Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => English Warbow => Topic started by: Helen Grace on September 16, 2025, 04:35:11 am

Title: My First Steps into English Warbows
Post by: Helen Grace on September 16, 2025, 04:35:11 am: Hello everyone,
I’ve recently been getting more interested in English Warbows and decided to give it a try myself. The sheer draw weight and history behind these bows are both intimidating and inspiring at the same time.
For those of you who have built or shot an English Warbow, what was your first experience like? Did you start with a lighter draw weight before moving up, or did you go straight into the heavy ones?
I’d love to hear your stories and any advice for someone just starting out.

Thanks!
Helen
Tunnel Rush Game (https://tunnelrushgame.org/)
Title: Re: My First Steps into English Warbows
Post by: Del the cat on September 16, 2025, 07:07:23 am: Hi, it's virtually impossible to go straight into heavy bows.
As a bowyer I started making bows that were in the 40-70# range. I then got a commission for a 90# which I couldn't draw.
(A friend who was getting into warbows at the time could draw it). I persevered and got close to full draw.
As the warbow community became more established (the Mary Rose bows and Youtube videos being a big influence) people started to get a better appreciation for the technique needed to draw a heavy bow (it is nothing like the target archers "T" draw).
When I turned 60 I thought if I don't draw 100# (and shoot over 300yards) now, I never will, so I trained up (20 push ups night and morning plus other shoulder exercises).
I made an 100# Elm warbow (heat treated belly) and shot over 300 yards.
I'm somewhat older now and my left elbow gives me trouble, so about 60# is my limit.
You can enjoy the fun of a long draw and warbow style with lesser weight bows 70-80 shooting an 11/32" or 3/8" medieval lookalike arrow.
It's all about having fun doing what you fancy and finding like minded individuals with whom to enjoy it.
Here's one v short video showing how a T draw doesn't work for long/heavy draw.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWJd34g_fpI
There are lots of warbow related videos on my channel.And plenty elsewhere showing technique.
Here's my mate JT shooting one that I made.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mNWg68Eg1E
Del
Title: Re: My First Steps into English Warbows
Post by: Helen Grace on September 16, 2025, 11:46:10 pm: Hi, Del
When you were building up your strength, how long did it take before you felt comfortable moving from, say, 70# to 90#? I imagine the technique is just as important as the muscle strength.
Title: Re: My First Steps into English Warbows
Post by: Del the cat on September 17, 2025, 04:06:18 pm: Difficult to put numbers on it 70-90 is a bit of a jump. Most reckon 10# steps is sensible. Those rubber band trainers are good. It's a matter of listening to your body, but it's an odd thing, I find it easier to draw a bow with an arrow on the string, some tell me they find the opposite.
There is a point where you just can't get to full draw, but once you do it, then you find it relatively easy, there is an element of confidence as well as technique. It helps to have some lowish poundage, but long draw bows, so you can get the feel of the technique.
The mechanics of drawing with your drawing hand high, works as follows:- If your right hand (assuming that's the one drawing back the string) comes back high, as if wiping your forehead, it (and more important, the elbow) then moves in a long downward arc of say 12" yet this only draw the bow back an extra 4"... this is effectively giving you a 3:1 leverage, like one of those over centre clips/clamps.
Hope that makes sense and helps.
One exercise I found good was to lean back into an open doorway with your elbows out at shoulder height. Your elbows press on the door frame and stop you falling backwards... shuffle your feet forwards a little so you are leaning back more (don't slip!) and then use your back muscles to force your elbows back and your chest forward. It gives that feeling of engaging the back muscles.
Any exercise that improves shoulder strength and mobility helps.
This post from my blog shows me almost getting the 90pounder back. It just need that bit more, a higher draw and getting the elbow over the top... a bit like getting a compound over the hump...that's effectively what the high elbow does, it acts as a cam.
https://bowyersdiary.blogspot.com/2012/01/shooting-90-longbow.html
Del
Title: Re: My First Steps into English Warbows
Post by: Hamish on September 17, 2025, 09:30:05 pm: Hi Helen, It is possible for some women to draw heavy bows. I remember seeing old black and white photos of a Chinese lady shooting a horn/sinew composite bow which was stated at being over 100lbs.

