ReturnOfThePrimitive

"What we need is not a return TO the primitive, but rather a return OF the primitive." (H. Bey)
People are looking for ways to live more simply and closer to the Earth. I hope that these items in my shop will help you deepen this journey. If you want to find out more about my bow making experience, please read my bio.
Also, you can visit our website, where you can learn about all our class offerings (wilderness skills, bow making, cheese making) at http://www.twofeatherswildernessschool.com
The flint knapped items were hand knapped by my master flint knapper friend Greg.

Contact shop owner

Steve Sahlin

Reviews

5.0 (23)

Average item review

We calculate this number using a recency-weighted average of all ratings, with a rating's value decreasing by half each year to best reflect the current experience.

Marlene on Nov 8, 2018

5 out of 5 stars

I received your bow today and I am so absolutely pleased with your craftsmanship! My son is a naturalist and an avid hunter......bow and shotgun...and he will LOVE this! It will be his Christmas present. I’m so glad that I saw it in time to get the last one. I follow your family online and applaud you for what you are doing and sharing with others. God bless you and your family abundantly!

Yellow Birch Traditional Long Bow with Bloodwood Limb Tip Overlays

Yellow Birch Traditional Long Bow with Bloodwood Limb Tip Overlays
Etsy buyer on Jan 6, 2016

5 out of 5 stars

I want to thank you for the beautiful bow!!! It is lightweight, well crafted, and incredibly brilliant in the sun; a quality bow. The deer hide grip is beautiful, making the bow easy to grip, comfortable to hold. I can't wait to shoot it. Love it! The bow arrived promptly and was packaged well. Thank you!!!

Custom order for Colette: Traditional Wooden Longbow Made With Oak

Custom order for Colette: Traditional Wooden Longbow Made With Oak
Suzie on Dec 24, 2015

5 out of 5 stars

I am so happy with the beautifully crafted, one of a kind, handmade, sharp knife I ordered from Steve. He was a pleasure to order from. Will be ordering more from him!

Custom order for Suzie: Jasper Flint Knapped Knife With Wood Handle

Custom order for Suzie: Jasper Flint Knapped Knife With Wood Handle
Emily on Apr 13, 2015

5 out of 5 stars

These bows are gorgeous, and the perfect weight/size! Love them.

CUSTOM listing for Emily: Two Traditional Wooden Longbows Made With Red Oak

CUSTOM listing for Emily: Two Traditional Wooden Longbows Made With Red Oak
Theodore on Mar 18, 2015

5 out of 5 stars

I absolutely love it! The quality is wonderful. The handle is soft and very comfortable, it's very easy to aim, and it has a very smooth draw. I'm very happy with my order and I would recommend Steve to any of my friends that decide they want to get into archery. If I ever need a new bow, I'll definitely come back again.

Custom order for Theodore - Traditional Wooden Longbow Made With Red Oak

Custom order for Theodore - Traditional Wooden Longbow Made With Red Oak
Shannon on Mar 17, 2015

5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful craftsmanship and quality just what I wanted!

Custom order for Shannon - Traditional Wooden Longbow made with Red Oak

Custom order for Shannon - Traditional Wooden Longbow made with Red Oak
Nicole on Feb 27, 2015

5 out of 5 stars

This is truly an amazing piece of work. The highest level of skill was used in making this knife and it shows. A one of a kind treasure. Thank you!

Obsidian Flint Knapped Knife With Maple and Ebony Handle and Maple Sheath

Obsidian Flint Knapped Knife With Maple and Ebony Handle and Maple Sheath
Nicole on Feb 27, 2015

5 out of 5 stars

Thank you so much. The bow is absolutely stunning and even more beautiful in person. I cannot wait to use it. I admire your love and commitment to traditional archery! This bow will be cherished for years to come. Highly recommended to all who are in seach of a quality bowmaker. Thanks again.

Traditional Wooden Longbow made with Ash

Traditional Wooden Longbow made with Ash
Joe on Dec 12, 2014

5 out of 5 stars

Awesome!!!! Really like it for displaying knives

Knife display holder

Knife display holder
Etsy buyer on Jul 18, 2014

5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful craftsmanship - I love it! Awesome seller- answered all of my questions in a very timely manner. Shipping was really fast. Highly recommend!

Obsidian Flint Knapped Knife with Maple Wood Handle

Obsidian Flint Knapped Knife with Maple Wood Handle

About ReturnOfThePrimitive

Let your inner primitive out!

Sales 90

On Etsy since 2013

Let your inner primitive out!

Steve loves teaching kids how to make their own bows. He has taught his own two sons how to craft wooden long bows.
Steve hard at work tillering a bow in his shop. Tillering is a process of getting the bow limbs to bend evenly.
Steve and his family travel to primitive skills gatherings to teach bow making to people of all ages.
Steve loves to make bows and hunts with them to provide healthy meat for his family.
People are fascinated in the bow making process, and Steve loves to pass on this ancient skill to others.

The alchemy of turning a stick into a powerful bow

Steve grew up in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, where he observed primitive skills first hand. He remembers watching in amazement a friction fire speed contest at a Sing Sing festival...or watching a young boy take a bird in flight with a home made slingshot! He never lost his fascination with these skills and knowledge that allow people to live close to the earth. Steve feels passionate about simplifying life and connecting with the earth and each other in a meaningful way. He loves making and shooting traditional bows. Steve homesteads on five acres in the Upper Skagit with his wife and three children whom they homeschool. He has been practicing and teaching wilderness skills to children and adults in the wild and especially enjoyed teaching a monthly wilderness skills class to homeschooled children. There is nothing that makes him happier than seeing kids stalking through the woods with mud on their faces.

shop-website

shop-blog

Facebook

Shop policies

Last updated on

Accepted payment methods

Accepts Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits

Returns & exchanges

See item details for return and exchange eligibility.