How to Make a Mongolian Bow

Bow have been used as weapons around the world for thousands of years. In Mongolia, bows were often fired from the back of a horse, so their design is simple, lightweight and easy to transport. You can make your own Mongolian bow with a little time, patience and some basic woodworking ability.

Things You'll Need

  • Pine sapling
  • Sharp knife
  • Electric saw
  • Pencil
  • Vice
  • File
  • Sandpaper
  • Leather straps
  • Varnish
  • Paintbrush
  • Leather grip
  • Wood glue
  • Nylon bow string
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Instructions

    • 1

      Search for a pine sapling, approximately 2 inches wide and free of knots or branches. Trim the sapling to no longer than 4 feet, using a knife. Remove the bark from the sapling and allow the wood to dry overnight.

    • 2

      Draw a straight line down the sapling with a pencil. This is the belly of the bow.Secure the sapling in a vice with the line facing up. Double-check the line is straight. Redraw it if necessary.

    • 3

      Carve out the belly of the bow. Consider your own comfort when doing so, if you will be the one using the bow. The grip should be the widest part of the bow. The bow should taper from 2 inches at the grip to ½-inch at the ends. The very ends of the bow should not be thinner than this, or they may snap when the bow is strung. Carve out only the belly of the bow. Do not touch the sides or back of the bow.

    • 4

      Remove the bow from the vice and sand smooth to reduce the risk of slivers.

    • 5

      Use leather straps to fasten the bow, belly-side up, to a bench or other firm, flat surface. Secure the bow so it lies as straight and flat as possible, and leave it in the sun for three to five days for it to gain the necessary flexibility.

    • 6

      Unfasten the bow and carve two notches, one in each end of the bow. These notches hold the bow string, and should be 1 inch deep.

    • 7

      Using a quality paintbrush to avoid brush strokes, varnish the entire bow. Follow the manufacturer's directions to determine the number of coats required, and an appropriate drying time. Do not proceed until the varnish is completely dry.

    • 8

      Wrap the leather grip around the bow's grip area and trim to size using a knife, if necessary. Remove the grip and apply wood glue liberally to the area. Position the grip so it is comfortable to handle when the bow is finished, and allow the glue to dry. Drying time can be determined by consulting the manufacturer's directions for the glue you chose.

    • 9

      Secure one end of the nylon bow string to one nock. Bend the bow slightly and tie the other end of the bow string to the second nock, pulling the string taunt to maintain adequate tension. The exact tension should be adjusted to suit you and your needs. Once all adjustments are made, your Mongolian bow is ready for use.