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What You’ll Learn – A Contemporary Bow Making Course
This course runs from a welcoming woodland classroom over three days where we are surrounded by the forest and the very materials that we are working with and learning from.
Your course instructor Adam Logan has delivered traditional hand crafting of both long bows and flat bows to hundreds of students over the last fifteen years. Adam now delivers these bow making weekend experiences in association with Howl bushcraft, England and with Wild Walk Bushcraft, Northern Ireland.
The reasons for attending these courses are many and varied ranging from a desire to learn wilderness self-reliance, crafting your own re-enactment equipment, and understanding traditional hand tools, to simply spending guided time immersed in nature creating something beautiful and functional. Learning these techniques from a woodland basecamp allows you to fully immerse yourself in the origins of this craft. You will have the opportunity to wild camp on site and cook your morning and evening meals over the open fire.
The aspiration for this course is to equip its students with the confidence and knowledge that they could repeat all the stages taught during the weekend. The process begins with an appreciation of wood species available to the bow maker, what to avoid and how to best select wood when attempting a bow.
You will be guided stage by stage through how to measure and design a bow of your choice by understanding the relationship between your own height, hand dominance and strength. Working with simple but truly effective hand powered tools you will carefully aproach the dimensions necessary to make a length of wood bend evenly, with strength and without breaking!
The focal point for the weekend's learning will be understanding how to train the eye to understand where wood needs to be removed, the bow makers art of tillering. This is something that takes time and you will benefit greatly from attending a course surrounded by fellow bow makers. In one weekend, you will have been exposed to many varied bow shapes, problems, solutions and nuances by working alongside other students and instructors.
Whether you choose to build a traditional long bow or a Mesolithic European flat bow you will be fully tutored on how to achieve each stage of the build. All the tools required will be provided and alternative choices will always be discussed to ensure that future attempts are as accessible as possible from the workshop, the home and the back yard. A great addition to this course is the inclusion of learning to make your own custom bow string starting with simple synthetic fibre, a truly transferable and empowering skill.
By the end of your weekend, you should be able to start training yourself and your new wooden bow to shoot arrows where you will be guided in how to aim, draw and release an arrow safely and effectively.
We look forward to welcoming you to the forest and setting you off on your bow making journey!
Key Topics & Skills You’ll Learn
Wood Selection & Bow Design
Identifying and harvesting the right wood (e.g., ash, yew, and more)
Understanding bow types: longbow vs. flatbow
Grain orientation, moisture content & natural defects
Traditional Bow Making Techniques
Shaping your stave using hand tools (drawknife, rasp, spokeshave)
Tillering: balancing limb flex for optimal performance
String Crafting & Finishing
Making a bowstring from natural or synthetic fibers
Nocking, serving, and stringing your bow
Applying finishes: oils, waxes, and wraps for weatherproofing
Primitive Archery & Field Use
Basic instinctive shooting techniques (optional practice)
Bow maintenance in outdoor environments
Ethical harvesting & bushcraft integration
Woodland Skills & Nature Connection
Knife safety and hand tool handling in a forest setting
Sustainable harvesting and respectful use of natural resources
Quiet time in nature for deeper connection and focus
This course blends bushcraft, archery, and traditional craftsmanship—perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, hobbyists, or anyone craving hands-on learning in a peaceful woodland setting.
Course Details
Time: 1:00 PM Friday - 4:30 PM Sunday
Price: £310 per person
Location: Private woodland near Grantham, (exact directions provided with booking pack)
What’s Included:
Create and take home your own Handmade wooden bow
Expert tuition from Lead Instructor Adam Logan and Support Instructor Jamie Dakota
Small group size (max. 8 guests) ensures a focused, personal learning experience
Fully catered, starting with a Lunch Friday and finishing with lunch Sunday
Option to camp onsite in peaceful woodland with toilet facilities
Full kit list provided upon booking: bring your usual warm clothing and sleeping bag
Important Information:
Suitable for ages 16 and over
Under 18s must be accompanied by a participating adult
Please advise us of any dietary requirements so we can accommodate your needs
Please read our Terms & Conditions before booking
