Lonbows for a Junior

[Snarkhunter]

My son, having forsworn a sight on his recurve to shoot barebow and then moved to one of the club's basic fibreglass flatbows, is very keen (desperate?!) to shoot longbow.

With Christmas coming... well, I was looking for some advice as to what to look for in a bow suitable for him and where I might look to buy one. Money is, unfortunately, also a consideration (Father Christmas not being an archer! ), so suggestions/tips for someone on a budget also gratefully received.

[Íjász]

Hi,
Don't know what you might get in the UK but Grozer in Hungary does childrens longbows from 95 euros. I've no idea what the postage may be or what they are like though, but his traditional recurve bows are amongst (if not the) best.
Grozer Traditional Recurve Bows Hungary = main site
Archery = stock

[CRUSADE14]

My son has also turned to the stick and i am having trouble sourcing a junior long bow that comforms to BLBS and GNAS rules. Any advice ?

[numpty]

I don't know but you could try Pip Bikerstaff or Neil Harrington

[Ffish]

Simple solution - Steve Ralphs longbows. (click here) Really great guy, very understanding to deal with, and extremely knowledgeable. I bought my son's longbow from him earlier in the year (tri-laminate, horn nocks etc) for around £200, but his range of sycamore self bows start at around £75.

My nipper's bow was made to order, (so it should last him 3-4 years), so it did take Steve about 6 weeks to make, but I believe he's got 'off the shelf' stuff available.

I can highly recommend his products - he even made the arrows too.

[NoWay]

I would strongly recomend that you look at this site.

http://www.yewtreearchery.co.uk/

Keith Rayner has made two bows for my sons and they are really nice. Also very good value, and you can use the sites bow designer page to work out what you would like to have your bow made of.

[LineCutter]

Make one!

It's what I did for my kids. If you can't find the details by searching AUIK then drop me a PM. In fact, my first journal entries are about the last kids bow I made (actually sized for a lady - the darlings keep growing just when I've made them a nice bow).

[DeeH]

My youngest (11) shoots longbow has had it now a year, phoned up Pip Bickerstaff told him what he was shooting recurve and a few other bits besides and Pip very kindly made him his first longbow and should last him for a few more years...try here Bickerstaffe Bows Website or a plug for a new company primarily for longbow archers, try here for Silver Arrow Archery index
Make sure you get a longbow with horn nocks to conform with the GNAS rules of shooting.

[Yeah, I missed again :)]

yeah bickerstaff is really nice and his bows are good

i got mine from him when i was 14 (two years ago) and he understands about all the stuff with children shount be pulling too heavy lbs becuase they can deform the growing muscles and bones in your back but the bows he makes are still powerful enough to get a good 80yds

[LobbyMuncher]

Steve Stratton had several children's longbows in his workshop yesterday when I visited to pick up a new bow, one of them a lovely selfyew made for his son who features in EnglishWarbow's inspiring Roving video.
Steve is easy to get to from here in Reading, Pip is the other end of the country. A longbow is a handmade product. Spending time with the craftsman, examining his work and discussing your requirements, will give you confidence in his skill and give him a better picture of the bow he needs to create for you.

Cheers

ChrisM