Main Discussion Area > English Warbow
stronges bow on the world
D. Taylor Sapergia:
Thanks for responding to my questions. I can see that I have some building and training ahead of me. Others would likely label me a target archer, because that is most of the shooting that I do. My hunting weight is 61# and my target weight is 54#. I shoot up to three nights per week in the winter in an indoor club, and take part in every 3D match I can afford to travel to. About fifteen years ago, I shot a 30 arrow round with a 96# longbow. It played me out and my score dropped some from my average, but I survived it.
But a war bow! That's a different thing altogether. I believe I shall aim for 100 # for my first one, and work up to the 32" draw length.
I thank all of you for this inspiration.
Yeomanbowman:
According to archaeological evidence most medieval and Tudor war arrows, that have been uncovered, are about 30" or just over. So anything from there up is OK if your stave is too short to accommodate 32" (or you have short arms). I think a 100lb draw-weight is a legitimate warbow weight, but at the very bottom end of the scale. I'd agree with Alan that about 140lbs, or so, seem more representative for the period.
However, something that has not been mentioned is the bows material. If you want authenticity then you really only have 2 options, yew and wych elm. I'm sure other woods were occasionally used but only as the exception (or as a recreational bow).
Only 8 Mary Rose bows had flat bellies, so a shallow crown is desireable with yew as is working through the handle tiller.
Hope this helps
D. Taylor Sapergia:
I have quite a quantity of what I hope is good yew in eight foot lengths, as well as a good number os sister billets. I've accumulated a good library and have had success building yew longbows of much less weight. This will be fun.
Can anyone suggest how much weight per inch a bow increases in weight as one nears full draw? My scale only goes to 100 pounds.
Marc St Louis:
Bows of around 150# draw weight increase about 7#/inch in the last few inches of draw
ratty:
--- Quote from: Marc St Louis on March 02, 2008, 10:46:13 am ---Bows of around 150# draw weight increase about 7#/inch in the last few inches of draw
--- End quote ---
? :-\
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