How to Cut Fade-Outs on a Longbow Riser

The longbow, otherwise referred to as the "self-bow," is a primitive weapon design dating back hundreds of years. These straight-shaped bows were highly utilized by the English during medieval warfare. The bow riser is the rigid, middle section of the bow where the limbs are attached. A riser is generally cut to fade out toward the limbs. If you're making your own longbow, cutting the fade-outs on a longbow riser can be accomplished at home with little difficulty and appropriate tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Hardwood stock
  • Acetone
  • Table saw
  • Band saw
  • Sandpaper
  • 2-part epoxy
  • 10 spring tension clamps
  • Oven
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select the hardwood stock that you want to use for your riser. Such woods to consider are American maple, bloodwood, Bubinga, oak or hickory.

    • 2

      Cut the three wood pieces to 2 feet long by 2 inches wide each. Choose two woods to trim down to 1/2 inch thick using a table saw. Leave the last wood section 1 inch thick. Obtain 1/4-inch hardwood stock and cut three pieces to measure 2 feet long by 2 inches wide each. These will fit between the hardwoods.

    • 3

      Clean all the wood sections with acetone. This removes the oils from the wood surface and makes them easier to glue. Scuff the wood surface on both sides using medium-grit sandpaper to allow the glue to set easier.

    • 4

      Stack all the sections of wood in the following order: 1/4-inch stock, 1/2-inch stock, 1/4-inch stock, 1/2-inch stock, 1/4-inch stock and 1-inch stock. Un-stack the wood and apply a two-part wood epoxy to all the wood surfaces excluding the exterior surface of the top and bottom layers. Re-stack the wood in the specified order.

    • 5

      Clamp the wood together using 10 spring clamps. Place five on one side and five on the other side of the wood stack. This ensures that constant tension is kept on the wood.

    • 6

      Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the clamped wood into the oven and let it heat for 8 hours. Take the wood out carefully and allow it to cool for 3 to 4 hours.

    • 7

      Remove the spring clamps. Run the glued wood stack through a table saw on all four sides to square the wood stack and remove any excess glue. Just barely trim all four sides by 1/32-inch.

    • 8

      Lay the wood on its side so that you can see all the layers. Draw out the riser pattern on the wood. Riser patterns are all up to your discretion. Typically, the pattern is slightly curved from end to end on the 1-inch stock side, and cut to fade into a point toward the limbs on the opposite side.

    • 9

      Cut the pattern out using a band-saw. Sand down the fade-out sections using fine-grit sandpaper until smooth and both ends have a sharp, flat point.