Tillering is one of the most important and misunderstood stages of traditional bow making. It is the process of carefully shaping and balancing the limbs of a bow so that they bend evenly and efficiently under tension. A well tillered bow stores energy smoothly, shoots efficiently and places less strain on the wood. A poorly tillered bow may perform badly, feel unstable or ultimately fail.

For many traditional bowyers, tillering is where bow making truly becomes a craft rather than simply woodworking.

When a bow is drawn, each limb bends and stores energy. Tillering involves gradually removing wood from specific areas of the limbs in order to create a balanced bend throughout the bow. The goal is not necessarily to create perfectly identical limbs, but to ensure the bow bends harmoniously and safely. This process requires patience, observation and an understanding of how wood behaves under tension and compression.

The shape and balance of the bend directly affect how a bow performs. A bow that bends too much in one area creates excessive strain and can develop weak points or hinges. Areas that remain too stiff may prevent the bow from storing energy efficiently.

Good tillering helps achieve:

• Smooth drawing characteristics

• Efficient energy storage

• Improved cast and performance

• Greater durability

• Reduced strain within the limbs

• Better shooting comfort

Even high-quality wood can produce a poor bow if the tillering is rushed or unbalanced.

One of the challenges of tillering is that every stave behaves differently. Natural materials are never perfectly uniform. Growth rings, grain structure, density and moisture content all influence how a bow bends. An experienced bowyer learns to read the wood carefully throughout the process and adjust accordingly. This is one reason traditional bow making cannot simply be reduced to measurements or formulas alone. Observation and judgement play a major role.

Tillering usually begins after the rough shape of the bow has been established. The bow is gradually flexed while small amounts of wood are removed from stiff areas. This process is repeated many times while monitoring the developing bend.

Traditional tools commonly used during tillering include:

• Drawknife
• Spokeshave
• Cabinet scraper
• Rasp
• Tillering stick

The process should always be gradual and controlled. Removing too much wood too quickly is one of the most common mistakes made by beginner bowyers.

Early in the process, many bowyers begin with floor tillering.

This involves gently flexing the bow against the floor by hand in order to assess how the limbs begin to bend. It provides an early indication of stiffness, balance and potential problem areas before the bow is placed under heavier strain. Floor tillering develops sensitivity and helps the bowyer begin understanding the character of the stave.

Learning to read the bend is one of the key skills in traditional bow making.

Bowyers must look for:

• Stiff areas
• Hinges
• Flat spots
• Uneven movement
• Twist
• Excessive strain

This takes time and experience to develop properly. Photographs, mirrors and tillering trees can all help the process, but ultimately good tillering depends heavily upon careful observation and patience.

Many bow failures occur because the tillering process is rushed. Wood removed too quickly cannot be replaced, and small mistakes early in the process can become major weaknesses later on. Experienced bowyers often remove surprisingly small amounts of material between each stage of tillering. Slow progression allows the bow to settle gradually and reduces the risk of overstressing the limbs.

At Phil Brooke Longbows we teach traditional bow making through practical hands-on workshops in East Sussex.

Participants learn how to select wood, understand grain structure, shape staves and tiller bows using traditional tools and methods.

Our workshops are suitable for complete beginners as well as those wishing to deepen existing skills.

View our Traditional Bow Making Workshop here:

Tillering is often described as the heart of traditional bow making. It combines technical understanding, patience, observation and feel. No two staves behave exactly alike, and learning to work with natural materials is one of the great challenges and satisfactions of the craft.

Good tillering is not simply about producing a functional bow. It is about understanding the relationship between wood, movement and stored energy.