Arrowsmithing

Arrowsmithing peaked in the Medieval period when the use of the English war bow was at its height, and declined along with the bow as a weapon of war once fire arms became dominant. The craft was revived in the twentieth century with the formation of re-enactment groups, and today these groups, world wide, provide the market for the craft.

Specialist forging techniques and tools are required for the forging of the heads.

There are many variations in arrowheads, but they fall into two main groups: hunting and war.

• Market issues: This is a very niche market and there is not enough demand to make a living from it.
• Skills: The forging of simple bodkin arrowheads is within the capabilities of any good blacksmith but the forging of accurate arrowheads that are more complex requires specific skills over and above that of general blacksmithing
• Overseas competition: there has been an increase in hobby arrowsmiths working overseas making arrowheads based on a few photos as compared to actual examples, and selling them for much less,  flooding the market with inaccurate products.

• Craft Guild of Traditional Bowyers & Fletchers
• Worshipful Company of Fletchers
• Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths

• • Hector Cole MBE
  • John Beavis
  • Will Sherman
  • Adam Jenkins, Now Strike Archery

William Holland (Carmarthenshire) was funded through the Endangered Crafts Fund in 2023 to develop his arrowsmithing skills and master the reproduction of historically forged arrow heads, and to teach the craft to others.

• Hector Cole MBE
• The Society of Archer-Antiquaries

Our thanks go to our 2025 informants:

• Hector Cole MBE FWCB, Master Arrowsmith and Archaeological Ironworker

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