Longbow Making Course (3 day course) - £295
Sat/Sun 5th & 6th September & Sat 28th November 2015
A 3 day course in the making of a traditional English Longbow and 1 arrow.
Over the course of the 3 days, you will learn how to make a 5'+ 'self-stave' longbow from green wood, using locally sourced 'Fraxinus Excelsior' [Ash] or 'Acer pseudoplatanus ' Sycamore'. The self stave bow is made from a single piece of wood, rather than laminated strips, and is one of the earliest styles of bow.
The course will include a variety of approaches including demonstration and advice and the opportunity to create a flat bow alongside an experienced bow maker. By the end of the initial 2 days, you will have made your own bow, ready for it to season, both as a working bow and a thing of beauty. You will then return after your bow has seasoned to tillor your bow and make an arrow. It is essential that there is a period of [seasoning time] following making the bow, prior to it being 'tillorred' ie enabling the limbs of the bow to bend equally, ready for the bowstring to be fitted.
Previous experience is not required. All tools and equipment will be supplied, using traditional woodworking tools including a draw knife, spoke shave and traditional Shave Horse. You will learn about wood grain, the tension and expression properties of wood, and how to cut wood in such a way that its energy remains stored in the wood
NOTE! The 3rd day will be on 28th November. This to enable the bow made over the 1st 2 days to season sufficiently, prior to it being 'Tillored' and fitted with its final bow string and the making of 1 arrow to complete your set.
