1 Reply by Felidae

(33 replies, posted in Bows)

Gabriel wrote:

Felidae, i have the same problem with my Hwarang YMG bow i bought from him in Qinghai in July, i align the string in the midle of the bridge, but one i shoot i goes sideways from the middle, and if i keep shooting the string i´ll come out of the bow. After every shot i have to realign. But i can´t send it to Korean, i´ll have to keep it.

That is not good, not good at all.

I have been waiting two weeks for an update from my dealer on when I can expect my replacement bow to arrive and he still didn't know. So I arranged with him that he would send me instead a dozen new carbon arrows and I have now bought and wait for the delivery of a new SMG artificial horn bow from Korea. So hopefully this will be the end of my odyssey to buy a Korean bow @.@

Go to forum: Bows

2 Reply by Felidae

(33 replies, posted in Bows)

kalichakra wrote:

Hey all,
I am new here and have had the same problem with my KTB.  I got mine from lancaster archery and through research thought this a really good bow.  Should I send mine back also? the top twists after a few shots and the string will not sit straight no matter what you do?  I need advice if anyone can give it.  I saw on one of the posts that it normally is both, but I cant see a twist on the bottom of the bow. thanks for the help in advance

I think if only your top is twisted than it does sound as if you have exactly the same problem as me. As I said earlier I would not have worried about it if it was just a Korean market bow, but those as Thomas said have both limbs modified, not just one.

So it just seems that it is a manufacturing fault and as I paid full price for my bow I think it is just right to expect a defect-free  item for my money. Which is why I claimed and getting a replacement send. If your dealer is honest I'm sure he would do the same.

Just out of curiosity what is the brand of your bow?

Go to forum: Bows

3 Reply by Felidae

(33 replies, posted in Bows)

Another update:

I talked today with the dealer, who told me that he had received the bow. He was quite friendly and told me that he had tried to contact the manufacturer of my bow (bowKorea), only to find out that that company has closed its doors and is no longer operational.

Because the bow is indeed faulty, he has contacted Samick and will send me a Samick Korean Traditional Bow as replacement.

I used to have a Samick years ago and found it to be a good starter bow, but I would like to hear the opinions of you guys here as you have much more experience.

Go to forum: Bows

4 Reply by Felidae

(33 replies, posted in Bows)

bluelake wrote:

The only time I had a limb issue with the Hwarang bow was when the bowyer accidentally sent me a Korean-market bow, instead of an international-market bow (Korean-market bows are tillered a little to the arrow side of the bow, while the int'l-market bows are center-strung).  I wonder if your bow might not be a similar case...  Still, it is true that you, once in a while, get a defective bow.  However, in the case of the bows I sell, I check them out as much as possible before shipping.

I've sent the bow back earlier this afternoon, I guess for now I can only wait.

If my bow would have the Korean market limbs, that you described would only one limb be offset (which is the case with my bow) or would both limbs be offset? 

I wouldn't be worried  if  the bow is intentionally made like this, but if it is a defective bow I do hope I can get a  replacement or in the worst case scenario a refund to buy a bow from someone else.

Go to forum: Bows

5 Reply by Felidae

(33 replies, posted in Bows)

Alright I just got of the phone from the store owner and to be honest I have a bad gut feeling  hmm

He started by saying, that he checked the pictures I emailed him and that to be honest it is not that bad for one of those bows... he also asked me what I expect from an $170 bow... some time during the conversation he said that these are no real bows and that only kids practice with these over in Korea.

I tried to stand my ground and told him that all sort of people use these type of practice bows in Korea (I don't think to many kids can pull a 50LLB anyhow >.<) and that even at a price of $170 and factory made, the bow should be free of faults and have at the very least straight limbs... I offered him to send some more pictures to illustrate the gravity of the problem, but he said that it is not necessary and to send the bow back to him, so he could contact the manufacturer and see to what resolution we can come.

I really wish I had found these forums before buying this bow from a store that does not seem to know very much about Korean Traditional Archery. I spend $407 for a faulty bow and arrows that will be too short once I start shooting with a thumb ring, when I could have instead spent a little more and ordered one of Thomas Hwarang Bows or one of the Kaya bows instead  sad

I just hope that I can get a defect-free replacement and don't end up having wasted a lot of money...

