#83 Tim Miller on Project Quiver

Written By Todd Howard

Available on these platforms: Spotify | Anchor | iTunes | PocketCasts | Stitcher | Radio Public | Overcast

Tim Miller is a bowyer and owner of Black Arrow Longbows in Devon, England, which has been in operation for 10 years. Tim specializes in laminate longbows, warbows, yew selfbows, and arrows.

“A lot of the interest was the historical side, so I went down that rabbit hole.”
— Tim Miller

Please enjoy this episode of Project Quiver on Salish Wolf with Tim Miller.         

Episode Links:

https://www.instagram.com/blackarrowlongbows/

https://www.blackarrowlongbows.com/

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

https://www.facebook.com/blackarrowlongbows

Project Quiver at Anchor Point Expeditions

Summary:

In this episode, Tim Miller, founder of Black Arrow Longbows, shares his journey from woodworking hobbies to mastering the craft of traditional bow-making. We delve into the technical intricacies of creating bows suited for different climates, the community of bowyers, and the passion that keeps this art alive.

Show Notes:

  • Tim's background in woodworking and transition into bow-making

  • Challenges of bow curing and storage in humid environments like Costa Rica

  • Techniques for building heavy weight bows and considerations for durability

  • The influence of historical and cultural archery traditions in modern bowyer practices

  • The importance of continuous learning and testing in bow craftsmanship

  • Tools of the trade: from hand tools to specialized machinery

  • Insights into sourcing materials like lemonwood, cow horn tips, and exotic cores

  • The evolution of custom bow orders and the community of archery enthusiasts

  • Balancing art, engineering, and practicality in bow design

  • Maintaining passion and freshness in a career that demands precision

Chapters:

  • 00:00 - Intro and guest introduction

  • 02:01 - Building a workshop in Costa Rica and environment challenges

  • 04:00 - Bow failures and humidity impacts

  • 06:00 - Seasonal storage solutions for bows in humid climates

  • 08:10 - Tim’s journey into bow-making and early experiments

  • 12:10 - The influence of historical archery models and media

  • 15:00 - The appeal of heavy draw weight bows and authenticity

  • 18:00 - Materials used in traditional bowcraft: bamboo, lemonwood, and more

  • 22:25 - Sourcing exotic woods and understanding botanical names

  • 27:10 - The technical process of lamination and hot-pressing bows

  • 30:16 - The community of bowyers and their influence

  • 33:50 - Building bows based on historical models and custom requests

  • 37:10 - Challenges of warranty and customer satisfaction

  • 41:00 - The social side of archery and community events

  • 43:20 - Achieving high draw weights: limits and mechanical possibilities

  • 47:30 - Tiller design and bow stability

  • 51:00 - Production scale: From one-off to commercial

  • 55:00 - Experimenting with wood combinations and testing

  • 60:00 - Learning and evolving through collaboration and observation

  • 66:00 - Workshop setup: tools and machinery considerations

  • 70:30 - Making arrows and other bow-related accessories

  • 75:00 - Unique design features like Victorian tillers and handle modifications

  • 78:00 - The importance of proper tillering and handling stress points

  • 81:00 - Resources for aspiring bowyers and how to get started

  • 83:20 - Closing thoughts, community advice, and future plans

Todd Howard
Next

#82 Stephan Zenz on Project Quiver