Article: This is what your bow will be shaped from. It needs to be at the length that you want your bow to be, and it should be made from a wood that is strong, flexible, and malleable. Hickory, yew, lemonwood, and maple are all good woods to use when making a bow. A hatchet, vice grip, bow shaping frame, tillering stick, large file, heat gun, a few screw clamps, and a draw knife will make the process far easier than just using a knife and a large, round object. Make an outline of the limbs and arrow rest of your bow with a pen. Stand the stave up in one hand, and with the other, swing your hatchet. Make the stave as smooth on the sides as you can. You can decide the specifics (flat limbs, wide or narrow limbs) on your own. Mark out where you want your handle to be. Make sure it will bend by putting the bottom tip against your instep, holding the upper tip with one hand, and pulling the back (side facing away from you while shooting) towards you. Don't do this too much, as it could damage your stave. After you have gotten your bow into an outline with the hatchet, you shape the limbs. Place the handle section of your stave in the vice, and tighten it. Make sure the back is facing upwards. Take the draw knife, and draw it along the stave in long strokes. Do this until your stave is at the thickness that you want your bow to be.  Sand down any rough edges in the stave. Making your bow too thin will cause it to break.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Buy or make a wooden stave. Gather your tools. Mark the outline. Test your stave. Form the limbs.