How To Make A Recurve Bow In 5 Easy Steps

Making a recurve bow is neither easy nor quick. But, if you have excellent woodworking skills and the right tools, crafting your bow can be a unique experience.    

Although there are several ways to make a recurve bow at home, in this blog, I will share a process that I find relatively easy and straightforward. I will also share some dos and don’ts that I have learned from my bow-making experience.    

Before we begin, let’s look at some of the tools and supplies you will need. 

Things you need to make a recurve bow

Here are a few things you may need apart from patience and skills:).   

Once you have arranged these supplies, the first thing you need to do is decide the size of the recurve that will best suit you.  

Step 1 – Decide the size of your bow.

The best size for recurving your bow is 2–3 times your draw length, which is the distance you pull the string back from its neutral position when shooting. 

Here are three simple steps to measure your draw length. 

• Stand upright with your arms extended to your sides at shoulder level. 
• Ask someone to measure the distance between the fingertips of your hands. 
• Use the formula draw length = wingspan ÷ 2.5 

If you don’t have anyone to measure your wingspan, you can calculate your draw length by using your height and wall measurement with our draw length calculator.  

Once you know your draw length, you can use this reference table to determine your ideal bow size. 

Please note – These are just recommended sizes. Your ideal size may vary, so make sure you try a few sizes and find one that helps you maintain good form while shooting. You should neither have to hunch nor overstretch your back.   

Now that you know your bow size, it’s time to start building! Let’s begin by shaping the bow. 

Step 2 – Cut out the bow shape from the stave.

This is probably the most challenging part of making a recurve bow. You have to shape and shave the wooden stave carefully, ensuring the measurements are slightly bigger than your bow’s expected dimension. We will remove the excess while sanding.  

Standard dimensions of a recurve bow 

Before you start drawing your bow, make a note of the following dimensions.  

Now, let’s start shaping. 

Step-by-step instructions for cutting your recurve bow 

1. Draw the bow on the wooden stave using a pencil, pen, or marker. Draw the limbs straight; we will bend them later.  
2. Use a jigsaw or bandsaw to cut out the shape. 
3. Clamp the bow around the handle area and shave the limbs to their desired thickness. 
4. Carve out the notches for the bowstring. 

Now, as I said above, the thickness of the limb depends on the draw weight you prefer. Let’s learn more about it.  

Calculate your draw weight and shape the limbs accordingly 

Draw weight is the amount of force you apply to pull the sting to the full draw position. 

Use our draw weight calculator to determine the draw weight that is best for you, depending on your age, experience, and fitness level.  

Typically, the limbs of the recurve bow are 5/8″ thick, but you can customize yours based on the table below.  

Once you have figured out the thickness, shave the wood from the belly of the bow toward the tip of the limbs.    

Step 3 – Bend the limbs to make a recurve bow

You can either bend it manually or use a bow shaper for convenience and accuracy. 

Let’s see how both methods work. 

Shape the limbs manually 

1. Moisten the limbs slightly. 
2. Mark the area of the limbs you want to bend, which is typically 30-50% of the limb length. 
3. Heat the area of the limbs that you want to curve using a heat gun. 
4. When the wood is hot and soft, gently bend it with your hands. Wear protective gloves. 
5. Use clamps to hold the limbs in their bent position while cooling.  

Shape the limbs using a bow-shaping frame

The process is almost the same as above, but the shaping frame can make things easier and safer. Just heat the limbs and bend them along the curvature of the shaper. 

It has several clamps to keep the stave in place and the limbs in their bent position.

Three benefits of using a bow-shaping frame 

1. You don’t have to risk touching a hot wood. 
2. The shaping frame helps shape both limbs uniformly, eliminating guesswork and redo’s.   
3. It allows controlled bending, so chances of breaking or cracking the limbs are minimal.  

Your bow is almost ready. Let’s check if it is working evenly.    

Step 4- Tiller the bow. 

Bow tillering is the process of adjusting the flex of the limbs to ensure that they bend evenly when pulled for a full draw.

Here are six steps to tiller your bow.

1. Hook a long cord or string to the bowstring notches. 
2. Clamp the riser on the top of the tillering stick. 
3. Pull the string down gently and see if the limbs are bending uniformly. If one limb is bending more than the other, carve the stiff limb until the bent is even.
4. When the limbs start to bend evenly, secure the string to one of the tillering sticks’ notches and leave it for a few days. 
5. Secure the string to a lower notch and leave it for a few days. 
6. Repeat the process until your bow is bent at your ideal draw length.     

Tillering is a slow process. It could take months to make your bow flexible enough to shoot without breaking. 

Step 5 – Give final touches 

This is fairly easy but important. Use sandpaper to smoothen the wood throughout the bow, especially around the handle, to remove roughness and splinters.  

That’s it! 

You may apply varnish or any protective coating to moisture-proof your bow. 

Great job! Your recurve bow is ready for use. 

Once you have successfully made this basic recurve bow using one stave, you might want to try something even more challenging, such as making a traditional composite Mongolian bow.  

Before you go, make sure you avoid making these common mistakes.

3 mistakes to avoid while making a recurve bow 

As I said above, making a recurve is tricky and time-consuming. You might feel tempted to rush through the process or ignore the basics, ending up with a bow that either doesn’t last or doesn’t work. 

Let’s look at the common mistakes people often make. 

Ignoring draw length and draw weight  

The draw length and draw weight vary from person to person depending on their age, height, wingspan, and physical strength. They decide the length of the bow and the thickness of the limbs. 

Here are the four things that happen when you do not shape the bow according to your desired specifications. 

• The bow will give inconsistent shots.
• The bow will not work efficiently, meaning the energy you apply for drawing the string may not get fully transfered to the arrow. So, your arrow may not travel as fast and as far as it should have. 
• Inappropriate dimensions can put additional stress on the bow, making it prone to damage. 
• You won’t be able to use the bow comfortably. You may have to hunch or hyperextend your back, which could cause injury.   

Rushing through the tillering process

I know I said this earlier, but it is worth reminding again. Tillering requires time and patience. Its goal is to make the limbs flexible enough to shoot without breaking. 

If you rush through the process, the limbs may remain stiff and may break soon. 

Using inappropriate wood

The wood you select determines the bow’s performance and durability to a certain extent.

That’s why, here are the three things that I recommend.

• Choose strong but flexible varieties like maple, oak, hickory, and yew.
• Season the wood properly to prevent common issues like splitting, cracking, and warping. 
• Always check the stave before use. It must not have any defects like knots or cracks. 

Wrap up 

If you are a DIYer, making your recurve bow could be the perfect challenge. However, you need a dedicated space well-equipped with all the woodworking tools I have listed above. And you must be willing to spend months building your own bow. 

Don’t have so much time, patience, or interest? Buy one from our vast collection of recurve bows, including Mongolian bows, Turkish Ottoman bows, and takedown recurve bows.