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Bow Workshop: Powell River

1/24/2013

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Our first workshop of the year - hope this one set the tone of what's to come. Great folks, working hard, helpful with each other, and all walked away with bows they should be proud of.

We had a full workshop, 5 folks - plus we had our new apprentice working with us - thanks for the help Jason.
Had one local, a couple folks from Vancouver Island, one from Salt Spring Island, and one all the way from the Yukon. Kim gets the award for furthest travelled so far.

Again, impressed with the quality of bows - must reflect the people who built them!
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Coming to Alberta!

1/24/2013

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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.
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Tool Highlight: Spoke Shave

1/10/2013

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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.

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Bow Spotlight: Custom Yew Bow

1/8/2013

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Our latest custom yew bow has left the shop, headed for LA. Berkilak - 43# @ 26"
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From here...
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...to here.
Couple neat things about this bow:
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It has a couple knotholes that didn't go all the way through the wood which we filled with a crushed lapis (rock) fill. These turned out great.
The customer is a great artist and he wanted a part of one of his sculptures incorporated. He had this shield printed onto silk and Jamie glued it on the belly of the bow.
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The bow also has a beautiful arrow rest, from the "flower" off a deer antler (the base). It sits perfectly in your hand when you hold it to shoot.

Berkilak also has a stunning green dyed linnen handle.
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Powell River, BC, Canada
604.413.2209
info@ravenbeak.com

Ravenbeak Natureworks Yew Wood Bows
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  • Home
  • Bows
  • Custom
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  • Workshops
    • Bow Immersion
    • UK Longbow Workshop
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  • About
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    • Warranty
    • Gallery >
      • Sold Bows #2
    • Contact Us