Anybody into Archery?
- Thread starter Dano
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I used to shoot for the university team. Got a vintage all-wood recurve bow made by Border but I haven't strung it since I left. I keep meaning to take it up again but most archery clubs are made up of pedantic sarcastic sad cases who get really uppity when I walk in and beat their scores with my oldschool kit 
Dano, buy a whole box of knocks because you'll get through them and it's always good to have plenty the same
Dano, buy a whole box of knocks because you'll get through them and it's always good to have plenty the same
Total cost was £314, that was for the Bow, 8 arrows (which were custom made at the time), sight, bracer (to protect your forearm from the string when you mess up the release or your position), tab (leather and metal finger thingy that you use to protect your fingers when you pull the string so as not to hurt yourself), soft case, quiver, button (something to do with making the arrow go straight), arrow rest and a bunch of spare fletches and nocks.
Shattered arrows eh ? wait a few mins 
First time indoor shooting ( new season ? I think.. ) forgot my sights were still set for outdoor, didn't even look where the arrow was pointing..
Click.. Bang " **** " lol
another fellow archer pointed out about 2 seconds after that my arrow looked to be pointing too high when I drew my bow , shame he didn't tell me
Whatever you do though, don't go messing around with the carbon splinters , I've been told that if they penetrate the skin its a hospital jobby to get it removed as it breaks up v.easily.
First time indoor shooting ( new season ? I think.. ) forgot my sights were still set for outdoor, didn't even look where the arrow was pointing..
Click.. Bang " **** " lol
another fellow archer pointed out about 2 seconds after that my arrow looked to be pointing too high when I drew my bow , shame he didn't tell me
Whatever you do though, don't go messing around with the carbon splinters , I've been told that if they penetrate the skin its a hospital jobby to get it removed as it breaks up v.easily.
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Just seen this thread.
Have done archery for about 15 years. Was taught by, for those in the scene, Anita Chapman. Haven't done it in a club for about 6 years since moving down to Swansea, but still have my Marksman Meteor recurve bow and go out as often as I can.
It is a good sport, very relaxing and the competitions are a good chance to meet a few people who share an interest in what is not that a common sport.
Only tip I can recommend is don't go out and buy a bow, as TaKeN pointed out, some people prefer Recurve, others prefer Compound. Hell at the club I was a member there was a 70 year old bloke who'd mastered recurve and was going for the traditional longbow, I still look back in awe over him getting the boss at 100 yards with nothing more than a longbow, traditional arrow and no sightings.
Invest in a brace though as the amount of 'twangs' on your wrist will sting like buggery and that may put a few people off.
Definately a great sport, annual membership is cheap and the equipment is pretty affordable for most people unless you start getting into silly equipment.
Have done archery for about 15 years. Was taught by, for those in the scene, Anita Chapman. Haven't done it in a club for about 6 years since moving down to Swansea, but still have my Marksman Meteor recurve bow and go out as often as I can.
It is a good sport, very relaxing and the competitions are a good chance to meet a few people who share an interest in what is not that a common sport.
Only tip I can recommend is don't go out and buy a bow, as TaKeN pointed out, some people prefer Recurve, others prefer Compound. Hell at the club I was a member there was a 70 year old bloke who'd mastered recurve and was going for the traditional longbow, I still look back in awe over him getting the boss at 100 yards with nothing more than a longbow, traditional arrow and no sightings.
Invest in a brace though as the amount of 'twangs' on your wrist will sting like buggery and that may put a few people off.
Definately a great sport, annual membership is cheap and the equipment is pretty affordable for most people unless you start getting into silly equipment.
It is only one string, it's a compound bow.
Oh, so the string is looped? I'm guessing for more power?
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Yes, the limbs on a compound bow are a lot shorter and the string runs over cams so it can gain a mechanical advantage. The cams are over centred so as you draw it suddenly goes light and you can hold the bow steady because there's very little draw weight. When you release, the cams work the other way and put a lot more energy into the arrow than a conventional recurve bow can.
Compound is a lot more accurate and is a seperate class to recurve. I believe they shoot at a smaller target too.
Soldato
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I'd love to find a local club and take this up, I had a look for online club lists but nothing in sussex it seems
I don't have any of the really good bows in this thread but for the christmas before last my girlfriend got me a metal (not sure what type!) recurve bow. Nothing fancy, just a shaped length of metal with a rubber hold in the middle that the arrow rests on. I really love it though but I've only ever practised while at home and I'm down to just two arrows left now out of my starting 6. They shatter pretty nicely if you hit a rock
I generally just use an old log about 1 1/2 ft high as a target from 20 yards away. On a good day I'll hit it about half the times but my arrows are really dead now, the rubber 'feathers' on the back are mostly gone so they're not the most accurate.
I've always wanted a decent wooden recurve bow and a proper set of arrows but that will have to wait until I can afford them
I generally just use an old log about 1 1/2 ft high as a target from 20 yards away. On a good day I'll hit it about half the times but my arrows are really dead now, the rubber 'feathers' on the back are mostly gone so they're not the most accurate.
I've always wanted a decent wooden recurve bow and a proper set of arrows but that will have to wait until I can afford them
I'd love to find a local club and take this up, I had a look for online club lists but nothing in sussex it seems
http://www.petersfieldarchery.org.uk/clubs.htm
The website is very out of date, so I cannot say if the clubs all exist.
Associate
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I have done archery for 16 years now. I got to a reasonably high level of ability and was coached by 2 of the best coaches around - Greville Adkins and Barry Farndon.
It does have quite a slow learning curve, but it is very enjoyable. I would say that you are a beginner for 2 to 3 years. Once you get past the initial beginner stage, have your own equipment and have the skill to reach the longer distances then you can start doing some local competitions, which for me was the best bit.
I used to do competitions that would last the whole weekend - 12 dozen arrows each day.
Unfortunately, Jonny69 is correct in that most clubs contain a few members who believe that equipment makes an archer. This is of course complete horse manure. Only when you are at international level does all the expensive stuff actually work for you in a noticeable way. A good archer should be able to shoot any type of bow well. Just remember that compound bows are for failed recurve archers
However, there are some very good clubs (escpecially in the Midlands).
It does have quite a slow learning curve, but it is very enjoyable. I would say that you are a beginner for 2 to 3 years. Once you get past the initial beginner stage, have your own equipment and have the skill to reach the longer distances then you can start doing some local competitions, which for me was the best bit.
I used to do competitions that would last the whole weekend - 12 dozen arrows each day.
Unfortunately, Jonny69 is correct in that most clubs contain a few members who believe that equipment makes an archer. This is of course complete horse manure. Only when you are at international level does all the expensive stuff actually work for you in a noticeable way. A good archer should be able to shoot any type of bow well. Just remember that compound bows are for failed recurve archers
However, there are some very good clubs (escpecially in the Midlands).
You will soon be wanting the Carbon / Aluminium composite arrows ( You said Carbon Fibre but I'm sure those don't exist
Heh, I was correct, they were indeed carbon fibre arrows
Quick question for you. I am right handed, but my left eye is dominant, should I be going for a left or right handed bow?
Thanks in advance!