Southmoor Bows

Hello and welcome to my blog!

My name is Mark and I have a passion for primitive and traditional archery.

Since my early childhood I’ve been fascinated with learning about the art of making bows and arrows the ways our ancestors did. And throughout my adulthood I’ve had the good fortune to be able to practice crafting archery equipment using a mixture of ancient and modern tools, and materials.

Now I wish to pass my knowledge on so that others may experience the tremendous value primitive and traditional archery has brought me.

My mission is to protect, expand and share the collective knowledge of primitive archery. This beautiful, challenging and nuanced art has experienced something of a renaissance in recent years but is still very much misunderstood and practiced by a very small number of people worldwide.

I believe that through sharing the knowledge and experience that our community has gifted to me over the years, in addition to sharing what I have learned for myself, I can inspire others to try their hand at crafting and practicing primitive and traditional archery so as to help pass the knowledge on into the future.

So join me on my journey as I carry on expanding my own knowledge and experience on my primitive archery adventure!

News

• Osage R&D sinew backed longbow 52#@27″ (bow no. 22)
  Trying to get your hands on osage staves in the UK is hard these days, which is a real shame… Read more: Osage R&D sinew backed longbow 52#@27″ (bow no. 22)
• Yew Sinew Backed R&D Primitive for Ben 30#@22″ (Bow no: 21)
  About a year ago I came across a short piece of round yew log which I’d kept with the intention… Read more: Yew Sinew Backed R&D Primitive for Ben 30#@22″ (Bow no: 21)
• Sinew Backed Primitive Elm R&D Longbow 48# @ 27″(bow: 20)
  It’s been ages since I made myself a bow. So when I uncovered a forgotten Elm stave which I’d had… Read more: Sinew Backed Primitive Elm R&D Longbow 48# @ 27″(bow: 20)
• Sinew Backed Yew Primitive 46# @ 27″ (bow no: 19)
  Since gaining a bit of a reputation locally for being the guy who makes “Character bows”, I’ve been “gifted” rather… Read more: Sinew Backed Yew Primitive 46# @ 27″ (bow no: 19)
• Sinew Backed Ladies R&D Yew Primitive (38#@26″) Bow no. 18
  This bow was built from a short, thin but nice straight English yew stave which had been propped up in… Read more: Sinew Backed Ladies R&D Yew Primitive (38#@26″) Bow no. 18