#63 Nacho Marco on Project Quiver

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Nacho Marco is a full-time bowyer based in Teruel, Spain. He is the creator and owner of Arcol, a traditional bow making school that blends craftsmanship and ancestral wisdom. He also carves custom primitive bows primarily of black locust, elm, and Osage orange for an international customer base.  

“Bow making has an artistic side that forces you to develop many aspects related to decision making… and to gain self confidence.”

— Nacho Marco

Please enjoy this episode of Project Quiver on Salish Wolf with Nacho Marco.         

Episode Links:

https://arcolescuela.com/

https://www.instagram.com/arqueriaconmarco/

Project Quiver at Anchor Point Expeditions

Summary:

In this conversation, Todd interviews Nacho Marco, a bow maker from Spain, who shares his journey into archery and bow making. Nacho discusses his early influences, the teachers who shaped his craft, and the artistic aspects of bow making. He also talks about his workshop setup, teaching experiences, favorite bow designs, and aspirations for the future. The conversation highlights the unique challenges and joys of bow making, as well as the importance of continuous learning in the craft.

Show Notes:

Nacho's journey into archery began in childhood with wooden bows.

He learned bow making from various teachers, including David Antolin.

Bow making allows Nacho to live a lifestyle close to nature.

He enjoys hunting with his dog and playing the drums.

Nacho's first bow was made from a stave he purchased.

He believes black locust is the best wood for teaching bow making.

Nacho teaches bow making courses with a focus on hands-on experience.

He prefers self-knocks for their primitive essence over horn knocks.

Nacho aims to improve his skills by learning from other bow makers.

He values the decision-making process in working with imperfect woods.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Nacho Marco and Archery

03:00 The Journey of Bow Carving

05:56 Influences and Mentorship in Bow Making

08:48 The Impact of Archery on Life

11:41 First Experiences in Bow Making

14:33 Workshop Setup and Tools

17:26 Teaching Bow Carving

20:21 Favorite Bow Designs and Techniques

23:16 Sourcing Materials for Bow Making

25:08 Exploring Unique Bow Woods

27:26 Future Aspirations in Bowmaking

30:23 Learning from Master Bowmakers

31:56 The Art of Bowmaking Decisions

38:39 Preparing for the Workshop Experience