Aaron
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Post by Aaron on Feb 2, 2012 5:56:31 GMT
Not sure about carbon specifically, but I know aluminum can damage a bow. Generally accepted that modern alternatives are a no-no for traditional archery and has little to do with the historicity as far as I'm aware. YMMV, of course.
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Post by Tendrax on Feb 2, 2012 6:14:38 GMT
I've never heard that before but I'll look into it. You've got me curious now.
Either way, Crouton, if you go with wood arrows you'll be fine, just make sure you get the right spine weight.
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron on Feb 2, 2012 6:22:39 GMT
I'll go through and see if I can dig up any info on it. It may be wildly wrong, but it was something I was always taught and I know I've gotten it from several different sources.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Feb 2, 2012 10:27:24 GMT
I only shoot carbon shafts. They're quite simply better. Always perfectly straight or broken, once you got the right arrow for you, it's very easy to get 10 others that behave exactly the same (or at least VERY close, much closer than wood can ever be). Aluminum is more prone to bending, especially if you use low price arrows. In the end though, it totally doesn't matter what you shoot, it's still traditional shooting. What makes your shooting traditional is not the bow or the arrow, it's the fact that you're not using any aiming device. Many of the best traditional shooters exclusively use carbon and aluminum shafts and their bows are made of modern high tech-materials. So it's not about what you shoot, it's about how you shoot.
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Post by sceraxn on Feb 2, 2012 14:48:12 GMT
Im interested in seeing some proof that you shouldnt use carbon or aluminum arrows with traditional bows. Dont get me wrong Aaron, im not saying youre wrong at all, its just that im about to start shooting an old recurve and i was planning on using the carbon shafts that i use with my compound. If i cant use them then i need to go ahead and order or start making some traditional ones of my own.
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron on Feb 2, 2012 15:12:28 GMT
It would seem I may have been brought up on an old superstition. :lol: I'm looking over quite a number of forums now, and many gentlemen with wood bows use carbon arrows. So I guess, if they're a better option for you, then go right on ahead. It would seem that wood arrows are preferable because they are heavier and thus impart more force and are quieter, but are no more "safe" for your bow.
Learn something new every day!
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Post by sceraxn on Feb 2, 2012 15:16:04 GMT
OK thats good to know. I wanted to make sure i wasnt going to hurt the bow more than anything. Its lasted 42yrs so far and id hate to mess it up just by shooting the wrong arrows. Thanks for posting that up my friend.
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Greg
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Post by Greg on Feb 2, 2012 20:22:11 GMT
I've used these horribly cheap fiberglass arrows from china, lemme see if I can find them: www.ebay.com/itm/12-Shiny-Black- ... 1c2347e942 Yes, the above arrows look exactly like my first set of arrows. I couldn't go out and shoot without something horrible happening to them. The arrow head would fall off, a vain would become loose or detach from the shaft all together. And moreso, the notches on these aren't smoothed and had actually taken a chunck out of my bow when I shot it. If I were in the market for arrows, these look to be the most promising: www.ebay.com/itm/ARROWS-1-DOZEN- ... 23194a19ac And these: www.ebay.com/itm/10-x-30-BLACK-F ... 35b642acf2 And actually, the last link there might be better as they offer 30" arrows, where the one before that only goes as high as 28" Personally, I'm a big proponent of fiberglass arrows for first time archers. I'm not quite sure how I did it, but when I first started out, I got some wooden arrows and one of my shots caused the arrow to fish tail horribly, which make it hit the target sideways, half of it stuck in the target, the other half snapped off. Then, over the course of a few dozen shooting sessions, I lost 3 more to some freak accidents. I have two left, and they DO shoot better then my fiber glass ones, but I have 4 dozen fiberglass arrows which I love to shoot. I'd send you some of them, but they are crap for a 40-45 pound bow. Spine is way to stiff. On my 65 pounder, they are amazing.
