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 The Traditional Bowyer's Bible volume 1 January 31, 2008
My interest in this book is not just for the bowmaking or the archery, for which I found it very good. I also have an interest in Archaeotoxophily, the scientific study of historic or prehistoric archery, specifically the area covering Western Europe. To that end I have found the three books in this series very helpful, especially those sections covering prehistoric European bows. There is a lot of very practical information in these books, especially the bibliography in book three, which gives me some very valuable sources for further research.
I found the information about keeping the bow quiet when hunting deer very constructive. Prehistoric man in Britain hunted a lot of red deer, which is very skittish, so anything, which improved the hunter's chances, would be a great help. The section on arrows is also gave me much to think about. The only evidence found is usually a flint arrowhead, and though these can be very exquisite they do not tell you the whole story. As an example from the books, when hunting ducks there was no arrowhead, the arrow shaft was rounded at the tip four short pieces of wood added to stop the arrow penetrating to far. So this does beg the question, did prehistoric man in Europe do something similar
There is one thing I want to mention. There is a section that mentions the use of a drawknife, pages 139 & 140 in volume 1, and the difficulty they had using it as it was cutting to deep. Their solution is to use a blunt edge. If you look at the photograph on page 139 you will realise the problem lays with the fact that they are miss using the drawknife. Instead of cutting from the middle of the wood outwards they are cutting from the end inwards.
All in all, if your interest is in bowmaking, archery or Archaeotoxophily, like me, then these are very good books to have.
A masterpiece August 1, 2003
34 out of 34 found this review helpful
This is surely the best book ever written about the subject. It contains everything you need to know in order to build traditional bows, whether you're an experienced craftsman or a complete novice.It's also an engrossing, utterly fascinating read for anybody interested in any aspect of archery, whether technical, social or historical. The section on bow design, explaining how bows work and what makes a good one, is worth the money on its own. Even if you haven't the slightest intention of setting plane to plank, if you're at all interested in bows and arrows, this is a book you must buy. Above all, it's written with wonderfully infectious enthusiasm, warmth and wit by men who live for the joy of the bent stick. A superb book which has given me a great deal of pleasure
 From start to finish the authors keep you interested! January 19, 1999
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Written by a collective group of bowyers that know how to keep the craft alive by building each readers interest. An excellent book for the novice and the experienced crafts person. The authors know what they are talking about! Building a really good all wood bow is not easy, but these bowyers take the mystery out of it and make it fun in the process!
If you want to build an all wood bow, this book is a must! October 8, 1998
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
This book starts by teaching you the basic knowledge of wood and how it will affect the bow's performance. From there it will take you into building a couple different types of bows and the best way to accomplish it. The only better way to learn is to have someone teach you. If you don't have anyone then this book is your best bet!
 Very entertaining and complete, but not too well organized July 22, 1998
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Technical accounts from experienced bowyers, interspersed with war stories on bow making and bow hunting. Chock full with - black and white - pictures of bows, bow details and key operations in bow making. Each author's/bowyers' idiosyncrasies are given much leeway. On the downside, this book is not for the complete novice. Many technical terms are used without explanation, and a basic understanding of wooden bows is required.
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