• Registered: 2014-08-22
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Topic: Need advice before I order my first bow

Hello,

I have read many threads about choosing a bow, but I just want to make sure that I order a correct one.
I am 5.8" and my draw length is 27.2".
I checked ktb website, and it looks like I am getting 48", and draw weight 35#?
Is this correct size for me? 
I also check the size of a thumb ring, and the size is between 19mm to 30mm?  Is this correct measure?  I check my thumb, and its either 2.6" or almost 6cm....that is 60mm??
Did I measured wrong??  How am I supposed to measure my thumb?
I have small hands, which means small thumb.  I want to make sure I am ordering the right size.

Any advice for a newbie can be great help!

Thank you!

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  • Registered: 2012-06-12
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

The bow size you chose is about right.  My only remark would be maybe to have considered going with 30 pounds.  The lighter the better, especially when first developing the thumb draw.

Sizing a ring is tricky.  Keep in mind that your thumb will swell and grow bigger over time.  Its good to have two rings: one that fits your initial size, and another for when you thumb expands.

It can take a while for you to get the perfect ring due to these factors.

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  • Registered: 2014-08-22
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

geoarcher wrote:

The bow size you chose is about right.  My only remark would be maybe to have considered going with 30 pounds.  The lighter the better, especially when first developing the thumb draw.

Sizing a ring is tricky.  Keep in mind that your thumb will swell and grow bigger over time.  Its good to have two rings: one that fits your initial size, and another for when you thumb expands.

It can take a while for you to get the perfect ring due to these factors.

Thank you for the reply.
I will order 30# one. 
The only problem is the thumb ring.  The website shows size between 19mm-30mm, but it doesnt make sense.  My thumb size is 6cm, which is 60mm....  Any advice on measuring and ordering the ring from the site?

Thank you.

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  • Mule
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

The length of your thumb doesn't matter, you need to be measuring the width. What website are you looking at?

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  • Registered: 2014-08-22
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

Mule wrote:

The length of your thumb doesn't matter, you need to be measuring the width. What website are you looking at?

Thank you for the reply.  Now I understand how to measure it.
I was looking at the site koreanbow.com

I also found the same bow on ebay....what site do you guys recommend?  I think some members are selling bow here?  Any advice on this?

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  • Mule
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

I recommend SMG, you get best value for your money.
If you speak Korean you can order through them directly http://www.smgung.co.kr/
..or order through Mechwar http://www.koreanarchery.org/punbb/profile.php?id=7
..or through his website http://www.archers.co.kr/

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7 Reply by joomong (edited by joomong 2014-08-24 11:25:48)

  • Registered: 2014-08-22
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

Mule wrote:

I recommend SMG, you get best value for your money.
If you speak Korean you can order through them directly http://www.smgung.co.kr/
..or order through Mechwar http://www.koreanarchery.org/punbb/profile.php?id=7
..or through his website http://www.archers.co.kr/

I speak Korean so ordering the bow is not a problem for me.
I checked the website, and it has a lot of different bows, like beginners bow, carbon, bamboo, etc...
It looks like a carbon bow is right for me...?
It looks like they do not sell thumb rings?  Should I get the arm or finger protector?
Any advice on this?

Thank you so much for helping out a newbie.

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  • Mule
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

They do sell thumb rings, you can find them under ETC or 화살/깍지/가방
They sell various types of horn rings as well as a set of plastic thumb rings in various sizes ($20 for 8 rings I believe)

($160 )Beginner's bow is only available in weights lower than 20lb so is really only suitable for children
($200) Artificial horn is fibreglass and is a decent bow
($250) Carbon is a bit better in terms of arrow speed
($330) Horn performs similarly to the other two bows but mostly it looks nicer/more authentic

Prices are listed as I last heard, prices may be different now. What bow you pick is really up to you to decide how much you're willing to spend vs how nice a bow you want etc

Arm protection you don't need, if your brace height is alright you'll never hit your arm. Not sure what finger protection is, is it for bow or string hand? Either way it isn't necessary, just optional.

