Jason,
There is an old saying that states, "Certainly the majority of people can't be wrong."
Then there is another saying that states, "Never underestimate the power of a lot of stupid people."
My point is...neither of the above are always right or always wrong. Instead of looking for popularity, I try to look at the science of it. However, if the semi-recurve wasn't a big selling I must say they certainly have SURVIVED the times well, as I see more of these old bows still around than any of the others. So, if sales of them were low, well I would say their durability (which is related to stability) was certainly superior. However, I also think they sold a great many of those bows even if they weren't their premium products.
As to my registration, I was a member of this forum when it first got started...using the name "Lee @ Keep It Simple" (member #319 back when I had Keep It Simple Archery); however, I simply lost interest in posting on any of the websites as time was too limitted. It is a great site, but I was getting marrried, having kids, teaching, working on orders in my archery shop, and training dogs and just didn't take time to post. When one is spread too thin...something has to go. So being websites weren't a priority...that is why I didn't post here for several years now. I like both this site and the other site though; however, this one is certainly more user friendly with the topic sections, search window, and private message features.
In the end, being involved in archery for years, I have come to a few conclustions. Perhaps your conclusions are different, but here are mine.
1. There are certain fundamentals to every sport, including archery.
2. Accuracy is limited to consistency of performance.
3. When perfectly executed, the bows themselves tend to be consistent, so therefore variation in consistency is typically an aspect influenced by either the archer or the arrow.
4. Bows however may vary in consistency when an archer doesn't have perfect form and shows variation from one shot to another. In other words, when an archer plucks a string the bow may behave differently than when the same archer torques the bow or heals the bow on a follow up shot. The variation in a bow's response to such can be a measurement of stability.
5. A bow that is more stable will tend to be stiffer or less "noodly" when held by the tip, but a "noodly" bow may in some cases be smoother.
6. For an archer that has good "pre-shot form" but bad follow though, a smooth "noodly" type bow may benefit them best as the smooth noodly draw will help them perform their pre-shot as best as they can, but once the arrow is released the "noodly limbs" transmit the torque of the bowhand to the arrow since the limbs will be somewhat held in place by the arrows resistence to torque (as we are talking milli-seconds for the arrow to clear the shelf). These bows are often so smooth that one can heal the bow or hold a high wrist without noticing a "funny feel" to the bow as both limbs load at say 2.5# per inch for several inches minor pull variations (more prone to changes of dynamic tiller...and rubber-bandy like limbs). This type of bow requires good pre-draw form to prevent such. Also, such archery's often shoot with a more open bowhand probably to help minimize or further hide such issues of post shot variation.
7. For an archer with excellent POST shot form (follow through and bow arm/hand), I recommend longbows as they are often stiff enough for an archery to notice when they don't draw the bow perfectly right (due to "beam strength of the thicker core). Due to "stack" the limbs correct themselves. If one limb is pulled on harder than the other, it will want to stack more than the other limb...and the bow will instantly "center" the resistence (due to its tiller to distribute the pull "every action has an equal reaction) without the archer's thought to do so. In such bows, the archer will notice a different feel of pull when they heal the bow or when they hold it with a high wrist. IMO, these type of archers are best served with longbows. Such archer's though must have good follow throughs after the shot though as the limbs are so stiff that should they torque the bow the bow's beam strength will transmit such torque to the arrow. I believe this is why archer's like Howard Hill said the bowhand is so important and must be mastered. These bows can often be held by the tip and will remain stiff (more resisent to dynamic tiller changes).
8. Finally, and this one is the most important...all archer's are different and even though there are some "fundamentals" each archer should do what works best for them...meanwhile considering the goal of "CONSISTENCY" in the process.
Topic: Advantages / Disadvantages (Read 619 times)
