How to Make a Longbow Out of Walnut

Bows and arrows have been around for centuries, used mainly for recreation or hunting purposes. There are plenty of manufacturers that you can purchase a longbow from but it doesn't carry the feeling of satisfaction like making your own. The first longbow or two you make may not go as swiftly and smoothly as you want, but with patience you can finish the project and perfect the details.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil, pen or marker
  • Sharp knife or rasp
  • Course grit sandpaper
  • Rawhide, hemp or fishing line
  • Leather wrap
  • Glue
  • Polyurethane or shellac
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Instructions

    • 1

      Raise up your arm in front of your body. Measure from middle finger tip to armpit. Don't overstretch the arm while doing this measurement. Divide that measurement by 2 ½ to get your draw length in inches.

    • 2

      Obtain a piece of walnut wood that is 2 inches or more in width and the length should be as tall as your height. This should be dried wood for best results.

    • 3

      Measure 8 inches from each end and mark at that point. Find the mid point of the wood and mark at that point. Measure 2 inches on each side of the middle mark and mark there as well.

    • 4

      Whittle the wood down with a sharp knife or rasp. Start at the marks that you made 8 inches from the end and taper from that point to the end. At the ends it should taper to about a half inch in diameter. Whittle down the mid section until it is smooth and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Whittle the four inch hand grip area in the middle down until its about 1 inch in diameter. Whittle from the edges of the hand grip out to make a smooth transition.

    • 5

      Decide on the belly of your bow. Take small slices of wood from this side of the wood between the handle fade toward the end, with a knife or rasp. Stop an inch or two from the ends. Taking a bit off makes it more flexible when you are ready to string the bow. This process is called tillering.

    • 6

      Run course grit sandpaper along the length of the bow to even out rough spots and jagged sections.

    • 7

      Make a cut shaped like a half moon 1 to 2 inches from each end on the opposite side that you tillered. Attach rawhide, hemp or fishing line as the bowstring to one of the ends on the half moon cut. Wrap it around in a overlapping manner and tie it off.

    • 8

      Place the end with the bowstring on it on the ground. Slowly bend the bow to bring the bowstring toward the other end. Wrap the string around the end a few times and test how far back you can pull the string. You want to be able to pull it back the same distance as the draw length you originally measured. Readjust as necessary and tie it off when you have reached that length.

    • 9

      Wrap the handle with leather wrap. Glue the end in place or tie it and cut the excess off.

    • 10

      Apply a layer of polyurethane or shellac to seal, protect and finish the wood.