1

(16 replies, posted in Bows)

Spring is here! Well, it was yesterday. A old friend visited and we got out into the open and shot some long distance. He was using a standard western recurve and I enjoyed my horn bow. Well, it is buffalo horn. Just with glass fibre. Using the Korean arrows was soo smooth and easy. They don't center very well but flight shooting is brilliant. Their tips are blunt but they stick well enough in the field. It's been too long since I shot thumb. I think it's actually shrunk a millimeter or so in circumference from lack of exercise. Is that even a rational thought? Anybody else experience this after lengthy lay-offs?

2

(9 replies, posted in Thumb Rings)

Cheers, Pedrito! Yeah, why didn't I think of reaching out directly to Dekker myself?

3

(9 replies, posted in Thumb Rings)

Tonight I gave the videos of Caesar and others another look. I may have to thicken my string. Korean strings are doubled and perhaps the Manchu are as well? This just might make shooting with a cylindrical thumb ring feasible. Does anybody know?

4

(16 replies, posted in Bows)

On with the review. Now that the bow is getting into its own, let me assess which arrows are better.
The ones that came with the bow as requested are YMG carbons that look like bamboo with plastic vanes. I asked for as long as the bow would tolerate and got 83cm total length/27g. These predictably work nicely with the bow, although I must assume they will be even better at 145m? At any rate I was informed that drawing the bow no longer than they accomodate would help it live longer.
I also tried my Penthalon bamboo hunter full lengths (85cm end to end, 23g). If anything to discern from the YMGs, they may just be a tad more fun. Unlike the Korean they are feathered. Aiming seems easier with the Penths.
Last, but not least I also must mention my traditional Chinese, inexpensive bamboo (80cm, 34g). They just somehow seem to swing with the horn and produce a wonderful natural feel. My favourites so far. Am in now in the process of buying more bamboos, slightly longer and somewhat lighter, around 26-27g. Will update later when the winter allows for some outdoor shooting.

5

(26 replies, posted in Bows)

http://www.archers.co.kr/goods/view.php?seq=19 Please have a look-see.

6

(26 replies, posted in Bows)

Confusion seems to be setting in early this year. Let me be clear. The SMG comes with a grip. A traditional grip. It's called a jum-tong. It's what the bow is born with.
The SMG also comes with a grey wrapping the use of which is referred to in the video. Watch, please: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a0fcgXfTBA
This is a personal choice, I guess, although I must say find it odd that it is identical to a material sold here in skiing crazy Norway to sand down your skis. Identical.
Now, my point is, why put anything onto the traditional grip. But I repeat myself.

7

(26 replies, posted in Bows)

Yes I know. I just bought an SMG laminated horn. By traditional I guess I mean what most would accept as such. Feel free to have your own ideas.

8

(16 replies, posted in Bows)

Last pic for now...

9

(16 replies, posted in Bows)

Finally my modern horn bow is ready to draw to the full length of the arrows that came with it. They are carbon but look like bamboo. The brass points are stump, for use on a traditional hard target at 145 meters distance. It's mid winter in Western Norway now and the cold has set in. Heeding the advice of the helpful guys at Gungsulwon, I will refrain from using it in very cold weather. What they wrote was keep it inside your coat when the temp drops. In actual fact I place it adjacent to the wood stove and wait for it to gain body temperature before stringing. When I unstring it I take care to do it slowly and follow thorugh with my hand easing the bow back into c-shape. It's a joy and I intend to keep it that way.

10

(26 replies, posted in Bows)

Well, I don't know about that idea. It's traditional. It's functional. It's cool. Just get used to it. Goes with the territory. Of course, you can start your own tradition. Don't believe Koreans will hold it against you. I like it. Try.

11

(9 replies, posted in Thumb Rings)

A leather thumb ring would not do in this case, I'm afraid. The string rests on a shelf forming a 120 degree angle with the tube that is the ring. It is long enough that it can be placed over the joint, not beyond. @basilisk: My theory too, but how can I achieve this in practice? You try it. The thumb has 3 joints like the other fingers. How ever, only the top one is really mobile. Trying to keep that bent and then somehow flexing only the lower joint is tricky. Any thoughts?

12

(9 replies, posted in Thumb Rings)

Hi. Can anyone help on the subject of Manchu thumb rings? I bought a horn ring from China at a reasonable price and thought I'd give it a go because I read that a guy called Dekker recommended the use for Chinese types bows. Obviously it might just be the case that it was ill suited for Korean bows. Which is what I had in mind.
The ring diameter was 22 mm, too tight for me. After some expanding with sand paper it was still tight but kind of ok. Not wanting to go too wide seemed a good idea.
I studied http://mandarinmansion.com/articles/Usi … Dekker.pdf and tried to twist the thumb hand clockwise to hold on for dear life, then release turning in the other direction. Sometimes this went ok. Sometimes though the release caused the ring to fly off.
Last time this happened the ring flew into a wall (shooting inside our house) and cracked on one side. It has been glued back together but this hurdle is frustratingly high for me. I haven't a clue. Is this just practice needed or can anyone offer some insights?

