Start with a sapling. This one had died recently, it still had brown leaves attached and was standing.
I looked for one which was (relatively) strait and free from branches (at least in the section I wanted) :

Using the axe to trim down the belly, leaving the middle area as a handle :

Once roughed out, I cut notches for the string. Generally make the string approx a hand span less than the length
Time for a bit of tillering. No fancy stuff, just bending the bow by hand, foot or knee to judge where material needs to be removed.
I used axe for gross removals, and knife for more delicate work (and to smooth the bow a bit).
I left the back of the bow with its bark on. It would probably be better to remove it, but since this was a quick bow, and the bark and stick were dry, it probably isn't too much of a problem.
Bow done !

The handle of the axe is touching the string. Its a very short draw I guess 40 - 50 cm, but quite a bit of force I guess 10 - 12 kg ??
(The bow string is a synthetic twine from home)
Next for a very quick arrow.
Start with a not too wonky stick. Dry so its light, but still strong.
Peel the bark and try and whittle it as smooth and straight as possible ....
(Ok a bit more time and effort could have yielded a much better arrow, but time and resources were limited)

I found a feather (just one). So I split it and attached with gaffa.
I whittled a nock in the base and sharpened the point like a pencil.
Action time !

I shot the bow about 20 times and it held up perfectly !
The arrow was definitely wonky, and eventually I lost it. I couldn't aim it too well, but it flew forcefully and in the right direction.
I spent about 1 hour making the bow and arrow.
All up this worked excellently.
If I'd thought about it earlier in the day I could have picked up better arrow stick(s) on my walk, and kept a look out for some feathers.
More time tillering would have given a better draw length, and I could have adjusted the weight too.
Of course more time finishing would give a nicer end product too.
I believe a better arrow would have make for a really good setup.
Earlier in the day I passed an area which would have been excellent for arrows, but it was too far to go back to.
(Alternatively a green stick could be straightened over a fire; or more time searching and I may have found one).
I used gaffa to attach the arrow (because it was quick and not a nice arrow), you can tie the fletching on with thin fibers which I could have sourced nearby (time permitting).
The bow string would be a problem using local materials. I'm not sure that I cold make a string strong enough, but that's another challenge for another time !
The bow was crude, but did the job.
I looked for one which was (relatively) strait and free from branches (at least in the section I wanted) :

Using the axe to trim down the belly, leaving the middle area as a handle :


Once roughed out, I cut notches for the string. Generally make the string approx a hand span less than the length


Time for a bit of tillering. No fancy stuff, just bending the bow by hand, foot or knee to judge where material needs to be removed.
I used axe for gross removals, and knife for more delicate work (and to smooth the bow a bit).



I left the back of the bow with its bark on. It would probably be better to remove it, but since this was a quick bow, and the bark and stick were dry, it probably isn't too much of a problem.
Bow done !

The handle of the axe is touching the string. Its a very short draw I guess 40 - 50 cm, but quite a bit of force I guess 10 - 12 kg ??
(The bow string is a synthetic twine from home)
Next for a very quick arrow.
Start with a not too wonky stick. Dry so its light, but still strong.
Peel the bark and try and whittle it as smooth and straight as possible ....
(Ok a bit more time and effort could have yielded a much better arrow, but time and resources were limited)

I found a feather (just one). So I split it and attached with gaffa.
I whittled a nock in the base and sharpened the point like a pencil.


Action time !

I shot the bow about 20 times and it held up perfectly !
The arrow was definitely wonky, and eventually I lost it. I couldn't aim it too well, but it flew forcefully and in the right direction.
I spent about 1 hour making the bow and arrow.
All up this worked excellently.
If I'd thought about it earlier in the day I could have picked up better arrow stick(s) on my walk, and kept a look out for some feathers.
More time tillering would have given a better draw length, and I could have adjusted the weight too.
Of course more time finishing would give a nicer end product too.
I believe a better arrow would have make for a really good setup.
Earlier in the day I passed an area which would have been excellent for arrows, but it was too far to go back to.
(Alternatively a green stick could be straightened over a fire; or more time searching and I may have found one).
I used gaffa to attach the arrow (because it was quick and not a nice arrow), you can tie the fletching on with thin fibers which I could have sourced nearby (time permitting).
The bow string would be a problem using local materials. I'm not sure that I cold make a string strong enough, but that's another challenge for another time !
The bow was crude, but did the job.
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