New Trad. Archer

[Austin]

Hello, i've been wanting to get into traditional archery for a long time, and i finally took the plunge. i picked up a nice selfbow at ETAR that draws about 50# at my draw length. I also picked up a half dozen 11/32 lodgepole pine arrows. to be honest, i really have no idea how to choose arrows for this bow. can someone help me out?

[SlowBowinMO]

Welcome to Trad Gang and traditional archery.      Be forewarned, you may have just stumbled into a life long addiction!

What was the spine on the arrows you picked up?

[George D. Stout]

Normally with selfbows, you won't have much centershot capability, and the bow will need a lighter spine; usually from 5 to 10 pounds lighter than the bow weight.  You can work with tip weight also to help you.  For Example:   I have an old lemonwood with no sight window.  It is 52# at 27" draw.  It really likes 45/50 shafts with a 160 grain head, cut to 28".   You may think you are shooting much too soft a spine, but remember the arrow must bend around the handle, and a selfbow design usually requires a lot of bending.  You didn't say what spine your pine arrows are and how long an arrow you are shooting.  Is the bow backed or laminated wood, or one piece (selfbow)?

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

WELCOME!

I'd give you advise but you'll probably not be better off for it so I'll keep my mouth shut! Except for this: you're in the company of some experts in the field, take the advise the "old timers" here have. LOTS of knowledge I'll take years to catch up to!

[Onehair]

I congratulate you on starting at the end of the journey. Welcome aboard.

[Peckerwood]

Austin , where are you located in Pa.?  If you are close I could help you out or put you in touch with someone who can.

Bill

[b.glass]

Welcome Austin, the more the merrier!

Bona

[Austin]

thank you everyone! i really appreciate the warm welcome.
@George D. Stout- i believe my bow is made from hicory, and it does have a bit of a sight window. it is a one piece bow with the exeption of the grip. the bow was marked 50 lbs @ 28, but i just took it with me down to lancaster archery, and it seemed that i was only drawing around 43lbs @ 29.5" (by the equipment at the shop). my arrows are actually 23/64, not 11/32 as i said earlier (don't trust tags @ swapmeets, lol). they were marked 50/55, but i don't know if i can trust that either.  so my arrows are probably quite a bit on the stiff side. the guy at the shop suggested i leave them @31", and i have 125g field points on them atm. i can't shoot them till tomorrow, but we'll see how it goes. i have a feeling i'll need a softer spine.
@Peckerwood- i'm located in mount joy, pa (near lancaster)

[George D. Stout]

See how they work for you.  At 23/64 you will be fighting the diameter a little as well.  I agree to let them long for now and see how much tip weight you need for them to come around.

If you can get some 11/32, 45/50 at 30" I think you will have a good arrow for 125/145 heads, but you need to experiment a little.  That's a pretty long draw for a selfbow.  How long is the bow?

[Austin]

The bow is about  72 inches, almost as tall as I am.

[Austin]

Oh, on another topic,  at the ETAR swapmeet, I passed on a really beautiful longbow, and by the time I had decided to get it, the guy was gone.  He had his blanket in the top left corner of the swapmeet, and he had at least two longbows and a child size one. The one I looked at was around 55#, it had laminated oak? limbs with bamboo on the back, and a cherry? grip.  Being new to this, I didn't know the name of the bowyer who made it.  I've searched the internet, but I cannot find the bow, or the symbol he used.  I know it's a long shot, but can anyone help me out?

[George D. Stout]

72" should bow that draw length okay.

[Austin]

Bad news, I was just starting to get dialed in on the new bow, and the arrows seem to be working out ok for now, when the grip delaminated from the bow. I'm drawing a good, solid 29.5 inches, and had the target at 30 yards. Was it a flaw in the construction, or was I overdrawing it??
I guess I'm in the market for a new bow. Any suggestions? i don't want to spend too much. Boy I wish i had bought that other bow @ ETAR.