Salish Wolf

Gerhard Wiesler is a bowyer living on a 200-year-old farm near Weiz, Austria, where he has nut orchards of walnuts, chestnuts, and pecans. He is a prolific teacher, guiding hundreds of students yearly in the building of selfbows. Please enjoy this episode of Project Quiver on Salish Wolf with Gerhard Wiesler.          Episode Links: https://www.meinbogen.at/https://www.facebook.com/BogenbauGerhardWieslerProject Quiver at Anchor Point ExpeditionsSummary:Gerhard Wiesler shares his journey into traditional bow making, the art of crafting self bows, and the cultural significance of archery and martial arts. Discover insights into the craftsmanship, experimentation, and traditions behind this timeless craft. Gerhard and Todd discuss the art of bow making, focusing on different woods, workshop processes, and the impact of forest management on bow making materials.Show Notes:Gerhard Wiesler's background and journey into bow makingThe process of crafting self bows from a single piece of woodExperimentation with different bow designs and woodsThe tradition and cultural significance of archery in Japan and EuropeThe role of workshops and teaching in Gerhard's craftChallenges of selling handmade bows within European consumer rightsThe influence of martial arts on archery practice and philosophyInnovative techniques like bamboo wedges and fire arrows U wood differences between Europe and Pacific NorthwestImpact of forest management on bow wood qualityWorkshop process for building bows from selection to finishingDesign considerations including bow length, draw weight, and aestheticsMaterial choices for handles, arrow shelves, and stringsChapters:03:06 - The spontaneous round-the-world trip that changed everything08:01 - Why the family chose to keep homeschooling during travel11:19 - Mika Wolf and the Austrian bowmaking scene13:47 - What counts as a professional bowyer16:10 - Japanese dojo culture and slow apprenticeship19:17 - Martial arts, archery, and embodied practice21:04 - Rambo 2 and Gerhard’s explosive start in archery22:28 - Making flaming arrows and archery fireworks24:14 - From compound bows to self bows25:13 - A failed first bow and the start of serious bowmaking27:00 - Burning finished bows as a ritual29:30 - Why Gerhard only builds self bows31:45 - Consumer warranty issues for handcrafted bows in Europe33:39 - Why workshops are better than custom commissions35:26 - Experimenting with different bow woods and designs36:22 - Performance, comfort, and the Yumi bow41:19 - Bamboo backing and the Japanese rope-and-wedge method42:20 - One-day and two-day workshop formats45:08 - First bows made from Pacific yew46:50 - Humidity problems in Costa Rica and switching materials48:14 - Success with knotty yew staves49:00 - European yew versus Pacific yew52:22 - Yew as a demanding wood and workshop success rates53:42 - Shipping staves and sourcing osage from the US55:23 - Ash, black locust, and hickory for workshops57:37 - Stave logistics and why he buys dried bow wood61:13 - The Redwoods and the feeling of standing among giants62:24 - How many workshops Gerhard teaches each year63:08 - Where his students come from66:47 - Walking through a full workshop from start to finish68:02 - Manau as the wood used for horse bows69:22 - Choosing bow wood by type and personality70:58 - Horse bow dimensions and strong draw weights74:27 - Choosing draw weight for beginners77:19 - Women, men, and learning style differences in archery79:52 - Bow length, performance, and tradeoffs80:22 - Rough shaping with hand tools84:31 - Handle shaping, 50 test shots, and checking limb balance85:57 - Finish options: sanding, oiling, painting, and wraps86:45 - Shelves, horse bows, and tradition88:42 - Arrow passes and decorative inlays89:30 - Strings, arrows, and cedar shaft preferences91:45 - Gerhard’s informal success guarantee and free repeat workshops

