bowcraft

Bowcraft is the craft of making bows for archery. Practitioners, called bowyers, shape and assemble the bow stave and limbs from wood, horn, sinew, or modern composites. The field encompasses traditional self bows and longbows as well as recurve, laminated, and composite bows. In historical contexts, bowcraft developed independently in many cultures, notably in Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent, with different wood species and backing methods affecting performance.

Traditional bowcraft relies on carefully selected stock, tillering to balance limb stresses, and backing with sinew or horn in composite forms. Classic longbows are often made from yew, ash, or elm, with the sapwood and heartwood used for different properties. Modern bowcraft frequently incorporates laminated designs using layers of wood, fiberglass, or carbon fiber, joined with modern adhesives; heat bending and lamination are common. Finishes range from waxes and oils to protective varnishes.

Bowcraft intersects craft and sport and is sustained by workshops, guilds, hobbyists, and archery supply companies. It includes both historical techniques and contemporary experimentation with materials. Knowledge is transmitted through apprenticeships, manuals, and community courses, and there is an active community of makers who publish plans and demonstrations.