About

Acacia bows make playing easy. They produce a direct, focused sound with a nice articulation, are stable on the string and pleasurable to hold. Inspired on ancient bow making, the concept is so essential that these could be as well the bows of the future. The Acacia wood being abundantly available, it is a sustainable alternative for the Brazilian hardwood normally used for bow making.

Dutch cellist Coen Engelhard settled in the South of France, Ariège-Pyrenees, 30 years ago. He discovered the viola da gamba and made several viols himself. He played both the viol and the cello in numerous concerts and has been teaching the viol at the Conservatory of Toulouse for 20 years.

Coen’s story :
“I started making bows from Acacia wood in 2007 to play the Renaissance viol. The acacia turned out to be so gorgeous for bow making that I made bows for the other viols and the cello as well.

The wood comes from the forest where I live, at the feet of the French Pyrenees. Its Latin name is Robinia pseudoacacia. It is very resistant and makes instruments sound very easily.

Soon I was making bows for my students and colleagues, then others, and so the bow making business started. Since 2014 I’m full time bow maker and the bows find their way in the entire world.

June 2018 I was at the Berkeley Early Music Exhibition in California. In August several bows were sold to modern double bass players at the festival BassEurope in Lucca, Italy and I have been for some years at the Early Music Exhibition in London and Paris.

Bows can also be send by post if you are interested to try. You will be surprised !”