#53 Chuck Loeffler on Project Quiver

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Chuck Loeffler is a professional bowyer specializing in the replication of sinew-backed and self wood bows of North America and around the world. For more than 30 years, he has been meticulously conducting research of materials, methods, and construction of ancient bows and arrows. Through his company known as Heartwood Bows, he sells replica bows to collectors, bighorn sheep bows, and high end hunting bows that blend the best of all the designs that he has studied.

“When it’s rounded on the belly, most of the work is being done by the lowest part of the belly, the center of the belly. It’s not evenly distributed like a flat bow.”

— Chuck Loeffler

Chuck holds 4 world records in the Primitive bow class for flight shooting, with the longest shot of 343 yards using a sinew-backed juniper bow. He is also a big mountain freeskiing coach and a former professional mogul racer.

Please enjoy this episode of Project Quiver on Salish Wolf with Chuck Loeffler.         

Episode Links:

https://heartwoodbows.com/

Project Quiver at Anchor Point Expeditions

Show Notes:

Chuck enjoys a variety of jobs, including bow making and coaching skiing.

He prefers to keep his bow making to about 20 hours a week for variety.

Chuck specializes in making replicas of historical bows, particularly Native American styles.

He uses natural materials, including sinew and specific woods, for bow making.

Chuck has a significant back order for bows from clients around the world.

He emphasizes the importance of historical accuracy in his replicas.

The conversation touches on the evolution of bow technology over thousands of years.

Chuck discusses the challenges of identifying and sourcing the right materials for bows.

He shares insights into flight shooting and the performance of different bow types.

Chuck expresses a desire to teach bow making in the future.

Chapters:

00:00 Surfing Adventures and Life Updates

03:01 The Art of Bow Making

06:02 Materials and Techniques in Bow Making

08:56 Historical Replicas and Their Significance

11:55 Challenges in Bow Making

14:48 The Journey into Archery

17:45 Researching Historical Bows

20:37 Favorite Woods and Their Properties

23:30 Cultural Significance of Bows

26:11 The Legacy of Ishii and Native American Bows

32:50 Exploring Ancient Archery Technology

33:55 The Evolution of Bow Design

35:41 Cultural Influences on Bow Shape and Size

37:29 Understanding Bow Materials and Their Impact

39:05 Categories of Bows in Archery

40:56 Physics of Archery: Force and Arrow Dynamics

43:00 Flight Shooting Records and Techniques

44:57 The Practicality of Broadhead Arrows

46:59 Historical Context of English Longbows

49:24 Personal Journeys in Archery and Bow Making