BDK bows are a super durable and high tension alternative to classical string bows. Perfect for all sorts of percussion, sound objects, round wound strings, or anything that a traditional horsehair bow struggles with. They use a nylon hair that is very resistant to abrasion and a bent lamination body for strength and stiffness. No shredding hair on cymbals or lack of pressure when you need it. The grips are designed to be comfortable and easy to control in a variety of positions and the shape gives easy leverage to dig in.

Bow Guide

I make these bows in multiple sizes and styles. While I don't currently keep a published inventory, I usually have a variety on hand to choose from and can often accommodate requests for the next batch. I'm always happy to let you know what I have in stock, provide more photos, and answer any questions. Just send me a message.

Preference is largely up to the individual player, but I made this guide to help simplify the decision process. I break down all options into Length, Grip Profile, and Wood Species.

Length

Lengths range from about 13"-20" for the standard body styles, and extra long bows (slightly shallower body curve) go up to around 26". Very short bows work well for tabletop objects and are particularly portable/easy to pack. Their light weight also makes them more nimble. A medium length of 15"-17" is a great all around size, it gives enough reach to use sitting at a drum kit without having too much length swinging around. Extra long bows allow longer strokes/more sustain without changing direction, but come with the trade off of more weight and less maneuverability. Long lengths are most popular for use with gongs and vibraphones.

comparison between 14", 17", and 26" bow

Grip Profile

I use two general profiles for the grips/"frogs", low profile or regular. Either style has several ways it can be held, and both can accomplish the same things, but some players may prefer one over the other. The smaller the grip, the smaller the space between the body and the hair at it's widest point. I generally only make the extra long bows with low profile grips to avoid excessive width.

low profile grip

regular grip

Wood Species

This choice is largely aesthetic. Over the years I've narrowed the options down to some combination of Sapele (like a mahogany), Black Walnut, and White Ash. All of these work well. Choosing Sapele for the outer layers and grip will provide slightly more resistance to dents, but the difference is not dramatic.

sapele with ash inner plys

sapele with walnut inner plys

walnut with sapele inner plys

walnut with ash inner plys

Bow FAQ

Does the nylon hair use rosin?

Yes. I've had best results with Pop's Bass Rosin. One trade off of using nylon hair is that it doesn't hold on to rosin as well as horse hair, so sticky bass rosins will work much better than a hard violin rosin. Depending on your use, the humidity, and how much grab you're after, you may need to apply it more often.

Do I need to release the hair tension in between use?

The bows come in permanent high tension. Neither the wood nor the hair need to 'relax' between use the way a classical string bow does.

Can my bow be rehaired?

Yes, if needed you can return bows to me for rehairing. Because of the long life of the nylon, it's not very common. The large majority of bows never come back to me for new hair. You can likely expect at least several years before it would ever be needed.

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