How to Make a Laminated Longbow

Longbows are powerful weapons that have been used in many cultures around the world. The first longbows were simply long pieces of flexible wood and a string. However, a solid piece of wood is difficult to bend and not crack. Ancient longbows required a great deal of strength to fire with any accuracy. Gluing thin layers of wood together to create a single bow can create a weapon with the strength of a longbow but with greater flexibility. You can make your own laminated longbow at home with a little patience and a lot of glue.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/8 by 2 by 72 inch wood slats
  • Wood glue
  • Clamps
  • Rag
  • Sandpaper
  • Sharp knife
  • Varnish
  • Leather strap
  • Nylon bow string
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your first piece of wood on a steady surface. Apply a liberal amount of glue to the wood and place a second piece on top. Continue this process until your "sandwich" of wood is approximately two inches high. Do not exceed two inches in height or you will have to sand the bow more than is practical.

    • 2

      Clamp the thin slats together, ensuring they are lined up as well as you can manage. Don't worry if they are slightly uneven. You will be sanding the bow and that will even the slats out in the end. Wipe away any glue that leaks out from between the boards. Leave the bow clamped for one week to allow the glue to dry.

    • 3

      Remove the clamps and sand the bow smooth. Round the square edges of the bow so you can grip it comfortably in your hand.

    • 4

      Use a carving knife to cave a one-inch notch into each end of the bow. The notches should run perpendicular to the thin slats. These notches will be the nocks of the bow and will secure the bow string.

    • 5

      Varnish the bow with the vanish of your choice. Follow the manufacturer's directions to determine how many coats you should apply and how long these coats should dry.

    • 6

      Determine where you want the grip of your bow to be. This is mostly based on personal comfort, so handle the bow before making this decision. Apply a liberal amount of glue to the location of the grip and wrap the leather strap around the bow in this spot. Trim the leather to size with the knife if necessary. Allow the glue to dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

    • 7

      Tie the nylon bow string to one nock. Make sure it is secure enough to withstand the pressure and weight that will be placed upon it when the bow is in use.

    • 8

      Bend the bow slightly, making sure that a solid slat forms the belly of the bow tat faces toward you.Secure the bow string to the second nock, pulling it tight to keep a slight bend in the bow. If necessary, trim the bow string to size. You may have to fiddle and experiment a bit to get the right tension. When the bow string is secure, your bow is ready to use.