It
could be argued that nothing has shaped the social
and military history of England more than the English
Longbow. This enigmatic piece of Yew wood is a part of our
heritage that is rich in both fact and fiction and yet there
is no doubt of the true effectiveness of the English archer
and the English Longbow.
Our longbows offer the
modern sporting archer the opportunity to own a unique expression of this
ultimate English icon. Both beautiful and practical our
longbows are a pleasure to hold and a joy to shoot. The top quality Pacific Yew used for our longbows
performs faultlessly and consistently and with the proper care
should last a lifetime. It is interesting to bear in mind
that each longbow originally comes from a tree that is many hundreds
of years old and each stave can contain over one hundred years of
growth rings.
These longbows are a work of
art and a labour of love though ultimately they are intended to be
used and enjoyed, preferably on a hot afternoon in your favourite
piece of countryside.
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Though these longbows are
suitable for anyone, (young, old, beginners, experienced) there are
a couple of points that should be considered before buying a
longbow.
Being over 6 feet long, ease
of transportation is a factor to consider.
Most archery clubs should
embrace the use of a self Yew longbow but check first and also for those
people who enter
competitions it would be worth checking the bow fits exactly with
your required specifications.
If you are an experienced
archer you may be wanting a different draw weight bow. A self yew
English longbow will (in my experience) out perform a
similar weight wood laminate longbow and may therefore allow
a lighter draw weight. The smooth and even distribution of
power in a self yew English longbow during the draw also
allows higher draw weights to be reached more comfortably.
Longbows are made to order and in certain cases will require a £100 deposit.
Bow take around 3-4 weeks
to complete.
For beginners a rough guide
for an optimal yet comfortable draw weight would be 30 -40 lb for
females and 35 - 50 lb for males, measured at 27-28 inches draw
length.
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These longbows require no
maintenance but there are a couple of points to consider in
their care.
The most important
consideration in the care of these longbows is that they should not be stored
in hot conditions or anywhere near
a radiator or heat source. Excessive drying of the bows natural
ambient moisture levels will result in increased stress on the wood
and could lead to warping or even failure.
The natural moisture
levels in the wood also means it is very strongly
recommended that yew bows are not used when the temperature
is below freezing.
Damp conditions can also be
detrimental, leading to a reduction in the bows draw weight and can
in extreme conditions cause warping of the wood.
The sap wood of Pacific yew is
very soft and can be marked very easily. Bow bags or carry tubes are
recommended.
Do not leave the bow
strung when not in use as this could eventually cause a
reduction in power.
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Ordering a Longbow
The two main
points to address when ordering a longbow are the draw
length and draw weight as these should reflect the
individual needs of the archer. if you are not sure it
would be best to try before you buy.
As a rough guide a
longbow pulling around 40-45lb at 28 inches would be
suitable for most average sized people.
If you are
ordering a war bow (traditionally pulled to a point near
the ear), or you are a taller individual then you will
probably need a draw length in excess of the average 28
inches.
War bows are
generally tillered to 32 inches of draw length. Longer
draw lengths will require a longer than average bow.
Longbows are made
with a stiff handle area (to reduce hand shock and
improve accuracy) or can be made without (so the bow
bends in the handle).
Horn nocks can be
made from buffalo horn or cow horn and it may be
possible to incorporate your own personal design.
Hand grips can
also be made to your own personal requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
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Q.
What arrows should I use.
A.
Wooden shafted
arrows of cedar or a decent pine and also having a matched spine
would be my recommendation. To achieve full
draw you need arrows that match the draw length of the bow. (Don't have
extra long arrows as this could lead to over pulling of the bow).
Most types of commercially available longbow arrows should be ok but
to best suit the string size I would recommend a 5/16 shaft with a
corresponding 5/16 nock. War bows should go up to a 3/8 shaft and
nock.
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Q.
How accurate are these longbows.
A.
Mankind has been successfully feeding and defending himself for
thousands of years using a longbow, which is testimony to their
general effective accuracy. Our longbows are made from the best wood
available and have a reliable, smooth and consistent action. With
adequate practice and a good technique they are very accurate.
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Q.
How far do these longbows shoot an arrow.
A.
Most
average longbows can shoot between 100 and 200 yards but the real distance
depends on many factors, draw weight and the arrows design being the most decisive.
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Q.
Do these longbows have a guarantee.
A.
These bows are guaranteed against breakage under normal
conditions of use for one year from the date of
purchase.
I can guarantee the workmanship employed on these bows
and the top quality materials used but ultimately I can
not guarantee that a bow will not break. These longbows
are engineered with a skill honed with years of
experience and follow well established and traditional
designs. Under normal conditions and with the proper
care they simply should not break. Should this actually
happen, within a year of purchase, I will do my utmost
to provide a satisfactory replacement or reimbursement.
(This applies to Pacific Yew English longbows and war
bows only)
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Q.
Do you ship overseas.
A.
Yes we can ship to certain
overseas countries, contact us for details.
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Q.
Are these longbows suitable for re enactment.
A.
Yes.
Though not based on any specific design our war bows follow the basic design of medieval war bows such as
those recovered from the wreck of the Mary Rose and those in use by
the English army at the battle of Crecy. They will shoot a heavy
medieval style arrow long distances with ease.
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Q.
Can I come and try a longbow.
A.
Yes, if there is any in stock, but I can only offer a shooting distance of about 15 yards in
my garden, contact me to make arrangements. E mail me at
varinandkerrys444@hotmail.co.uk
or ring me on 07908977459.
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Q.
How much is the postage
cost.
A.
Using a next day UK courier the cost is £20. Overseas deliveries are
approx £50 -£100. |
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