Here are some more pictures of the defect, by closer examining I found that the problem lies with the lower limb which is NOT straight once the string is on the bow:

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r630/elementalcat/f32f8f34.jpg
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r630/elementalcat/07441ca1.jpg

Go to forum: Bows

6 Reply by Felidae

(7 replies, posted in Arrows)

bluelake wrote:

I recommend starting out with carbons, as they are, definitely, cheaper than bamboo (at least good quality ones).

Thank you I will look into a set of new carbon arrows once I got a thumb ring  smile

And interestingly once I used your mentioned method to recalculate my drawlength it worked out to be 29"+3"

Go to forum: Arrows

7 Reply by Felidae

(33 replies, posted in Bows)

Thank you two for your opinions on my problem, I've contacted the seller with my issue and are currently waiting for an answer back.

I really hope that he is good and honest and will replace the bow. I was so exited to get the bow and hope that it was a honest mistake that I received a lemon and not an attempt to just palm it off to an inexperienced beginner.

Go to forum: Bows

8 Reply by Felidae

(15 replies, posted in New Member Introductions)

@Warbow:

Thank you Warbow and yes luckily big yards are a big advantage of towns in regional Australia ^_^ lots of space out here LOL

@Alex:

Hi! Nice to hear from a fellow Aussi and I bet you could kick my ass in shooting  tongue  I have a great deal to learn.

I got my bow from this store in WA: http://www.archeryequipmentwa.com.au/ But I ran into some trouble as you can see in the BOWS thread on this forum and are in talks with the store owner to see if I can get my faulty bow replaced, I do hope that things will work out and that I can end up recommending him, but I am still waiting for his answer and just don't know yet  sad

Go to forum: New Member Introductions

9 Reply by Felidae

(15 replies, posted in New Member Introductions)

@sissara:

Alright I finally got my measurements  big_smile

For the width (as shown in your first picture) it is 21mm and for the thickness (as shown in your second picture) it is 18mm. If you need anything else let me know friend and thank you again for making me a thumb ring ^__^ !

Go to forum: New Member Introductions

10 Topic by Felidae

(33 replies, posted in Bows)

I need again some help from you experienced people here.

I got my Korean traditional bow from bowKorea now for a week and I found that I have troubles with the alignment of the string.

I use Thomas method from this youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0-lDkRB … ure=relmfu) to string it and think I do it right, but the string just never seems to sit straight in the middle.

Even when I adjust it, once I pull it back and hold it for a while or shoot arrows, it goes back into this slightly off-center position as you can see in these pictures:

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r630/elementalcat/df0722d4.jpg
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r630/elementalcat/a6cb141b.jpg

Does anyone know if I do something wrong or has it to do with the bow itself?
And is it actually a real problem or just cosmetic?

I can't find any information in English about the bow I bought from a store in Western Australia, does anyone know it or the company that makes these and are they alright bows in general?

Here a picture of the print on the bow:
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r630/elementalcat/e43b6b38.jpg

Go to forum: Bows

11 Reply by Felidae

(7 replies, posted in Arrows)

sissara wrote:

I usually get 32-33" arrows. Too long shaft wont hurt.
I would start with carbon arrows as they are more durable and safe for beginners.
Chinese and korean bamboo arrows are ten times different in both price and quality.
But, so far, my chinese bamboo arrows are shoot ok in 3D match.

Are carbon arrows cheaper then bamboo ones? And did you get your chinese bamboo arrows from ebay or a particular supplier sir?

Go to forum: Arrows

12 Reply by Felidae

(7 replies, posted in Arrows)

bluelake wrote:

It really depends upon if you are going to shoot using fingers or a thumb ring.  If fingers, the "standard" length is 28", but it's about 3" more (31") if you plan to use a thumb ring.  The measurement is usually made by stretching out your bow hand in a fist and measuring from the far outside of the fist to either your chin (fingers) or +3" (thumb ring).    The arrow is usually about an inch longer than the draw length.

Regarding bamboo arrows, be careful of those sold at a cheap price; you truly get what you pay for.

