How to Make Bow String in OSRS – Ultimate Crafting Guide
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), crafting bow strings is a fundamental skill for players looking to level up their Crafting and Fletching skills while making some gold. Bow strings are essential for creating bows and crossbows, making them a valuable item for both combat and skilling. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making bow strings, including the best methods, locations, and tips to maximize efficiency. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) player or a member, this comprehensive tutorial has you covered.
Bow strings are a key component in the Fletching skill, used to create powerful ranged weapons like shortbows, longbows, and crossbows. Crafting bow strings is not only a great way to train Crafting but also a profitable method for low-level players. With minimal requirements and accessible materials, this activity is perfect for beginners and Ironmen looking to gather resources efficiently.
Key Benefits of Crafting Bow Strings
- Low Skill Requirement: Only level 1 Crafting is needed to start.
- Profitable: Bow strings can be sold on the Grand Exchange for decent profits.
- Experience Gains: Each bow string grants 15 Crafting XP, making it a viable training method.
- Accessibility: Flax and spinning wheels are widely available in both F2P and member worlds.
Materials and Requirements for Making Bow Strings
To craft bow strings, you’ll need just one primary material: flax. This plant is processed into bow strings using a spinning wheel, a common tool found in various locations across Gielinor. Below are the basic requirements and materials needed to get started.
- Crafting Level: 1 (though level 10 is recommended for efficient spinning).
- Tools: Access to a spinning wheel (no additional tools required).
- Optional: Completion of the Medium Kandarin Diary for faster spinning in Seers’ Village.
Materials
Flax can be picked in various locations, such as Seers’ Village, Taverley, or Lletya, depending on your membership status and quest progress.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Bow Strings
Crafting bow strings is a straightforward process that involves gathering flax and spinning it into bow strings. Follow these steps to start making bow strings efficiently.
Step 1: Gather Flax
Flax is the raw material needed to create bow strings. It can be picked from flax fields scattered across OSRS. Here are some of the best locations to gather flax:
- Seers’ Village: The flax field south of the village is close to a spinning wheel and bank, making it ideal for members.
- Taverley: A great spot for F2P players, with a spinning wheel on the path to the Burthorpe bank.
- Lletya: Requires starting Mourning’s End Part I. The flax field is very close to a spinning wheel and bank.
- Land’s End: A less crowded spot for members, though farther from a spinning wheel.
Step 2: Spin Flax into Bow Strings
Once you have flax, head to a spinning wheel to process it. Each piece of flax yields one bow string and 15 Crafting XP. A full inventory of 28 flax takes about 50 seconds to spin, granting 420 XP per inventory. Here are the top spinning wheel locations:
| Location | Distance to Bank | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lumbridge Castle | Short (2nd floor bank) | Best for F2P; requires climbing stairs. |
| Seers’ Village | Short | 33% faster spinning with Medium Kandarin Diary. |
| Neitiznot | Moderate | No stairs; requires starting The Fremennik Isles. |
| Lletya | Very Short | Requires Mourning’s End Part I. |
Step 3: Bank or Sell Your Bow Strings
After spinning, you can either bank your bow strings for later use in Fletching or sell them on the Grand Exchange. Bow strings are in high demand due to their use in crafting profitable bows like maple longbows or adamant crossbows.
Best Locations and Methods for Efficiency
To maximize your bow string production, choosing the right location and method is crucial. Below are the most efficient spots and strategies for crafting bow strings, tailored to different player types.
Lumbridge Castle for F2P Players
For free-to-play players, Lumbridge Castle is the go-to spot. The spinning wheel on the 1st floor (2nd floor US) is close to the bank on the 2nd floor (3rd floor US). A full inventory of 28 flax takes about 75 seconds to spin and bank, yielding around 20,160 Crafting XP per hour.
Seers’ Village for Members
Seers’ Village is the historical favorite for spinning flax, especially for members who have completed the Medium Kandarin Diary. The diary reward speeds up spinning by 33%, reducing the time per inventory to about 65 seconds, including banking. This method is highly efficient if you pick flax directly from the nearby field.
Neitiznot for Advanced Players
For players who have started The Fremennik Isles, Neitiznot offers a spinning wheel with no stairs to climb, reducing click intensity. While the bank is slightly farther than Lumbridge, the lack of stairs makes it competitive, producing around 1,344 bow strings per hour.
Temple Trekking for Ironmen
Ironmen with low combat stats can use the Temple Trekking minigame to gather bow strings without spinning flax. By choosing the easiest route and follower, you can avoid combat events and earn up to 3,000 bow strings per hour, or 5,000 with run energy potions and a plank sack. This method is ideal for those who want to skip the grind of picking and spinning.
Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Profits and XP
To make the most of your bow string crafting, consider these strategies to boost efficiency, save time, and increase profits.
Optimize Your Route
Plan a loop that minimizes travel time between the flax field, spinning wheel, and bank. For example, in Seers’ Village, pick flax from the field south of the village, spin at the wheel, and bank nearby. Use teleports like the Camelot Teleport to speed up travel.
Use Equipment to Enhance Efficiency
Equip items like the Varrock Armor (from Varrock Diaries) to occasionally double flax yields when harvesting. Maintain 0 kg weight and at least 30 Agility to reduce run energy depletion while picking flax.
Consider the Spin Flax Spell
At level 76 Magic, members can use the Spin Flax Lunar spell to process five flax per cast, offering a less click-intensive alternative. This method is profitable (around 12 GP per cast) when using a staff that provides air runes.
Sell Strategically
Check the Grand Exchange prices before selling bow strings. Flax costs around 2 GP, while bow strings sell for approximately 115 GP, making spinning a profitable venture. For Ironmen, banking bow strings for Fletching training is often more valuable than selling.
Avoid Macros and Bots
Spinning flax is a common activity for bots, especially in Seers’ Village and Burthorpe. Always craft manually to avoid bans, as Jagex actively monitors for macroing in these areas.
Pro Tip: If you’re aiming for both XP and profit, combine bow string crafting with Fletching. Stringing maple longbows (level 55 Fletching) or adamant crossbows (level 61 Fletching) can yield up to 247,000 GP per hour.
Crafting bow strings in OSRS is a simple yet rewarding activity that suits players of all levels. By choosing the right location, optimizing your route, and using the best tools available, you can turn flax into a steady source of Crafting XP and gold. Whether you’re spinning in Lumbridge, Seers’ Village, or gathering bow strings through Temple Trekking, this guide provides all the tools you need to succeed. Start crafting today and watch your skills and coin pouch grow!