I began making Bow-hran sticks in 2011. Over the years I stepped away from production. Recently, a customer reached out, asking if I could make sticks in 10”, 11”, and 12” lengths. As it happens, I had two boxes of old fiddle bows tucked away in my workshop. Being semi-retired and between projects, I decided to dive back into production.

These rustic, top-end bodhran tippers are handcrafted from genuine violin (aka fiddle) bows. Rich in character and seasoned with age—some possibly dating back to the mid-19th century, your stick could be a relatively young vintage artifact of at least twenty years, or an antique relic 175 years old.

Most of the bows are brazilwood or pernambuco (which is prized by luthiers because of its superior strength and low weight). Some bows are wood types I can’t identify. But no matter what kind of wood, you can be sure each stick is strong and lightweight—perfect for top-end playing.

There ain't nothing fancy about a Bow-hran Stick. It's just a piece of old fiddle bow with the ends trimmed and rounded, the wood refurbished, and the stick polished for a smooth secure grip. But it does take some effort to make one, and you're not likely to find anything like it at Amazon or the local music shop.

Because the sticks are made from a bow, none are perfectly straight. Some players see this as an advantage. Others say it's a defect. But no matter what you call it, every serious player should have at least one fiddle bow tipper in their tool kit.

What makes these drum sticks so special? Nothing maybe, except for some exciting new options like the Froggy Stick, weighted versions, durable grip sheathing, and the widest selection of stick lengths you’ll find anywhere.