Primitive Bows
Primitive bows for sale made in various styles. Wood self-bows and primitive archery supplies. All these handmade wooden bows are works of art in their own right. From Viking Hedeby and Meare Heath pyramidal styles, we have a wide variety to choose. English Longbows made from a single yew stave and osage orange bows based on native American designs round up these hand crafted ranges. We are a traditional archers paradise! We also have hide glues, wooden arrows and traditional archery equipment to match. We are always amazed at how the skill of a bowyer and a single piece of wood can yield such amazing pieces of unique art and weaponry. Don't be fooled though, these products are for using not just hanging on the wall!
About primitive bows
Primitive bows strip archery back to its earliest form — a single stave of timber, shaped and tillered using traditional methods, with none of the laminates or modern materials found in most contemporary longbows and recurves. Wood selection matters enormously here: the right stave, cut and seasoned correctly, is what determines whether a primitive bow performs well and holds up over years of shooting, which is part of why these bows carry such a strong following among archers who want a direct connection to the history of the craft.
Expect a slightly different feel through the draw compared to a laminated bow of the same weight — more hand-shock, less forgiveness — which is part of the appeal for many traditional archers. If you're interested in the craft side as much as the shooting, our bow making collection covers tools and materials for building your own, and we're happy to talk through stave selection if you're starting out.