I got my bow!! - UPDATED WITH PICS!

[Cimrandir]

It arrived yesterday. It's a beeee-autiful #35 @ 29" hickory longbow! Unfortunately, I can't shoot it yet. Why? Because I have no bracer. I am planning on making my own but I don't have the materials yet. BTW, I hear a lot about Andy's bracers and the patterns. Where can I find the pattern? Since his site went offline, I don't know where to look.

Anyway, I'm really excited about the bow. Pictures will be coming soon.


Thanks,
Haradir

EDIT: Information correction!

[mcapanelli]

Uhhh, I think you forgot something? Pictures perhaps?

[mcapanelli]

You know I'd have edited my first post but it made me laugh. That'll teach me to fire off a post before being sure to read the whole thread first. Anyway congrats on the bow man, can't wait to see pictures. By the way, whom made your new bow?

[Cimrandir]

Oops, I forgot to mention that. It's a Rudderbow. Sorry about that.

[Greg]

For a temporary bracer, just put on a long-sleeved shirt and tape a piece of cardboard to the inside of your arm. Electrical tape works best since it comes off easily. Way better than having to stare at a brand new bow and not get to shoot it!

Enjoy the new toy!

[Cimrandir]

Good idea. I actually shot it today using a bunch of scraps of cloth for a bracer. That sounds easier though.

[Ernildir]

Congrats! That's certainly exciting.

[mcapanelli]

Jim makes a remarkably good shooting bow for the price doesn't he? I have a bamboo backed Epe flatbow from him that pulls 50@29. You'll get years of reliable service out of her for sure. Congrats again man.

[Cimrandir]

Correction: It is NOT bamboo-backed. It's just solid hickory. I should really learn to check my facts and think before posting.

Thanks guys!

[Eledhwen]

I have a bamboo backed reflex deflex and it is a delight to shoot.

Enjoy your new bow.

Eledhwen

[Jon]

Hooray!
Talking of bows, is 40# too much to jump up to after shooting a 28#?

[Willrett]

not if you can shoot and keep form and not hurt yourself. The first bow I shot was 55#

[Cimrandir]

[Greg]

Looking good!

I'd recommend getting some higher quality arrows for that thing as soon as you can. Shafts with full-size, 125 gr field points, specifically. You're going to want more weight in front of that string. The ones you have right now most likely are marked something to the tune of "For Bow weights up to 35#." They are spined up to 35#, but they don't have heavy enough tips to make use of the flexibility of the shafts. This in itself is merely an accuracy issue, as your arrows, when aimed correctly, will end up consistently left of your target. This is because the point isn't heavy enough to make your arrow flex around the bow and come back to center.

However, there's a far more important reason for having properly weighted shafts. If there isn't enough weight in front of the string, the arrow doesn't absorb enough of the force from the bow, causing the excess force to be sent up into the bow limbs. And we all know what happens when too much force gets absorbed by an all-wood bow, don't we? Lightweight arrows cause the near-equivalent of a dry fire, and then, well...

...kablooie.

We don't want kablooie. Especially on a nice-looking and shooting bow such as that one.



Alrighty, aside from my little safety rant...how's she shooting?!

[Cimrandir]

Pretty much how you said. A little to the left- but other than that, great! I bought those arrows to tide me over until I can buy (or hopefully make) better ones. So don't worry, these arrows will soon be retired to.... huh, dunno what I'll do with them but anyway, I won't be using them. Thanks for all the advice!