We craft a range of bows from the traditional English longbow to character flatbows to Pacific Northwest paddlebows. We build both selfbows (made with a single piece of yew) and laminates (layers of yew & a backing of bamboo).
All our bows are built using local Pacific Yew (taxus brevifolia). The beauty and strength in yew as a bow wood comes from the sapwood/heartwood combination. Sapwood (the white wood that is on the outside of the tree, just below the bark) excels under tension. It forms the back of the bow and is being stretched. Heartwood (the red wood that makes up the center of the tree) is the opposite, excelling under compression. This makes it the ideal belly wood, as it is compacted during the draw.
Mainstream archery calls all wooden bows longbows, however when you're in the wooden bow world there are more distinct categories, which are explained below.
LongbowThis is the traditional style from Great Britain. These bows are typically as tall or taller than the archer. They have a "D" shape profile (cross-section) - flat back and rounded belly.
Usually with horn caps, tip overlays are also used. Often shot without an arrow rest (off-the-hand) or grip (keeping to the bare wood). Often seen with a small inlay arrow pass or a bowyer's mark to let you know where to shoot from.
With a smooth draw and very little stress on the bow, these are beautiful to shoot and stunning to see.
The other guys in the club have been round to admire your work, Everyone's in agreement it's best looking longbow any of us have ever seen and I've got seven now.
~Benjamin~
FlatbowNorth American style bow (though there are references to these bows in Europe). This bow is rectangular in cross section, with a stiff handle.
It is more common to see recurve tips in flatbows. Arrow shelfs carved out of the handle and/or an additional arrow rest is the norm. These are shorter bows, reaching, on average, to the archers nose to eye height.
These bows have low hand shock. They give you a sure, hard shot that feels sweet as it leaves the string.
She's beautiful, perfect in every way. I love the finish and details, and she shoots really sweetly. Thank you so much!
~Alison~
WarbowSame style as the longbow, but usually longer and definitely heavier. 70+ pounds in draw weight.
These were the bows used in the great battles between the English and their enemies. Often bows were in the 100+ pound range.
Archers could routinely hit moving targets that were 150-200+ yards away.
These give you a real sense of power behind the most influential weapon of the medieval ages. Great for launching heavy arrows really far.
There is absolutely no hand shock and the pull is nice and even throughout the entire draw. The name Magni is perfect because it takes the Norse god of strength to draw it. It is in a good home and I will always be proud of owning a true work of art.
~Ben V.~
PaddlebowThese are the bows of the Pacific Northwest (British Columbia, Washington, & Oregon). These bows were short, wide, and made with Pacific Yew (many Native groups referred to this tree as the "bow plant").
Short bows (40"-55") built for a short draw (up to 23"), these bows are ideal for a draw to the chest - often used while hunting in areas with denser brush and at close quarters.
The tips were often styled with a diamond or wedge shape. And a characteristic ridge down the belly (sometimes a double ridge or scallop) is seen on many of the surviving bows.
The bow shoots very well and is quite powerful.
~Jeff P.~
All our bows are built using local Pacific Yew (taxus brevifolia). The beauty and strength in yew as a bow wood comes from the sapwood/heartwood combination. Sapwood (the white wood that is on the outside of the tree, just below the bark) excels under tension. It forms the back of the bow and is being stretched. Heartwood (the red wood that makes up the center of the tree) is the opposite, excelling under compression. This makes it the ideal belly wood, as it is compacted during the draw.
Mainstream archery calls all wooden bows longbows, however when you're in the wooden bow world there are more distinct categories, which are explained below.
LongbowThis is the traditional style from Great Britain. These bows are typically as tall or taller than the archer. They have a "D" shape profile (cross-section) - flat back and rounded belly.
Usually with horn caps, tip overlays are also used. Often shot without an arrow rest (off-the-hand) or grip (keeping to the bare wood). Often seen with a small inlay arrow pass or a bowyer's mark to let you know where to shoot from.
With a smooth draw and very little stress on the bow, these are beautiful to shoot and stunning to see.
The other guys in the club have been round to admire your work, Everyone's in agreement it's best looking longbow any of us have ever seen and I've got seven now.
~Benjamin~
FlatbowNorth American style bow (though there are references to these bows in Europe). This bow is rectangular in cross section, with a stiff handle.
It is more common to see recurve tips in flatbows. Arrow shelfs carved out of the handle and/or an additional arrow rest is the norm. These are shorter bows, reaching, on average, to the archers nose to eye height.
These bows have low hand shock. They give you a sure, hard shot that feels sweet as it leaves the string.
She's beautiful, perfect in every way. I love the finish and details, and she shoots really sweetly. Thank you so much!
~Alison~
WarbowSame style as the longbow, but usually longer and definitely heavier. 70+ pounds in draw weight.
These were the bows used in the great battles between the English and their enemies. Often bows were in the 100+ pound range.
Archers could routinely hit moving targets that were 150-200+ yards away.
These give you a real sense of power behind the most influential weapon of the medieval ages. Great for launching heavy arrows really far.
