Denafom: Building a Kite Frame With a Bowed Spar

Denafom is a coined term that a few kite hobbyists use for one specific way of putting a frame together. It is not the name of an ancient craft, and it does not come from any particular place. It is simply a convenient made-up label for a method that otherwise needs a long explanation every time someone asks about it.

In a denafom frame, the horizontal spar of a diamond kite is gently bent into a curve by a tight string tied between its tips. Where it crosses the vertical spine, the two sticks are lashed together with a figure-eight wrap instead of glue. The bowed shape helps the kite sit steadily in the wind, while the lashed joint makes it easy to adjust or repair.

Why the Bow Matters

A flat diamond kite tends to wobble from side to side, especially in gusty air. Bending the cross spar gives the sail a slight V shape when seen from the front, and that shape tends to keep the kite centered.

The denafom approach sets that bend with a bow string rather than by forcing the stick into a permanent curve. Because the string can be loosened or tightened in seconds, the same kite can be tuned for light breezes one day and stronger wind the next.

Picking Sail and Spar Materials

Light, straight spars make the biggest difference. Bamboo split into thin strips bends evenly and recovers well, while hardwood dowel is easier to find and a little stiffer. Whatever you choose, sight down each stick before cutting and set aside any piece with a noticeable twist.

For the sail, tissue paper, kraft paper, and thin plastic sheeting all work on a denafom frame. Paper is easy to glue and decorate, and plastic shrugs off damp grass. Since the bow string carries the curve, the covering only needs to be cut a little loose so it does not fight the arc.

Building the Frame Step by Step

The process is straightforward once the parts are cut.

• Cut a spine and a slightly shorter cross spar from light wooden dowel or bamboo.
• Mark the cross point about a quarter of the way down the spine and center the spar there.
• Lash the joint with thin cord in a figure-eight pattern, finishing with a few tight wraps.
• Notch both ends of the cross spar and tie a bow string between them, pulling until the spar curves gently.
• Run a perimeter string around all four tips to give the sail a firm edge to fold over.

Keep the bow modest at first. A curve that is too deep can make the kite sluggish, while one that is too shallow will not do much to calm the wobble.

Tuning and Care

After covering the frame with paper or thin plastic, test the kite in a moderate wind and watch how it behaves. If it leans or spins, adjust the bow string a little at a time until it flies straight. A denafom kite rewards small changes, so patience here makes a big difference.

Between outings, slacken the bow string so the spar can rest straight, which helps it keep its spring. Since denafom is only an invented name, feel free to try it on other shapes too, such as a larger diamond or a simple hexagonal kite, and note what works.