Joe Dabill - Instructor in Primitive Technology

Joe Dabill is a nationally recognized master craftsman specializing in bow making, flint knapping, friction fire production, brain tanning hides and other ancient technologies that have been used by earth peoples for millennia as the cornerstone of survival.  Reading “Ishi in Two worlds” by Theodora Kroeber first inspired Joe to learn the techniques used by one of the last Native Americans who lived close to the “old” ways.  In the mid 1960’s an archaeologist taught him to flint knapp and Joe began to learn to replicate Ishi’s toolkit and especially Ishi projectile points.  Joe honed his skills by years of practice and by living on the land in the wilds.  He researched the material culture of many California Indian tribes, especially the Chumash of southern California, but also many other groups across North America.   Over time he learned to replicate their tools with a mastery that far exceeds the mere practicality of the item.

Using materials collected from the wild places across North America, Joe creates stunning works of art that are exquisitely beautiful and fully functional tools. Several museums have Joe’s work on display, and tribes have hired him to teach their children.  His specialty is beautiful bows comparable in terms of speed, strength, and accuracy to “modern” bows.  Joe has been acclaimed as a master of the craft, and has published articles in The Journal of Primitive Technology.

Joe loves to pass along his skills to others. Potential students can contact Joe directly for private or group classes, or can sign up for a class with the below organizations where Joe is regularly scheduled as an instructor:

• Camp Ocean Pines - Cambria, CA   805-927-0254
• Headwaters Outdoor School - Santa Cruz, CA   831-423-3830
• Rabbit Stick Rendezvous – Rexburg, ID 208-359-2400
• Winter Count – Maricopa, AZ   208-359-2400
• Miwok Archeological Preserve of Marin – Marin, CA   415-479-3281
• Coyote Road – Atascadero, CA   805-432-3288

Joe teaches primitive living skills throughout the western United States.  The skills he teaches include:

• Bow and arrow construction
• Flint knapping projectile points (arrowheads) and other lithic tools
• Brain tanning animal hides
• Fire making by hand drill
• Cordage making
• Indian games, musical instruments, and decorative beads

Camp Ocean Pines makes Joes work available for sale here.

• Bows - $100-$750
• Arrows - $50
• Projectile points - $25
• Chert or Obsidian Knife - $50
• Hand drill and shell for bead making - $35
• Fire kit (hand drill, fire board, tinder bundle) - $25