Make an English longbow with Gavin Pond

Wood, carving and turning

Ref: SLW13158

Location: West Dean
£543
Print
Book now

Places available

About this course

Laminate the stave from timber, cut and shape the bow, attach the string and make a handle to complete your longbow, then complete with a set of four arrows.

Course Description

On this course, you will make a traditional English longbow.

In the first evening session, we will prepare to laminate the stave, using Hickory, Purple Heart and Lemon Wood timber, and we will make the string.

On the following day, we will mark out our bows, cut and shape the rough dimensions and start tillering (bending the bow). We will also fit the black Buffalo horn nocks.

Then we will finish tillering, sand, oil, attach the string and make the handle to complete the longbow, before moving on to make a set of four, wooden, long-bow arrows, primarily assembling prepared shafts, fletching and adding the nocks and piles.

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

Included

  • The cost of the timber and strings for your longbow
  • Materials to make four arrows

What students need to bring

  • Sturdy covered footwear
  • Steel ruler and craft knife, if you have these
  • Abrasive papers, if you have some
  • Block plane, if you have one (one is also provided, for use in the workshop)

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • Abrasive papers

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.

Tutors

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

Courses of interest

Interested in a career in woodworking?

Our Foundation Degree specialising in Furniture is designed to give you well-rounded woodworking theory and craft skills to become a self-employed maker or craftsperson, to continue your studies in higher education or to find employment in the creative industry sector. Find out more