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Newest bow to be leaving the shop: custom English longbow named Skellow.
The name is from Robin Hood's Well: Robin Hood's Well is situated six miles north-west of Doncaster, on the south-bound side of the Great North Road. A traveller in 1634 left this charming description, "We tasted a cup at Robin Hood's Well; and then were in his rocky chair of ceremony dignified with order of knighthood and sworn to observe his laws". Beauty bow, off to a good home in Nova Scotia, Canada. This is a longbow that I got to build while attending a workshop - not something I have ever had the chance to do before. Here's why it was so special...when I started learning how to build bows The Traditional Bowyer's Bibles (Volume 1-4) really were my bibles. And one chapter in particular, the one called Yew Longbow, by John Strunk. Well, the workshop was being run in conjunction with the North American Longbow Safari - held this year in Comox Valley (my hometown) on Vancouver Island. And the workshop was being taught by John Strunk. So I got to meet one of my mentors, build a couple bows in a beautiful setting, and attend NALS.
I completed 2 bows over the 3 days I was there. My own personal bow, and this one. This bow is named Chase - in reference partly to chasing the ring along the back of the bow. It pulls very smooth - 45lbs. @ 29". The full compass bend is even. The colour on the bow is stunning. I used a thick piece of leather to build up a bit on the back - makes for a much comfier grip. Full bison caps, bison arrow rest, black stone arrow pass. This one is headed to Kentucky, USA. Years of fast, accurate shooting ahead for you Eric! Enjoy. Here's a look at the two bows and some arrows that were built this week during the bow immersion class. (There's a bow and a bunch of arrows that were a bit camera shy!)
Nicely done Curtis & Stephen. It was great spending the week with you (and Angie too). Look forward to seeing what emerges out of the staves you brought home.
There is an old saying that "all that glitters is not gold" it must also be remembered that just sometimes that glittering is in fact Gold and at $650 I just struck the mother load.
Shop update on a couple English longbows and a flatbow that are near completion. At final tiller - time for final sanding, inlay arrow passes, oil, & leather grips.
Two beautiful bows are the result of the collaboration between Jamie MacDonald (Ravenbeak Natureworks) and Jeremy Humpherville (Coastal Carvings).
Yew wood West Coast paddle bows, painted with West Coast art. The bows have the traditional ridge running along the belly. Both bows have short, sharp recurves - which was commonly found on traditional bows. One has diamond shaped tips, the other funnel (upside down triangle) shaped tips. Both handles are wrapped with brain tanned buckskin (yes, we did the brain tanning too!) If you'd like to own of these stunning pieces, please contact us to see if they are still available. Bows are $1500 each.
6 bows on the go...all custom work.
2 traditional longbows 1 recurved flatbow 1 snakeskin backed longbow 1 heavy stained flatbow 1 heavy stained longbow |
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