About Us - Barebow Archery

About Us

Ben Perkins ~ Owner /Manager, Bowyer, Fletcher and Leatherworker

I started Barebow Archery for a number of reasons. Some 30 years ago as a young boy I found I had a love for archery and bows. Much like most young boys, I made bows out of branches and bits of string. If you look back to your childhood you may recall a time you did the same.

Then in my teens I started playing around with self bows and Longbows that actually worked, solid Ash, Elm and English Yew bows that would send an arrow with enough force to penetrate a target boss. Now later in life I am making Warbows that not only penetrate a boss, but also plate steel. I worked as a photographer for some years with my archery passion of making, selling and shooting my bows running parallel to my job.

Then one day I couldn’t help it any more... I had an overwhelming urge to make the selling of quality longbows my profession. I packed up photography and set myself up to make and sell Longbows, Warbows and Sundries to all who required them. Fuelled by my immense passion for the history of the longbow and Warbow. I contacted the Mary Rose Trust and organized an excursion to go and examine some of the Tudor Warbows that were recovered from the ship. Accurate measurements of the original Warbows were taken, we can now craft our laminate and self bows to the profiles of the MR bows much more faithfully. I decided Barebow Archery would craft their bows from timber that is supplied by timber yards in favour of CITIES, as preserving the environment is very important to us.

CITIES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

Here at Barebow Archery we have a goal and a dream, to make quality bows for you that you will take delight

in shooting. And to promote archery as best we can and keep an English tradition alive….

Best Wishes ~ Ben Perkins

Chris Brown ~ Associate Fletcher

For as far back as I can remember I have been fascinated with tactics and warfare. Classical warfare especially excited me. The craftsmanship which goes into producing these age old weapons appealed to me massively. When I was introduced to Longbow Archery there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity. This was the catalyst I was looking for. Warbow archery always continues to fascinate and intrigue me and has ignited fire inside.

The next logical step from shooting Warbows and Arrows was making them. I decided I was more interested in the projectile side of the craft. The size and shape of the Shafts, Dimensions, Feathers, Bodkins and how these weapons acted when in flight.

About 6 months ago I was given the opportunity to be a part of Barebow Archery. My journey feels as if it has just begun. I now make and sell arrows, this allows me to express my passion towards the archery world and show and teach all that I know and love.

Best wishes ~ Chris Brown