Thanks for the information, currently I lack a thumb-ring, but with sissara's help I hope to change that situation. I definitely want to shoot with a thumb-ring. I will use your method to remeasure my draw-length to make sure my future arrows are the right length.

I also will be careful where and what I buy when shopping for bamboo arrows, I really hope that someone can recommend a source that is of a reasonable quality but not too expensive. As I am still learning and so far already managed to lose 5 of my 12 arrows  sad   I want to get some that will fly relative straight, but won't hurt the wallet to bad when I lose them. At least until I get better, later on I do want to get better ones.

Go to forum: Arrows

13 Reply by Felidae

(15 replies, posted in New Member Introductions)

sissara wrote:

Measurement of circumference wont work for this kind of interlocking thumb ring.
I will need width and thickness of the drawhand thumb knuckle as the ring will lock at this place.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/s_issara/2012-09-12105741.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/s_issara/2012-09-12105704.jpg

For the price, it could be great. You firstly need to master the technique. And then show the other archers how fun and cool thumb draw is. You need to build skill and join some international traditional archery festival. Then you may then buy me a meal at the festival.  big_smile

If your place close to Sydney, you may learn some techniques from Bede as he is also a thumb shooter.

First of all thank you very much for illustrating how to measure, I do not own currently a caliper, but I am going to borrow one tomorrow to take my measurements, sorry for taking so long.

You are very generous and your prize sounds rather like a lot of fun!  yikes  I seriously hope that I one day do get good enough and will have the chance to meet you at such an archery festival to buy you a great tasting meal!  big_smile Thank you!

But please if you do require for your service or/and the postage payment, please let me know I am more then willing to compensate you for your time and effort.

I actually live in a small regional town in Queensland by the name Chinchilla which sadly is about 1000km from Sydney  sad  the closest archery club is 190km from here, but I am thinking about joining it anyway even if I only go every two weeks or so it would be nice to connect with other archers.

I have also talked to another archer in town and heard there is a third bloke that practices archery in town. I am currently in talks with the local shooting club to see if we can maybe use their shooting range for archery, maybe down the track if things work out we even can create a local archery club. Time will tell.

For now I am just shooting in my yard (which is just big enough for about 30m distance shooting).

Here a picture of my current archery equipment (I made the target myself out of two insulationboards and a craftwoodboard it works quite well sofar):
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r630/elementalcat/6d03e5f0.jpg

Go to forum: New Member Introductions

14 Reply by Felidae

(15 replies, posted in New Member Introductions)

sissara wrote:

Sounds good news. your may give me the measurement of your thumb knuckcle 1) width 2) thickness I could start making it this weekend. You may have only one color option, black as I do not have albino horn at this moment.  big_smile
http://www.ilovegkr.com/graphics/techniq/hands/thumbb.jpg

Last time my australian friend told me about importing of some kind of organic materials to aus may require fumigation... with recipient cost. That 's why I asked.   smile

It is good news, apparently Asian waterbuffolo horn is allowed for import into Australia.  smile

Now I am not completely sure how to measure for with and thickness, do you want the measurement taken by wrapping a tape-measure around my knuckle as to find out what the diameter around my knuckle is or should I measure differently?

Also can you please give me an estimate of your prize for the thumbring with shipping as I have to see if its within my budget due to trying to save up money for my trip to Korea next year.

Thanks again!

Go to forum: New Member Introductions

15 Topic by Felidae

(7 replies, posted in Arrows)

As a total beginner I would like to ask a couple of questions and hopefully someone can help:

When I ordered my Korean bow I did order also a dozen arrows with it. I had calculated my drawlength by measuring from one tip of my middlefinger to the other while holding my arms stretched out and apart and then dividing it by 2.5, which resulted in a drawlength of 28 inches for me.

The archery store recommended that I buy 28.5 inch long arrows, which I did. But I am not sure if it is really the right length for me and if the method I used is right for Korean traditional archery. If anyone could advice me that would be really great.

The other thing is, that once I know for sure what the right arrowlength/drawlength for me is, I do want to buy or make my own bamboo arrows. I've seen on ebay offers of people selling finished bamboo arrows (like this one: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/6x-Trad-ARRO … 2321fbc612) as-well as bamboo shafts (like this one: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/25pcs-Hexsha … 589587f4a0).

