How to Make a Composite Longbow

Many hobbyists enjoy making longbows, because they're a great alternative to standard-sized bows. They're approximately the size of a full grown person. You can make your longbow out of common items like wood and string. The body of the bow, itself, can be bought from a supplier. However, if you'd like an extra challenge, you can make your own bow out of a board.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• 6x1x2 inch ash, oak or lemon wood board
• Pencil
• Wood glue
• String
• 2x4 inch board
• Ruler
• Hammer
• Nails
• Wood cutting tools

1. Draw the shape of the bow onto your longer board two times with a pencil. The bow should be the same height as you, narrow and tapered.
2. Cut two pieces of wood out of the board in the shape of a bow.
3. Glue your boards together. Shape them together and tie them in several places with a string so they don't separate while drying.
4. Make a 3-foot long tillering board out of a 2x4 inch board. To make the tillering board, cut a 1-inch notch in one end of the 2x4 inch board. Mark 1-inch intervals with a pencil from the opposite end of the board to the half way point. Hammer nails into the board at each marked interval.
5. Place the center of the longbow into the notch on the tillering board. Tie a long string from one end of the longbow to the other. Hook the string over the nail at the bottom of the board.
6. Pull the ends of the string tightly enough to begin tapering the ends of the longbow. Shave a small amount of wood from the belly of the bow to make it taper more easily. Continue moving the string to higher notches on the board, tightening the strings and shaving off small amounts of wood from the bellow of the bow.
7. Cut 1/8-inch slits, angled down, at the top and bottom ends of the bow.
8. Tie a bowstring to both ends of the bow in the area where you cut the slits. Tighten the bowstring enough that it can be used to shoot arrows.

Tips & Warnings

• The grain of your wood should run straight down your board.