Right about when I got serious about Photography, Matt got serious about Bow-Making. Traditional archery – a historically-based old-school weapon that throughout century’s past has protected and supplied food for families. Matt has been trained by a veteran to traditional bow-making, who shares his desire to keep this art alive.
Matt just finished his 6th bow. A custom, traditional long-bow, made for his long-time friend, Josh. This bow is purely a unique heirloom. When first discussing the wood that would go into the bow, Josh brought to mind using some Quilted Maple of his father’s. Quilted Maple is an extremely rare wood that is formed over hundreds of years, as the weight of the maple tree gets so extreme that it presses so heavily causing the grain of the wood to wave. Josh’s dad has a custom built rifle from the same cut of wood. To have a piece of this wood is practically priceless. And to put it into a bow that someday Josh’s little boys will shoot and hopefully pass down to their kids… well, the prospect of it all makes me feel honored to document its beginning.
The Quilted Maple in the limbs…
… the riser; comprised of Zebra Wood, Wenge, and Eastern Hardrock Maple…
And the tips… made of Montana Elk horn. And finished with a hand-made string…
Along with the “Longbows”, Matt’s also made a “Recurve”, out of Osage Orange, African Padauk, Spalted Alder…
I absolutely love seeing how passionate Matt is about making bows. It gives him an understanding of my deep and ever growing interest in photography…
It is about preserving history… beautifully, timelessly, thoughtfully, and creatively. Not for ourselves. While these are things we thoroughly enjoy to do, it is about the final product we get to provide for others.
You can see my previous post on 3 of Matt’s bows here. Yes, they are awesome to look at, but they are also SO stinkin’ fun to shoot.
He can make them for anyone and can ship them anywhere, so if you think this would be a perfect gift for someone special, please email Matt at: mlmeyers@molalla.net
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What beautiful work! It’s awesome that you both have a passionate hobby in your lives
very cool. I will be showing my husband & kids for sure!
What an amazing craft, I’ve never seen a bow made before. So much skill and artistry goes into it. You captured the process beautifully!
Wow, the wood is beautiful! I’m going to have to show this to my husband, too. He will love it.
Oh my, the detail is amazing. Gorgeous wood, gorgeous photos.
That is so beautiful. What an awesome talent.
Very nice, Matt. I’m sure that Josh loves it, especially since it was made by one of his best friends. Lost Goat Long Bows … How did you come up with that name
XO
XOXOXO to GCK from Grammie
That is a work of art! Beautiful and very cool!
This is really really really cool!
The wood used in the bows is just beautiful!! I’m going to show your post to my husband, he likes to bow hunt. How fun for your boys to have a hobby with their dad!