A piece of wood and a string: Spokane-area bowyer teaches craft of traditional bow building – Fri, 24 Jul 2026 PST

Key Takeaways:

• Spokane’s David Young is a dedicated bow maker
• His first handmade bows broke during construction
• Persistence guided him to refine his skills
• Creating bows involves only wood, a string, and craftsmanship
• Young now teaches others, passing down centuries-old techniques

The Spark of a Craftsman

David Young, a Spokane-area artisan, started making traditional bows with a simple vision: to transform a piece of wood and a string into a finely tuned tool. He quickly learned how challenging the process can be when his first handcrafted bows unexpectedly broke. These early hurdles did not deter him, but rather sparked a determination to understand and master the craft.

Mastering the Bow

Traditional bow making involves an intricate balance of wood selection, shaping, and ensuring the string’s tension remains just right. Young’s initial setbacks became valuable lessons. “The first traditional bows I built blew up on me,” he admits, highlighting the complex nature of building something that must be both flexible and strong.

Teaching Time-Honored Skills

Today, Young shares his expertise with others who share his fascination for old-world craftsmanship. He emphasizes the importance of patience and precision at each stage—from selecting the right wood to carefully stringing and shaping the bow.

The Continuing Tradition

Through trial and error, Young honed his skills and passion, demonstrating how transformative perseverance can be in artisan crafts. His story resonates beyond archery, standing as a reminder that success often requires learning from failure. Even when the first attempts splinter, genuine commitment can lead to a refined and enduring art form.