Concerning Bows and Archery

[Laurelin]

I was wondering about the different bows used in LOTR movies... In other words, what type of bows were used (elven vs orc vs uruk hai, etc), range, effectiveness... Does anyone have any ideas on this?

Also, I'm wondering if archers named their bows as swordsmen did?

[Alcarohtar]

Well, in the TTTEE they mention a little bit about it. For example, the orcs used crossbows.

And yes, archers named their bows. Example: Belthronding (Beleg's Bow)

[Laurelin]

Well...you see I got a new bow for Christmas and I was thinking of naming it, but I didn't know if it was customery (or what to name it for that matter - just saw your post in another thread :) ). I love archery and just got back into it again. I'll have to watch TTTEE about the weapons. I haven't gotten to it yet. :blush:

[Steve the Great]

Why do you think wasn't it so common to name bows in contrast to swods/maces/etc...?

btw. congrats to your bow, Laurelin... :grin:

[Laurelin]

I don't know. Maybe because I only hear names for swords and I haven't heard of any names for bows. Thanks for the congrats! I love my new bow. I'm going to the archery range tonight!! :grin: :whoohoo:

[Steve the Great]

Erm.. I think, I asked my question wrongly... sorry about it... :blush:
I try it again... lol
What do you think, why didn't the warriors of ME give their bow name?

[Laurelin]

lol OIC what you're saying...hmmm....good question. Perhaps they did, but only the swordsmen mentioned their swords names? Even Glorfindel and Legolas (the books) never mentioned names for their bows. Strange, isn't it? :huh:

[IronHills Dwarf]

From "Weapons and Warfare" by Chris Smith

Ranges in yards, draw weights in pounds.


Bows Range[/][b]DrawWeight
Moria Orc 50 N/A

Mordor Orc 110 N/A

Rohan 130 N/A

Gondorian 200 140 (my est.)

Ithilien Ranger 200 140

Mirkwood 250 N/A

Numenorean 300 N/A

Uruk Hai crossbow 300 N/A

Uruk Hai composite bow 300

Second-age Elven 350 N/A

Legolas Lorien 400 150 (thanks to properties of Mallorn)

Lorien 440 200

[Laurelin]

Fantastic! Thanks for the info Ironhills Dwarf. :)

[IronHills Dwarf]

Anytime. :) I highly recommend the book BTW.

[Laurelin]

I'll check it out! Thanks! :thumbs:

[Gil Galad]

that is very good actually,i mite have a look at that book myself.

[Laurelin]

Gil are you an archer too?

[Gil Galad]

well i dabble in it, a friend of mine is an excelent archer though(i think he has represented Ireland at it)

im just kinda interested in it rather then good at it if you follow(my eyesight aint the best and i hate wearing my glasses wen im doing stuf....although that doesnt stop me being a good shot with a riffle, strange that.but im rabbling, il stop)

[Laurelin]

lol No worries! I also participate in shooting rifles, guns, but something about archery... if you know what I mean. I'm certainly not the best at it, but I really enjoy it! :)

[Gil Galad]

yeh i know what you mean, its allot more ......Honest or something. i do enjoy it allot aswell

[Laurelin]

:) Yeah.

[Eomund]

Originally posted by Laurelin
lol OIC what you're saying...hmmm....good question. Perhaps they did, but only the swordsmen mentioned their swords names? Even Glorfindel and Legolas (the books) never mentioned names for their bows. Strange, isn't it? :huh:

Did Glorfindel even have a bow?

Laurelin & Gil Galad: It is good when someone enjoys something.

[Laurelin]

Hmmm, I'm fairly sure he did, but then again perhaps I'm confusing him with Beleg Strongbow. lol

[elvenrocker]

Originally posted by Laurelin
I was wondering about the different bows used in LOTR movies... In other words, what type of bows were used (elven vs orc vs uruk hai, etc), range, effectiveness... Does anyone have any ideas on this?

Also, I'm wondering if archers named their bows as swordsmen did?

Back to the original topic, (OMG I NEVER KNEW THERE WAS AN ARCHERY TOPIC!!!!!:o) The mirkwood bow (and most of the elven bows) legolas uses is made of red oak, it's a recurve, and I have no idea of it's draw weight. The bow aragorn uses looks pretty crappy. It looks like a prop most of the time. I don't remember the only time he pulls it out in Moria, so I can't tell you the specifics. Captain Faramir and his men have *REALLY* nice longbows (I NEED TO GET ME THESE!!!). Probably made of the same wood as lego's.

[elvenrocker]

Originally posted by Eomund
Did Glorfindel even have a bow?

Laurelin & Gil Galad: It is good when someone enjoys something.

In the illustration by John Howe, he has a sword and a shield. No bow, but then again, Tolkien never went into specifics, so it's all up to you. I prefer thinking he used only sword and shield.

[Gil Galad]

he, Glorfindel, may have had a bow, bu i cannot remeber it ever being mentioned that he had or not, either in "the Fall of Gondolin" or in the LotR. so id say thats completly up too your own imagination.

[Eomund]

Glorfindel may had a bow as many elves did but maybe he didnt use it. He with a sword and a shield is stronger i suppose.

