Wooden bows were the first type of bow invented by man and they have been used for approximately 10,000 years. No culture has been without the wooden bow in its arsenal of weapons or hunting tools since its creation. A custom made wooden bow is a great way for any archer to enjoy archery's very beginnings - a time before fancy sights, pulleys, carbon arrows, and trigger releases. The wooden bow and arrow represents archery in its truest and purest form.
I began shooting a bow at the age of 6 and have been in love with archery ever since. There's just something about the graceful arc of an arrow after it is released and it speeds toward the target. After learning several styles of archery, the next logical step was to learn how to make my own equipment. I began by learning how to make wooden bows, wooden shaft arrows and even strings as a way to learn more about archery and as a way to pass on the knowledge to a new generation.
I use locally cut staves of elm, hickory, and osage along with red oak and ash boards for the bows I build. Each bow is shaped and tillered by hand so each one is a "one of a kind." No two bows are identical. Each bow is "shot and tuned in" after it is finished to assure reliability. Draw weights are +/- 5lbs of original order. Custom backings such as sinew or snake skin are available at additional cost. (Please note: While wooden bows are the oldest known type of bow, they are made of wood and can be broken. They are never to be "dry fired" or drawn farther than the specified draw length for the individual bow.) Construction time for each bow is approximately three months, depending on the of type bow, availability of wood, and prior orders.
-- Bill Page
