New to the forum, after lurking in and out for some time now.
I learned to shoot at at 5 years of age, with an old bow that today we would call a longbow. Learned a valuable lesson on length of pull versus arrow length when I japped the arrow tip on a projection in the shelf and let the arrow fly - the rear flew and the tip jammed, leaving thankfully only a large welt on my left arm.
Since then, went to recurves for deer hunting in PA, arrow making in college when I could not afford "store bought", compounds, crossbows nad now taking the plunge back to the longbow.
I guess what you learn at a youong age sticks with you, and it tough to overcome. I learned to use the arrow as my sight, so I tend to remove the sights, hollow sights, red dot sights and go back to the old way. I seem to shoot a lot better without the gizmos.
I have been in and out of archery over the years. Moves, deployments, active duty, civilian jobs, weekends on Reserve Duty, etc. Retired from the USAR, and settled into a civilian job, I have some precious time.
Things have changed, and I am glad to see the old longbow finally getting its due. But since I have probably forgotten more than I know, and coming in cold to a market where you actually have some great choices, I seem to have a ton of questions.
I am looking hard at John McDonald's Big River longbows. From the posts I have seen, the man got it right. Problem is, how do you make a decision on what to order form him with no pictures, catalog, web site, etc? Seems that you need a darn good idea of exactly what you want, and all I know now is that I need a longbow. Phenolyic risers? Reverse grips, babboo core versus not? Reflex deflex (is that really a longbow?)I did pick up one of his used bows recently -Howard Hill design with reverse riser (which I thought at first was strung backwards!). Just need a string.
And what about strings?? Used to be you got what they had, and you ordered a striong to match your bow length - with the brace height on a take it or leave it basis. 6 strand, 8 strand, 10 strand. And some great new materials. Was looking at Brownells site, and they have some interesting stuff - like their Crown Center Serving that is slicker than slick (Phelgmish?) and looks like it has minimal stretch. Who makes strings that uses that stuff?
Anyway, advance warning of many questions. If I get too out of hand, just hit me over the head with an old bow.
Jim
Topic: Longbows - Back to the Future (Read 342 times)
