I would like to thank all the participants of this past weekends bow making course.
It was a pleasure to  work with you all in finding the bow. they all turned out real nice.The photo is Meredith showing off her 30lb at 25" yew selfbow.One very interesting point is that we had a fellow Peter from North Carolina attend the workshop.   To date that is the longest distance we have had someone travel to attend one of the workshops.I am getting ready to leave Victoria and ferry across to Vancouver for this weekend (May 3-5) workshop near Granville Island.
We still have 3 spots open for this workshop so great timing if you are interested.   Thanks,
Jamie

We're having a great time in Alberta, meeting lots of great folks and finding out there's a lot of interest in the workshops! We've filled up the Edmonton and Calgary workshops, and if we'd brought more wood we'd be running a couple more.

We've also added anothe Bow Immersion week - August 17th - 24th and all ready there's only 2 spots left...For those who don't know, this 8 day course is the whole deal. You'll get out in the bush and learn about the famous yew tree, you'll build the bow of your dreams (any kind you want: longbow, flatbow, paddlebow), build a dozen arrows, learn how to harvest shafting, and learn about instinctive shooting in the alley right by the shop. We also have a class September 15-22 with a few spots left. Register here to hold your spot, they are sure to f

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth. We had a great time meeting you and chatting about the bows and workshops.

Jamie built a kids bow during his 3 one hour seminars. Great little bow that will make one 10 year old very happy. He gave it away at the end of the show and we know it'll have a great home in Lytton...

We're posting all the bows that we had at the show - they will be up on the website this week. If there's one that you like, we'll honour our "show special" for this whole week. That means you can get 1/2 dozen arrows, leather arm guard and leather finger glove for only $45 - saving $100!

Hopefully we'll see some of you before next year's show! And in the meantime we'll get working on a couple vine maple bows - from a big old piece that

We were here last year, had a great time, and met some great folks. Stop by our booth and get to see the bows & bowyers in person. Plus, we're offering a pretty smokin' deal this year -
buy a bow and get a 1/2 dozen arrows, leather shooting glove, and leather arm guard
for only $45 (save $100)!

We're headed to Alberta in March! We have two wooden bow workshops & arrow workshops in both Edmonton (March 8-10; 11) and Calgary (March 28; 29-31). We're excited to get to teach in a new province. We're receiving lots of interest, which is encouraging. Please register now to hold your place: http://www.ravenbeak.com/registration.html.

For years I have been insistent that the three essential tools in bow making were the hatchet, rasp, and scraper.

I would now like to add spokeshave to the list.

During a workshop in the fall one fellow brought his spokeshave with him to the workshop.  I was a bit hesitant at first because in the past I have found the bladed tools (spokeshave and drawknife) to be overly sensitive to changing grain direction and knots. Of which yew wood has lots of both.

The advantage to the spokeshave is that it is so easy on the body to work with.  Using both hands with the bow clamped securely there is very little fatigue to the bowyer.  Which is great after spending many hours rasping.  I still find there to be many situations where it isn't the right fit,  but when the wood is fairly straight and you are working down to the line,  it is now the go to tool.

I purchased a Veritas brand from Lee Valley tools and haven't looked back.  The feedback from others using them at workshops has been great,  especially when the forearms are sore and weak from hatcheting and rasping.  We will be picking up a couple more to have on hand for the upcoming year.

They should be kept very sharp and with the guide set very low,  so they only take off thin thin shavings,  and use many light strokes to make progress.

On the downside it can be easy to not realize how much wood is being removed and go beyond what is desired.  It can also be challenging to keep perspective and ratio on the wood when it is clamped to the bench.  So, it is a very effective tool for the bowyer,  but it also needs to be treated with respect as it can remove too much without due care.

Our latest custom yew bow has left the shop, headed for LA. Berkilak - 43# @ 26"

Couple neat things about this bow:

well,  where to start.

On Friday I called one of the forestry companies on the North Island and asked about good spots for yew wood.   Talked with a really nice fellow who told me about a spot that the loggers had hauled some big yew onto the road and were cutting up for firewood.

Well..   I went there with a buddy today,  worked for a couple hours and here is about half the wood.   The other half is in the trailer.  Planning on getting it milled up in to 2" thick planks.

wow.   Going out again tomorrow to the other spot the forester mentioned.  

Jamie MacDonald of Ravenbeak has been accepted by the jury into the Sidney Fine Art Show.  Sidney B.C, on Oct. 12-14 2012.

The show accepted 1020 entries for adjudication and selected 340 works to be accepted into the show.   
Jamie  entered  Crotalish, Creek and Rosie to be juried.   We do not yet know which have been accepted and there fore are hoping perhaps all three will be there.