I would start up low and increase weight only when you are capable and confident shooting your current heavy bow, for several repetitions. Go too fast, too soon, and most people will start to get injuries. Think of it more like gymnastics where it's not just completing a maneuver, but how well you do it that counts. Strength is not built by trying for max efforts, but by training and mastering a manageable weight. Max efforts are for testing and demonstrating the strength that you have already built. I wish I had learnt that much earlier in life.
Title: Re: My First Steps into English Warbows
Post by: sleek on September 17, 2025, 09:46:59 pm: I personally know a world record holding lady who pulls 70 pound bows repeatedly in competition. Im sure she has drawn heavier weights, but I dont know how much. Out of curiosity, how tall are you? Natural leverage helps.
Title: Re: My First Steps into English Warbows
Post by: medicinewheel on September 18, 2025, 06:20:52 am: My friend Sabine picked up archery at age 50 with a 35# I had made her. Being naturally strong and tall she managed form quickly and moved up to ELBs of around 80#.
On flight shoots in Germany, France and GB she competed with a British lady by the name of Emma Erry over a stretch of maybe ten years. On all these shoots the women's win was always between the two. Since Emma is even taller, stronger and 10 years younger Sabine now makes a permanent second.
Pic shows her in 2013 pulling my 65#@30" Osage to 29" with the left shoulder not yet being able to manage that draw weight. It was her 2nd year in archery, and it was the beginning of her "heavy weight" years.
PS her best flight shot was bit short of 270"
Title: Re: My First Steps into English Warbows
Post by: Del the cat on September 18, 2025, 07:54:38 am: Quote from: medicinewheel on September 18, 2025, 06:20:52 am
My friend Sabine picked up archery at age 50 with a 35# I had made her. Being naturally strong and tall she managed form quickly and moved up to ELBs of around 80#.
On flight shoots in Germany, France and GB she competed with a British lady by the name of Emma Erry over a stretch of maybe ten years. On all these shoots the women's win was always between the two. Since Emma is even taller, stronger and 10 years younger Sabine now makes a permanent second.
Pic shows her in 2013 pulling my 65#@30" Osage to 29" with the left shoulder not yet being able to manage that draw weight. It was her 2nd year in archery, and it was the beginning of her "heavy weight" years.
PS her best flight shot was bit short of 270"
I've shot with Emma a few times (she even gave me a spare pair of socks when I got soaking wet :)). She is a statuesque, funny and all round impressive woman :)
Del
Title: Re: My First Steps into English Warbows
Post by: medicinewheel on September 18, 2025, 09:09:33 am: Yes she is! - We have been laughing a lot on the silliest stuff sometimes...
Hope to see her and her husband again in a couple of weeks here in Eicks/Germany for our annual Roving at the Marks. If you want to check out the venue, it is an I.L.A.A. tournement.
Title: Re: My First Steps into English Warbows
Post by: Del the cat on September 18, 2025, 07:05:12 pm: Quote from: medicinewheel on September 18, 2025, 09:09:33 am
Yes she is! - We have been laughing a lot on the silliest stuff sometimes...
Hope to see her and her husband again in a couple of weeks here in Eicks/Germany for our annual Roving at the Marks. If you want to check out the venue, it is an I.L.A.A. tournement.
I used to shoot with the ILAA (I was given lifetime membership!) but I can't manage a full day roving these days :)
Del
Title: Re: My First Steps into English Warbows
Post by: Wyrda on October 02, 2025, 02:45:21 am: I started doing archery again recently with a 78lb bow without any problem. However I'd used it before so I had all the muscle memory already developed which helps. If you've never shot bows before I'd probably go for 50# or under for a first bow and work up from there. At the start it's easier to make bigger jumps so I'd imagine you could progress to 60-80# relatively quickly with regular training. Though it takes a longer amount of time to "master" a weight where you can shoot long sessions without being tired.