08/15/2026
This is an post for the SCA Kingdom of Northshield but I thought I'd share it here too, so if you are not a SCAdian, no worries, this can /does apply to you too. Even if you have not sworn allegiance to the Griffin throne.
Greetings all, I have been told by more than a few Kinsfolk of the Realm that there are some new comers as well as many others interested in learning how to make bows, arrows. but for various reasons we have not YET... crossed paths. It is My Belief WE should remedy this post hast. A bit about me, I've Been a professional Bowyer for 25 years and a Fletcher for 26. I am mostly Self taught but in 2012 I studied abroad and did a truncated Apprenticeship Under Rodney Lyons AKA "Lyons of Liverpool", Since then I've done workshops with other master Bowyers like Jay St. Charles and Jaap Koppedrayer. I also hold a BA in Medieval Studies with a focus on the Hundred years war and Military archery. I used to teach a Bow making class every year at Warriors and Warlords, but it was a Very much a Crash course that would consume the entire event for everyone involved which made it hard to enjoy the event to its fullest so I stopped doing it. That said, I still love teaching bow making and would like to expand the number of bowyers and fletchers we have in this great kingdom. SO! there are a few ways that we can do this.
First option, we could have a purposeful event were we talk/do all things bow making and Arrow making sometime next spring. I would say this event would be likely a five day affair, but everyone would walk away with hand made (by them) gear and the knowledge of how to make more of it.
Second option, I can run a few workshops (roughly 4-5 days a pice) out of my shop in Nodskogen were you'd come to see me and we work of your bow/arrows till they are complete. This would be similar to what I used to offer at WW, save that it'd be the ONLY thing we do, so it would be less Crash-y and more Course-y.
Third option, this is similar to the second option but would be over about...8 days and I'd drive out to teach the course where you are. So, you and/or another in your Local group arrange for me to come out to y'all and I teach the course where you are. for this to work and be financially viable for me, I need at least 10 students (they do not have to all be SCAdians) who want to take the class. the max students I can handle in a course like this is 25. There is also a $500 fuel and maintenance fee that is spread out over the students for this course.
Forth option, if you live in Nordskogen or... feel like you can travel there a few weekends over the winter I can teach you bow making at a more leisurely all be it Stochastic pace at my shop on weekends between November and May.
For any of the course ideas above, my knowledge and skills are freely given and shared. Though there is a cost of materials which may Vary depending on the type of bow you want to make, The base price will always be $237.00 and can go up from there. You are welcome to bring your own Stave(s) to the class which I won't charge for, though I reserve the right to say NO! to any materials/staves that may be flawed or otherwise dangerous/risky. Ex, Oak, PVC, Pine, etc.
If any of these course tickle your fancy and you'd like to arrange a time to come to the shop, or set up a course for your group, or..... you know someone who would like this, please send me a email at
[email protected]
With the header "interested in a Bow making course", yes the header is important because it makes it easier for me a dyslexic to fined your info so i can set up a group email.
Cheers and Happy Shooting,
Cameron
Picture of me working on a Headeby longbow for the tax. Photo credit to Violet Woodcock
