About the author of "Making Traditional Bows"

e-book and paparback

Chris Münkel, the author, is 36 years old and made his first longbow from a hazel stick when he was about 8 years old. Ever since then he has been making traditional bows and arrows with a few breaks. Lately, he has been entrusted with the task of making traditional bows and arrows for The Historic Viking Fortress Trelleborg in Denmark. Read more below.

Attention to detail mixed with a good deal of perfectionism and a great knowledge of how to make traditional archery equipment makes Chris a great do-it-your-self teacher. When needed he has a fine ability to make compromises without losing the sweet feel and look of the traditional bows and arrows that he so gently teaches you to make. All compromises, if any, are made in such a way that making your own traditional archery equipment becomes as easy as possible and accessible to all people.

If you Dream of learning how to make a bow and arrow - Now is Your Chance!

The family business

The author and his father run a small bow making shop called MBarchery.

Over the years they have built up the experience and expertise that it takes to make a high quality glass laminated longbow.

Together they have sought and selected the right suppliers of materials and they have tested many different combinations of wood, glue and varnish, to achieve the best combination for their longbows.

The MB workshop is well equipped and they have the machinery and equipment that is necessary to make a longbow of this type and quality.

All the MB bows are made with love for the materials and the bow making art.

Bow and arrow maker for The Historic Viking Fortress Trelleborg in Denmark.

The Fortress

The Viking Fortress Trelleborg dates back to around 980 AD and was possibly used by the Danish king Harald Bluetooth. Today’s Bluetooth technology is named after the old Danish king due to his communication skills and ability to lead diplomatic negotiations. Not a skill the Vikings are commonly known for.

Click here to visit the website of Trelleborg.

The longbows

When making longbows for the Viking Fortress the author has to make some compromises when it comes to making historically accurate longbows. The compromises are necessary mostly due to the high price and poor availability of yew which was the type of wood traditionally used for making longbows in the Viking age. So, in order to lower production price the bows are made as laminate longbows from more common types of wood, just like the bows in the e-book. In an attempt to keep the longbows as authentic as possible the author only uses the type of wood that grows in Denmark, and which is known to have been used by the Vikings. The laminate longbows are made to resemble the old longbows found at the former Danish Viking Town of Hedeby, a town which is also mentioned in the e-book. All longbows are fitted with a traditional linen Flemish twist bow string.

A person who makes bows is also referred to as a bowyer.

The arrows

When making arrows for the Viking Fortress the choice has fallen on a traditional war arrow type of arrow, like the war arrow that is covered in the e-book. Archeological finds prove that this type of arrow was made and used as early as the Iron Age, i.e. before the age of the Vikings.

A person who makes arrows is also referred to as a fletcher.

If you are interested in knowing more about the e-book "Making Traditional Bows" - Click one of the following: The complete table of contents or the Holmegaard flatbow.