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Post by iceman295 on Jun 25, 2013 17:25:08 GMT
So I'm thinking of getting into archery just as a backyard hobby kinda deal, and was wondering if anyone had experience using the aids. Things like the forearm guard and finger holder thingy?
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Talon
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,554
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Post by Talon on Jun 25, 2013 17:40:41 GMT
You really need to invest in a bracer as when that string hits your forearm (which it will)you'll know about it.Though i've never had that happen with a compound i've had a recurve 55lb horse bow slap my forearm and it hurts As for finger tabs or gloves,i find a tab to be better than a glove,though i tend to use neither for short sessions.
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Post by Onimusha on Jun 25, 2013 18:07:56 GMT
I use the glove. You'll want that arm guard. String slap hurts. When you get into heavier bows, it can injure you.
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Post by iceman295 on Jun 25, 2013 19:02:15 GMT
Fair enough. I'm looking at the cheap recurve or a cheap longbow to start. So it'd just hurt. But may as well go all out to start
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Post by ineffableone on Jun 25, 2013 19:07:24 GMT
OK so your just getting into it and thinking backyard hobby rather than hunting or competition. So big thing there is your likely not wanting to spend a fortune on gear I am guessing. First thing first is make sure you know what eye is your dominant and pick the bow you use accordingly. Look through your opening in your hands, with one eye then the other. The eye that most looks like the view with both eyes is your dominant eye. If this is your right eye then you want a right hand bow, but if it is your left then you want a left hand bow, even if your right handed. Eye dominance is more important than hand dominance in this. I would say you want some sort of finger protection if your shooting a bow with 30# draw or more, under 30# draw you might be able to do without, but 30# and up the force digging into your fingers can make your fingers pretty sore. Which lessens your ability to stay on target as you just want to release as soon as possible. From my experience target shooters in general tend to prefer finger tabs, and hunters tend to prefer gloves. Of course this is just a general rule and plenty of target shooters use gloves and hunters use tabs. It really is a matter of personal taste and preference. There are a couple other options. There is the Mongolian style thumb ring and there are the parts you can add to your string that give a cushioned spot for your fingers. For a hobbyist, these might be the most simple and easy to use and get used to. However I have read that while good option for beginners, most people tend to eventually move on to gloves or tabs and remove these after they get better. So while low cost and simple, they might not be the best performance wise. If you can I would suggest finding an archery store in your area and test out the gloves and tabs, see what you like. And of course what sort of shooter are you? Some do 3 fingers under, some do 2 bellow one above (Mediterranean style), there is the pinch draw, the Mongolian thumb release, etc As for forearm guard or not. A lot depends on your shooting style. For a beginner I would say get one and use it. This is why. I can say I don't use one due to shooting with a style that wont let the string slap my fore arm, well as long as I do it properly :lol: . Until you have enough practice and built your form up and know your not going to hit your forearm, then wear a guard. It can be a cheap plastic one or a high quality leather one, it doesn't matter. Just that you do have that protection. Nothing more discouraging to archery than that string slap bruising and hurting your forearm. There is an Archery index here at SBG, you might want to check it out if you haven't already /thread/31168 and welcome to the fun of archery, it is a great thing and goes well with the love of swords.
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Post by iceman295 on Jun 25, 2013 19:14:10 GMT
Cheers man! super helpful. I'M right eye dominant, I know from shooting, you're 100% right that I'd rather stay cheap to start. That being said, I have no clue what my grasp will be on the string. I'd imagine the pinch, but I won't know till I try.
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Post by ineffableone on Jun 25, 2013 19:20:28 GMT
Mediterranean is the most common, and the one with the most info about it. 3 fingers under the next most common, Mongolian next, and pinch is rather rare these days. Pinch tends to be best for lower poundage, and for either fast shooting or horse back. If you are thinking of this style it will be difficult to find much instruction on the style, but not impossible.
As mentioned if possible visit a shop and get some in person testing of different options. Glove tab etc. BTW there is the option of DIYing your own tabs, and plenty of videos and pictures out there showing how to make your own tabs.
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Post by iceman295 on Jun 25, 2013 19:24:22 GMT
Hm, ill try wholesale sports. I try to avoid big box stores for things like this, but everything else is a good 45 min drive
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Post by Onimusha on Jun 25, 2013 21:13:19 GMT
There's an Ebay company that sells primitive longbows for less than $50. They make them from 25 pounds to 70 pounds. I have one. They're excellent bows, especially at that price. They have no arrow shelf. You shoot off the hand like an English longbow.
