Another newbie needing help choosing a bow, and other questions.

Hi Angelus,

I'll try and help you with your first and second questions:

1) I'd essentially, for your first Korean bow, go with the SMG carbon.  Its incredibley fast and powerful and does relatively little damage to the wallet.  No loss at all perfomance wise.  Its pretty top notch.  Also, if you are just starting to learn the thumb draw I'd go with as light a draw weight as possible.  Say 30-40 pounds.  Then if you'd like go up another 5 or even 10 pounds or so for your next bow.  Trust me, your thumb will thank you during these early formative days of learning.

2) Regarding draw length, well this can potentially be related to draw weight.  I was teaching a 'noob' not too long ago who had a 40-45 pound KTB.  He could only pull off a 28 inch draw at best with arrows that were 31 inches.  So strength/muscle development can be a factor here, especially if you are in the 'noob' category.  Also to note, ideally with Korean archery you'll pull back to the end of the blunted point on your arrow.  Most Korean arrows' length range are from 30 to maybe say about 33 inches.  You may want to go with the shortest length during these learning days rather than the longer.  If you feel it was too easy at the lowest draw length offered or gets too easy, then next time go up to the next length.  People though with longer arms are naturally going to feel more comfortable drawing longer arrows.  I prefer these days 32 or even 33 inches as I myself am long armed.

Its usually the opposite way: the more modern materials out perform the traditional.  Although some may say the horn backed is better.  Either way, for the price and performance, you may as well just go with the carbon for your first bow.

I have long limbs and had one of the standard size YMGs which is 49 inches.  I wasn't very comfortable with it and so I sold it for a janggung (the longer version) which is an inch or so longer and to me, made a considerable difference.  I can lock in the draw in a far more comfortable way which is pretty essential.

You'd probably be fine then with a 'standard size' - like a 49 inch.

Nice to see you join us here Angelus 

I've seen arguments on both sides of semihorn vs carbon.

By my way of thinking, both bows are backed by carbon so whatever's on the belly can't affect the bow too much and horn is heavier than carbon so I would think carbon shoots a little faster..

But in any case the semihorn is plenty fast, I initially shot 8gpp arrows but the shots were so fast that they were difficult to follow with the eyes so I switched to 11gpp arrows and it's still one of the fastest bows at my club.

The only significant difference is the price and appearance. You have to ask yourself if the slightly more authentic look is worth ~$80 to you

Keep in mind SMG measures draw weight at 31.6" (when I asked about my bow anyway) so if your draw length is lower or higher your draw weight will differ too

SMG sells five different sizes

Jang-gung for >31.8"
Jung-gung for 31.6~31.8"
Dan-gung for 31"
Dan-dan-gung for 29.8"
Dong-gae-gung (horsebow) for <29.2"

Drawing less than these recommended draw lengths isn't a problem but drawing farther causes stacking and uncomfortable shooting

Here's what I tell people:

Take a tape measure and hold the 0" end with your "bow hand" fully extended.  Take your "draw hand" and pull the tape measure as far back as you can toward your shoulder.  Where you end up will be approximately at your draw length.

Usually around 31-32" for most people.  It's often about 3-4" more than one's finger draw.