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Build the Ultimate All Wood Composite Recurve Bow in an afternoon! Learn about material selection, shaping, tillering, and instinctive shooting from expert Bowyer Dave Mead.
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$49.00
Regular price
BONUS: Build your own Bamboo Horse Bow Course
I normally teach this course as a hands-on workshop for $600, but I'm including it as a BONUS inside of this course for FREE.

Student Reviews
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GREAT JOB!!! Enjoyed the course very much!
KERRY BISHOP
Very informative and fun! THANK YOU!
Very informative and fun! THANK YOU!
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Highly recommend if you want to start building your own bows
Al-Baraa El-Hag
A great course, learnt a lot from Dave. He has a laid back and funny attitude on camera which I found very endearing. Pros: 1) You will learn everything...
Read MoreA great course, learnt a lot from Dave. He has a laid back and funny attitude on camera which I found very endearing. Pros: 1) You will learn everything that you need to make a composite bow + a horse bow 2) The materials used are very inexpensive and easily found (except for the bamboo, was searching online and couldn't yet find a source that isn't 3riversarchery or dave's websitea) 3) You don't need a fully tricked out wood working shop to make it (you could potentially make the bow without any power tools). 4) The bow (especially the horse bow) is really efficient, beating most of the commercially available bows in the market today. Cons: 1) Doesn't teach you how to make his "patented" bow string. Just uses paracord Notes: 1) Not sure if it was mentioned in the course along your bow building. But if this is the first bow you have ever handled, for the love of god NEVER dry fire it (pull back the string and "shoot it" without an arrow). Since the bow is made out of wood, it will explode in your hands. (Dave doesn't dry fire it in the series, just wanted to let people know). Conclusion: Highly, highly recommend the course! If you want to get started with bow making, this is the place to start.
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Well detailed course
Tyler Meece
Awesome course! Lot of great information. Dave’s a great instructor and really passionate about what he does.
Awesome course! Lot of great information. Dave’s a great instructor and really passionate about what he does.
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GREAT JOB!!! Enjoyed the course very much!
KERRY BISHOP
Very informative and fun! THANK YOU!
Very informative and fun! THANK YOU!
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No nonsense course with everything I needed! Excellent co...
Alexander Overcast
David carefully walks you through how to do each step while avoiding the pitfalls. He manages to do this in the shortest amount of instructional time I have ...
Read MoreDavid carefully walks you through how to do each step while avoiding the pitfalls. He manages to do this in the shortest amount of instructional time I have ever seen in a course that produces such great results! There are many times the camera doesn't keep the focus on the piece he is speaking about but at no point did I find that it kept me from having a full understanding of what was being taught. The course was more than worth the affordable price! Excellent course + Exceptional Instruction = Enthralled Student
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Thank you Dave for the great class
Jeff McGraw
I have always wanted to make my own bow . I'm enjoying the process. Thanks for your wisdom
I have always wanted to make my own bow . I'm enjoying the process. Thanks for your wisdom
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Excellent Lesson
Patrick Telzrow
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Lots of fun
Jamie Forget
Quick, to the point and detailed. From board to bow on a Sunday afternoon.
Quick, to the point and detailed. From board to bow on a Sunday afternoon.
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Great !
Sebastien Debande
A fantastic bow design, and a simple, clear explanation on how to do it. The beauty of it is in its apparent simplicity. It's precisely what I love and what ...
Read MoreA fantastic bow design, and a simple, clear explanation on how to do it. The beauty of it is in its apparent simplicity. It's precisely what I love and what I was searching. Thanks a lot Dave !
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Perfect Instructions
lindell peters
Short and to the point,nothing mystical or hard to understand.
Short and to the point,nothing mystical or hard to understand.
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excellent course !!!!!
aaron lincoln
110 percent worth every penny,,, well taught, well spoken, professional, humorous , a true delight for anyone wanting to learn this style of bow !!!! thanks ...
Read More110 percent worth every penny,,, well taught, well spoken, professional, humorous , a true delight for anyone wanting to learn this style of bow !!!! thanks DAVE !!!!!
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From Board to Bow
Dave Mead is the Michelangelo of Bowyers. He finds and draws out the archer in everyone.

Meet Your Instructor
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Bowyer
Dave Mead
Dave Mead is the founder of Mead Longbows, a renowned bowyer, author and illustrator. Dave has been teaching how to build beautiful high-performance bows for many years. His work has been featured in countless on and off-line publications including Primitive Archer Magazine and American Survival Guide Magazine.
Materials Needed to Complete Course
A detailed Materials Video is included in the course, this is just to give you an idea of what materials are necessary before you sign up. As you can see, the materials list is VERY simple. You WILL NOT believe the bow we will build using the simple list of items below.
Materials Needed:
- One red oak straight grain board 6 ft long (72 inches x 2.5 in x .75 in). If making the BONUS Bamboo Horse Bow as well then get an 8-foot long board. This will provide enough material to make 2 sets of Siyahs and 2 handles. Sources: Local Lowes or Home Depot.
- (For BONUS Bamboo Horse Bow Only) Two sections of Moso Bamboo around 1/4 inch thick or more from end to end. These should be 2-inches wide x 2-foot long with 1 node near center. Thicker is stronger, meaning more draw weight. The bamboo, just like the board, will need to be made uniform in thickness from end to end.
- One 10 to 12-inch long by .5-inch diameter industrial strength high heat glue stick, or two 6-inch sticks. Sources: Local Lowes or Home Depot.
- One spool of at least 3 ply jute or hemp cordage. Sources: Local Lowes or Home Depot.
- 15 to 20-foot of 550 paracord.
Tools Needed:
Handheld propane torch or high heat glue gun, pencil, tape measure, saw, small file sandpaper, safety glasses.
Course curriculum
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1
WELCOME
- Terms & Conditions, Disclaimers, and Waiver of Liability
- Welcome message from Dave Mead
- Siyah Template / Materials List Download
- Materials Overview
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2
The Build: Ultimate All Wood Composite Recurve Bow
- Bow Layout & Shaping
- Assembly, Gluing & Tillering
- Finishing & Shooting + BONUS Bamboo Horse Bow Build
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3
Conclusion
- Final thoughts & Next steps
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4
(OPTIONAL) TAKE-DOWN CONVERSION!
- Take-Down Consersion [COMPANION COURSE]