Getting started

[trouthunter]

A buddy of mine and a big time longbow hunter/shooter told me to "take off the training wheels and get a real bow".

I'm looking for info on a good traditional longbow to get started on. I want to go the longbow route over a recurvebecause 1)I can use the bow in my mountian man era re-enactment group, & 2) I like the look of a longbow.

To start I just want to have one for the range and maybe small game hunting. As I develope into a better shot, I'd look to replacing my compound with this bow for big game.

I'd also like to keep the wife happy and look for a less expensive "best bang for the buck" bow.

All comments welcome

[Arthur P]

Best thing to do is talk with some of your buddies that shoot longbows and see if any of them have a used bow for sale that you can try out before plopping down your money. Check out the trade blanket at the rendezvous you go to and see if there's something there you try before you buy. Go to a few all traditional shoots, if there are any around your neck of the woods, and check there too. There are always a few used bows floating around a shoot.

Second best is checking all the classifieds on the different forums, and scan through Ebay to find a used bow, hopefully like one you've gotten to shoot so you know what to expect.

Third best is to take a look at the Samick Viper or Viper Delux. Made in Korea, not quite up to the standards of a second hand custom bow, but they are very affordable and decent quality.

That's how to get the very best bang for the least bucks.

On the other hand, there is a lot to be said for getting a custom bow made to your own desires. It can actually cost you less money in the long run to pay a higher price for a bow you want than to buy a bunch of bows trying to find one you like, and never quite being satisfied.