Make the Most Unique Primitive Bow. In this video to demonstrate how unique it is I purposely Break and Rebuild the Sinew Composite Bow Step by Step. I made this bow using only primitive natural materials. Primitive technology at it's finest. Easiest way to make a high performance primitive bow that will last forever! The bow is only 52 inches long and is made from bamboo, maple and sinew. It is only 5 parts glued together, then sinew applied.
1st prepare the bamboo billets/limbs using a farriers rasp or shinto rasp. Trace the profile and shape to the line with the rasp. Then rasp, file or sand the back (waxy layer -rind) off the limbs.
Use a fine file to make tip of limb where siyah will mate up perfectly flat and level.
Then take a sawzall blade or similar to carve in shallow vertical grooves on back of limbs.
Then glue the siyahs to the limbs and align them perfectly.
Next glue the limbs to handle and align perfectly. Let cure.
Then using rasp shape handle area to your liking..it is best to go less than desired as the sinew and final wrap will add girth to overall handle thickness.
Preparing sinew - twist it to break it up do not pound it. Pull apart long strands and begin to create bundles. soak the sinew bundles in room temp water, then comb them out several times to remove/clean it. Rinse and repeat this step a couple times. Get your glue started. Mix the granules in water 1 to 3 ratio and let absorb. Then put in warmer and begin to mix/stir to desired consistency. It is best to be like thin syrup. The warmer I use maintains this consistency nicely, link below.
( i soaked the broken limb in warm water to remove and salvage some of the sinew. It was used to wrap the handle. New sinew was used for the new limb)
The warmer also lets off nice steam and placed near limb being worked it does a great job of keeping everything warm and moist during this process.
I use an old dog comb for years to comb out my sinew works perfect. Comb out all excess tissue, grease, short pieces, and knots. Once this is done use a plastic scraper to smooth both side like a flat sheet. Use warm water to keep sheets moist.
Apply glue to limb, then to both sides of sinew sheet and apply to limb.
Then smooth out with fingers, and apply more glue to it
Then apply glue to handle area and wrap using same technique.
Then wrap/bind siyah area using single long strands of sinew soaked in glue. Repeat for other side, overlap sinew in center under wrap.
Reverse (very slightly) string the bow by tying a string in each top hole of siyah and immediately place it in a controlled climate. Hang it up somewhere from string out of reach of critters.. Let hang until cured.
If you have a way to check its weight(mass) weigh it next morning then note this weight and date.
Weigh it in one month, then weigh it every week thereafter to see its changes and when it stops.
Keep tension on string to prevent sinew from delam during curing. The string will get loose after several days, just pull it a little more into reflex then tighten string up to 6 inches.
Use shinto rasp to remove excess sinew and bamboo off limbs to begin the shaping/tillering process. Then sandpaper.
Constantly checking each limb for balance of power my knee tillering technique. Find stiff/thick spots and even out with rest of limb. Once you get close begin to count strokes on each side and stay this way until it is tillered.
Once limbs bend enough to string the bow, prepare the siyahs.
Start with shinto rasp, then sandpaper, then scraper or blade. String bow check tiller.
Use needle files to clean off edges of sinew on limb edge. Then fine sand limbs.
complete finish covered in my bamboo horse bow users manual.
Natural jute cordage (waxed) 2 ply is inexpensive, offers the most positive grip in all weather conditions, can be redone simply, and in the field is a great fire starter if ever needed.
Every time you string it up check its balance.
Links for products/ materials used below
NEW SINEW BOW KIT all materials are included click here
Special thanks to JJ from Sarcraft for putting up with me during this prank! We were filming a video to promote him as a new bow kit instructor and I could not resist the opportunity to use him for this moment! His reaction was priceless! His Youtube channel is
Go show him some support!
Silex Warmer
Shinto Rasp
Farrier's Rasp
Bowyer's Vice
1st arrows fired from this bow were made of natural materials, bamboo, real feathers, and 30 inches long. Arrows ranged from 350 grains to 500 grains. Bow is 40 pounds.
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For more instructions click here
#bowandarrow #primitivebow #makingabow
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