Mellowfellow wrote:Hello everyone.
I'm interested in buying a kaya kahn for target shooting and fun hobby but I'm a total traditional recurve newbie.
I'm in need of some advice though. I want one which is about 45# (ive just read this is a good medium weight, should I go lighter in this case ?) and my draw length is 28,3" (measured from open extended arms index finger too index finger at about 70"/2.5 from this article http://www.huntersfriend.com/bow_sizing … uide.html)
This could already be a wrong start since this is not a compound but a traditional recurve ?
Ive read that in some cases the bow need's a little work to get it 100% tip top.. Things like smoothing the bow tips, adding padding where the strings "rest" on the tips on the back, and adding a patch of leather for the arrow rest.
Is this the standard ? Which glue should one use on this beauty ?
For arrows could I use lightspeed 500 carbon arrows ? Or is this the wrong move and should I get cheaper arrows, wood arrows, better arrows ? I'm ordering from ArcheryTorgue and they have a selection of bamboo and Carbon Pro carbon arrows. Can anyone recommend their arrow setups for target shooting ? Do the arrows need to be longer than normal ?
Then I guess lastly there is the release, does one use a tab or glove ?
O and do I use a stringer to get the string on or not ?
I realise I'm really going ape with all my questions, please forgive me! I value your sensible advice
MF
I recently got into Korean archery, and came from an extensive background in self bows and recurves. Instead of trying to convince you why they're good, I'm first going to say that my Korean bow is unlike anything I've ever shot....absolutely my favorite bow, and possibly one of my favorite possessions. Even though I bought the "hwarang" model, I still did some very small out of box stuff to it like going over the seams, working on the backing...etc; it was fantastic out of the box, but no matter how good a bow is it still likes those last minute touchups.... No matter the cost if the bow, the origin, the quality, it'll need your last personal touches to complete it as yours, or at least that's how I feel.
I use carbon arrows, and it casts like no bow I've ever seen. I'm not one of those spine gurus, but these bows seem to handle all kinds of arrows.
I, and most others here use thumbrings. Thumbrings are new to me, and have shot three fingered for since a young age, but I have far surpassed my previous accurate and speed by adding a thumbring into it (more consistency). If you refuse to go the Asiatic shooting methods, and stay with three fingers, you'll quickly realize that smaller bows are significantly less forgiving of form, or at least they are to me (not just Korean bows).
I noticed you asked about a leather shelf. Don't. The first time I shot from my hand on the right side I figured it would become a steep learning curve, but western form is extremely clumsy, inefficient, and twice the time between shots. I wish I were joking, about this, but it is really that much of a difference. One important thing to note is slight twist of the bow (away from the arrow), and it prevents typical problems found in western shoot I g (archers kiss, vein deflection....etc).
Everyone already left you some good responses, but I was recently in similar shoes so I felt that I should comment. Good luck!