Longbow Left & Right hand difference?

OK I have narrowed down the longbow I want. I have seen one in my local archery shop. It has the arrow plate on the left side, designed for a right hand archer. I shoot left hand, does this matter? If I want one with the plate on the right I will have to order one. What do you recomend? The bow I'm looking at is a "Gary Evans" bow bamboo backed. Is there anything else about a longbow that is handed other than the arrow plate?

[clickerati]

I shot provins' right hand longbow left handed at SoCo. No problems. But someone who actually knows something about longbows better answer this question.

Rich, you need a "I'm switching to longbow tell me everything" forum.

Originally Posted by clickerati

Rich, you need a "I'm switching to longbow tell me everything" forum.

What a good idea! lol

[ben tarrow]

some longbows are designed to be shot just left handed (or just right handed) in that the string is offset to the appropriate side so as to make the arrow closer to centreshot. (so I am told by my longbow touting buddy)

[English Bowman]

It depends on the bow. Bickerstaffe makes his bows handed, Ron Palmer makes them ambidextrous. I'd personally stick with shooting a bow the way it's been made unless I know it's ambidextrous. The arrow-plate isn't just there for show, and if you shoot a bow wrong handed without putting something to protect the wood it will (over time) damage the bow

Daniel

[provins]

If you like Gary Evans's bows then go direct to him and get one made specificaly for you,it'll cost you no extra.
In my experience you can shoot a longbow either handed but if there is no arrowplate then you may spoil the finish on the bow by the arrow rubbing against it.
Longbows are always made so the the string aligns with the centre of the bow,how Bickerstaffe make their bows handed I don't know and for the life of me cant understand how they do, or why.
Anyway I hope your search is succesful and you get what you want.
If your going to SoCo social tomorrow pm me and I'll bring along an ambidextrous Ron Palmer for you to borrow/try ok.

Originally Posted by provins

If you like Gary Evans's bows then go direct to him and get one made specificaly for you,it'll cost you no extra.
In my experience you can shoot a longbow either handed but if there is no arrowplate then you may spoil the finish on the bow by the arrow rubbing against it.
Longbows are always made so the the string aligns with the centre of the bow,how Bickerstaffe make their bows handed I don't know and for the life of me cant understand how they do, or why.
Anyway I hope your search is succesful and you get what you want.
If your going to SoCo social tomorrow pm me and I'll bring along an ambidextrous Ron Palmer for you to borrow/try ok.

Can't go direct to him Provins, the chap only deals exclusivly with Wales archery now. I will have to excersise a little patience and order one I guess.

Not doing soco unfortunatly so can't take you up on your kind offer. Good shooting all, looks like nice weather.

[Bald Eagle]

Surely a new longbow, if unshot, will take left or right handed archers? Just put an insert of horn on the side of the bow you want to shoot off!

[English Bowman]

Originally Posted by Bald Eagle

Surely a new longbow, if unshot, will take left or right handed archers? Just put an insert of horn on the side of the bow you want to shoot off!

Nope, as I said earlier it depends on who makes the bow. Pip Bickerstaffe's bows do not have the sting dead centre. For a right handed bow the string will lie slightly to the left of centre, which gives better arrow clearance. So you need to know how the bow was made before you can decide if it can be shot "wong" handed

Daniel

[jeduffey]

I shoot a Welchman Longbow. So does a good friend of mine. Recently, I discovered that my right handed, right shooting friend is actually left eye dominant. He was unsure if he could shoot his bow as a lefty. I called up the bowyer, Gerald Welch, to ask. He replied that his bows are centered and to shoot off the other side, just unwrap the leather handle cover, move the rest and plate, recover. My experience is that any bow that does not have a cut-out site window, can be shot from either side. Of course he also said that he and HH both shoot right handed with dominant left eyes, so go figure.