Three days in beautiful Lakes countryside at Woodsmoke saw me learn how to use an axe and a hunting knife, producing a working bow.
I had never done any carpentry before this, so i was hugely pleased with the result (and not a little surprised) - my 6 foot ash stave was hacked down into an elegant bow, which shot straight and powerfully.
But still having no club to shoot at, it now hangs on the wall.
The next task was clearly to learn how to make flint arrow heads...
Another long weekend earlier this year, this time with the wonderful tutoring of Karl Lee, saw me turning stone into beautiful arrow points, just like our ancestors, through Europe, Africa, the Americas...
This is white flint transformed into a tang and barbed arrow head.
Karl wasn't just a patient teacher, but also generous with his knowledge, and his stock of feathers - he knew my next task was to make the arrows...
I had made a couple of arrows when i made the bow, but felt uncomfortable at the thought of openly carrying a lethal weapon together with ammunition on the train back to London, so, sadly, i donated them to someone on the course.
But from September i will finally have a place to shoot, so i thought i should make some more arrows...
Clearly i have a retro thing going on, so wanted good wooden shafts, traditional points (the flints are for show for now), and natural feathers.
With supplies to make 12 arrows, over the weekend i made the first 4.
The points are black armour-piercing jobs (think Battle of Agincourt), the feathers are cock pheasant wing feather donated by Karl, held in place with (artificial) sinew. The feathers on two arrows have a twist and two are straight. The twist should create a rifling effect, spiralling the arrow as it flies. This should make it fly straighter. Although, it may be a while before i shoot well enough to properly see which is best...
Again, really happy with the results. The arrows look amazing. Will know in September if they work.
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