Jay St. Charles is a legendary bowyer based in Fall City, Washington. While he was born into the world of archery and grew up in his father’s archery shop, Jay eventually became a master bowyer, carving bows under the brand of Pacific Yew Longbows. He lives on a small homestead above the Snoqualmie River Valley, nestled in the foothills of the Cascades.Please enjoy this episode of Project Quiver on Salish Wolf with Jay St. Charles.          Episode Links: https://www.facebook.com/pacyew2Project Quiver at Anchor Point ExpeditionsSummaryIn this episode, Jay St. Charles shares his extensive experience in bow making, archery history, and the unique challenges of sourcing traditional materials like yew wood. Discover the evolution of archery equipment, the art of crafting bows, and the importance of community and preservation in this timeless craft.Show Notes:Jay St. Charles's background in archery and bow makingThe history and significance of yew wood in bow makingChallenges in sourcing traditional bow materials todayThe process of crafting primitive and laminated bowsThe community and culture of archery and bowyersTools and techniques for carving and tillering bowsThe impact of logging and environmental policies on bow makingThe evolution from traditional to modern archery equipmentEducational programs and classes in bow makingThe importance of preserving archery heritage and craftsmanshipChapters:00:00 Introduction and Jay’s background in archery02:01 Jay’s homestead and early experiences in bow making03:51 Mountaineering adventures and outdoor passions06:50 History of bow making and the influence of Fred Bear10:00 The rise of fiberglass and compound bows15:05 The renaissance of wooden bows and community19:53 The story of yew wood and environmental challenges25:01 Permits, salvage, and sourcing yew today29:54 The cultural significance of yew in different regions34:55 Tools and techniques for primitive bow carving39:46 Jay’s classes and community involvement45:11 The joy of making and shooting bows50:11 The future of bow making and preservation59:51 Closing thoughts and resources for bowyers

David Young is the proprietor of Big Rock Bows based south of Spokane, Washington. David was introduced to primitive archery and bow carving more than a decade ago from his friend, renowned bowyer Clay Hayes. Since then, he has carved his own reputation as an exceptional bowyer and regularly hosts bow carving retreats at his ranch, Big Rock Ranch. Please enjoy this episode of Project Quiver on Salish Wolf with David Young.          Episode Links: https://www.bigrockbows.com/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582085921443https://www.instagram.com/bigrockbows/https://www.youtube.com/@DavidYoung-fc6qlProject Quiver at Anchor Point ExpeditionsSummaryIn this episode, David from Big Rock Bows shares his journey into traditional bow making, his experience on the show Alone, and his passion for bowcraft and the outdoors. Discover insights into bow building, land management, and inspiring youth engagement in nature.Show Notes:David's background in bow making and land managementExperience on the TV show Alone and lessons learnedTechniques and tools for traditional bow buildingLand management and land restoration effortsYouth engagement and outdoor education initiativesChallenges and rewards of custom bow makingThe role of patience and character in craftsmanshipInspiration from natural materials and land for bow makingFuture plans for workshops and retreatsChapters:00:00 Introduction to David and Big Rock Bows02:02 Land and Land Management on the Property05:04 Bow Wood Options and Land Resources09:47 Experience on the TV Show Alone20:01 Lessons from the Arctic Adventure29:59 Bow Making Techniques and Tools40:00 Challenges in Custom Bow Building50:07 Engaging Youth and Outdoor Education59:56 Workshops and Future Plans01:09:58 Philosophy and Personal Insights on Bowcraft

Kevin Hawkins is a bowyer based in North Carolina and moderator and owner of the Primitive Archer Forum. He recently took over the Forum from the founders to preserve the community that has given so much to him as a bowyer and plans to maintain and update it so it can continue to be a valuable resource to bowyers.Please enjoy this episode of Project Quiver on Salish Wolf with Kevin Hawkins.          Episode Links: https://www.facebook.com/primitivearchermagazinehttps://www.primitivearcher.com/Project Quiver at Anchor Point ExpeditionsSummaryIn this episode, Kevin shares his journey from carving his first bow out of a sapling in Oklahoma to becoming a renowned bowyer specializing in Osage. We explore his techniques, flight shooting records, and the passion that keeps him crafting bows in his workshop. In this episode, Kevin shares his innovative approach to bow making, including how he minimizes set and maximizes performance through scientific principles and practical techniques. Todd and Kevin also discuss the importance of community, preservation of craft, and future projects like the Primitive Archer forum and a groundbreaking book on bowyers worldwide.Show Notes:Kevin's background and journey into bow makingTechniques for carving and shaping Osage orange bowsHis experience with flight shooting recordsThe importance of craftsmanship and materials in bow makingThe role of tradition and innovation in archery Kevin's method for achieving perfect tiller and no-set bowsThe role of surface area and density in bow performanceUse of a custom bow set calculator and appCommunity efforts to preserve primitive archery craftKevin's travel and mentorship experiences with top bowyersFuture projects including the Primitive Archer forum and magazineChapters:00:00 Introduction and Kevin's Workshop Tour01:50 Kevin's Background and How He Started Making Bows05:02 Carving the First Bow from a Sapling07:54 His Experience with Flight Shooting Records12:02 Materials and Techniques for Bow Making16:02 Using Osage Orange and Other Woods20:06 Hunting and Archery Practice23:59 The Journey of Harvesting and Preparing Osage Logs29:59 Tools and Power Tools in Bow Making35:03 The Meditative and Therapeutic Aspects of Crafting Bows39:59 Community and Competitions in Archery44:54 Future Projects and Goals in Bow Making

