As a child, Benoît Paradis from Quebec tried again and again in vain to design a bow worthy of the name.
At the age of 24, after having traveled a lot, this colossus completed an apprenticeship as a carpenter. He quickly realizes that he doesn’t like life on the construction site. He then returned to school and completed a Bachelors in Environment. Despite all his training, he was unable to satisfy his creative need and still the frustration that had afflicted him for two decades at failing to form the “Maususse” arc he already had always wanted to design.
“I only had a dream, that my creation would bend to my will,” explains Mr. Paradis.
Self-taught, he began training over the internet as well as face-to-face at primitive survival school. He learned the basics at the design level.
In 2018 he managed to form his first bow, which made him proud.
Then he met the reference par excellence in this field, Mr. Paulin Gingras. This lovely man whom I met several times then took our artisan under his wing and taught him everything there is to know about traditional archery.
In 2021 he founded his company called Valhallarc, a name composed of the name of the Viking warriors’ paradise and the word “bow”. His craft company focuses on making bows for instinctive shooting.
“We must forget all the superfluous molds and tools to reproduce products identical to those of our ancestors”, specifies Mr. Paradis.
basic
A traditional laminated bow can be made from various types of white wood such as ash, maple, white oak, etc., which are known for their good compression capacity. Everything is reinforced with hickory, a tree known for its resistance to stress.
As for the primitive models, they are cut from a long trunk of local wood species like the ones mentioned in the previous paragraph.
design
The wood is cut by hand using hand tools such as a spokeshave, rasp, hacksaw, etc.
Once the shape of the wood is carved, Benoît installs the primitive weapon on a shaping stick graduated in inches. With this tool there is the desired lengthening according to the size of the shooter. He can then gradually adjust the bow arms to the desired strength.
Photo provided by Patrick Campeau
Craftsman Benoît Paradis uses a shaping rod graduated in inches to create the desired extension according to his buyer’s height.
The end caps are then shaped using a wood chisel and hacksaw.
The handle is standard. The craftsman personalizes it on request according to the tastes and needs of the customer. He will use elk or deer hide or a beaver tail to cover it.
A Dacron B55 rope provides the perfect elasticity for this type of construction.
manufacturing
Benoît Paradis has to put in an average of 8 to 12 hours of work to polish most of the models he offers. However, depending on special commissions, he sometimes spends up to 30 hours in his studio to complete his artwork, which sells for as little as $600.
In terms of arc power, he can adjust it from 20 to 45 pounds of tension. The heavier versions are reinforced with elk tendons or various laminations, at the buyer’s option.
arrows
Newly equipped with a Veritas dowel gun, Mr. Paradis can shorten the rods depending on the strength of the bow.
Arrows are made of cedar, ash, maple, white birch, etc.
The stiffness of each unit is tested to create a good mix.
Natural wild turkey or goose feathers are used for feathering.
The tail unit has to be cut with meticulousness and diligence in order not to lose any of its stability and precision.
Handmade and contemporary tips complete the whole.
Accesories
To expand the range, Benoît also makes products such as arm guards and finger guards in greasy and thick leather.
A wax to care for the rope is also offered in a leather pouch for ease of use.
training courses
Benoît offers personal courses in bow and arrow making so that this age-old tradition is passed on from generation to generation.
►For more information, call 581-446-2697 or visit us valhallarc.com.
