1

(23 replies, posted in Bows)

I use a leather thumb ring, so no issues there.

2

(23 replies, posted in Bows)

To try out other serving materials use your existing string. Count the number of strands first. Then serve an empty area with a material of your choice and test. If too thin, add a couple of extra strands alongside the existing string and serve-again. If too tight, try to estimate how many strands you have to take off.

I used 20 strands of fast flight plus and a single serving with BCY halo (.019" diameter) and it fits perfectly all western carbon plastic nocks.

I have some carbon arrows from Korea and the nock is wider, so the recipe above would not work for them.


For nock point I simply use duct tape above the arrow nock. I cut a 2-3cm wide strip and then wrap it around the string 5 or so times -until it's about 2mm thicker than the serving. I do this because I tend to put pressure on the string with the index finger. This also helps in blind nocking because I nock low, then lock the finger below the nock, then push the nock up until it reaches the nocking point.

First, check very carefully where your thumb fingernail sits on the pointer finger when you draw. Also, make sure you close the thumb fully (90 degrees) and position it so that the pointer finger sits on it squarely. If the thumb is not fully closed, it will put pressure exactly where you have the problem. The middle of the pointer finger should sit over the base of the thumb nail. However, bare in mind that everybody is different, and you must find a position that works for you.

In my opinion you are applying too much pressure with it over the thumb. Your thumb should be strong enough to hold the string on its own, with only light pressure from the pointer.

4

(4 replies, posted in Bows)

The best way for me is to use a lighted nock and an unfletched arrow in low light conditions. Set-up a camera from behind with an exposure time of at least 2 seconds, ideally 5. First check that you do not get an over-exposure. Have someone help you or set-up the camera timer to capture the flight. At 20 meters you should see a nice trajectory, but I recommend to shoot the first ones starting with 10m or so until you get used to the unfletched arrows. With trial and error you will find the best nock position.

The picture below does not tell much. The hand might sit lower or higher on the grip and it may change the position of the arrow in relation to the grip. If the arrow sits in this exact position when shot, then this looks ok. But it also depends alot on how you load each limb and how your bow is more stable/balanced.

When you lower the nock, it will eventually hit your thumb (and that will hurt). I add forward pressure to the grip (basically I use a straight wrist, as much as possible), which also helps to prevent the nock hitting my thumb.

5

(3 replies, posted in Bows)

These bows are very flexible and allow you to draw them in more ways. This is not a modern target bow, drawing technique matters. You are putting too much pressure at the bottom of the grip. Keep a high wrist, olympic style, and bow balance will improve. You'll notice your accuracy improve too.

6

(26 replies, posted in Arrows)

You can check out Bearpaw/Penthalon traditional bamboo shafts  (the new version with black writing). They are a bit to shiny, but look pretty good. The korean ones do look more "authentic" though.

I read in the spitfire page that light, fast arrows are better at penetration.. I doubt that, but still they'd travel flatter and what matters most is hitting the right spot.

Depends what you want to penetrate: thin fast arrows for armor and heavy arrows for game/flesh.

lumenocks  cool

I use a straight wrist. Try with a lumenock and a long exposure photo at night and you will see what works best and where to place the nock. 10 USD  is more than worth it for the information you gain instead of guessing, searching the web ad asking on forums.

9

(5 replies, posted in Bows)

Super glue no. You could use some epoxy made for bows and then wrap it tightly around the whole area. Still, I would say it's not worth the bother and the risk.

Forget about the AMO or wrist position. Just measure the length from the back of the handle to the string.

The way I did it: Take an arrow, mark it at every inch, nock it (optionally tape/tie it to the string). I tied the bow at the handle at hanged it vertically from a horizontal bar. It is easier to draw like this because you can use your body weight.  The brace height is about 5 to 6 inches. I started measuring from 7 or 8. Draw the bow to 8, read the scale, let down. Draw to 9, measure, let down. Do that until you reach 33.

11

(5 replies, posted in Bows)

I had a samick skb which had a crack above the handle. I glued it, wrapped and didn't have a problem since. A friend had a delamination at the same spot. The wrapping is done where the bow is most likely to delaminate due to high stress. I've also seen some korean bows with the wrapping done more as a decoration. Probably at 30# it's not needed, but for stronger bows it is better to have it. The wrapping has to be tight and helps to enforce the critical areas.

The windfighter bows come without the wrapping. In our group, when somebody got a new bow, that was the first thing we did to the bow.

