3 Day Bow Making Course


bow making course | bushcraft | Kent | south east | London

What’s it about?

We’ve put together this 3 day bow making course for anyone with an interest in bushcraft, craft, archery, or just wanting to spend a few days in the woods relaxing and working on a fun project.

A bow is a projectile weapon powered by it’s elasticity; essentially, it’s a form of spring.  As the bow is drawn, energy is stored in the limbs of the bow and transformed into rapid motion when the string is released, with the string transferring this force to the arrow.  Bows are used for hunting, for sport and, up until relatively recently, for war.

The origins of the bow are ancient, and date back to at least 64,000 years ago.

What will I do on this 3 day bow making course?

During this course you’ll learn how to craft a longbow from a native hardwood stave.  The staves have been cut and seasoned in advance, however you’ll learn how to select the correct wood and process it for bow making.

  • We’ll cover bow design, layout and shaping the bow using traditional hand tools,
  • You’ll learn about the characteristics of different types of bow making materials and how to incorporate those characteristics into the design,
  • We’ll discuss different string materials and you’ll make your own bow string using the Flemish twist method,
  • You’ll learn how to tiller your bow to your own requirements and will be taught how to finish and protect your bow and ( hopefully!) at the end, you’ll  have a chance to shoot it,
  • We’ll also discuss more advanced techniques such as fitting horn tips and steam bending the bow.

Each bow is unique and designed for you.

The aim is to leave this bow making course with your own working bow and the knowledge to make more.  Bow making is complex however, and while you’ll be taught and guided step by step through the process, there is a chance that you may not complete your bow on this course. However you’ll be given the necessary skills to do so again.

The joy of making your own bow from a local piece of hardwood and shooting it brings a satisfaction that is hard to beat and a lot of people find the process addictive.

Book now

You can see our complete course schedule here.

Other information

Location: Westwell, Kent

Duration: 3 days

Start: 9am Friday

End: 4pm Sunday

Course size: Maximum of 4

Catering: We’ll provide tea & coffee, breakfast and dinner but you’ll need to bring a packed lunch

Note: There is a short walk from the meeting point to the camp. We’ll transport your bags in our 4×4

You might also find these Frequently Asked Questions useful.

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