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Post by iceman295 on Jun 25, 2013 22:29:01 GMT
do you have the link perchance? I'd rather avoid risking buying the wrong one
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hhmoore
Member
Sneaking around once in a while
Posts: 656
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Post by hhmoore on Jun 25, 2013 22:41:02 GMT
Apparently, I use a Mediterranean draw...not that there was any decision making process involved. It just seemed like the natural way to support/control the arrow, and draw. Definitely get some type of finger protection, or you'll be shortening (and compromising) your shooting sessions.
For recreational shooting, I prefer a recurve (over compound); but I haven't used a longbow since I was in my early teens (it was too long for me)...maybe I should investigate.
Just what I need, something else to spend my hard earned money on...
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Post by ineffableone on Jun 26, 2013 0:15:24 GMT
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Post by iceman295 on Jun 26, 2013 0:35:10 GMT
Thanks. Damn, shipping isn't cheap. $40 to CA Ah well, is there an easy way to size yourself for how big it should be or should I go to a store?
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Post by Onimusha on Jun 26, 2013 0:49:29 GMT
there are several different ways to measure your draw length. For most, it's 28". I'll get you a link.
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Post by iceman295 on Jun 26, 2013 0:50:33 GMT
Cheers, does height matter?
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Post by ineffableone on Jun 26, 2013 1:23:46 GMT
You looking at the same long bows as the link I posted? They are only $15 range for shipping from what I saw. For draw length the simple way is As for length for your bow, a lot is preference, and what sort of performance your looking for. Of course if your a small guy you don't want a bow that is too big etc. Generally though what you want to pay attention to more than your bow length is what sort of # it is. Most will rate at # at 28" 28 is sort of the standard. But if you have a longer draw distance then your # will be higher than the rating. If less distance than your # will be less. For a beginner 30-35 # is a good range, 40-50 # is typical hunting for any game in N America. 60 # and up is mostly for big game hunting in Africa. If all your doing is back yard target shooting, 20-35 # is enough to enjoy the fun of archery.
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Post by iceman295 on Jun 26, 2013 1:30:46 GMT
Thanks! and yeah, but I;m in Canada, and that's to the US site. As soon as you type put in a Canadian address is jumps horrendously haha
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Post by ineffableone on Jun 26, 2013 1:50:08 GMT
Ahhh, lol, I saw to CA and thought you meant California, Canada yep you will get a bit of a price jump in shipping sadly. LOL $40 for a $40 bow. Though you would likely get a similar jump even for a higher priced bow too, unless it is shipping from in Canada. KP Archery bows have a decent reputation and some members here swear they are amazing. I still haven't picked one up so can't speak about them myself. I have the Samick Sage no tool take down recurve, which cost around $140 plus a bit more for all the extras I added to it. The Sage has a reputation for shooting like a $400 bow, which is great for a bow that is under $200. Something to think of with a long bow, is your shooting off the knuckle. Which means you need a different type of arm guard that also protects the hand. The best option I have seen is from Ravenswood leather. the Sherwood Archer Bracer www.ravenswoodleather.com/index.php?p=product&id=410They also sell a Archery bow glove which is just protection for the hand rather than the bracer, in case you have a bracer already. The reason you want this protection is the fletching can rip and cut up your hand/knuckles pretty awful without it. You of course could opt just for wearing a leather glove and not bother with the more expensive special bracer.
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Post by iceman295 on Jun 26, 2013 1:53:39 GMT
Sweet. I'll look into it. I won't lie, half the reason I bought a sword, and most of the reason I want a bow is the old school medieval aspect, so longbow is by far by favorite. Recurve was a backup because they were easier to find. But hey, $80 shipped isnt all that bad all things considered.
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Post by ineffableone on Jun 26, 2013 2:05:25 GMT
Yep $80 is amazing, it would be hard to find a decent longbow for $80 much less shipped for $80 so KP archery is a great deal for anyone who wants to get into archery. So now you have an idea for your bow, and some ideas for bracer etc, you need to look at arrows. But expect to pay more than the cost of the KP long bows for a set of arrows. I have found www.dmerrill.com/page.php?funct=as&pName=Arrows to be the best deal for wood arrows about 1/2 the price of any custom arrow maker, and offer a semi custom building for the arrows you buy. I have bought arrows from this place and they are great. They are on par with the arrows I got from 3 Rivers Archery.
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