An example of a very strong bow which has the same wrappings:
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2486

12

(7 replies, posted in Arrows)

Could you post a picture? with how the string sits in the nock?

If it does not enter all the way that is the problem. At release, the string will push all the way, forcing the nock open. File the inside of the nock until the string fits all the way.

The idea is to make the arrow act like shot from a center shot bow, but torque might need to change slightly depending on arrow spine and weight. If you change the arrows, you can actively adjust the torque, but I've found that your brain does that automatically after a dozen shots. Try to shoot something like a 500 and a 300 spine arrow and check the differences with your bow and your technique.

If you mix arrows in a shooting session, or even shooting without looking which arrow you've picked up, stick with your default form. You will not be able to compensate for each arrow. The overall accuracy will drop, but you can experiment with different techniques (more or less torque, forward push, release types, anchors etc ) and find which technique is less affected by differences in spine.

If ultimate precision is your goal, then you might be better off with the western style of finding a fixed anchor,  relaxing the bow hand, tuning the arrows perfectly to the bow and choosing a reliable aiming technique like gap. Or practice day and night and shoot instinctively.

FieroFurry wrote:

If your arrow is hitting try a arrow with less spine or just add a higher grain head-the correct arrow will not touch your hand/bow and should hit your mark;

That works, but it is the western approach of tuning the arrow to the bow. I personally prefer tuning the bow hand torque to the arrow.

15

(29 replies, posted in Bows)

Thank you!

On the back side, with the little finger, some pressure is needed, but just a bit. The rotation comes mostly from the wrist pushing forward, more than from the little finger pushing back. Again, it is all about balance. The bow's center of mass is usually in the middle of the handle. If you push with the wrist forward, you are pushing with the base of the thumb and the index finger, on the top of the handle, above the center of mass. Some pressure is needed in the little finger to allow the rotation, but pressure in the middle and little finger is mostly for side torque.

Both hands have to be relaxed at the same time, at the point of the release, and this is the real difficult part - relaxing, not actively releasing, especially the draw hand. In the bow hand you can get away with more variation, but it will affect the shot. If you decide to relax the bow hand, the bottom bow limb tip should strike your armpit or elbow. This is also mention in old books, I think in Arab archery, but I am not sure at the moment.

Korean masters know their technique very well, but they have adapted for shooting at long distance, which again, they do very well. But close range precision is not their strong point. They use longer draws to put more power into the arrow, but this makes aiming instinctively more difficult, because the draw hand is not in line with the arrow. If you are using some kind of point of aim or gap technique, with a fixed anchor, then this would become irrelevant. When shooting instinctively, especially without an anchor point, it is harder to be consistent when the drawing hand elbow exceeds the arrow line....at least for me it is.

17

(29 replies, posted in Bows)

Yes, it becomes stiffer, but because it is strung, I expected it to lose the reflex and "set" in the strung form, thus losing draw weight.

If it just becomes stronger, it could be warmed a bit by pre-drawing it a few times. I've also seen stories on wooden bows, especially yew, that can break if shot cold.

18

(29 replies, posted in Bows)

I'm kinda burnt out on real horn bows, don't get me wrong, I love them but I been shooting them for over 30 years.

@FieroFurry
Would you please share with us some of your experiences with them? From what I've heard, they don't like cold and humid weather, but I do not know exact numbers - how cold exactly. Do they just lose draw weight, or do the limbs also become more unstable laterally? Were your bows wrapped in birch bark or some other type of waterproof material?

Pressure at the bottom of the handle? In, my experience with SMG bows, they like pressure on the top of the handle, and the forward rotation. My first bow has frustrated me for one year until I discovered that it likes that. It is a lot more accurate when I do the forward rotation and likes to remind me if I don't do it  wink . The other bows are not that sensitive, but with forward rotation they shoot better. You'll have to find the balance point of you bow.

I do the forward rotation only be wrist tension, by keeping the wrist as level (or straight) as possible. This increases the draw length a bit and puts more force on the top limb. It also prevents the arrow nock from hitting your thumb, so you can get away with a lower nock position.

Regarding relaxing the bow hand, I would not recommend it. First, the grip is not designed for that. Look at compound and recurve bow grips - they are designed for a relaxed grip, but in order to be relaxed, it has to be straight. Then, if you decide to relax the bow hand, then you would have to match the arrow spine more carefully. 

