Korean Traditional (style) bows

[hooktonboy]

Oh dear, spare Xmas money so I bought one (don't tell the wife!) Not shot it yet - anyone got any tips please for shooting these? It looks really scary as there's hardly anything there at all - weighs nothing, draws really smooth. Perhaps I'd better start in a very big field?

[ThePinkOne]

You could be brave and get a thumb-ring.

I taught myself to shoot my Mongolian bow off the thumb last indoor, as a bit of a diversion from the serious stuff. It's entertaining, and such a thrill when you hit the boss consistently....

If you look up ATARN (Asian Traditional Archery Network) on: http://www.atarn.org/frameindex.htm you'll get a pile of into on how to do it.

DH.

[gino]

any pictures of the bow?

[hooktonboy]

Originally Posted by gino

any pictures of the bow?

Afraid not but its only a simple and cheap(ish) one - you can see them in plenty of retailers websites - usually coed as a KTB for about £90. Looks lik a pair of recurve limbs with a wrap round the middle.

[hooktonboy]

Thanks for your help DH, that's a good site. So am I brave enough to try some of that? You bet!

[Wrexham Exile]

my my steve!!

another new toy!

will have to see this in action when im back!!

[ThePinkOne]

Originally Posted by hooktonboy

Thanks for your help DH, that's a good site. So am I brave enough to try some of that? You bet!

You know when they say about the thumb swelling the first time you shoot off the thumb.... well they're right. Tip: get the thumbring a little bigger than your thumb, and line it with layers fo fabric elastoplast and indluce a little bit of the padding (you know, the bit you put on the cut). The fabric lining makes sure the thumbring holds tight enough (otherwise it won't work well) but also means you can get it off when your thumb swells.

Don't ask me how I know this...


You'll also need to cut the nail on the draw thumb real short, as the thumb lock is a very efficient way of removing long thumbnails. You'll find that the position of the thumbring in the thumb is very critical, but it's not something I can really descibe other that by showing someone...

A cant of the top of the bow to the left (for a RH) archer is also useful...

Have fun!

DH.

[Toxopholist]

Hi. Thumb rings are fun, but you don't need to go to that extreme to enjoy Korean or Mongolian bows. A conventional Mediterranean loose is fine, but you need to anchor at the side of the mouth not under then chin. Canting the bow to the right may help you also.

You may need to use weaker spined arrows than you'd expect. I've found these shoot similar speeds to a longbow of the same draw weight. So if your bow is 50lb draw then arrows spined for 40 or 45lb might suit it.

Regards, Dave

[ThePinkOne]

True enough. My Mongolian is nice shot Western style with the Mediterranean loose, although with those little Korean bows they are so short the string tends to pinch a bit if you've big pinkies (I've shot one, they are a very nice little bow).

But shooting off the thumb is a bit of a challenge if you want to learn a little more about this style of archery, there's such a huge load more to learn about and enjoy with the Asiatic styles of archery.

Now, a Yumi, that would be something to try...

DH

[hooktonboy]

Thanks DH, thanks Tox. You've just answered the questions I was going to ask after having a good read of the stuff on ATARN (you must be psychic, or is it psychiatric .... no no that's me.)

I spent an age last night trying to work out the release from the descriptions - think I've got it so going to give it a try soon.

Your advice much appreciated

Hey Al, did you know that with this bowstyle you get national recognition if you can get 5 consecutive hits. Only problem is the distance is 158 yards. Think we need a new field!