Owning and shooting a longbow can be a unique and worth while experience. Such a bow is a joy to shoot, as well as being part of a continuing human experience dating back many thousands of years. The wood bow is a representative of another era, when time moved to a slower rhythm and quite possibly to the beat of another drum. Many things then were hand hewn or crafted, therefore more dear to own and use. All wood bows do not tolorate a "dry fire" or broken string the way modern bows do. They can be permanently damaged by being severly or repeatedly over drawn. The wood fibers can become "stressed" beyond the range of the original tiller & never quite return.

**Wood bows should only be drawn to the corner of the mouth, unlike conventional bows, they should not be draw to the ear. **


Above: is an example of how far to draw a longbow and what one should look like drawn.



°To determine your Draw length:
You need a tape measure, make a fist with you left hand hold it straight out to the side and look toward it. Measure from your fist to the corner of your mouth (your right hand should be anchored at your mouth) Draw the tape measure as you would an arrow. What ever the measurement is; that should be your draw length. (follow the instructions in reverse if left handed)

°Setting The Brace Height:
Brace height is the distance between the string and the handle on the bow when strung. By twisting the string in the direction of the twist the string will shorten, & vis-versa when you un-twist the string will get longer. The proper height is set for the person shooting by closing his/her fist and sticking up his/her thumb straight up.(see picture below) The fist with the thumb up should pass between the bow and the string with no more than 1/32" clearance. (there can be up to a max. of 6"- 6 1/2" of clearance) Strings are sinew and will stretch a little when new and may need to be adjusted several times before proper brace is achieved. The bow has a draw length of 28". 28" or 29" arrows can be used, if you shoot arrows longer than 29" place a black ring around the arrow at 29" from the notch on the arrow so that you do not over draw your bow and damage it or break it. Arrows should be bought according to the draw length you use. The spline weight of the arrows should be matched to the bow as well. See below to figure out the proper spline weight.


The first 2 pictures (Left) show how to estimate how far down the string should be twisted down to achieve the proper brace height when strung as shown (right). Normally if it is twisted down to the width of 4 fingers from nock, you will acheive the proper brace for the person using the bow, a few minor ajustments may need to be made. Do NOT set to a brace height greater than 6 1/2" (inches)

°Stringing a wood bow:
When stringing your wood bow use the following methods.
1.) The step thru method (also known as the traditonal method)
2.) The lazy mans way (the knee below the handle)
3.) Use a bow stringer
Never step or stand on the tip or shove the tip into the ground/floor when stringing. Doing so could damage your bow or even break your bow. If you do not know how to do any of the above methods please see your local archery shop and have them show you how to string a bow with one of the above methods.

The step through method is the safest way to string your bow if done properly, both for you and your bow. Below is a diagram and an example of the step thru or traditional method. Many of you may already know this method and not realize it or call it something else. But PLEASE have someone show you how if you have never done this.

°Selecting the right spine weight:
The spine* weight of your arrow should be 5 - 10# lighter than your bow**. (ex: if your bow is 35# @ 28", the spine weight of your arrows should be 25# to 30#) The reason for matching the spine weight of your arrows to your bow, is so that you get the max. performance out of the bow. Arrows that are to heavy(spine weight as heavy or heavier than your bow) will end up mostly in the ground. Arrows that are too light (spine weight Lighter than recommended for your bow) will not fly straight, they will wobble too much in flight.

**On Recurves (true recurves) the spine weight should be 5 - 10# heavier.

°String Information and Care:
The following information pertains to artificial sinew or flemish strings.
1. String nocks and string servings can be safely added to strings without damaging the string, and can be purchased at most archery supply stores.
2.String Care: Use bees wax when the string becomes frayed to smooth it back out. Waxing your string with bees wax regulatly or before you put it up for a season (if you use it only to hunt), will increase the life of your string. Also store or keep your string away from household pets, as your pet may "eat" your string.
3. Should you need to replace the string on your wood bow, buy a string that is 4"(inches) shorter than your bow. The string should not be any shorter than this. If the string is a little long it can be twisted down. However if the string is to short you could break your bow. (ex: if your bow is 72"(inches) long/tall from tip to tip you would buy a 68" (inch) string for it.)
4. B-50 can be used as an alternitive to the artificial sinew and natural strings. However, Fastflight should NEVER be used on a wood bow.

°Basic Care Information for a wood bow:
1.Unless you seal your wood bow with a polyerathane or something similar. You will need to Oil your wood bow every 4-6 months, to prevent it from drying out. The following oils can be used. Other oils can also be used these are just the more popular ones.(Remember this does not apply to sealed or painted** bows)
a.) Tung Oil --- considered by bowyers¹ to be the best to use
b.) Linseed Oil --- this oil takes forever to dry, so wipe excess off
c.) Lemon Oil --- Many people use this just because its handy
2.Your wood bow should be stored flat. Under a bed is usually the best place to store it. That way its out of the way and not being kicked or stepped on.
3. NEVER store a wood bow strung. It can cause it to take a set* or begin to "follow the string" in a pronounced way.
4. It is sometimes wise to store the bow and string separately. This will prevent someone from attempting to mis-string & attempt to draw and ultimately break your bow. Also as mentioned earlier, this would prevent your pet* from eating your string. So for housholds with pets or children we strongly urge you to store the string separately from your bow. Please scroll to the Bottom for our definition of a pet.

**Oil may remove the paint on painted bows, paint seals the bow and prevents moisture from getting in, this is why there is no need to oil the painted bows.

°Shooting a wood bow or a wood longbow:
When shooting traditionaly; they shot off the hand (knuckles). If you are shooting this way or intend to just remember that if your right handed the arrow will rest on the left hand side of the bow (visa versa if your left) and make sure the fletching* on your arrows are good. Also it may be a good idea to wear a leather glove when shooting this way; if possible.

A shelf can be safley added to the side of a traditional style bow (one with no built in shelf) by wrapping a wedge of wood, a shaped peice of bone, or a stiff wedge of belt leather to the appropriate side with jute, leather or just about any pliable material.

°Additional tips for shooting a longbow:
Arrows should be inspected for crakes or abrasions before each use. Do Not use damaged arrows!! Arrows should be wrapped at the bottom of the feathers with thread, sinew, or tape to prevent them from sticking into the hand. (when there is not a shelf / arrow rest on the bow being used).

Archers should stand at a 45 degree angle to there target and then hold the bow, with the arm bent slightly, towards the target. Then let the arm ajust itself for range.

Straw bails make good targets. Be sure nothing / no one is behind the targets. When shooting, make sure all bystanders are behind the shooter before starting.

Never walk around with an arrow nocked on the bow!!

1. A Bowyer is a person who makes bows.

2. Fletching is the feathers on the arrow. If shooting traditionaly, make sure the feathers are glued all the way down. Otherwise the feathers may cut you or come off the shaft and remain in your hand.

3. A pet is anything you keep in the house that has teeth and chews or may attemp to chew on either the string or the bow itself. (cats, dogs, ferrets, pot bellied pigs, goats etc.)

4. Spine weigth of arrows refers to the stiffness of the shaft.

5. All bows will take a little (1/2" to 1") set over time which is normal and acceptable. They should not take a set over 1 1/2" with proper care and handling. The most common reasons a bow takes a set is (1) it was left strung or (2) it was overdrawn.