The Sioux had to defend themselves from enemies. Thus, they made axes, knives, bows, and arrows. Even though the weapons were made with good craftsmanship, they joined sides with the British who had weapons such as rifles, cannons, and pistols. A double curved bow was used as weapons by the Sioux Indians. These bows were prepared according to the length of each archer. Sioux measured the bow according to the archers left arm. The bows length measures from the left center finger to the right outside hip at the joint. Unlike other Indian weapons, Sioux weapons were said not to have been sinew. Many Native Americans felt that made their weapons stronger and safer. Sioux weapons such as bows were also assumed to have been made out of Green Ash.