Replica longbows?

[Shane Smith]

Where can one find a reasonably historically-accurate replica of the medieval longbow at an affordable price?I have been into modern recurve archery for years but I am looking to get into the older battlefield form of the art.Thanks. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Matt Shields]

I have a friend who bought a recurve from Thomas Boehm. He's quite pleased, and I'm quite impressed with everything he bought from Mr. Boehm.

[Trent Sharp]

Hello Shane,

I am Matt's recurve friend. The bow Thomas made for me is a fine specimen. I also had him make some arrows they were just as fine. I take that all of his work is the same. I think the best thing about him is that he does every thing in a traditional manor and the careful craftsmanship reflects that. His bows are also very well priced compared to other makers. Thomas Boehm is also very pleasant to work with and is very informative. I highly recommend him.

[Craig Peters]

Is there a reason why Thomas does not list the pound draw for his longbow?

[Shane Smith]

Thanks for the input guys.I'll look into Mr. Boehm and his work. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Shane Smith]

Also,are there any period source-texts on the historically-accurate use of the longbow in combat? That would be of much interest to many if there are I'm sure. The more I learn about the RMA, the more I find myself striving to understand and gain a basic competency in the use of all of the period weaponry time and finance allows.What is wrong with me!!?? <img src="/forum/images/icons/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Tim Merritt]

I’ve been using one of Bickerstaffe’s bows for the past few years doing field archery competitions in the UK and a bit of traditional in the states. It’s a http://www.bickerstaffebows.co.uk/ 50# standard, shoot it a few times a week. I assemble my arrows using bodkin points from http://www.archery-centre.co.uk/ cut and thread wrap fletchings, self nock (cut a string slot in back of shaft, not plastic). All works well for a reasonable, working bow that still gives the feel of shooting the old way. Instinctive shooting only, and I probably wouldn’t do any other kind—hooked on the English longbow! I’m thinking of a future possibility of getting a yew selfbow, the knobby kind, similar to the ones recovered from the Mary Rose http://www.maryrose.org/ from someone like http://www.english-longbow.co.uk/cat20.htm but they are expensive. Check out the dude at the Bickerstaffe site pictures section “Warbow in Action” shooting the 150# bow! Beware, anything over 60# shot regularly can be painful. I think Robert Hardy’s Longbow book is pretty good.

[Jared L. Cass]

Shane...you dissapoint me...and here I thought you were a DIY kind of guy! <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

Make one! The only book you really need, to learn how to make a bow, is "The Traditional Bowyer's Bible" volume one. Volume two and three will go into more depth about making arrows, strings, ect., but you don't really need them (though you will want them:) ).

Whatever route you go, buy or make, I'm sure you'll be extremely pleased with your new toy. Bowhunting with a compound bow (yuck!) is nowhere near as satisfying as bringing home the bacon (or should I say venison?) with a tool that reaches so far back into history. And even more so if you make the bow, the arrows, and the arrowheads your self!! <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> It's even more satisfying to make a bow from the woods where you hunt. For all a guy could know then, maybe the slab of venison sitting on your plate could have been munching on the very tree befor you made a bow out of it <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

Jared L. Cass, ARMA Associate, Wisconsin

[Shane Smith]

Thanks Tim.I'll look into these makers and anymore that come up in future posts until I make my decision(The bickerstaffe bow looks good!). I'm pretty excited about this. My old recurve has gotten more use in the last few days than it's seen in a couple of years. Now I just need the right tool for the job.

Now,as for the right tool for the job.I shoot a 45# recurve with absolutely no trouble whatsoever.The question is,what is a historically-accurate draw weight for a fighting bow? I'm thinking I could handle a sixty well enough with a little work right off. Thanks again.

[Shane Smith]

Ya got me Jared <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> No,actually when it comes to precision implements such as a bow, I just do not have the confidence or know-how to create one. I have considered purchasing one for now and then making one after I learn how a longbow reacts and behaves mechanically first-hand,ie. study the manner in which the limbs flex and the like.It just seems to me that there are alot of subtle things I as an inexperienced bow-maker could neglect through ignorance leading to a bad intial experience with the historically-accurate European fighting longbow...

[Ryan Ricks]

i've heard tell that longbows were pretty stout as far as draw weights go. i thought i've heard like 80-90 lbs on the history channel or something, but i have no idea if that's accurate or not.

this guy at the georgia renaissance festival had a neat booth where he was selling his hand made bows and arrow heads. he had quite some variety of arrow heads. the long, thin, pointy ones (armor piercing, i guess?) and a variety of hunting ones. it was pretty neat, but at $5 a piece, don't lose your arrows...

i busted out my compound bow the other day to see if i could hit a milk jug full of water at 30 yards. it took me about 5 tries but it was really fun when i got it

ryan

[Tim Merritt]

Interesting short article from guys researching use of war bow: http://www.primitivearcher.com/articles/warbow.html# They indicate early 1500's warbows recovered from the Mary Rose to be from 80# to 180#, most falling into the 100-120# range. Not many bows or arrows have survived from other places. The arrow I saw at Westminster Abbey was from about the 1300's and wasn't huge--I'd guess if was matched to a bow it was 70-80#? I understand where you are coming from. I'd like to get closer to the experience also, but not kill myself. For myself, I'd probably go for about 80# as a step up from my 50#er, but I'm not sure what this would do to the typical foam field targets used around here at organized shoots. If doing heavy pulls, remember you need to be able to pull the arrow back out of the target!

[Trent Sharp]

Shane,
The reason Thomas Boehm does not list draw weights is because each bow is costume. I also believe traditional longbows had a draw weight between #120 and #150. I have only heard of few people modernly drawing that weight and afterwards they say had back problems for weeks. If you are looking to do some hunting with your bow the way our ancestors did it was often with weaker poundage flat bow so they can keep the bow at half draw, for a quick release in case the pray suddenly takes off.

[Casper Bradak]

Please allow me to display my ignorance of archery. I've read that quite a few people back then used very unfinished, knotty bows. Would getting a longbow be as simple as planting the proper tree and cutting it up a bit when it grows tall enough, if you don't mind an ugly bow? I'm interested in starting some western archery as a martial art on the side as well.