Functional Minecraft Bow

Performance varies based on type and strength of string/elastic used.

It should go without saying, but don't shoot at people or animals

The arrowheads are only for aesthetics, as they add a lot of unnecessary weight to the arrow, reducing performance (and also blunting the tip). They are prone to breaking, especially when impacting hard surfaces like concrete. Without the arrowheads, the arrows are pointy enough to potentially puncture cardboard. Skewers could potentially work as arrows, but use at your own risk.

Assembly:

Materials required:

• Superglue/other strong adhesive
• Paint (optional)
• 34 cm of thin durable string (ex. fishing line)
• 2 x 25 cm segments of elastic (might vary depending on the type of elastic)

(Hastily done in Blender, sorry for the bad diagram)

1. Assemble the bow, using the diagram as reference. Use superglue on all the pins and connections
2. Paint the bow if you would like (I find that masking tape helps a lot, given that the areas are straight squares
3. Cut the string/elastic to length
4. Tie the two elastic pieces into two loops
5. Tie the string in a loop, connecting the two loops of elastic
6. Hook each elastic loop onto one notch of the bow

Power varies depending on elastic. Adding more elastic loops can potentially increase power. You may need to adjust measurements based on the stretchiness of your cords.

There probably is a better way to string the bow, but this what I did with the materials at my disposal.