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Post by Ceebs on Feb 3, 2012 7:19:06 GMT
The Guys at Rudderbows are good quality. I bought a string there a while back and may buy a cheap heavy Warbow at some point. Check out that Mary Rose Warbow. I make my own arrows. Not only are arrows for heavy weight bows expensive when you can find them, making arrows is a bunch of fun. I must have made about 40 by now. I think I've only broken two arrows in the two or three years I've been making them. With starting draw weights I recommend 30-40 pounds. When I was 16 I started with a 30 pound kids bow. 8 years later I've almost quadrupled that draw weight and I'm still going. Don't rush! With archery time is on your side.
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Post by TheCrunchyCrouton on Feb 4, 2012 14:41:08 GMT
Thanks for all of the replies!
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Zoë
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Post by Zoë on Mar 3, 2012 16:00:10 GMT
This is great info - I'm thinking about getting back into archery myself. I have NO experience with traditional archery though - I had a compound before. (just a kid's version, nothing heavy duty) In a few months when I have the $$ to spend (and Manitoba thaws enough to go outside! :lol: ) I'll definitely be revisiting this thread and probably asking a ton of questions.
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron on Mar 3, 2012 16:09:46 GMT
And in a few months, we will gladly answer them.
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Post by johnapsega on Mar 8, 2012 17:17:26 GMT
Hey guys, I was looking into making a bow, but for various reasons I have decided just to go ahead and buy one. Im 5'11" and about 145. I am going to be buying a kp archery bow most likely tomorrow night, what poundage and draw weight should I shoot for?
Also what kind of target should I get? This will be used as both a hunting/target shooting bow so I need something that will work for teaching me both.
John
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron on Mar 8, 2012 18:51:54 GMT
Draw weight and poundage are two terms for the same thing. I would shoot for 35-45#, good starting weight and not heavy enough to encourage poor form. Hell I've been shooting for over a decade and I still shoot the same 45# longbow I got ~7 years ago.
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Greg
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Post by Greg on Mar 8, 2012 19:06:27 GMT
I'd recommend 45# if you have pretty decent upper body strength. You don't have to be a body builder by any means, but if your a lighter framed guy, start out at 30-35#. And I'm in the same boat as Aaron, even tho I have a 65#, I still break out my 45# to grins and giggles. It's a very fun weight to shoot.
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron on Mar 8, 2012 19:23:28 GMT
If it makes you feel better, John, I weigh less than you (about 142) and I'm 6'3" and I have no problem shooting my 45# longbow.
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Greg
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Post by Greg on Mar 8, 2012 19:45:56 GMT
I only mentioned the range because while I was at a shooting party, over at my friends house, one of his friends showed up who didn't get out much. He was the classic, eats nothing, sits around and plays World of Warcraft all day. He couldn't pull my 45# all the way, and was shaking on my friends 35#. So really, unless you are in the extreme, 45# is great.
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Post by william m on Mar 8, 2012 23:08:50 GMT
I have joined an archery club that shoots right next to Windsor Castle! Hows that for a backdrop!? hahaha...
I haven't really done much shooting since my University days, so it should be interesting to see how well I do. I will be using my old longbow however I have the feeling that I want another bow.. Currently my eyes are on the KTB korean tradtional bow. Such a puny little thing of awesome power.
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Post by johnapsega on Mar 8, 2012 23:57:32 GMT
I meant poundage and draw length sorry for the miss communication. Ok so I will go with 45#. What about draw length?
I mean I'm not a stud by any means, but I work out and i cut lumber by hand plus other work as I am into sustainable living. So I don't think that 45# will be a big problem.
Thanks for the great responses guys John Apsega
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Post by Tendrax on Mar 9, 2012 1:47:42 GMT
You'd have to measure your draw length. I'm 6'2" and draw to the corner of my mouth for a 30" draw, but if I were shorter, it'd be a 28, or if I drew to my ear it'd be a 31 or 32. Get a dowel or broomstick, and mime drawing to your anchor point. Measure the stick from just in front of your bow hand to your string fingers. Add an inch for arrow length.
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