Make a reproduction of a bow and arrow like the one in this photo.
Archery or the skill of shooting arrows from a bow is an age old activity that was once often used for hunting and warfare. Though ready made bows and arrows are available for sale, bows and arrow can be made by hand with common tools. Learn to make bows and arrows to gain an appreciation for archery.
Instructions
Arrow
1. Collect branches or buy dowels at a local hardware store. A branch or limb should have a length of about 18 inches and a diameter between 1/4 and 3/8 inch.
2. Cut off the small twigs from each limb and peel off the bark. This must be done carefully to avoid splitting the wood. Let the wood dry for a couple of days. Smooth out the surface of the arrow shaft with sandpaper.
3. Clasp the bent portions of the arrow shaft over an open fire. Put on gloves to protect against the heat while slowly straightening the shaft. Continue to hold the wood in the straightened position as it cools. The wood should remain unbent after it has cooled.
4. Slice a 1/8-inch notch carefully into the shaft's base. Cutting too deep may split the wood. The small notch allows arrows to rest securely against the bowstring in the shooting position.
5. Cut thin steel into an arrow about 1 1/2 inch in length. Carve a notch into front end of the shaft and place the arrowhead into the notch. Tie twine around the upper part of the shaft and the arrowhead.
6. Divide feathers in half by cutting down the seam. Clip the halves to four or five inches in height. Shave the sides of the feathers down to about 1/2 inch. Glue three feathers equally around the arrow shaft. Further secure the feathers to the wood by tying a cord around the shaft.
Bow
7. Search for a straight tree limb that is flexible and straight. The limb should be about 3 to 5 feet in length and about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. .
8. Sever the wood to remove the bark and twigs. The newly formed bow staff is ready to be carved.
9. Hold the bow staff at the center. The center should be about six inches long. Carve down the ends of the bow to about 1/4 inch wide. The handgrip area should be about 3/4 inch to 1 inch wide. The thinner bow ends should smoothly transition to the wider handgrip.
10. Carve a shallow notch at the top of the bow staff and another at the bottom. The notch should encircle each end.
11. Measure out six to eight inches of heavy fishing line or hemp twine for the bowstring. Tightly loop the bowstring securely around one of the ends. Carefully bend the bow until the other loop fits over into the notch at the opposite end of the bow.
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