How to Make a Pyramid Bow

People have made bows for thousands of years. Being able to shoot an enemy or potential dinner from far away has been advantageous since humans first began to make tools. When creating your own bow, there are a lot of options to consider. You can create a bow from several different planks of thin wood or even soft metal. However, one of the cheapest and least time-consuming bows to make is a pyramid bow from a single sapling.

Things You'll Need

• Sapling
• Hacksaw
• Wood carving knife
• Leather strap
• String
• 100-grit sandpaper
• Bow string

Instructions

1. 

   Cut the wood for the pyramid bow by cutting down a small sapling tree. Make sure the sapling is only about 2 inches in diameter where you will place your hand to hold the bow. Cut the tree down and remove all the branches using a hacksaw. Set the sapling wood aside for two days to dry off any excess moisture from the tree.

2. 

   Split the shaft in half lengthwise using the hacksaw. Shape the pyramid bow using a large wood carving knife. Drag the blade from the middle of the shaft of wood to the top and bottom with long strokes. Do this repeatedly until the shaft of wood is around 1 inch thick. Wrap the top and bottom in string and tie the shaft to a straight piece of metal, such as the side of a ladder or a pipe, and leave the shaft to dry for at least two weeks.

3. 

   Unwrap the ends of the shaft and untie the bow. Shape the ends of the bow by dragging the knife from 8 inches before the end and increasing pressure to create a triangle or pyramid-shaped tip. You will need to whittle the wood down several times to create the exact shape. Carve two notches on the left and right side of the tip to create the notches for the bow string.

4. 

   Carve the handle of the bow in the middle of the shaft. Do this by rounding the sections above and below where your hand will rest with the carving knife. Sand the handle using 100-grit sandpaper. Wrap the handle with a leather strap to increase the grip of the bow.

5. 

   String the bow using a string made of sinew, with a loop on each end. You can find natural bow strings at any archery or sporting goods store. Bend the bow and hook the loops on the notches.

Tips & Warnings

• Pick a sapling that comes up to your nose to make sure the bow has the proper height.

• Always wear protective goggles and gloves when carving the wood.

References

• Flachbogen.de: Pyramid Bow
• Primitiveways.com: Make a Bow from a Sapling

Resources

• The Hunting Society: Information on Bows and Archery