Crafting A Maple Recurve Bow

Making a maple recurve bow is a rewarding but challenging process that requires patience, time, and energy. It involves shaping a wooden stave, typically made from strong and flexible wood like maple, into the desired bow form. The stave is then attached to a bowstring, and the bow is tillered to achieve the desired draw weight and balance. This traditional craft takes practice and skill to master, but the result is a functional and beautiful bow tailored to your preferences.

Choosing the right wood

Type of Maple

Not all maple wood is created equal. For bow-making, the best types of maple are rock maple, sugar maple, and vine maple. Rock and sugar maple are known for their good quality, while vine maple tends to lean over as it grows, so the stave must be taken from the top or bottom to avoid twisting.

Wood Quality

When selecting maple wood for your bow, look for straight-grained wood that is clear of defects. Inspect the outer bark for any twists, broken branches, or other visible signs of trouble. The wood should also be properly dried to prevent cracking and other issues.

Flexibility and Snap

Maple is a hardwood, which means it has a good "snap" to it. Hardwoods store potential energy when flexed, releasing more force when the arrow is shot. This flexibility is essential for creating the recurve shape of your bow.

Durability

Maple is known for its durability, making it a popular choice for recurve bows. It has the ideal flex snappiness needed for a bow that can last a long time with proper care.

Laminated vs. Self Bow

Consider whether you want to make a laminated bow or a self bow. Maple is commonly used in laminated bows, where it is combined with other materials like fiberglass to enhance its performance. If you're making a self bow, you'll need to choose a type of maple with the right flexibility and strength for the entire structure.

Local Availability

Depending on your location, certain types of maple may be more readily available than others. It's important to choose a wood that is accessible and affordable for you. You can source maple wood from local hardwood lumberyards or, if you have the skills and permission, cut down a suitable maple tree yourself.

Remember, bow-making is a craft that requires time, patience, and a good understanding of the materials you're working with. Taking the time to choose the right wood for your maple recurve bow will pay off in the long run, ensuring your bow performs well and lasts for years to come.

Preparing the bow

Selecting the Wood

Choose a straight tree or branch with no branches, ensuring it is still alive and strong enough to withstand the stresses of being used as a bow. The ideal diameter for the tree is between 15 and 20 centimetres. If you are using a branch, ensure it is at least 20 centimetres in diameter.

Cutting the Wood

Once you have selected your wood, cut it down to the desired length for your bow. A standard size for a recurve bow is between 1.6 and 2 meters. Mark the centre point of the wood, which will be the handle of your bow.

Trimming the Wood

Starting about 4 inches from the centre point in each direction, use a sharp knife to remove the bark on one side of the bow. Continue trimming the wood on this side until the diameter is halved. This will give you an 8-inch handle and a stronger point for the bow to bend.

Smoothing the Wood

Use sandpaper to smooth down the trimmed side of the wood. The flatter and smoother the surface is, the stronger your bow will be. Remove any bumps and imperfections until you have a straight, even surface.

Bending the Wood

Carefully work a bend into the wood by hand, ensuring you do not force too much bend too quickly, as this will cause the wood to break. You can also rig the wood to bend itself by placing the centre of the bow on a corner and hanging weights from each end. Gradually increase the weight to help the wood get used to bending without breaking.

Marking the Notches

Using a tape measure, mark the wood 1/2 inch down from each side. Make a notch 1/2 inch away from each end, covering the entire circumference of the bow. Ensure the notches are wide and deep enough to accommodate the thickness of your chosen string.

Stringing the Bow

Stringing the bow can be tricky. Tie a knot in your string and place it in the notch at one end of the bow. Tie another knot near the other end, creating a loop that is about 3 inches short of the notch. Stretch the rope and slide the loop over the other end of the bow and into the notch. Your bow is now ready for use!

Shaping the bow

Firstly, use a pen or pencil to mark out the design of the bow on the stave. This includes the handle, riser, and limbs. When marking the limbs, draw them as flat and straight, as they will be bent into shape later. The handle should be in the middle of the bow, taking up around 8 inches. Also, mark where you want the bowstring nocks to be.

Cutting Out the Shape:

Using a hatchet, bandsaw, or jigsaw, cut out the shape of the bow while retaining the desired overall length. The handle thickness should be around 1 1/2 inches.

Identifying the Belly and Back of the Bow Stave:

To identify the belly and back of the bow stave, stand the stave upright and hold the upper limb while planting the tip of the lower limb on the ground. Gently bend the bow to test its flexibility.

Trimming the Limbs:

Clamp the handle area of the bow in a strong vice. Then, use tools like a drawknife, files, sandpaper, or a plane to trim the limbs to the desired thickness. Shave the wood away from the belly of the bow, not the back. Aim for a thickness of about 5/8 of an inch.

Bending the Limbs:

The limbs of a recurve bow initially curve away from the handle and then back out towards the tip. Use a bow shaping frame to secure the bow with clamps while gradually bending it into shape. Tie the stave as well for added security. Ensure precise measurements so that both limbs are bent at the same angles and points on either side of the handle. Leave the bow fixed and tied in the shaping frame overnight to allow the wood to settle.

Stringing the bow

Now that you've shaped your maple recurve bow, it's time to string it. This process involves cutting notches for the string, tillering the bow, and finally attaching the bowstring.

Cutting Notches

Start by cutting notches at the top and bottom of the limbs. These notches will hold the bowstring in place. It's best to use a long, cylindrical file for this step, but a knife and a flat, narrow file can also be used. Cut the notches on the inside of the bow to protect the integrity of the outside wood.

Tiller the Bow

Tiller the bow to give it its draw. Place a tillering string on the bow, with the string being about twice as long as the intended bowstring. Tie a loop in each end of the string and attach it to the notches on the limbs. Parachute cord works well as a tillering string.

Place the Bow on a Tillering Stick

Place the bow on a tillering stick and pull the tillering string to one of the notches closer to the top of the stick. Slowly and gradually pull the bow further, taking note of how the bow is bending. The tillering process takes time and should be done gradually. If you hear any noise coming from the bow, stop and use a large file to shape the limbs further.

Attach the Bowstring

Once the bow has reached an acceptable draw, remove it from the tillering stick and take off the tillering string. Attach your chosen bowstring by looping both ends around the notches. Nylon is a popular choice for bowstrings.

Finishing touches

Once you've completed the tillering process, you can add the finishing touches to your bow. Smooth the wood, especially around the handle, with sandpaper to prevent splinters and ensure a comfortable grip. You can then stain the bow or add a protective layer such as varnish to guard against moisture and other potential issues. Your bow is now ready for the bowstring to be attached.

Nylon is a very popular choice for the bowstring. However, other options include parachute cord or any other thick type of string. Once the bowstring is attached, your bow is complete and ready to fire!

Remember, making a recurve bow is a complex and time-consuming process, and it may take several attempts to perfect your technique. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't yield the desired results. Practice makes perfect!

Frequently asked questions