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UK NFAS Primitive Archery Class definition.

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mullet:
 Congratulations on getting this class going. The one thing I didn't see included pertained to the rules regarding arrows. Why no bone or horn nocks? Your rules are pretty much what 3-D shoots use in Florida when it comes to Primitive. Except cut in shelves and arrow rest are allowed.

Pappy:
Well really not stricter,just different,we don't allow backed bows ,unless it is something
that don't enhance the performance,like rawhide.We really don't have a primitive class
just selfbow class.What we did and most places I go is to keep it as simple as possible,we do allow glue on nocks and any type of string but must use wood or Cain. Maybe after looking again the right thing to say is we ant as strike. We don't look that close to see if they have marks on the bow
for example.  :)
   Pappy

markinengland:
Mullet,
Bone of horn nocks could come under the reinforced with natural materials heading. The old wording was clearer. I agree that specifically adding natural material nocks would be an improvement.
Pappy,
What percentage of archers at one of your shoots would be shooting wooden bows as opposed to glass? Perhaps you differentiate between self and wooden bows where we are differentiating between wooden bows and modern glass types more?
Trouble with primitive is that it means so many different things to different people.
Mark in England

Pappy:
 Mark ,Depending on the shoot,if it is an open shoot ,witch means we have wheels there also we usually
have 8 or 10 all wood bows and 40 or 50 Glass bow guys.At the Classic last year we had 390 shooters and about 75 were selfbows shooters,We had a lot of trouble a few years back with Boo backed bows wanted in the selfbow class,don't have to many of them ,usually just folks that just wanted to push the limit so we took
them out of that class,trouble is there aren't usually enough of the to have a class for them. :)
Here in the states for example ASA rules if you shoot a stick and string [no wheels] you are all in one class.Not sure about IBO but I think the only difference is with the arrow.Clear as mud.That is why we have kind of made our on rules,we aren't a member of any larger organization for that reason.

    Pappy

backgardenbowyer:
Hi Mark,

Thanks for raising this – I too think the new “Primitive Class” rules don’t really work.  I think our basic problem is that it will never be possible to frame a consistent enforceable definition based on the “ethos” of “primitive” bows,  there is such a wealth and variety of  pre-industrial archery traditions.  Is a bow shaped like the Meare Heath artefact but made of hickory, purpleheart and lemonwood with a fast flight string a “primitive bow”?  It is made of natural materials and is “in the style of” but clearly represents a much more modern technology – arguments are bound to continue!

Perhaps the important thing is the purpose of this class – it is to encourage those of us who like to make and shoot our own bows and are interested in primitive styles.  Frankly I don’t really mind what bows are shot in the class the issues start when people get too serious about competition and look for advantages.  Personally I shoot my bows for the pleasure of making and shooting them and I enjoy it more when I can do so with friends.  I don’t really care who gets the medal so long as I go home with my bow in one piece and without too many bits of broken arrow in my quiver.   So the class is about positively encouraging d.i.y bowyers and it should be inclusive of easy to use techniques and easy to obtian  material.

I think we should go for a definition closers to yours, but the difficult area is the first point – what is a bow based on a primitive/ancient/preindustrial type?  It just can not be defined robustly.

I like the idea of including selfnocked bows which could otherwise be English Longbows, providing they are not multiple lamintes.  I also agree that we should include all kinds of backings in natural materials as frankly we don’t have the wood to make self bows here.  (Most of mine are ipe and bamboo because I can get it and if costs £8 per bow!). What about a line which allows backing but no other laminates – i.e. you can’t have three or four laminates running the length of the bow.  I know, I know this excludes sinew/wood/horn laminates and Japanese yumis etc but these can be shot in hunting tackle

The idea of a pure self bow class for real stick bows is very appealing.  I would include in that bows made from two billets as this gives no real advantage and saves valuable wood, and allow nock reinforcements though they are not really necessary.  Maybe alongside an inclusive “natural materials” class such as you are proposing, there could be a purely optional “stick bow” class to be allowed at the organisers discretion.  There are so few of us shooting these self bows that it won’t really support a full category.

Any other thoughts?

Stan

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