What is a Traditional Archery Bow?

The world of Archery has as many different bows, as there are different types of targets. There are recurve bows, longbows, crossbows and compound bows. If you are thinking of a scene from your favorite movie, odds are it was a traditional archery bow. But before you make your first purchase, it’s helpful to know what to expect. In traditional archery there are not a lot of extra accessories added, it is you the bow, arrows, target and sometimes a armguard or maybe even a finger tab, but that is it.

What Is a traditional Bow?

There are two types of traditional bows: recurve bows and longbows. In this article we will mainly focus on the longbows.

Traditional bows are more basic than most modern bows. They are made out of wood and are back to basic meaning they do not use any extra accessories. These bows give the archer a more natural experience, one where you must rely on skill and intuition to hit a target. Some longbows which are the oldest bow are made from a single piece of wood called yew wood.

This wood is a hearty, versatile wood, which can withstand compression and tension, it is formed in the classic D shape. Thus, making it a great choice for a bow. Other bows are made up of composite material, usually a blend of two different types of woods. These woods have the ability to handle compression and to handle tension.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Longbows do however have both advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that longbows allow the archer to develop their skills in a way that modern bows don’t. Most modern bows don’t come equipped with man- made assistance tools. They require you to manually aim the bow, while sustaining the draw weight.

Consequently, longbows are more difficult to use, as they lack the technology associated with modern bows. As a beginner, this could be quite frustrating. They also do not shoot as efficiently or with the same speed as other modern bows. They can be made without the arrow shelf which as the advantage of making this bow ambidextrous, so if you are left handed then you will have no problem with this bow.

 

 

However you usually see the longbows with the shelf in stores making this a good option for right handed people. Before you buy you should know which side you are most comfortable shooting your bow with. For example if you consider yourself right eye dominant then use a right sided longbow, but if you feel left eye dominant then get a left sided longbow. If you are one of those lucky archers that are not dominant either way then you are good to go with getting whichever one you want.

 

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Uses for A Traditional Bow

Target archery is best suited for traditional longbows. These bows tend to be larger, which at times could make them difficult to carry around in the field. Even today some bowhunters still prefer the longbow over the modern alternatives. It is a personal preference or comfort level and skills level. If you are comfortable and have the skills and good concentration to hit a target, the sky is your only limitation with a longbow.

Many archers that are hardcore archers like traditional archery they feel that archery is not a hobby or a sport but a way of life. Longbows, historically were used in warfare for centuries. This was due to its effectiveness, when in the hands of a well-trained archer.

Please note that accuracy is a challenge with a longbow. But even the slightest bit of skill and practice you can go a long way towards overcoming that.

Choosing Your Traditional Archery Bow

When it’s time to choose your traditional longbow, remember to pick a bow that is roughly your same height. The weight of the bow should be your primary consideration. As you must be able to hold the longbow in position, in order to aim and shoot.

The ability to be able to lift the bow could be a challenging factor.  The heavier longbows will have to more draw weight. The draw weight means, the arrow can launch at a greater speed. Therefore a lighter longbow is slower, which impacts your speed and accuracy. So if you can hold it  go for the heaviest longbow you can comfortably hold, keeping in mind that you will be shooting over and over.

Wrap Up

Traditional archery takes time to master, but it can be fun and challenging. This form of archery still involves  speed and efficiency that modern bows bring. If you are seeking a more natural experience with a focus primarily on target archery, then the traditional bow may be a good fit for you.

 

 

 

 

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