How to Make a Hungarian Recurve Bow from Scratch

Recurve bows were originally designed to have the strength and power of a longbow but in a smaller package. They proved particularly useful for shooting from the back of a horse. Hungarian recurve bows were often made from yew as it was both strong and flexible. You can make your own Hungarian recurve bow with some time, patience and basic woodworking skills.

Things You'll Need

  • Piece of yew, 5 feet by 3 inches
  • Pencil
  • Rasp
  • File
  • Wooden board, 2-by-4 feet
  • Electric saw
  • Very large pot filled with water
  • Stove
  • Large clamps
  • File
  • Sandpaper
  • Nylon bow string
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place an "X" in the exact center of the yew board. Mark out 3 inches above and below this point. These 6 inches represent the grip area.

    • 2

      Use the rasp and file to shape your bow. You can use any technique you like as long as you arrive at the correct dimensions. Each bow limb should be 1/2 inch thick and 1/2 inch wide at the ends of the bow. The grip area should be 1 inch thick by 5/8 inch wide. There should be a gentle taper from the grip to the ends of the bow. Keep the limbs of the bow as equal as possible.

    • 3

      Cut a curve into the 2-by-4 foot board. This curve should stretch the entire length and width of the board and should be as equal as you can manage.

    • 4

      Place the pot of water on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Immerse one limb of the bow in the boiling water for three to four hours. The limb should emerge from the water pliable.

    • 5

      Clamp the pliable limb of the bow to the curve you cut into the wooden board. Make sure the limb is centered along the curve and that you've clamped it in the right spot. The limbs of the finished bow should curve from the grip away from you and then curve gently back toward you. If the limb is not in the correct position, change it before the wood begins to dry. Leave the bow clamped to the board for three to four days until the wood is dry.

    • 6

      Repeat Step 4 and Step 5 for the second limb of the bow. You should end up with something that looks like half of the number "8" but with a gentler curve.

    • 7

      Carve two notches, one into each end of the bow, with the file. These are the nocks of the bow and will secure the bow string in place.

    • 8

      Sand the bow smooth with sandpaper to prevent slivers.

    • 9

      String the bow. Secure one end of the bow string to one nock of the bow. Stretch the bow string to the second nock and thread it through. Pull the string taunt until the bow begins to curve. Depending on your preferred draw length and draw weight, you may want to pull the string tighter. Fiddle with the tension until you find something comfortable for you. When you find the right tension, tie off the bow string and your Hungarian recurve bow is ready for use.