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Korean Traditional Archery → Posts by jbl
Warbow that should be 1/4" not half I should engage brain before the fingers.
The arrows I have with the purple heart are made by Brandywine arrows. They are a "hybrid" shaft the footing rather than being spliced onto the spruce is secured with a small dowel in the shaft. I will have to post a picture when I get a chance. They are very tough. In fact I have only broken one when I hit a steel rod at a shoot a few years back.
Warbow-the shaft is barrel tapered. As far as fletching I am somewhat lazy so I use three with a dimple on the nock, just easier to fletch and easier (cheaper) to buy. I have some four fletch low profile (1/2" feathers)bamboo arrows I use for some tournaments I shoot at that have targets out to 100 meters and some timed shoots. I find they fly better over the longer distance.
Shooter more than adequate.
Shooter I like a stiffer arrow but I like the weight of the wood. It is just a personal choice. These bows shoot heavy or light arrows equally as well and the blade is going to provide the cutting. There was an article in the last "Primitive Archer" that had Mongol arrow heads that were quite large and heavy. Grant it the bows they were shot from had draw weights over 100lbs. I am more of a small game hunter so I find a heavier arrow to have more punch on bunnies and bushy tails.
Great stuff-looks like fun.
I would say 30.5" is not short. I know it is not as long as some of the Korean archers but the bows are marked for 31" so it is not far off. In fact at my giant 5'8" frame I only draw about 31".
I use my Hwarang for hunting and have taken squirrels and rabbits with the bow no problem. I plan on going hog hunting with it as well. The nice thing about these bows is the performance is excellent plus the small size allows for any style of hunting.
Thank you for your post with the picture for DL it clears up a couple things in my mind.
To my knowledge there are no examples of Ming bows that are in existence however from all the drawings and the archery manuals that survived the Qing Dynasty the bows were smaller with small siyahs and resembled Tatar bows is it possible that the Korean bow was an "off shoot" of the Ming? I know that one has to be careful using artistic representations for evidence but to my mind it does seem likely that the Ming and the Koreans would share some archery aspects as they did fight as allies against the Japanese pirates and others.
I have had the new Hwarang for a couple of months now so I feel it is a good time to give an "unbiased review."
This is my second Hwarang my first is about ten years old so I am very familiar with the Korean Traditional bow but for those who are not; the first thing you notice is the physical size. This bow is short, very light in the hand and easy to get on target no matter what the terrain is like. The bow is very smooth to draw and hold on target. It is typical of most Asian recurves as the draw weight seems much lighter than it actually is.
The real joy of this bow is when you launch the arrow. The bow is not quiet but silent and it is FAST. I do not own a chrono but I am sure the arrow is flying faster than any other bow I own. The bow also has no handshock I do believe that the Hwarang is the ultimate hunting bow short for any style of hunting; quiet, fast and smooth draw.
Is there any word on the Kaya semi horn bow?
Hannu I am the same way. I can't, cant and be accurate., that is especially true with a thumb draw. I just hold the bow straight up and down and have no problems.
By the way your English is much better than my Finish. 
I have been more lucky than good and have gotten a few squirrels and rabbits with my bows over the years and last year I was lucky enough to get one with my "old" Hwarang. I am hoping to get out this upcoming weekend for some bushy tails and bunnies. Just depends on the weather.
For those who have used the sugakji is there more pressure place on the joint because of the pronge?
Happy New Year!!! I love the arrow tradition.
Took my 15 year old daughter squirrel/rabbit hunting the other day what a great time. I have taken her many times before but never this late in the season where squirrels are harder to find because: they see you first and the ones that are still around are on alert for any predators. Another issue with the leaves being down and the ground being frozen it is like the horde moving in the woods.
The one thing she really liked was how after about 15 minutes of the woods being silent and still the birds start to come back and then there are other "critters" that start to come back out as the "all clear" is sounded. Talk about an education.
No we didn't get anything...hunting squirrels with a bow isn't easy.
Hun-beautiful arrows, great craftsmanship. BRAVO!!!
I think there are a few things to consider when talking about draw length.
The first is historical accuracy:most if not all war bows were drawn to at least the ear if not longer. The Manchu and English bows are most note worthy.
The second the Korean Traditional form was developed and shaped by the war bow draw and the fact that the target is placed out past 100 meters.
The third is archery in North America has been shaped by shorter target distances (20 meters) and the so called "ethical" hunting distances.
I myself draw to 31" because I find at the shorter target distances and in hunting situations I find the "shorter" draw easier for me to be accurate. I guess my point is that styles and traditions evolve due to necessity.
When it comes to the twist I have been told and my experience has shown if you have proper back tension and proper grip the bow will "roll" away without any movement by the archer.
Those numbers are pretty impressive. Is this a new Hwarang or an "older" model?
Will-I am well into my 40's and the only trophy I have hunted for is my wife and that was over 20 + years ago. 
It was just great exercise, a great experience to be that close to a deer and great to be out in the woods. That is the reason why I enjoy small game so much no need for planning, or pressure to get "the one" just grab the bow and quiver and away you go.
No this isn't about getting "The One" or getting a hat trick (deer, squirrel, rabbit) in fact this is about only seeing one squirrel, no rabbits and a small buck. I finally made it out to the woods (weather and work cooperated) it was a nice warm day and light showers early in the day so I decided to go out a little later figuring the small game population would be coming out when the sun peaks through and the rain leaves.
After checking in (public land) I looked over the area and decided that the marshy area with the oak trees nearby would be best for my hunt. I hiked over that way between the tree line and a corn field and decided to warm up with some stump shooting. On about my third shot I was going to retrieve my arrow and all of a sudden I hear some leaves moving and see a bushy tail. Now that is what I wanted. I quickly nocked my arrow and went into the trees I saw my fat friend and loosed an arrow at about 15 yds-I missed(of course not by much:)) I then went to retrieve my arrow which had gone further into the woods and on my way back out I ran into the buck. He was only about ten feet away and me without a broadhead on my string. I was using a back quiver so I knew there was no way I could get an arrow out without "flagging." I just looked at my young friend and said, "it is your lucky day just get out of here." He tilted his head as if to say "thanks" and took off.
Now I didn't get the deer or the squirrel but I got something else and that was a connection with nature many can not understand. Many would say I was unlucky but to me I was lucky even though I was "shut out" there is nothing like being in the woods.
Thomas was that picture form 1963:)
I don't see why penetration would be a problem For the most part they are heavier than carbons especially at their full lengths. I know people who shoot with cane arrows and self bows and have no problem taking "big game" in NA. I once had a friend tell me, "it is the blade" meaning a sharp broadhead would be the key.
During archery deer season I always keep a bamboo arrow with a broadhead when I am small game hunting just in case a deer is dumb enough to wander across my path. Over the next couple of weeks (if I get out) I may have personal experience for you.
Jamie
The grips the older one had a hemp wrap which I liked but after shooting the new bow I really like the leather it just feels better in the hand.
After seeing the bows you can see there really is not that much difference in the bows and they both are so pleasant and fun to shoot. They are fast and quiet.
Korean Traditional Archery → Posts by jbl
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