Jaap Koppedrayer is a legendary bowyer with more than three decades of experience. A native of the Netherlands, he lives in Georgia in the United States and grows bamboo for bowmaking on his farm. There he also hosts international archery gatherings and is renowned for his expertise in the yumi bows of Japan. Episode Links:https://www.facebook.com/jaap.koppedrayerProject Quiver at Anchor Point ExpeditionsSummaryIn this episode, Jaap shares his extensive knowledge of traditional Japanese archery, bow making, and bamboo cultivation, highlighting the cultural and technical aspects of these ancient arts. Discover the secrets behind the craftsmanship, the history of bows, and the philosophy that guides this timeless practice.Show Notes:History and tradition of Japanese archeryThe process of making Yumi bows and arrowsCultivation and selection of bamboo for bows and arrowsTechniques for flight shooting and long-distance archeryThe cultural significance of archery in Japan and ChinaThe mental and philosophical lessons from archery practiceThe impact of historical events on archery traditionsThe tools and tools used in bow makingChapters:00:00 - How Stefan Tim connects them01:09 - Why Jaap moved to Georgia to grow bamboo for bows04:19 - Hosting Japanese and Chinese archery programs04:47 - Building a 120-meter Japanese archery corridor07:58 - Choosing bow making over greenhouse work08:27 - First trip to Japan and meeting Kanjuro Shibata10:58 - The difference between Madake and Yadake bamboo12:37 - Why bamboo must age and cure for years13:46 - Bamboo farming challenges in Georgia’s climate16:25 - Why Madake is ideal for Japanese bow backs17:35 - Making many bow styles before focusing on Kyoto archery18:13 - Early international horseback archery festivals19:10 - Chinese archery revival and making bows for China22:21 - Why horn bows take 3 to 5 years to finish23:26 - Flight shooting and training for precision26:34 - The challenge of lighter Yumi and very heavy bows27:19 - Feathers, sinew, and old-school materials sourcing28:41 - Going full-time in bow making in 198731:26 - Early Mongolian-style and horse bow work32:13 - Learning from Shibata by watching, not being lectured34:36 - Learning Japanese lacquer, Uru-shi35:54 - Ongoing relationship with the Shibata dojo and Kudo36:23 - The release technique used for flight shooting38:21 - Teaching bamboo arrow making through workshops40:49 - What a Yumi bow is made of42:10 - Rope, wedges, glue, and setting the bow’s curve45:15 - Possible ancient roots and shared global techniques46:27 - Thoughts on the Silk Route and the spread of techniques47:36 - Reading Zen and the Art of Archery48:07 - Visiting dojos in Japan by bicycle with Yumi bows49:12 - A modern book comparison: The Archer by Paulo Coelho50:27 - Archery as a major part of Jaap’s life, not just bow making51:48 - Japan, Turkey, China, and Korea rediscovering tradition52:17 - The Fort Dodge festival and international exchange54:39 - Lessons from bow making: humility, patience, and listening57:27 - Workshop tools: planers, belt sanders, rasps, and knives59:31 - No formal farm name, just “the bamboo farm”60:03 - The kind of students who come to train60:33 - Turkish archery and flight shooting workshops61:31 - The rural Georgia community that supports the program62:19 - What archery teaches about not taking life too seriously63:26 - Improvising with what you have and sharing knowledge at shoots64:41 - A funny flight shooting story involving arrows that came back66:52 - Looking at the bows in Jaap’s workshop67:29 - Kay’s writing work and the kitchen table shop68:53 - A life built around craft, people, and purpose69:19 - Future idea: focused conversations on specific bow types70:09 - Lucas Novotny and the old Turkish bow story72:21 - How to reach Jaap by email or phoneNotable quotesAction items