staves, Billets & blanks

A pile of split yew staves

Many decent bow woods species are readily available through commercial timber suppliers, but self bow staves & billets - especially yew - can be harder to find.

Cleaving an ash stave with a froe

Whilst you might have some success through word of mouth within the bowyer community, or by speaking to local tree surgeons and timber yards, I sometimes have a few going spare, mainly ash but occasionally yew and other species too.

Cleaved yew staves and billets laid out on grass

blanks

I also keep blanks of the board bow series available for those who’d like to try finishing one out for themselves.

Full length 4ft & 5ft board bow blanks
Details of the handle sections of two board bow blanks
A board bow blank tip overlay
Plan view of a prupleheart tip overlay