DIY Survival: How To Make A Crossbow From Scratch [Video]

Make a crossbow from scratch using this featured video guide so you can increase your chances of survival in the wild!

RELATED: Bow Making Course | How To Make Your Own Bows

In this article:

• An Effective Survival Weapon
• How a Crossbow Works
• How to Make a Crossbow

Make a Simple Crossbow You Can Add to Your Arsenal

An Effective Survival Weapon

A crossbow offers many advantages in survival situations. In fact, it’s getting quite a following as a survival weapon, all thanks to The Walking Dead and Daryl Dixon’s character.

Out in the wild, it will seem like you’re helpless with only the elements. But armed with the proper DIY survival knowledge, what you’ll see is a treasure trove of materials to work on for your survival.

Here’s a guide on how to make a simple crossbow easily with what’s available around you. The Discovery Channel demonstrates how to make one by hand and pretty much from scratch, which is still basically the same weapon and benefits.

How a Crossbow Works

The crossbow will be a better option than a longbow, especially in a scenario where you may have lost your rifle or just didn’t bring one along. This weapon does not demand too much physical exertion as a longbow does.

All you have to do is to draw the string and you’re ready to shoot. Shooting positions can be varied and your height will not be a hindrance.

Another advantage is you do not need to master the draw-aim-shoot technique. This survival weapon is fairly easy to use, so it’s a good idea to learn how to use it.

RELATED: How To Practice For Bow Hunting

How to Make a Crossbow

To make a crossbow from jungle materials will require at least one sharp survival knife or machete. While primitive tools like rock shards will allow you to cut down twigs or branches, making the primitive crossbow trigger can be a bit complex.

There are four components of this weapon: the body, the limb, the string, and the trigger. The first two will be pretty straightforward to make, but the latter will be a bit complicated.

For the string, you can also fashion one from vines or tree barks, but you need a sturdy string for it to work. If you have paracord accessories with you, it can solve the problem, but there are better ways.

STRINGER FOR CROSSBOWS! It’s convenient to use this stringer and can take care of the duty at home or before heading out on a hunt.

The simple trigger mechanism is where you need to be technical with, that’s why you need a sharp tool to work on it. All in all, making a crossbow from scratch is feasible with your optimism and will to survive.

Now for the video guide, watch it from Discovery to make a crossbow from scratch:

When you DIY, chances are, you won’t always get it the first time. For this project, you may even improve on your crossbow limb design until you are satisfied.

Right now, this DIY tutorial can serve as a guide for your prototype, and you can work your way to improving from here. The more you work on this project, the more you’ll know your way around DIY crossbows.

You might even be able to know how to make a hunting crossbow next time around!

Will you try to make a crossbow using this design? Share your plans for it in the comments section below!

UP NEXT: 

• How To Build A DIY Long Bow
• Our Favorite Crossbow Reviews
• Ways To Start A Fire | 17 Unconventional Tricks And Techniques

For awesome survival gear, you can’t make at home, check out the Survival Life Store!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on June 13, 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.