A successful bowyer must trust their tools and know how to use them efficiently. Bow making, as a form of traditional woodcraft, demands reliable, durable equipment. It also requires the bowyer to develop strength, precision, and endurance.
In today's article, I'll introduce the basic tools used in bow making—both traditional hand tools and some modern power tools that, while not historically accurate, are extremely helpful.
Hand Tools for Making Bows
Drawknife
The essential bowyer's tool. A drawknife alone can take a bow from a raw stave to a finished weapon. It's useful at every stage of the process. This sturdy knife, with a handle at each end, removes wood quickly and leaves a rough surface.
Hatchet / Axe
The trusted companions of every traditional woodworker. They're especially useful for cutting and splitting bow wood and can also be used to rough out the initial bow shape. Handle them with great care—for your own safety and for the future bow.
Card Scraper
A simple yet precise tool. It requires proper sharpening to work effectively, but once prepared, it's excellent for tillering. A scraper leaves the wood surface smooth and glossy.
Drawknife, card scraper and hatchet. The most often used tools by the bowyer.
Rasps and Files
Rasps are key for shaping the handle, refining the limbs, and making tillering corrections. Files are indispensable for carving clean, accurate string grooves.
Saw
Useful for cutting bow wood, trimming staves, and making controlled cuts when preparing the blank.
Clamps
Helps hold the bow securely during shaping, gluing handles or overlays, and applying corrections.
Vise
Mounted to your workbench, a vise firm grips staves and bows during work, making detailed tasks much easier and safer.
My workbench and the vise, along with a collection of my essential bowmaking tools.
Power Tools for Making Bows
Heat Gun
Allows you to apply controlled heat to temper the belly of a bow. When used carefully, it can also assist in forming recurves or correcting limb alignment.
Bandsaw
Great for roughing out staves and cutting large pieces of wood efficiently.
Electric Cooker/Steam Source
Useful for boiling water to steam-bend recurves or apply corrections to a warped limb.
Final Thoughts
These are some of the most practical and effective tools for a bowyer. You don't need all of them to begin your bowmaking journey. In my opinion, the most essential starter tools are:
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Drawknife
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Hatchet
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Rasp
Good luck with your projects, and all the best!
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