;)~

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  67. Barry4125August 6, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    awsom those will make some great slingshots cant wait

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  68. Barry4125August 6, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  69. EpicHawkAugust 7, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    SO HOW DO I KNOW IF I WIN A FREE SLINGSHOT? THANKS

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  70. Zoron524September 12, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    WOW, i can see that youre gonna have alot of fun with these!

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  71. UnknownFebruary 16, 2016 at 3:18 PM

    Please don't quit making cool things and making your cool videos. My family and I always look forward to watching your new videos. Don't quit we love you Man.

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  72. UnknownFebruary 16, 2016 at 3:29 PM

    your the best Joerg! i know im not known to you. but for the past 3 years iv'e been watching your videos and always have enjoyed to all the way from Canada. you have inspired me to get my family in to using slingshots and have fun doing so. We love you man! Please don't quit doing what you love to do. All the hatters out there would and can only dream of doing what you do. your the best. Keep shining man!

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