Introduction to Bow Making

Learn to make a fully functional american flat bow!

• Each Sunday class will be open to 6 students.
• Each class will take place over the course of 8 hours.
• Class fee is $90/person

Of the class fee, $60 is for the class, and $30 for materials and the tools, both of which the student will keep at the end of the class. (the tools and materials, not the money.)

The class will cover:

• A brief review of the types of traditional wood bows and focus on the American Flatbow, it's origin and design (This is the type of bow that participants will be making)

• An intro on the types of designs and modifications that can improve the look and performance of an american flatbow.
• Types of wood used for wood bows, and their characteristics
• The pros and cons of working with red oak wood.
• Tools used for bowmaking, including hand tools and power tools
• Each participant will be provided with all the materials and tools needed to make this bow.
• Class materials will include exactly one rough cut blank bow stave, which the students will transfrom into a bow over the course of the class.

In this one day intro course I will teach basic design and construction of a red oak american flat bow, and help the students make a fully functional wood bow.  Future classes with more advanced skills will be taught at a later date.

The class will include a brief description of what archery "tackle", or gear, is needed to actually use a bow, including bow strings, arrows, forearm protection (vambraces), finger protection (archery tabs or shooting gloves), quivers, and bow cases.

Ideally each student will complete this class with a fully functional bow. However, due to the fact that the students will be making the bow, and that wood under tension can break, I can make no guarantee of success.  If the bow does break while under construction, there will be options for scheduling additional time to complete a bow.The design used in this class should yield a bow of between 30 and 45 pounds draw weight, depending on the students preference.

The class length of 8 hours will cover all the information needed to construct a bow, but sometimes, more time is needed for a student to finish their bow.  Each student has an open invitation to return to work on their bow, at no additional charge, based on the instructors availability. Students may return to work on their bow during any listed future class session, and additional time may be arranged with the instructor.

During this class, each student will be starting with a rought cut bow stave, or "blank". Because of this, there will be little or no use of power tools. The exception will be finishing the handle and grip of the bow, which can be done with hand tools alone.  If a student is comfortable using a belt sander, they may do so.

Once the bow itself is completed, you will need at least a bow string and arrows to use it, at the barest minimum.  Arrows can be purchased locally, and the class will cover the information you need to select the right arrows.  Strings can be bought locally, but I will offer finished bowstrings as an option, seperate from the class, at a cost of $10, made by the instructor.