Build a Bamboo Survival Bow in 30 Minutes
Bamboo has been used for millennia to make fine bows. It is tough, straight grained, very flexible,
and easy to work. Bamboo is used for backing on many traditional laminated bows.
This bow is neither fine, nor traditional, nor laminated; but it is quick and easy to make, and it works.
and easy to work. Bamboo is used for backing on many traditional laminated bows.
This bow is neither fine, nor traditional, nor laminated; but it is quick and easy to make, and it works.
To build this bow you will need a nice large cane of bamboo.
The walls of the cane should be at least three-eights of an inch thick,
and the cane need s to be about five or six feet long. Pictured below: Bamboo for bow making
The walls of the cane should be at least three-eights of an inch thick,
and the cane need s to be about five or six feet long. Pictured below: Bamboo for bow making
Use a hatchet, or heavy knife to split the cane in half.
Pictured below: top, Splitting bamboo; bottom, two pieces of the split cane
Pictured below: top, Splitting bamboo; bottom, two pieces of the split cane
Now take one of the pieces of bamboo and use your hatchet or knife to split off the sides
and narrow the part that you will use to about two inches in width.
Pictured below: top, Splitting off sides; bottom, two inch wide stave
and narrow the part that you will use to about two inches in width.
Pictured below: top, Splitting off sides; bottom, two inch wide stave
Use you hatchet and knife to shape the front profile of the bow.
It should be about two inches wide in the middle and taper to about one inch on the tips.
Pictured below: top, Shaping bow with the hatchet; middle, tapering the limbs; bottom, finished profile
It should be about two inches wide in the middle and taper to about one inch on the tips.
Pictured below: top, Shaping bow with the hatchet; middle, tapering the limbs; bottom, finished profile
Next you can use your knife to carve a couple of notches in each end for the bowstring.
Pictured below: Carving notches
Pictured below: Carving notches
Now it’s time to make the handle. Cut a stick that is about an inch to an inch-and-a-half in diameter
and about a foot long. Taper the ends of the stick as shown below.
Pictured below: tapering the handle stick
and about a foot long. Taper the ends of the stick as shown below.
Pictured below: tapering the handle stick
Carve out any joints in the area where the handle will rest then test the fit of the handle.
Pictured below: top, carving out a joint; bottom, handle resting in place in the cane
Pictured below: top, carving out a joint; bottom, handle resting in place in the cane
If the handle fits you can take some cordage and wrap the handle to secure it in place.
In the illustration below I am using some yucca cordage that I had made earlier,
but you can use para-cord, a shoelace, or anything else that you have. Pictured below: Wrapping handle
In the illustration below I am using some yucca cordage that I had made earlier,
but you can use para-cord, a shoelace, or anything else that you have. Pictured below: Wrapping handle
All you need now is a bowstring. I used some more yucca cordage for my bowstring.
Pictured below: Finished bow, strung and ready for use
Pictured below: Finished bow, strung and ready for use
This particular bow, which is only about a quarter inch thick, is not all that powerful,
about twenty pounds; but thicker bamboo will make a more powerful bow.
I wouldn’t hesitate to use this bow to try and take a rabbit, coon, possum, or other small game.
Pictured below: Bamboo bow at full draw
about twenty pounds; but thicker bamboo will make a more powerful bow.
I wouldn’t hesitate to use this bow to try and take a rabbit, coon, possum, or other small game.
Pictured below: Bamboo bow at full draw
