S. Salchow viola bow, octagonal, Philadelphia, 2022, 70.4g | Metzler Violins

Steve Salchow began his journey through the wonderful world of bowmaking after graduating high school. He spent the next two summers working in his father’s iconic midtown Manhattan bow shop, learning rehairs and basic repairs. He then brought his new skills to college, where he rehaired bows in his spare time. It wasn’t long before he realized it was a far better way to earn a little spending money than washing dishes in the college cafeteria, not to mention much more fun than his studies, and so his interest was piqued. He joined his father’s business in 1995, working full-time, learning the art of French bowmaking and expert repairing. In 2013, he left New York City for Philadelphia and worked in the shop of Frederick W. Oster Fine Violins. In 2020, he established his own studio in his home in northwest Philadelphia, where he maintains the family tradition. In 2025, he celebrated his 30th year of bowmaking.