How to Make an Archery Bowstring

A great project to do with your kids is to make your own archery bow. This type of project will spark their creativity and enable them to learn how to use basic tools to shape and craft their own bow. The most important part of the bow is the bowstring. You and your kids can make archery bow strings at home with bowstring fiber.

Things You'll Need

• Bowstring fiber

Instructions

1. Determine how long and how thick your bowstring needs to be. Most bowstrings are made up of about 10-12 fibers depending on how many pounds of draw back your bow has. The average is about 50 pounds of drawback, but for every 10-12 pounds over 50 add two more fibers to your string.

2. Divide all 12 fibers into two groups, with each group containing six fibers. Pinch the two fiber groups together at one end about two inches from the end of the fibers.

3. Braid the right group of fibers. Twist the pieces together clockwise. Braid the group of fibers on the left the same exact way.

4. Braid the two groups into a cord. Twist both braided groups together in a clockwise fashion, just like you did when you braided the two groups separately.

5. Take the leftover two inches of string fiber that you have not braided and tie both ends of the bowstring in a loop. These loops will fit down into the notches that are in the ends of the bow.

Resources

• Martin Archery Bows
• TailorMade Bowstrings
• Pro String Bowstrings