Recurve bows have proven to be deadly and efficient weapons since ancient times. Even today, in the 21st century, wooden traditional recurves are still used successfully by hunters around the world. This design comes with many advantages and has gained a large community of enthusiasts.
Strung recurves hold higher initial tension, which allows the bowyer to get more performance out of the wood. They are usually more compact than longbows and, when crafted properly, can be faster. However, building a recurve bow is more complex. A bowyer must deal with challenges such as string alignment, bending the tips, and shaping the recurves.
In today's article, let's take a closer look at the process of recurving a bow.
Tips for a Successful Recurve Bow Build
First and foremost, the bowyer should choose a wood species suitable for this kind of design. Not every wood can withstand the stress of being recurved - some species tolerate bending far better than others.
Based on my experience, the following woods are well-suited for recurving:
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Yew
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Osage orange
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Black locust
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Red oak
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Ash
Of course, there are many more genres that can work. Always do a bit of research before starting, and match the bend to the wood's natural properties.
There are two main approaches to recurving a bow:
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before tillering , or
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after tilling
I usually prefer recurving before the tillering process. Below are some important tips to keep in mind:
Recurving Tips
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Prepare everything in advance: a heat source, pot, towels, a bending jig, and clamps. The bow should already be roughed out and shaped to fit the jig.
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Use steam to heat the limb before placing it into the jig. Steam it for about 45 minutes . Keep the bow above the water surface and make sure there is enough water to create steam for the entire time.
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Put the bow into the pot before it gets fully hot. Gradual heating is better for the wood.
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Leave the tips wider than needed. After recurving, you might need to make slight corrections, and wider tips give you more room to work.
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Work the tips down to a single growth ring on the belly to avoid grain delamination.
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Keep the bow in the jig for at least several hours so the bend can set properly.
String Alignment and Twisting Issues
Recurving a bow often leads to string alignment problems or twisted tips. The easiest way to correct string alignment is to heat the bow around the handle (using steam or a heat gun) and clamp it in position until everything lines up.
For twisted recurves, a heat gun works well for minor corrections.
After making several recurved bows, I noticed that slightly hollowing the recurve area and carving clean string grooves helps stabilize the bow and keeps the string in place.
Here is my video about this topic:
https://youtu.be/p-eeT0tAdgw
All the best, guys!
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