When booking, you can choose a draw weight of 30lb, 40lb, 50lb or 60lb.
What is draw weight? This simply refers to the amount of force needed to pull the bow string back. The higher the draw weight, the more strength is required. If you are new to archery or unsure which to choose, a lower draw weight will generally be easier and more comfortable to use.
Your bow will be made with a Purple Heart core as standard, or you can upgrade to an Osage Orange core for an additional £25. Purple Heart provides a strong and reliable laminated bow, while Osage Orange is a highly regarded traditional bow wood known for its strength, resilience and performance.
This is a two-day course for up to four people, offering a hands-on introduction to traditional longbow and arrow making. On-site camping is available for those attending the course.
The bow staves are prepared before the workshop begins, as the lamination and gluing process requires time to cure before the wood can be worked. The bows are made from Lemon Wood, Purple Heart and Hickory, creating a strong and flexible laminated longbow. Each finished bow will have a leather handle, a Dacron string, and buffalo horn caps on the tips.
Over the two days you will shape, finish and assemble your own bow while learning about the materials, techniques and craftsmanship involved in traditional longbow making. By the end of the course you will have a fully finished bow to take home.
You will also learn the fundamentals of traditional arrow making. During the course you will make three complete arrows, including shaping the shafts and setting the correct spine to match the bow. You will also learn how to forge arrowheads from sheet metal, attach feathers by splicing and lacing them to the shaft, and reinforce the nocks using buffalo horn.
The course starts at 9:30am on the first day and finishes around 4:30pm on the final day, or once your bow and arrows have been completed. Please do not arrive before 9:15am on the first day of the course, as this allows time for the workshop to be fully prepared before the day begins. However, if you are camping, you are welcome to arrive after 5:00pm on the day before the course starts. Please let Will know your plans in advance if you intend to arrive the day before.
The course takes place near Barnham on the A134 between Bury St Edmunds and Thetford. Arrive at Barnham crossroads and turn into the village of Barnham. Drive through the village towards Euston, and the gateway will be on the left-hand side approximately half a mile after leaving Barnham. You can also navigate using What3Words:
https://w3w.co/koala.hedgehog.suggested
Please wear warm clothing suitable for outdoor conditions, as it may be cold depending on the weather.
This course is self-catered, so please bring sufficient food for both days. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the course. Camping is available on site if you wish to stay overnight between the two days.