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  • Registered: 2014-08-22
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

Mule wrote:

They do sell thumb rings, you can find them under ETC or 화살/깍지/가방
They sell various types of horn rings as well as a set of plastic thumb rings in various sizes ($20 for 8 rings I believe)

($160 )Beginner's bow is only available in weights lower than 20lb so is really only suitable for children
($200) Artificial horn is fibreglass and is a decent bow
($250) Carbon is a bit better in terms of arrow speed
($330) Horn performs similarly to the other two bows but mostly it looks nicer/more authentic

Prices are listed as I last heard, prices may be different now. What bow you pick is really up to you to decide how much you're willing to spend vs how nice a bow you want etc

Arm protection you don't need, if your brace height is alright you'll never hit your arm. Not sure what finger protection is, is it for bow or string hand? Either way it isn't necessary, just optional.

Thank you very much for everything!
One last thing Mule.  I can just buy arrows here in the states, correct? 

I am going to order the bow today! smile

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  • Mule
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

The strings that come with the bows are very thick and don't fit 'regular' arrow nocks, you'll either have to buy korean arrows (SMG sells decent enough carbon ones for $10 and you won't have to worry about arrow spine) or try to widen arrow nocks or get a new thinner string.

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  • Registered: 2014-08-22
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

Mule wrote:

The strings that come with the bows are very thick and don't fit 'regular' arrow nocks, you'll either have to buy korean arrows (SMG sells decent enough carbon ones for $10 and you won't have to worry about arrow spine) or try to widen arrow nocks or get a new thinner string.

Thank you!!

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  • Registered: 2012-07-27
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

joomong wrote:
Mule wrote:

The strings that come with the bows are very thick and don't fit 'regular' arrow nocks, you'll either have to buy korean arrows (SMG sells decent enough carbon ones for $10 and you won't have to worry about arrow spine) or try to widen arrow nocks or get a new thinner string.

Thank you!!

Mule is correct about the  problematic thickness of the string but it is really due to the double serving not the strand thickness. Just remove the serving and re-serve yourself (or have a archery shop do it) with a single serving. That worked well for me. see http://tonygt19.smugmug.com/Archery/Dyn … ;k=Mxvx7cC
Cheers,
Tony

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  • Registered: 2014-08-22
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

tonygt19 wrote:
joomong wrote:
Mule wrote:

The strings that come with the bows are very thick and don't fit 'regular' arrow nocks, you'll either have to buy korean arrows (SMG sells decent enough carbon ones for $10 and you won't have to worry about arrow spine) or try to widen arrow nocks or get a new thinner string.

Thank you!!

Mule is correct about the  problematic thickness of the string but it is really due to the double serving not the strand thickness. Just remove the serving and re-serve yourself (or have a archery shop do it) with a single serving. That worked well for me. see http://tonygt19.smugmug.com/Archery/Dyn … ;k=Mxvx7cC
Cheers,
Tony

How about these arrows?
http://www.lancasterarchery.com/korean- … arrow.html
Will they work?  If not, I will just order them, and do the method you showed.
Thank you.

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  • Mule
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

Just keep in mind they're also blunt tipped so they won't stick into targets..

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  • Registered: 2014-08-22
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

Mule wrote:

Just keep in mind they're also blunt tipped so they won't stick into targets..

You are right...

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  • From: Cranbrook, BC Canada
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

Three rivers is where I got my KTB from. I have had no problems with the string being to thick for regular arrows either. They will basically have everything you need to get started.

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  • Registered: 2014-08-22
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Re: Need advice before I order my first bow

Chadwck wrote:

Three rivers is where I got my KTB from. I have had no problems with the string being to thick for regular arrows either. They will basically have everything you need to get started.

Thank you for the reply.
I am ordering arrows now!

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