Longbow Making weekend with Rob Foxcroft
June 7th & 8th 2025
Join us for a weekend of immersive longbow making.
Over two days, you’ll learn the theory of efficient bow design, the principles of material selection, how to mark up a template for a bow specific to your anatomy and physiology, how to rough-out the blank, the art of tillering (working the bow to allow it to bend evenly along its length), and how to finish it to perfection. You’ll also learn the rudiments of cordage allowing you to make a flemish twist string to pair with your bow, meaning you’ll leave with a fully functioning, bespoke bow entirely of your creation!
We will work with a single piece of either ash or oak (depending on availability) and the bows will be of a ‘flat bow’ or ‘American longbow’ style.
No previous archery / bow making experience is required and all are welcome!
Tools used will include saws, planes, rasps, drawknives, spokeshaves and card scrapers. All will be supplied, and again no previous experience with any of these is necessary, but do feel free to bring any favourites you may have if you’d like to use your own.
Please note that because of the time involved in fletching, we will not be making arrows on this course. There will, however, be a demonstration of how modern wooden arrows are made, and arrows tuned to your bow will be available to buy (at material cost only approx £5) on the weekend.
June 7th & 8th 2025
Join us for a weekend of immersive longbow making.
Over two days, you’ll learn the theory of efficient bow design, the principles of material selection, how to mark up a template for a bow specific to your anatomy and physiology, how to rough-out the blank, the art of tillering (working the bow to allow it to bend evenly along its length), and how to finish it to perfection. You’ll also learn the rudiments of cordage allowing you to make a flemish twist string to pair with your bow, meaning you’ll leave with a fully functioning, bespoke bow entirely of your creation!
We will work with a single piece of either ash or oak (depending on availability) and the bows will be of a ‘flat bow’ or ‘American longbow’ style.
No previous archery / bow making experience is required and all are welcome!
Tools used will include saws, planes, rasps, drawknives, spokeshaves and card scrapers. All will be supplied, and again no previous experience with any of these is necessary, but do feel free to bring any favourites you may have if you’d like to use your own.
Please note that because of the time involved in fletching, we will not be making arrows on this course. There will, however, be a demonstration of how modern wooden arrows are made, and arrows tuned to your bow will be available to buy (at material cost only approx £5) on the weekend.
June 7th & 8th 2025
Join us for a weekend of immersive longbow making.
Over two days, you’ll learn the theory of efficient bow design, the principles of material selection, how to mark up a template for a bow specific to your anatomy and physiology, how to rough-out the blank, the art of tillering (working the bow to allow it to bend evenly along its length), and how to finish it to perfection. You’ll also learn the rudiments of cordage allowing you to make a flemish twist string to pair with your bow, meaning you’ll leave with a fully functioning, bespoke bow entirely of your creation!
We will work with a single piece of either ash or oak (depending on availability) and the bows will be of a ‘flat bow’ or ‘American longbow’ style.
No previous archery / bow making experience is required and all are welcome!
Tools used will include saws, planes, rasps, drawknives, spokeshaves and card scrapers. All will be supplied, and again no previous experience with any of these is necessary, but do feel free to bring any favourites you may have if you’d like to use your own.
Please note that because of the time involved in fletching, we will not be making arrows on this course. There will, however, be a demonstration of how modern wooden arrows are made, and arrows tuned to your bow will be available to buy (at material cost only approx £5) on the weekend.
All tools and materials for the bow are included - If you’d like to purchase arrows at cost price they will be available.
A hot vegetarian lunch is provided
Camping is available in the woods on the evening before/after/during your course for £5 per night
