There are dozens of English longbow makers. The quality of the craftsmanship varies but most of the bowyers still in operation today are making bows of outstanding quality, keeping alive a historic tradition and making available beautiful artisanal bows.
As one might expect, the best English longbow makers are based in England, but excellent bowyers can also be found in Wales and Scotland as well. The best bowyers are those that combine experience, craftsmanship, and the finest wood available with a true passion for archery and the long history of the English longbow.
I’ve been shooting longbow since I was 13-years-old. My first longbow was all but given to me by a friend of the world-famous blacksmith, Hector Cole – Hector, or Mr Cole as he was known to me then, happened to be my archery instructor. I used that bow to win numerous archery competitions in target archery and field archery. I still have it, and it shoots just as well as it did 20 years ago.
To shoot a longbow requires human skill rather than technical and mechanical knowledge. You can’t simply adjust your sight to hit the target with the next arrow, you must learn the capabilities and limits of your bow and train your eye. If you can shoot an English longbow, then you will have become a true archer, able to shoot any bow you’re given.
Unless you are lucky enough to be gifted a longbow, you’ll need to start by buying a longbow. To help you find a great bow, here is a list of the best English longbow makers, and a few details about the sorts of longbows they make.
Bickerstaffe Longbows – Best All Round Longbow
“Makers of fine handcrafted old English longbows.”
Types of Longbows Made: standard longbows, classic longbows, flat bows, war bows
Bickerstaffe Bows has been in the business for over 25 years. They are one of the most popular English longbow makers and perhaps also the best english longbow makers. Still a small enterprise, Bickerstaffe make a range of standard English longbows that are sold through retailers. They also make longbows to order, so if you are looking for something special you can contact them directly.
The Bickerstaffe standard bow range includes a basic longbow (£380), a medieval bow (£380), a deluxe longbow (£490). Draw weights are variable and can alter the price.
The Bickerstaffe war bow is a special item that is only created when the wood is available. This bow costs nearly £1000 and can only be made on request and to your exact requirements.
Find out more about Bickerstaffe Bows: https://bickerstaffebows.co.uk/
Adrian Hayes Longbows
Adrian Hayes is a maker of fine, custom-made, laminated English longbows and arrows. Together with his wife, Natasha, Adrian makes bows from Osage wood, Snakewood, and combinations of Bamboo, Padauk, Ipe, Purpleheart, and Amarillo.
Archers Review described Adrian Hayes bamboo backed longbows as being fast and smooth and to be “bestowed with almost magical properties”. High praise indeed.
The price range of Adrian Hayes laminate longbows is between £240 – £750.
https://www.adrianhayeslongbows.com/
Steve Stratton Longbows – Best War Bows
Steve Stratton makes self bows (bows made from a single piece of wood) and laminate bows (made from multiple kinds of wood laminated together). He is certainly one of the best English longbow makers in the country.
The self bows start at £750, while 3 wood laminate bows cost £350 and 4 wood laminate bows cost £400.
Here you can see Steve talking about the English war bow, which is a heavy draw self bow.
Find out more about Steve Stratton Longbows here: https://strattonbows.com/
Ron Palmer Longbows – Best Short Distance
Unfortunately, the legendary bowyer Ron Palmer passed away. If you are able to find (and afford) one of his bows then you’re a lucky person.
Here you can see an archer’s salute, using whistling arrows, at Ron’s funeral in 2012.
Gary Evans Longbows – Great Target Bows
Gary Evans longbows are great for target shooting. These artisanal bows are lighter and thinner than Bickerstaffe longbows.
The Gary Evans longbow is bamboo backed with a combination of lemonwood and either rosewood, bubinga, or peltogyne (purpleheart) as the core wood.
Thanks to the hardwood arrow pass fitted into both sides of the bow, it can be used by right or left-handed archers.
These longbows are lightweight, smooth, and fast, perfect for target shooting but suitable for a field shoot as well.
Gary Evans longbows are available online through Wales Archery and Perris Archery. Gary Evans does not have a public presence or run his own website, his bows are sold exclusively through the two online stores mentioned.
How to Get the Best English Longbow?
Talk to the bowyer directly and discuss your exact needs. Most of the bowyers listed here make custom bows and will probably be willing to alter their usual designs to suit your requirements.
Going directly to the bowyer, rather than choosing a retailer, means the bowyer also benefits by getting all the profits from his or her labour, rather than sharing the profits with the retailer.