SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING YOUR
FIRST BOW
Buying a longbow is not difficult if you bear in mind that you will
get the best performance out of a bow which is made for you personally by
a bowmaker who has discussed your requirements. An 'off the peg' bow may
be perfectly adequate (even better if you're lucky) but as with many things,
knowing you have a bow which suits you and where the bowyer has an understanding
of your shooting style will increase the chances of getting the most out
of your archery. You may also be surprised how well that longbow can perform
when made by a craftsman (or woman) who takes time and care.
GUIDELINES
1. You will need to settle down into a good shooting style, with a consistent
drawlength and a suitable draw weight which you can manage, to be sure you
get a bow which performs well for you.
2. Try several bows first if you can before buying/ordering. Many archers won't lend traditional bows because they are personal and liable to become damaged or break if used incorrectly, so if you can't try several out, at least talk to experienced traditional archers about their bows and the good suppliers they may have dealt with. (See below)
3. Not all bows shoot the same! Having a bespoke bow made to suit your drawlength, strength and shooting style will help you get the best out of your archery.
4. Be prepared to spend a reasonable amount of money for a bespoke bow made by a professional bowmaker: prices will vary according to what type of bow, species of wood etc. you'd like. Not all bowmakers make all types of bow, and their stocks of some woods will vary. Waiting lists can be up to a year for the good bowmakers.
5. Your bowmaker will expect you to look after your bow, in which case
he or she will look after you. If you are a beginner, please listen to advice
from experienced archers and your bowyer.
6. Some beginners are tempted to get bows which are too heavy for them which
can cause bad archery habits to form,; persisting in their use can eventually
injure you. (Check 2 above)
7. Decide what style of shoot you will be enjoying with the bow: an all-purpose longbow will do all types well, but you need a special bow for flight, for instance. Remember to tell your bowyer what you will be using it for.
CHOOSING A BOWYER
1. Find a bowyer recommended by experienced archers and whose bows you like
the shooting qualities and the look of. Ask around!
2. A good bowmaker should be prepared to discuss your requirements -
also be prepared to be guided by the bowyer if you are unsure of the exact
specification of your bow. (See above). Some bowyers have 'test' bows for
you to try out top check draw length and weight.
NOTE: If you don't order a bow after some hours of test shooting, be prepared
to pay the bowyer for his or her time. Bowyers need to eat too!
3. Don't be tempted by bowmakers who brag about how many bows they make
in a day, month or year -a good bespoke bow takes time!
4. A good bowyer will give you a guarantee and offer a reasonable 'after
sales service' on any adjustments you may decide you need after sale.