There is absolutely no hand shock and the pull is nice and even throughout the entire draw. The name Magni is perfect because it takes the Norse god of strength to draw it. It is in a good home and I will always be proud of owning a true work of art.
~Ben V.~
PaddlebowThese are the bows of the Pacific Northwest (British Columbia, Washington, & Oregon). These bows were short, wide, and made with Pacific Yew (many Native groups referred to this tree as the "bow plant").
Short bows (40"-55") built for a short draw (up to 23"), these bows are ideal for a draw to the chest - often used while hunting in areas with denser brush and at close quarters.
The tips were often styled with a diamond or wedge shape. And a characteristic ridge down the belly (sometimes a double ridge or scallop) is seen on many of the surviving bows.
The bow shoots very well and is quite powerful.
~Jeff P.~
This is a very full three day workshop where you will transform a piece of tree (stave) into a fully functional bow matched to your draw weight and draw length. You will learn how to work with knots, how to untwist a bow, how to make a Flemish twist bowstring, and lots more.
We have taught students from the age of 7 to 74. You do not need any previous experience working with wood or tools.
We have taught students from the age of 7 to 74. You do not need any previous experience working with wood or tools.
Another bow with striking contrast between sapwood & heartwood. Named after a Roman Goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. Finished off with white bison horn caps. The arrow pass is a copper inlay. While this is a heavier longbow, it shoots very smooth, with almost no hand shock. You can feel the power behind it, without it being overwhelming.
This one is wonderful to shoot. Light in the hand with very little hand shock. Named after a river on the west coast of Oregon - the recurves giving this one flow and strength. Palix has an arrow pass of inlaid copper and stunning black & white streaked tip overlays.
Named from a Japanese folk story - a girl who was found inside a bamboo stalk. Copper inlay for the arrow pass, white antler tip overlays & brown leather handle. This recurved laminate is fast and snappy - you really feel the balance of yew & bamboo.
A truly exceptional beauty here. Very tight grain and virtually no knots (and this is extremely rare with yew). Name means clear in Spanish in honour of this. Perfectly straight and just a joy to shoot. Stunning colour contrast and finished off with lapis stone inlay and bison horn caps.
Another bow with striking contrast between sapwood & heartwood. Named for an ancient Yew God. Finished off with a lapis stone inlaid arrow pass & bison horn caps. This bow shoots very smooth, with almost no hand shock. Feels light for its weight.
Named for a beautiful beach with lovely rolling waves, this one has a little wave in the lower limb. Very fast shot for its weight. Feels light in the hand. This one has pipestone inlay for the arrow pass and bison horn caps to finish it off.
This bow has some lovely character in the form of a little swoop in the lower limb. Name means memory and was a deep mysterious spring that fed Yggdrasil (the tree of life-arguably a Yew tree). Black bison horn caps and jet stone inlay finish off this quick shot.
A very stunning bow, with exceptional colour balance between the heart & sap woods. Green malachite arrow pass and very unique brown & white streaked yak horns finish of this beauty. Named for the area where the Mary Rose ship went down.
Bison horn caps, malachite stone arrow pass, and deep red handle finish off this stunning bow. Perfectly straight, with a slight reflex, this bow feels light in the hand and is fast for its 40# weight.
Name means beautiful, this one shoots like a breeze. 4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in with a backing of bamboo. Finished with aquamarine stone inlay, yak horn caps and dark red leather handle.
4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in reflex with a backing of bamboo. Finished with blue lapis stone inlay and buffalo horn caps. Name means noble woman. A joy on the eyes and to shoot.
Another bow with striking contrast between sapwood & heartwood. Named for an ancient Yew God. Finished off with a lapis stone inlaid arrow pass & bison horn caps. This bow shoots very smooth, with almost no hand shock. Feels light for its weight.
Named for a beautiful beach with lovely rolling waves, this one has a little wave in the lower limb. Very fast shot for its weight. Feels light in the hand. This one has pipestone inlay for the arrow pass and bison horn caps to finish it off.
This bow has some lovely character in the form of a little swoop in the lower limb. Name means memory and was a deep mysterious spring that fed Yggdrasil (the tree of life-arguably a Yew tree). Black bison horn caps and jet stone inlay finish off this quick shot.
A very stunning bow, with exceptional colour balance between the heart & sap woods. Green malachite arrow pass and very unique brown & white streaked yak horns finish of this beauty. Named for the area where the Mary Rose ship went down.
Bison horn caps, malachite stone arrow pass, and deep red handle finish off this stunning bow. Perfectly straight, with a slight reflex, this bow feels light in the hand and is fast for its 40# weight.
Name means beautiful, this one shoots like a breeze. 4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in with a backing of bamboo. Finished with aquamarine stone inlay, yak horn caps and dark red leather handle.
4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in reflex with a backing of bamboo. Finished with blue lapis stone inlay and buffalo horn caps. Name means noble woman. A joy on the eyes and to shoot.
Another beauty. This one is finished with malachite stone inlay for the arrow pass and also to fill a knot on the lower limb. Very tight grain and creamy sapwood. Detailed with a custom celtic knotwork design. Bison horn caps. Has a very natural draw & release.
