Longbow exploded

[Et tu brute]

I've spoke to Keith on the phone, and like you say he definitely seems like a very nice guy. I think a couple of people on the forum have bows from him, and I haven't heard anything bad about them (the bows)

[RichardH]

Couple of people at our club have Yewtree bows - very nice from what I've seen.

[Joe M]

Longbows can break. It happens and probably has happened to many of us who shoot longbows. I shoot un-backed longbows (selfbows) that I make from Birch, and also Maple. (I can't find any Yew that is reasonably priced and readily available, near or where I live.) This is why I settled on Birch and Maple, I've had very good luck with these two wood's.

Hickory? I've broke three hickory longbows while in use, (two built by me, the other by someone else)... I have also 'intentionally' broke three Birch LB's while testing them on the tillering board. I wanted to know just how far I could go with a certain wood. The birch LB's broke at; #56 @ 33" - 72", and at #54 @ 33" - 72", and at; #56 @ 30" - 60"... I learned a lot from doing this and hated doing it, but as I said, I needed to know the wood's quality, and now I do.

Maple selfbows I have never broke. That's not to say they can't break, and I've only tested them up to #53 @ 32" by 72" long, with no sign of potential breakage.

My pull length is 27.75" (28") with a longbow, but now when I build a bow of Birch or Maple, it must be capable of a 30" pull. That's just my method right or wrong.

I would not give up on longbows. If you enjoy them, and enjoy shooting them, then continue to do so. Don't let a set back ruin your interest in the style of bow you're enjoying.

You could even take it a step further and learn to build your own. This way you have control over the building of the bow you like. Mine are easier to build as my pull length of 27.75" inches gives me a better window of error. I have successfully built up to, and used a; #51 @ 28" - 73" Maple Self/Longbow, and up to a; #48 @ 28" - 72" Birch Self/Longbow. Never backed as I don't care for that.

Just my two cents worth. I hope it helps!

[mcmorland]

If you were the guy shooting at South Leeds the other sunday don't worry we were all as shocked as you, dont be put off and please dont give up either. Have a word with Gerry he will put you right.

Mark

[kool4katz]

Originally Posted by chaosbat

I got the longbow from yewtree archery - Keith Rayner. Having picked up the bow personally and met him i no he is a very genuine guy. I did a bit of homework on the net and he appears to have a good reputation. He was very understanding and offered to make a replacement without and moments hesitation at all.
Has anyone else got a Kieth Rayner bow and if so what do you make of them, Bearing in mind im a complete novice with a pile of firewood at the moment ?

Hi chaosbat

I have had two bows from Keith Raynor and both have beed sweet to shoot.

Keith is a genuine bloke and i have spent some time chatting to him about what combination of woods compliment each other.

My bow is 50# @28" tillered to 32". Bamboo back , hard rock white maple core with yew belly and a couple of accents thrown in.
You will not see that on Keith's custom bow builder tool so have a good chat to him about what possibilities are open to you.

I can understand your paranoia but your new bow will be totally different so dont worry about it. It is a piece of wood at the end of the day and that's the risk you take with longbows. They can and will last for years if cared for properly.

As said before, check out Pip Bickerstaff's web site for tips on caring for your bow. Keith also has some tips on his site as well.

[gino]

Hi,
my very first bow was a Keith Raynor bow and after a month I noticed the laminates were seperating but keith took it back no problems and reglued it for me at no extra cost. Since then it's been such a sweet bow to shoot, very quick for it's poundage (37lbs) and with the right arrows can reach a good distance too.
I once outshoot (in distance) a 45lb bow merely because mine was quicker.
It's lasted me about 2 years on and off as I replaced it with a higher poundage bow but I keep using it every now and then and let longbow novices play with it too.

As for getting over your paranoia, think of it this way:
It's already happened to you and you're still here, just pick up the next bow and keep going

[chaosbat]

My new replacement bow is now in the making, I have two choices -

1) Lemon wood belly, purple heart core, Hickory back.

2) Lemon wood belly, Oak Core, Hickory back

Any advice on which i should go for ?

Cheers
Len

[Et tu brute]

Hickory/purpleheart/lemonwood is a more conventional combination, and makes a good bow. I don't know a lot about Oak's qualities as a core wood though. Personally I'd go for hickory/purpleheart/lemonwood, as not only does it produce a very good bow, it also looks very cool! Be interested to hear other people's opinions though

[jb.68]

Originally Posted by chaosbat

My new replacement bow is now in the making, I have two choices -

1) Lemon wood belly, purple heart core, Hickory back.

2) Lemon wood belly, Oak Core, Hickory back

Any advice on which i should go for ?

Cheers
Len

Osage would be the better choice of belly, but if it has to be one of the other two, then I would go for the 1st one, Lemon wood belly, purple heart core, Hickory back.

[clickerati]

Lemon wood belly, purple heart core, hickory back

That's nearly my baby! Except she has a yew belly and a lemon wood and purple heart core with a hickory back. She's purty and shoots real sweet, too!!