Jeremy Weber is an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and hobby bowyer. He and his partner, Gwen, manage The Lodge at Water’s Edge in Portersville, Pennsylvania - a mid century 80-acre micro-venue nestled in the Slippery Rock Gorge bordered by McConnells Mill State Park.
Jeremy created Selfbows at Water’s Edge where he offers bow carving experiences with accommodations on the Waters Edge property.
Please enjoy this episode of Project Quiver on Salish Wolf with Jeremy Weber.
Episode Links:
https://www.instagram.com/selfbows_at_waters_edge/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Selfbows-at-Waters-Edge/61569938627847/
https://www.instagram.com/the_lodge_at_waters_edge/
https://www.thelodgeatwatersedge.com/
Project Quiver at Anchor Point Expeditions
Show Notes:
Jeremy's story of the old estate and its transformation into a workshop for bow making and retreats
Techniques for harvesting and seasoning various tree species for bow wood, including American hornbeam, hickory, and Osage
The process of splitting and preparing wood using wedges, draw knives, and shellac preservation methods
Exploring different bow styles and experimenting with materials like flowering dogwood, cherry, and elm
The significance of shooting both sides in archery for balance and brain health
The historical perspective on bows from different eras, including a fascinating account of reconstructing a 17th-century Sudbury Native American bow using hand tools
Jeremy's upcoming workshops at Waters Edge in September and how to participate
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction and overview of Waters Edge lodge and Jeremy's background
02:24 - Description of the estate and property features including the main lodge, cabins, and creekside pool plans
04:12 - The power of nature: ice chunks from river flood and weather impacts on the land
05:13 - Bow carving workshops: schedule, group size, and what participants will learn
06:20 - Harvesting trees on the property: identifying species and sustainable practices
08:09 - Favorite woods for bow making and the unique characteristics of American hornbeam (muscle wood)
09:45 - The process of bark removal and how seasonality affects harvesting
11:10 - Comparing American hornbeam and hop hornbeam trees and their suitability for bows
13:11 - Jeremy’s journey into bow making, family history, and early archery experiences
15:08 - Building bows from different woods and personal experimentation with designs
16:48 - The workshop setup, tools used, and the importance of continual learning in bow craftsmanship
18:33 - On-site accommodations and the structure of a typical bow-making retreat
19:14 - Recommended bow styles for beginners and the forgiving nature of hickory
20:47 - The sequential drying process from felled tree to ready-to-carve stave
22:43 - Techniques for splitting wood with wedges and draw knives, and preserving with shellac
25:41 - Sourcing and working with Osage orange trees outside the property
28:16 - The exciting experience of harvesting Osage from local farms and the snowbound effort
33:16 - Experimentation with different woods like flowering dogwood, cherry, and elm
34:16 - Transition from modern to primitive hunting bows and the spiritual connection in archery
36:11 - Shooting from both sides to develop balance and challenge for the brain
40:23 - Recreating historic bows like the Sudbury bow using traditional tools and techniques
45:43 - Favorite tools for carving and current projects in Jeremy’s workshop
47:02 - Jeremy’s current bow projects, draw weights, and upcoming builds
48:27 - Challenges with snaky grain and the art of following grain patterns for optimal bows
50:02 - Inspiration from historic bows and making your own based on archeological exemplars
55:50 - How to connect with Jeremy and sign up for the September workshop