Johannes Siegfried Finkel

Johannes Siegfried Finkel is a German born Swiss master bowmaker or bogenmacher.

Biography

Johannes Siegfried Finkel was born in Markneukirchen in 1947 to Siegfried Finkel and Hanna Weidhaas. In 1952, he and his family moved to Schwanden, Switzerland. Like his grandfather, Paul Weidhaas, Johannes learnt his craft from his father and expanded his knowledge through several years of travel abroad, working in London for J & A Beare in London from 1968-1970. Then decided to move and work in Los Angeles for Hans Weisshaar, and later William Moennig & Son in Philadelphia. Returned to Brienz in 1974, with new ideas on bow making and restoration as well as networking.
Upon his father’s retirement in 1984, Johannes took over the family business. He became one of the foremost bow makers of his generation. He retired in 2013. His daughter Daniela Finkel – a fifth-generation bow maker, is now carrying on the family tradition.

Quotes

“Johannes Finkel retired from the business twelve years ago. His incomparable craftsmanship has placed him among the world’s pre-eminent living makers, and his legacy lives on in the
number of bow makers he trained, including Markus Fischer, Johannes Melchior Lüthi, Daniel Ernst and his own daughter, Daniela Finkel – a fifth-generation bow maker.”
"Finkel Bow Workshop is unique in Switzerland and is one of the world’s most famous bow making companies."
"The Finkel name became synonymous with bows of exceptional balance, strength, and expressive nuance—used by soloists, teachers, and orchestral players alike. The Finkel workshop gained international recognition as one of the world’s foremost bow-making establishments."