Fintan: Finished with green malachite stone inlay and buffalo horn caps. 4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in reflex with a backing of bamboo. A seer in early Irish mythology, name means "the wise".
This bow is fast and snappy. Finished with a copper inlay both as the arrow pass and to fill a knot; and bison horn caps. Very tight grain contrasts beautifully with the white sapwood.
4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in reflex with a backing of bamboo. Finished with green malachite stone inlay, brown leather handle, and buffalo horn caps. Has more speed than you would think for the weight.
Named for a goddess of Ireland. 4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in reflex with a backing of bamboo. Finished with jet black stone inlay, buffalo horn caps and dark brown leather handle. Exceptional shot.
A very straight bow, with exceptional colour contrast between the heart & sap woods. Blue lapis arrow pass and very unique brown & white streaked yak horns finish of this beauty. Named for a beautiful place on the west coast of Van. island.
Bison horn caps, malachite stone arrow pass, and deep red handle finish off this stunning bow. Perfectly straight, this bow feels light in the hand and is fast for its 48# weight. A joy on the eyes and to shoot.
One of our favourites - the lines and waves on this one truly stand out. A pipestone inlaid arrow pass with bison horn caps. Name means "to surge or swell" and is the Finnish godess of the sea. Wonderful to shoot, light in the hand with very little shock.
Finished with two bison horn caps, silk wraps on both limbs, malachite stone inlay, and brown leather handle. Layers of pacific yew & bamboo backing, held in a gentle reflex leave this bow a joy to shoot.
Name for a Greek sea god. 4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in reflex with a backing of bamboo. Finished with jet black stone inlay and buffalo horn caps. Exceptional shot. More photos to come soon.
A real clean piece of yew heartwood backed with white tail rawhide and prairie rattlers. This bow is exceptionally light and fast. Finished with bison horn overlays & arrow shelf, with a brown leather handle. With recurved tips, this one is sweet shot.
Another bow with beautiful lines and very tight grain. Smooth draw and light in the hand. One of a kind malachite inlays really stand out. Finished with translucent yak horn. Named from Egyptian sky & moon goddess .
Named after a mighty Greek archer, this bow stands up to the legend. Teukros has some markings on the limbs, from the yew tree being rubbed by elk antlers while growing. Finished with yak horn caps and pipestone. This is a strong bow tillered to a full 32" draw.
4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in reflex with a backing of bamboo. Finished with green malachite stone inlay and buffalo horn caps. Named for a river on the west coast of Vancouver Island. More photos to come soon.
4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in reflex with a backing of bamboo. Finished with blue lapis stone inlay and buffalo horn caps. Name means "possessing drops of rain" in honour of the rain forest where it grows..
Named for the sea wind, this one shoots like a breeze. 4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in reflex with a backing of bamboo. Finished with pipe stone inlay and buffalo horn caps. More photos to come soon.
Left handed bow. 4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in reflex with a backing of bamboo. Finished with blue lapis stone inlay and buffalo horn caps. Very light in the hand with a fast shot. More photos to come soon.
Named for a place on the west coast of Vancouver Island, with beauty to match it. Light bow, with a very quick, comfortable shot. Yak horn tips and lapis stone inlay finish of this one.
Meaning "the sea" in Welsh, this one has striking waves along its length. Very tight grain, backed with thin layer of sapwood and finished with malachite inlays and buffalo horn streaked with white.
Straight and remarkable piece of yew makes up this beauty to shoot longbow. Finished with lapis stone inlays and yak horn tips, the bow lives up to its name - after the Finnish god of oceans and rivers.
4 layers of Pacific yew glued up in reflex with a backing of bamboo. Finished with green malachite stone inlay and buffalo horn caps. Name means "little wave". Has more speed than you would think for the weight.. More photos to come soon.
Stunning contrast between heartwood and sapwood, highlighted by malachite stone inlays for the arrow pass and a knothole. Beautiful waves connect to the name "strength of the sea". Long draw with a powerful shot.
Bison horn caps, black jet stone arrow pass, and deep red handle finish off this stunning bow. Perfectly straight, with a slight reflex, this bow feels light in the hand and is fast for its 45# weight. A joy on the eyes and to shoot.
Laminate Yew/Bamboo Longbow
The bow is a masterpiece - it is the smoothest, fastest most wonderful English Longbow this enthusiast has ever shot...possibly the best longbow since 1415.
The bow is a masterpiece - it is the smoothest, fastest most wonderful English Longbow this enthusiast has ever shot...possibly the best longbow since 1415.
In honour of the rain forests in which our yew grows, this name means "heavy rain". Very straight, clean lines on this one. Finished with jet black stone inlays and buffalo horn caps. Feels light in the hand and to shoot.
Stunning contrast between heartwood and sapwood, highlighted by malachite stone inlays. Very straight, clean lines on this one. Finished with buffalo horn caps. Backed with silk that blends right into the sapwood. Feels light in the hand and to shoot.
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Powell River, BC, Canada
604.413.2209 info@ravenbeak.com |
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