subject: How To Make A Bow And Arrow [print this page] At some stage in growing up every child hears the tale about Robin Hood or William Tell and becomes enthralled with having a bow and arrow. Lately there are toy bow and arrows accessible including arrows that have suction cups as tips and stick to glass or other smooth surfaces but don't do any damage.
Still real bows and arrows may do serious injury and may be employed in survival conditions to catch food or keep away hazards. There are also people that use a bow and arrow for close quarters hunting. So provided you are interested in making a bow and arrow for fun uses or you find yourself in a circumstance where you must have some kind of weapon to survive, here are a couple notes to help you make a bow and arrow for yourself.
Required Tools
Sharp knife
Sandpaper (optional)
Glue
Required Materials
Hardwood stick 5-6 ft tall, 1 inch in diameter
Dry stick 2-3 feet in length, half inch in diameter
Hemp string
Feathers/plastic/cardboard
Flint or other arrowhead material
Instructions
The hardwood stick will be your bow; you want it to be as straight as possible and free of knots and limbs and slightly bendable without breaking. If one part of the stick is thicker than one, shave it down with a sharp knife to be matching with the thinner side.
Utilize the knife to cut a notch in either end of the bow approximately 1-2 inches away from the ends to affix the bow string in place. The notches must be on the outside of the bow and be in a half circle shape.
The dry stick shall be your arrow; shave it down in the same order that you did the bow and shave it to make it as straight as possible. You can use sandpaper to sand the arrows if you wish to make them extra aerodynamic but this is not a need. Next cut a small notch in the rear of the arrow for the bow string to sit in when you are shooting it.
Your arrowhead may be created from bone, glass, metal, flint or tiny parts of rock, whichever is more convenient for you. Use string to affix the arrow head to the shaft of the arrow, making sure the head is not so weighted that it drags down the arrow during flight. Glue feathers, triangular pieces of plastic or cardboard to the end of the arrow with the notch in it. Use 3 pieces and space them evenly around the arrow for balance and precision while the arrow is in the air.
For your bow string you can use hemp string if you have access to it but in a survival condition where you most likely don't have access to hemp string you may use plant fiber, velvet leaf, dogbane or nettle to make your string. The string ought to be around three quarter the length of the bow. Tie loops in both end of the string and fix the loops into the notches that were cut in the bow. This may require a bit of exertion however, keep trying until you get it.
Shooting a bow and arrow does take a bit of practice as such now that your bow and arrow are finished begin practicing until you master the technique.
Tips and Warnings
Dry wood will create for a better bow and arrow than green wood.
When whittling, always whittle away at the side of the stick that will be facing you, otherwise the bow will break at the initial pull of the bow.
You can straighten the arrow stick and firm the shaft by holding it over hot coals but be wary not to singe or burn it.
