I was out shooting my new Morning Star from J.D. Berry last evening when I suddenly recognized and understood something that I had ignored for years. The proverbial light came on. Traditional bows have a personality all their own. They develop that personality from the archer that spends time with them, cares for them and protects them from damage or injury. Sort of like raising a kid.
Over the last 50+ years that I’ve enjoyed archery, I’ve managed to purchase several new bows. Each and every time, at some point during the shooting process, every bow has come into its own character and seemed to adapt itself to the needs and ability the archer. After a given number of arrows, the bow seems to say, “OK, now I know how you shoot. I recognize your ability and what you expect me to do.” It’s almost like a freshly overhauled engine.
A few years ago I performed a top overhaul on my airplane. New pistons, rings, etc. For the first 15 to 20 or so hours, the engine performed well enough, but seemed maladjusted. It burned oil and carboned up the plugs. I had to clean the spark plugs before every flight. Then on a flight back from Missouri, everything just seemed to gel. Everything smoothed out, it stopped burning oil and it sounded like the proverbial Singer Sewing Machine.
That’s what I’m talking about the bow taking on a personality of its own. Initially, it may seem unwieldy, but after you shoot it for a while, it will smooth out. That’s when you, the archer and the longbow, become one unit operating together to accomplish the desired goal.
Topic: Let there be light....and there was light (Read 421 times)
