The "funny" part is they shoot pretty good. Any stout cord is a "string" for them. You can whip one out in no time to get 'em shooting (and save the fancy-ing up for later). The PVC is 1/2"
Doc, a good question to bring up, both of these two just have had a slit about 1/2" sawed (probably hack or coping saw)across both walls on each end. The string has a knot tied near both ends and is just slipped into both slits, catching on the off-side outside wall (if ya know what I mean). The arrows can still slide in either side of the string, and that makes enough surface tension on the arrows to hold them in place.
It's a good idea to unstring the PVC bow when not in use, IMO. The set taken by the PVC (if not) doesn't seem to effect the "cast" of the little bows much but I notice (from these) it can induce a curve in some of the little arrows that have to be addressed - LOL
I remember reading instructions and other threads and mentions about these neat bows since being into trad archery but I don't recall there being much about the arrows. That helped this old duffer recognize them when I saw them - LOL. After I picked up the red one it was after i unstrung it that I realized there was an arrow "secreted in one end - DUH! One thing that stuck in my (faulty) memory was that it seems some group or individual used to make a bunch up (for some shoot/rendezvous) and hand them out on a regular basis somewhere, as I recall.
Seems like a neat thing for clubs, etc. to consider - think how frequently we see youngsters at shoots (or in back yards) that aren't ready to handle even the small, light bows of their older siblings/playmates. Most anyone can draw one of these, yet they "toss" an arrow pretty darned
good.
These bows are 36' and 40", arrows are 16-17", Nock is just sawed slit, and as you can see, sans fletching, though those could be added if you wanted to go further, or when ready, I guess.
Thanks for looking, guys.