Archery Bow Making

Archery is considered to be a sport, art and a practice of propelling arrows by using a bow. It started as a hunting and combat skill, but today is predominantly a recreational sport and a traditional art. Bow and arrow are both referred to as weapons, and are the basis of archery as a discipline. A bow is basically just a form of a spring that uses elasticity and energy stored in its limbs to propel the arrow as far and precise as possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood
  • Power saw
  • Chisel
  • Sandpaper
  • Leather strip
  • Utility knife
  • Bow string
  • Wax
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the wood with a power saw so one side is cut straight and flat. This side will eventually form the convex, back side of the bow. Be very careful when cutting the wood. Try to do it in one slow and long motion, so you do not damage the material in any way.

    • 2

      Cut the opposite side of the wood, which will eventually be the concave side of the bow. Make the cut rounded, shaping roughly into the arc you want to achieve. Note that the ends of an archery bow need to be thinner than the middle, also known as the apex of the curve. Make sure the middle is around 1-inch thick and the ends are about ¾ inches each.

    • 3

      Use a chisel or a similar tool to carve the exact shape you want. This step is left entirely to your imagination and creativity. Form the final shape of the archery bow using sandpaper.

    • 4

      Add a handle grip in the middle of the archery bow curve. Carve the handle from the wood itself to form a shape you want. You can later wrap a leather strip around the handle to improve the grip and the overall beauty of the bow. Make sure the handle grip feels comfortable and supports the arrow properly prior to shooting.

    • 5

      Create the arrow ledge on the handle grip. Use a utility knife or another knife with a strong blade capable of wood carving, to cut the top part of the grip. Make sure to cut on the side where the arrow will eventually be placed. Check how the arrow will sit on the ledge.

    • 6

      Make two notches on both ends of the archery bow. Use a utility knife and cut the notches 1 to 1½ inches from the tip of the bow.

    • 7

      Add a bow string to your homemade archery bow. Either purchase a readymade bow string or make your own by twisting long cotton or linen threads. You also can use a thin nylon cord, rawhide, hemp or vine sinews. Make sure to twist the threads firmly, so the final result resembles a strong and smooth cord. This is achieved by waxing the string before installing it into the bow. Once the string is ready, place it so the ends are tied around the notches and rest in them firmly and securely.

    • 8

      Check how your archery bow is functioning by shooting an arrow into a target. Be sure no one is around in the direction you are pointing. Remember that archery bows can propel arrows across great distances, so always make sure to shoot a specific target. That way you will not only practice archery in a safe and responsible manner, you will always keep your arrows.