Bowyery / Archery

Archery:

Links:

2/11/12 - Update:

Since my last post i have grown tired of target archery and have joined a local field archery club: Raven.

I have also, have been seduced by bowmaking activities including Longbows and more recently ancient Nelothic designs such as the Meare Heath and Mollegabet style of bow...

I aim to start a blog so i can keep track of my activities... but that may take some time!

So here are a few quick links and pics of what i've been upto:

Fantastic Biffas guide to making a longbow:
http://www.alanesq.com/longbow/bsb/The-Back-Street-Bowyer-264.pdf

My learning attempt atmaking a longbow:
http://www.archeryinterchange.com/f137/my-second-attempt-making-ash-bow-failure-49765/

My Mollegabet bow:
http://www.archeryinterchange.com/f137/mollegabet-ish-124493/

Kids bows:
http://www.archeryinterchange.com/f137/bow-my-daughter-103486/

Some pretty pictures:

Introduction:

In September 2010 the President of Evagauy took up archery.

I had the option of a new fangled recurve, sights etc., but being a pompous and arrogant dictator decided i did not require such wizardry. So after undertaking a beginners course with the very helpful Purbrook Bowmen at Fort Purbrook I moved onto a 28lb American Flatbow, shooting bare-bow, whilst trying to decide on a Longbow to purchase.

I was drawn to the hobby by the history of the Longbow and care not a jot for recurves, compounds or any other form of archery, this may be sad and narrow minded, but as i've found out there is enough in Longbow shooting to keep a man adequately occupied!

I am now a member of the Portsdown Archery Club which is great club with great facilities, and a member of the AI Forum - which is a great place to pose questions on-line and seek advice etc.

Now if you're interested read on...

Bows:

I currently have two Longbows and am deciding on what i want from the next. All i now is that it will have to have a minimum draw of 70lb and either be a selfbow or look like a yew bow.

Pictured below is me with my first Longbow -  when reasonably fresh - It is from the very nice Lee Ankers of Heritage Longbows. Lee is a great chap and I'd recommend you give him a call regards any longbow needs you have.

She draws 45lb at 29" and has a back of Hickory, centre of Purpleheart and belly of Lemonwood, shoots smoothly and when unstrung has recurved tips and lovely small horn nocks.

At the time the picture was taken it was new, i was poo and my form was shocking, since then i have steadily improved!



My other Longbow was kindly donated to me by my brother. It is an Ash (i think) selfbow of about 35lb draw, shoots well and is still used.

Below is a picture with the 28lb American Flatbow - Legolas learnt everything he knew from me!


More stuff will be added as and when.

Arrows:

All my arrows from part way through the Beginners course have been home-made. If you have not tried this then it is a thoroughly satisfying past time - even if you never intend to shoot them!

I am currently making a dozen traditional arrows (50/55lb, 11/32) with hand cut feathers, horn nock inserts, bound with linen and pseudo bodkins.

Next up will be a dozen EWBS spec beauties (70/75lb, 3/8).

Arrow supplies and sundries are from numerous places but for traditional stuff i can heartily recommended the LongbowShop, Richard Head and Quicks - who happily let you sift through your wooden shafts until you have a matching set of straight, spined and weighted shafts.

Oh, and if you shoot traditional arrows then you may have to get used to some of this...


Fletching:

Currently i've gone all traditional so am hand cutting long feathers and may have even sourced a supply of fresh (very) feathers.

My fletching jig although being very funky and able to perform the task of sticking three feathers to a stick at once was sadly not long enough for traditional six plus inch feathers. So i had a go at knocking up a chunky large fletching jig from some old MDF, a strip of Aluminium, two small ball-bearings, some bulldog clips and some elastic bands. Again she's not pretty but works well... also in the picture are my first set of traditional arrows.



Cresting (or painting wobbly lines on sticks):

My first set of arrows were simple wood with 4 inch white fletchings. These did the job, but then i got seduced by spangly arrows and went for white painted ends, red 3 inch fletching and red and gold cresting. To crest them i knocked up a jig from some offcuts of wood, an old model boat motor and a trusty 25 year old Hornby train controller. The set-up worked well and saved a few bob.



Bow Stand:

I didn't like the idea of my bow lying in damp grass while i trudge around looking for lost arrows so again from offcuts i knocked up a collapsible bow stand - i am not good with wood - but it serves its purpose! :)

In use...

...and collapsed...


If you have any questions please get in touch and e-mail me.

Cheers
Ev