Remember the teachings from Saracen Archery: "strong in both fists". I would say the bow hand is even more important than the draw hand. Never allow your bow to overpower your bow hand, because then you will be inaccurate. You are shooting the bow, not just drawing it.

20

(26 replies, posted in Bows)

Try this at 1:19 .. pretty good video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L2m0U5pxr0

21

(26 replies, posted in Bows)

All my SMG bows came with a blue foam grip (well, one was black) and the rubber strips. For 2 years I refused to use the rubber strips because I found them uncomfortable. I tried tennis grips, and different types of leather.  But, when I had to shoot in the rain for a day I realized that grip is important. Now I use only those grips and really like them.

The rubber stripes are usually about 1 to 1.5cm wide. If the strip is wider, then look careful on the back side, as it was precut and you can just pull it apart. In the photo above there are 3 black ones for example - you can clearly see the lines. One strip is enough for one grip. I use super glue to glue it.

The foam grip can be shaped with a knife. Cut it a bit smaller, so that with the grip wrap applied, it fits your hand. If you cut too much, you could always find some harder rubber piece to glue back. With the wrap on, when you grip the bow, you should have about one finger width space between the tips of your 3 lower fingers and the base of your palm. To test the wrap, apply glue just at the ends of the strip. If you're happy, undo one end, unwrap and then re-wrap by applying glue all the way.

If you want to use natural materials, you could try stingray skin.

For handle shape, I prefer the back side of the bow in the middle and the belly side of the bottom one in the picture below:
http://pds14.egloos.com/pds/200903/02/98/a0114898_49abd2c528f41.jpg

For gripping techniques, look here:
http://www.koreanarchery.org/punbb/viewtopic.php?id=231

Stephen also rotates his elbow to point sideways when he is at full draw. See also in part 4.

Anyway, these are all guidelines, you should find what works best for you because we all have our joints different. If it hurts now, try to move the elbow position.

You don't need extra protein. I also had this pain, because of bad form. After some time, it went away, with good form.

Your alignment is good, body position looks good too. Draw length is perfect, forearm in line with the arrow.
But:
- Bow arm elbow needs to be pointing to your left, not down. I tried to rotate my elbow to point down, and just by leaning against the wall and flexing the arm (doing "horizontal push ups" ) I can feel pain in the shoulder and I normally have no issue with the shoulder.

One more tip: Your arms still looks a bit stiff. Right hand remains still after the release, even comes forward a bit before going back. You can see this well at 0:21. It's a very fast but small creep, because the arm relaxes before the finger opens. You are holding the bow at full draw instead of maintaining the push-pull action. Keep pulling, ever so slightly, and start relaxing the thumb and the string should slip. While doing this, keep pulling. It should feel like the string slipped, not like you are letting it go. Like you are pulling a string and somebody lets go on the other side. The right hand goes flying backwards. This takes practice though, but try not to stop pulling, and the rest will come naturally.

I measured several SMG bows, manufactured between 2009 and 2011, and all of them had the draw weight that was advertised at around 29". The force-draw graphs are somewhere on the forum. 4 lbs/in is about right in the last few inches, for a bow of 50#

The wrist position is also important. I keep it in the same position as the olympic archers, but since we don't have pistol grips, we have to tilt the bow a bit. Also, tilt the bow forward a bit - this happens if you pull with your pinky and push with the top of the palm. This has a few advantages:
- It leads to a more relaxed and natural wrist position which is very strong too. it takes pressure from the elbow too.
- Enables the left hand to trigger or aid in the release. A weak left results in a bad shot (Kyudo also says that).
- Puts more force on the top limb. If the bow is designed for this, as korean bows are, then not doing this will lead to unbalanced bow arms.
- "Pushes" the arrow with a bit more force
- Prevents the arrow hitting the bow hand thumb (somebody already asked how to solve this)

Take a hammer or a bat or a sword in your hand, hit something with it and then look at your wrist. It will be tilted forward and sideways. Also look at Kyudo archers. Their bow is build to allow a wrist tilted forward. The lateral tilt does not exist there though.

Look at the Korean master archers. All of them keep the bow slightly tilted to the right. All archery legends do the same - Howard Hill, Fred Bear, Byron Ferguson to name just a few.

Olympic archers do not tilt the bow laterally, because it affects accuracy with sights and because they don't have to. They have the advantage of custom grips, which can put the wrist in virtually any position they like. Still, their bow arm is extended; the wrist is also extended but in a natural position.

Hmm..long post...maybe I should start writing a book about these things.