How to Make a Recurve Bow

The recurve bow is known for the elegant curve at each ends of the bow. The recurve effect gives the bow more power to propel arrows further. Making a recurve bow is an art that takes patience.

Things You'll Need

• 5 ½-foot long by 3-inch wide board Coarse wood rasp Smoother Mill file Pencil Hand saw Large pot Stove 2-foot by 4-foot board Heavy duty clamps

Instructions

1. Mark a line in the center of the board. Measure 3 inches on either side of the center line for your hand to grip. If your hands are larger, adjust the measurements accordingly.

2. Use your coarse rasp to gradually re-shape the wood above and below the gripping area.

3. File the thickness of the bow until it measures 5/8-inch at the gripping area, and 3/8-inch at the stave.

4. File the width of the bow to 2 ½-inches at the gripping area, and ½-inch at the stave. Make sure the both ends are even.

5. Use your smaller hand file to smooth and even out the bow.

6. File the gripping area until it fits your hand.

7. Cut a curve into the 2 by 4-foot board. Make sure the curve is as even as possible.

8. Boil a pot of water large enough to immerse up to 10-inches of your bow's limbs. Immerse one end in the water for three hours. You can immerse it one hour longer if necessary.

9. Take the limb out of the water and clamp it to the curved board. Make sure the clamps are secure. Repeat the process for the other end of the bow.

10. Cut notches on the sides of the top and bottom of the bow at least 2-inches from tip. These notches will hold your string in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Ash, Dogwood and Beau d'arc woods are commonly used for making bows. Seal the bow to waterproof it after you have tested it. You can make the overall length of the bow shorter, creating a Recurve Short Bow.

• Bows can sometimes break due to imperfections in the wood that are difficult to identify in advance.