Herbert Wanka is one of the best known and respected of today’s Germen bow makers. He began his training in 1952 when German violin and bow makers, mostly refugees from Czechoslovakia, were first establishing their workshops in Bubenreuth. He then worked for several years with Gotthard Schuster before opening his own shop in 1971. He was later joined by his son Christian. Although his work still shows some of the qualities of Schuster’s work, his bows have his own personal style.