But I am a little cautious with ebay purchases and wanted to see if anyone had experience with buying shafts or complete arrows from ebay and if it is a safe option. And maybe you can recommend me a good quality seller.

Go to forum: Arrows

16 Reply by Felidae

(15 replies, posted in New Member Introductions)

bluelake wrote:

Yeah, the Joomla version of my website is having problems, so I have to do things kind of manually now.  Yes, you can send PayPal to my goongdo@hotmail.com address.


T

Thank you very much, just sent the payment and put my postal address in the paypal message, looking forward to read up and learn.



@sissara: I am still waiting for a call back from customs with the final ok, but it looks like I might be able to take you up on your offer. If I understood the guy from customs right it would be permitted basically as long as the waterbuffolo is not classed as an endangered species. He said he would confirm this for me and give me a call back. smile

Go to forum: New Member Introductions

17 Reply by Felidae

(15 replies, posted in New Member Introductions)

bluelake wrote:
Felidae wrote:

I also seen in some youtube videos that there is a book by Thomas Duvernay that would be a perfect starting point for me, but I haven't been able to find where I could get it from. Maybe someone here knows where to get it from (physical or as an ebook).

Here I am  smile   The book is $30, which includes shipping.

After reading a bit on the forums late yesterday evening I kinda guessed as much that you must be Thomas Duvernay  smile and was going to contact you regarding your book, thank you for responding.

I would love to buy one right away, but when I follow the link in the books section of the forums it just brings the 404 Not Found message.

Do you accept payment via paypal? And if so what email address will I deposit the money into?

Go to forum: New Member Introductions

18 Reply by Felidae

(15 replies, posted in New Member Introductions)

sissara wrote:

I would happy to carve you a thumbring but I am not sure if sending a piece of carved buffalo horn to aus will against aus law?

Thank you very much for the offer! I am trying right now to figure out if buffalo horn are banned from import here, I know for sure that dear horn and antlers are, but not quite sure about buffalo horn >.<

Go to forum: New Member Introductions

19 Topic by Felidae

(15 replies, posted in New Member Introductions)

Hello everyone,

my realname is Roy, I am 34 years old, I was born and grew up in Germany, but later when I married an Aussi girl, I immigrated to Australia. I am passionate about Cats, my Hyundai Accent and most recently Korean Traditional Archery and Korea itself.

16 years ago in Germany, when I was in my teens I developed an interest in archery and it was pure coincidence, but my first bow was a Traditional Korean Bow from Samick. I greatly enjoyed shooting that bow, but had no idea about the Korean martial art of gukgung. 8 and a half years ago I immigrated to Australia and took that bow with me, but it was stolen shortly after my arrival. A month ago I finally decided to get back into archery and tried to purchase again a Korean Traditional Bow. It was very difficult to find one here in Australia, but I finally found an archery store that had one in stock and it arrived last week.

I am an absolute beginner and as my first practice rounds have shown me, I need to learn things from the basic level up. I am fascinated by gukgung to the level that I now started to save up money to go next year April to Korea and attend for one week Coach Kim Archery School in Goesan to properly learn at least the basics of Korean Traditional Archery. But until then I do hope to educate myself to some degree via the internet and books if I can find any.

I sadly don't have any Korean friends and it seems that gukgung jungs (Clubs) are non existent in Australia let alone anywhere near where I live. And I also can't speak or read Korean, oh though I might start looking into learning some in the near future. But thankfully I found this forum which seems to be full of information about Korean Traditional Archery.

I also seen in some youtube videos that there is a book by Thomas Duvernay that would be a perfect starting point for me, but I haven't been able to find where I could get it from. Maybe someone here knows where to get it from (physical or as an ebook).

The other thing I struggle with is finding a thumb ring and other Korean Traditional Archery equipment like the bow-cover and so on. Maybe someone knows any Korean based archery shops that would supply internationally their goods and that either have an english webpage/onlineshop or someone that speaks english and that I could simply phone in regard to ordering items.

Hopefully I can learn from this forum and its users' personal experiences some to get myself started.

~Felidae

Go to forum: New Member Introductions