13

(26 replies, posted in Bows)

Hold your horses, Geronimo. And Tonto. The reason the material from SMG doesn't have a sticky side will be painfully clear to you after watching this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a0fcgXfTBA
Happy New Year!

14

(16 replies, posted in Bows)

On with the review. I just shot 50 arrows of varying length and weights, pulling about halfway back to ease into action. Now how to describe the experience of shooting this bow? It's smooth. When drawn it makes an appealing wooden sound, like any natural material would under strain. It looks perfectly tillered - slightly to the right (arrow) side. It permits an effortless draw, like a rubber band. Upon release it whips. Tremendous speed without any noticeable hand shock. It makes my Khan seem crude and sufficient. Mind you, it's not as powerful on paper (52#@31,6"). My first impression though is it just might be in reality. It's effortless, calm, relaxed, peaceful. As I read through what I just wrote I become aware just how impressed I am. A big thank you to Ginni who reviewed different makes of KTB on these pages and declared this his favourite. Without his expert advice I would not have dared to invest 420 USD in an untried commodity. Cheers!

15

(16 replies, posted in Bows)

Last for today. We have a wood oven so after some drying out I intend to try and pull it some half way tonight before the Cavaliers play the Warriors.

16

(16 replies, posted in Bows)

Don't know if it translates through the screen but this bow is so well made. I bent it ever so gently at first and after another 15 minutes of admiration I just stringed it to have a look. It bends so softly. The brace height appears no more than 5 inches tops. It is even smaller than my Khan, see pic for comparison.
Must say the handle is very small but will try the grey grip material before I gripe on.

17

(16 replies, posted in Bows)

Oh tidings of comfort and joy...

18

(16 replies, posted in Bows)

Wrong pic.

19

(16 replies, posted in Bows)

My bow package arrived yesterday, just one week after shipment from Korea. That's fast service for ya  big_smile What's even better it looks whole and unharmed in transit which is no mean feat from around the world. Yes, I've seen bagage handlers at airports.
Christmas eve is in 5 days or 119 hours from now. In Scandinavia we open our presents, brought by Santa because we behaved this last year, on the 24th. I can wait. For now, a few pics. One fun detail is the stamp:

20

(16 replies, posted in Bows)

Having spent months waiting in vain for a response from SMG or Mechwar, I finally decide enough was enough. Based on advice found especially here on this forum it appeared senseless to persist.
Koreanbow were helpful and very reasonable in their fee, but tried mostly to sell their own products and did not want to contact YMG over the bamboo look carbons. It grew tiresome.
Gungsulwon on the other hand were only too happy to help, for a fee of course. We negotiated a price of 420 USD for the SMG laminated horn bow and 170 USD for 10 YMG arrows. They also offered great advice on care and use of the horn bow, which I feel will only prolong the lifespan of the bow.
Anyway, here it is in Seoul. Christmas can't come soon enough this year, I feel like a kid again. If anyone has experience with these bows please let me in.

21

(69 replies, posted in Bows)

Hey. Thought I'd give you a heads-up about the white laminated from SMG. I was told they did not really want to sell any above 50# because the bows would not be sufficiently tough. Maybe Greyhamster was right abot the stringing? In any case I chose a standard laminated and is advised not to shoot it at cold temperatures and not overdraw it too often. It is a living thing and must be treated as such: dry out between shoots to get rid of excess moisture. Don't shoot in the rain. You bow may not break today, but following this simple advice might just add to its longevity. Good luck.

22

(10 replies, posted in Bows)

I just enquired about the SMG white laminated and was told it was fragile. SMG did not want to sell above 50# perhaps not wanting to jeopardise their good name?

23

(4 replies, posted in Bows)

Salut Olivier, I use a Kaya for flight and short distance shooting and it displayed similar behaviour to what you describe here. If you work the bow from new it shouldn't disalign later. Once it's happened though you can still realign by twisting it while warm (that is between shots). Worked fine for me. Bonne chance, mon vieux.

24

(15 replies, posted in Bows)

What a monster! In another thread people seem very dismissive of the idea that bows certainly developed down through the ages. Maybe these siyahs served a similar purpose to the Manchu type bow of recent past? That would indicate long, heavy arrows and perhaps shooting afoot. After the advent of firearms the bow was mainly used for rapid fire short distance combat so who knows how old this is?

25

(17 replies, posted in Bows)

I have owned and shot a Khan 50# for half a year now, shooting flight every day at 160 meters. It's a great little bow sold which I modified slightly, putting in place a grip similar to the traditional Korean bows using leather and bicycle cork. Absorbs shock almost completely working with the two dampers I made out of filt and leather.