Correct bow for my needs?
Hello,
I currently shoot a 75# solid fiberglass "mongol" bow that more resembles a bow of Hun origin. I draw 31.5 inches with 3 fingers and slight more with the thumb ring, and now exclusively shoot with a thumb ring. I enjoy the high poundage of the bow, but it stacks tremendously and finally have enough money to invest in a new bow. I would prefer it it be a synthetic as I am not yet ready for the price of a true composite bow. I am looking for something that is fun to shoot and will not stack at such a draw weight/length. I mainly shoot targets, and am slowly trying to build a traditional Turkish bow.
I currently shoot a 75# solid fiberglass "mongol" bow that more resembles a bow of Hun origin. I draw 31.5 inches with 3 fingers and slight more with the thumb ring, and now exclusively shoot with a thumb ring. I enjoy the high poundage of the bow, but it stacks tremendously and finally have enough money to invest in a new bow. I would prefer it it be a synthetic as I am not yet ready for the price of a true composite bow. I am looking for something that is fun to shoot and will not stack at such a draw weight/length. I mainly shoot targets, and am slowly trying to build a traditional Turkish bow.
Look at the Cinnabar Bows
http://www.cinnabarbow.com/marinerbows/
Justin Ma, a member here, imports them from a builder named Mariner, in China.
http://www.cinnabarbow.com/marinerbows/
Justin Ma, a member here, imports them from a builder named Mariner, in China.
I have been recently looking at the Hwarang Korean bow. It seems to be of higher quality than the Kaya and fit my interests well. I do like the Chinese designs but there is something about that little bow that pulls me in.
The Hwarang is a good bow and there is a difference in quality between them and the Kaya. Justin's bows are very good too. It really comes down to what kind of draw length you are interested in and the style of the bow that appeals to you.
I am currently drawing 32in with a thumb ring, and I like to target shoot very much. I never have hunted with a traditional bow, only compound but one day would like to. I never have achieved the level of skill necessary to hunt cleanly with a traditional bow.
I was looking at the Manchu but have heard that the Manchu bow really doesn't come into its own until an 80 lb draw. The bow from mariner only reaches 70 @ 36". I am also told that the Manchu bow lacks the cast of other designs, which may hinder my target shooting. I am also looking to continue to shoot a high draw weight bow (currently shoot a 75 @ 28 drawn to 32".) Any advice or knowledge on the matter would be greatly appreciated!
I was looking at the Manchu but have heard that the Manchu bow really doesn't come into its own until an 80 lb draw. The bow from mariner only reaches 70 @ 36". I am also told that the Manchu bow lacks the cast of other designs, which may hinder my target shooting. I am also looking to continue to shoot a high draw weight bow (currently shoot a 75 @ 28 drawn to 32".) Any advice or knowledge on the matter would be greatly appreciated!
The Manchu bow, in its original form, was a heavy draw weight bow of great accuracy. It was intended as a medium range weapon as opposed to a long range Turkish bow. However, with the introduction of long barrelled muskets, it became a short range weapon by comparison more comparable to a pistol. For hunting at normal ranges, up to thirty yards, it would be very effective in the draw ranges you are discussing. The arrows are large and retain a lot of kinetic energy. They are easy to find too which can be an advantage.
I haven't used one of the Mariner Manchu bows, but I have one of the older Grozer ones and it performs very well at target ranges even though it is not of high draw weight. The Mariner bows seem closer in form to real horn and sinew bows. There is a perception that Northern bows have heavier ears and Southern bows have longer and lighter ears and under this classification the Mariner bows appear Southern. But I know of no substantial research on this classification so I am using it as a handy way to differentiate two shapes of Qing bows. Manchu bows do seem to be more comfortable in the latter part of the draw because of their geometry and the position of the arm and shoulder as the nock of the arrow goes behind the ear. Peter Dekker asserts that Manchu archery was originally based on hunting in forests where accuracy and knock down power were critical.
The Ming style and most Korean bows are very successful in hunting because of their small size and the punch they pack. Some years ago, the distinguished archer, Mr Heon Kim, told me that he sold quite a few Korean bows to hunters in the USA. They are definitely flatter shooting at long range, but they can be used at short range with heavier arrows to great effect.
I think the choice of arrows is critical when using any bows at short range as in hunting or horse archery. Weight makes for certainty in a shot and relatively large fletching can correct for uneven releases. We all intend to shoot cleanly and effectively, but in the heat of the moment things can go wrong so whether it is to assure a clean kill in hunting or make sure your don't have to find your arrow in horse archery (the best place to leave it is in the target) an extra guaranty of a straight flight is worth it.
I haven't used one of the Mariner Manchu bows, but I have one of the older Grozer ones and it performs very well at target ranges even though it is not of high draw weight. The Mariner bows seem closer in form to real horn and sinew bows. There is a perception that Northern bows have heavier ears and Southern bows have longer and lighter ears and under this classification the Mariner bows appear Southern. But I know of no substantial research on this classification so I am using it as a handy way to differentiate two shapes of Qing bows. Manchu bows do seem to be more comfortable in the latter part of the draw because of their geometry and the position of the arm and shoulder as the nock of the arrow goes behind the ear. Peter Dekker asserts that Manchu archery was originally based on hunting in forests where accuracy and knock down power were critical.
The Ming style and most Korean bows are very successful in hunting because of their small size and the punch they pack. Some years ago, the distinguished archer, Mr Heon Kim, told me that he sold quite a few Korean bows to hunters in the USA. They are definitely flatter shooting at long range, but they can be used at short range with heavier arrows to great effect.
I think the choice of arrows is critical when using any bows at short range as in hunting or horse archery. Weight makes for certainty in a shot and relatively large fletching can correct for uneven releases. We all intend to shoot cleanly and effectively, but in the heat of the moment things can go wrong so whether it is to assure a clean kill in hunting or make sure your don't have to find your arrow in horse archery (the best place to leave it is in the target) an extra guaranty of a straight flight is worth it.