Zdenek Lences of Varangian Bowyer has been making selfbows for nearly 6 years in much the same way our ancestors have made them for thousands of years. Based in the highlands of the Czech Republic, he uses uncommon woods, such as blackthorn, hawthorn, and many more.

“We as a human race...have been connected to the ground and to Earth...for millions of years. ”

— Zdenek Lences

Please enjoy this episode of Project Quiver on Salish Wolf with Zdenek Lences.

Episode Links:

https://www.instagram.com/varangianbowyer/

https://varangianbowyer.wordpress.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@VarangianBowyer

Project Quiver at Anchor Point Expeditions

Summary:

Join us for an insightful conversation with Zdenek, a skilled bow maker from the Czech Republic, as he shares his journey into the craft, the challenges of sourcing materials, and his philosophy on tradition and innovation in bow making. Discover the story behind his brand, his favorite woods, and his perspective on archery's deep roots in human history.

Show Notes:

Zdenek's background in tool renovation and the start of his bow making journey during the COVID pandemic

The variety of woods used for bow crafting, including blackthorn, cherry, elm, and lesser-known species

Challenges of sourcing materials legally in a small Czech village and environmental considerations

The philosophy of simplicity versus luxury in bow design, including views on snake-skin overlays

The influence of European history, castles, festivals, and modern festivals on archery culture

Tools and techniques: traditional hand tools, modern machinery, and finishing methods

The importance of learning from failures and nature in mastering the craft

Future projects, including plans for a new series and ambitions for a workshop and content creation

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Zdenek and his background in Czech Republic

02:25 - Living in a forested area and regional experiences

03:38 - The small community of boyars and their gathering places

04:45 - The origin of the brand name Varenge and Boyar

08:17 - How Zdenek started making bows during COVID

09:54 - The process of selecting suitable woods like cherry, elm, blackthorn

12:02 - Working with lesser-known woods and experimental materials

14:43 - The tools used in bow making, from traditional to modern

17:24 - Struggles with finishes and achieving durability

22:15 - The influence of ancestors and deep-rooted historical connection to archery

24:29 - Modern versus traditional tools and material experimentation

26:11 - Favorite bow styles and inspirations from historical designs

28:00 - Personal preferences on overlays, aesthetics, and craftsmanship philosophy

30:39 - Use of horn overlays, horn types, and logo insights

32:16 - Family involvement and personal background in woodworking

33:54 - Challenges of harvesting wood legally in a small village environment

35:34 - Europe’s medieval festivals and European archery culture

36:21 - Differences in land accessibility and public forests between Europe and North America

39:08 - Favorite tools for bow carving and tool collection

43:11 - Challenges in finishing bows and protecting the grain

45:07 - Preferred finishes and protective treatments

46:00 - Resources and educators that influenced Zdenek’s craft

47:54 - Workshop setup at his parents’ place and future content plans

48:43 - Hunting and practice routines

50:11 - Bows for flight archery and specific woods like hornbeam

52:21 - Future projects including new series and personal goals

53:12 - How to connect with Zdenek online and through festivals

54:40 - Shipping logistics and international markets

56:43 - Closing thoughts and encouragement to follow Zenek’s journey

#75 Zdenek Lences on Project Quiver

#74 Jeremy Weber on Project Quiver