How to Make Yew Longbows

Few items from medieval history have captured the public's imagination quite like the English longbow. From its pivotal role in the Battle of Crecy to its status as Robin Hood's weapon of choice, the longbow plays a significant part in English history and folklore. With some basic tools and a rudimentary knowledge of woodworking, you can build a longbow that both aesthetically pleasing and effective.

Things You'll Need

  • Yew wood stave
  • Upholsterer's twine or similar heavy string
  • Band saw
  • Round file
  • Plane or wood rasp
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a stave of yew wood that corresponds to your physical abilities. An average man can comfortably handle a 50- to 58-inch bow with a draw weight of 40 to 60 pounds (approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide at the handle).

    • 2

      Square the edges of a wood stave with dimensions just slightly larger than the bow you wish to make.

    • 3

      Use a band saw to cut the wood into a rough approximation of the bow shape.

    • 4

      Use a plane or wood rasp to round off the underside of the bow stave.

    • 5

      Use a round file to create a nock (an indentation in the wood that holds the bowstring) an inch below each end of the bow stave.

    • 6

      Make a bowstring out of upholsterer's twine or similar material by making a small loop at each of the twine and wrapping a portion of string around the twine at the point where the arrow will meet the string.

    • 7

      String the bow by flexing the bow stave and slipping the looped ends of the twine into the nocks on the ends of the bow. The string should run approximately 1 1/2 hand width's distance from the handle portion of the bow.

    • 8

      Wrap the handle portion of your bow with either fabric or leather to give yourself a better gripping surface when shooting the bow.