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How to Make a Bow and Arrow. Want to play Robin Hood? Get in on the action with these
steps. You will need Saw Knife Tape measure Tree Scissors Thick nylon twine Knowledge
of knots 25" long 3/8" dowel rod Pencil sharpener Candle Matches
Heavy card stock paper Superglue Targets Sandpaper (optional) and thin straight branches (optional).
A bow and arrow is not a toy. Pointing it at someone could result in serious injury.
Step 1. Find a straight or slightly curved live branch about 4 or 5 feet long with a
1 to 1 ½-inch diameter. Choose wood that flexes without cracking. Use a saw or a knife
to cut the branch from a tree, then whittle off any smaller branches and knots. Step 2.
Make a horizontal, ½-inch deep groove an inch from both ends of the branch on the outside
of its natural curve. Then, carve out the wood between the grooves and the ends, forming
two notches. This is the stave, or wooden part of the bow. For a more finished look,
whittle the bark off the stave, sand it, and wrap twine tightly around the middle as a
grip. Step 3. Measure and cut a piece of twine about 6 inches shorter than the length of
the stave. Tie one end of the string securely around one end of the stave, on the notch.
Tie a slipknot on the other end of the twine, forming a loop. Step 4. If you're right-handed,
hold the string-free end of the stave in your right hand and the slipknot in your left.
Rest the other end of the stave against the outside of your left foot. Step over the stave
with your right foot. Reverse this position if you're left-handed. Step 5. Bend the end
of the stave towards the slipknot, using the leg that's in front of the stave as a fulcrum.
Slide the loop of the slipknot around the notch and gently release the stave, forming
your bow. Remove your leg from between the stave and the bowstring. Loosen the bowstring
whenever you're not using the bow to keep it from getting too loose. Step 6. Sharpen
one end of the dowel rod with a pencil sharpener. Light a candle and run the point through the
flame it until it turns black to harden the wood. Carve a small groove in the other end
of the rod for the string. Whittle small straight branches into arrows if you don't have dowel
rods. Step 7. Cut heavy card stock paper into three right triangles an inch wide and 2 inches
tall. Fasten them to the base of the arrow with superglue. Step 8. Now all that's left
to do is test out your DIY bow and arrow with a little target practice! Bull's-eye! Did
you know Bone arrowheads dating back to 61,000 years ago have been found in South Africa.