[elvenrocker]

Originally posted by Gil Galad
he, Glorfindel, may have had a bow, bu i cannot remeber it ever being mentioned that he had or not, either in "the Fall of Gondolin" or in the LotR. so id say thats completly up too your own imagination.

He said nothing about his weapons in the Fall of Gondolin. Tolkien usually never talks about his specific characters, only of their deeds.

Many are the songs that have been sung of the duel of Glorfindel with the balrog upon a pinnacle of rock in that high place, and both fell to ruin in the abyss. - The Silmarillion (The Fall of Gondolin), JRR Tolkien

[Laurelin]

Good points! I agree with all of you, most elves did use bows but not all favored them over their swords. Beleg used both as I recall, but it seemed to me in Silmarillion that he favored his sword (since Turin took his sword after Beleg's fall).

[Eomund]

Elven swords were with special powers but no bows were i think.

[elvenrocker]

I know that feanor and his sons used great swords. Feanor made a whole armoury :grin:

[Laurelin]

I guess it was namely Legolas that the books talked about using a bow more than any other elves. Does anyone remember another elf being mentioned using a bow (consistently using a bow)? :huh:

[Eomund]

Someone BEleg or something used it

[elvenrocker]

Yes, it was Beleg. I'm pretty sure we've already mentioned him in this topic.

[Eomund]

Yes he was mentioned. Beleg and Leg were the ones who used the most bows

[elvenrocker]

hehe. remember the part in fotr where legolas drops his arrow (balrog part) hahaha

[Laurelin]

Yeah, that was pretty funny. Mr. Elf isn't afraid of much, 'cept maybe Balrogs! lol

[elvenrocker]

lol yep. I was laughing my head off and i showed it to my sis (also a leggy fan)

[Eomund]

probably most of the leggy fans here freaked out then.

[Laurelin]

True. While I'm a Leggy fan I do realize that even the greatest Elves do have some fears. lol ;)

[Eomund]

Maybe im wrong but did Elrond fear anything.

[Gil Galad]

probably very little, he was nearby(only Cirdan and Elrond stood by Gil Galad and only his son Isildor stood by Elendil, when they wrestled with sauropn and threw him down, but were slawn in the fight)when sauron was vanquished.

i think the Green Elves of Ossiriand used bows on the Dwarfs whom were carrying the spoil back from Doriath, and the Mirkwood elves in the Hobbit and the Laurien Elves from LoftR

[Laurelin]

hmmmm..... yeah, loosing his daughter to a mortals life.

[elvenrocker]

poor elrond. i hope his sons accompanied him to valinor. he lost his brother and daughter to the choice of mortality. i wonder why elros chose it. was it also love?

[Laurelin]

To my knowledge Elros did not choose mortality for love of a mortal woman, but more of the love of the Edain. Though I could be wrong, but that was my impression. :huh:

[Eomund]

Laurelin that was right.

[elvenrocker]

maybe he couldn't part with his "manly" facial hair lol

[Catz]

ok ladies......there are swoon threads aplenty on this board......this aint one of em ;)
archery please........and NOT cupids either lol
:catz:

[Steve the Great]

Yeah, Catz is absolutely right (as usual ;)). And I'll also sweep out these posts containing only smilies from this nice thread of archery... :p

[Eomund]

Okay, okay. Archery. Did anyone see Dervorin in the Movie? I didnt, but i found a picture about him.

[Laurelin]

No I didn't see him. Refresh my memory on who Dervorin is? *draws a blank* Where did you see the picture?

Here's an interesting and entertaining link about archery, specifically Legolas and an overview of the other bows in Middle Earth (mainly Legolas though).
http://users.ev1.net/~dareid/FoTR.htm

[Eomund]

First Dervorin was the Son of the Lord of Ringlo and soldiers from there came under the leading of him.
Second the page was http://shop.decipher.com/TCG/Card.aspx?gameID=7&cardID=2444
I know that its a card but a great picture.

[Laurelin]

IC cool card!

[Eomund]

You should check the others aswell, good picture about angmar
http://shop.decipher.com/TCG/CardLists.aspx?gameID=7&listID=17

[TrueSwordsman]

I had not practiced archery since I was 15 years old, and just last year, inspired by the LotR films, I took it up again. Needless to say, I am so hooked that I imagine myself shooting signs as I am driving down the road.

Thanks to the movies I now have an active hobbie that allows me to hone skills that I will never need, but could not live without.

:Orc: :archer:

[Laurelin]

True Swordsman, I couldn't agree with you more. I too was inspired to get back into archery and I absolutely love it! ;)
:dragon: :archer: (I also got my sweetheart into archery too just this month! :whoohoo: )

[TrueSwordsman]

What kind of bow are you using? I currently use a 50 pound Lothlorien Bow from www.armsofvalor.com, but hope to upgrade to the 2nd edition in the spring.

http://armsofvalour.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AOVL&Product_Code=WB-008&Category_Code=B1

[Laurelin]

WOW! How cool! How does it shoot? How do you like it? I've been curious and kind of wanting one of the 2nd edition bows you're describing. Did you shoot with any other bows prior? How does it rate to those? *jumps up and down with excitment* :hyper:

Sorry, just excited! lol My bow is a Martin X-200, 30 lbs @28", 60"long. I've also been shooting my husbands bow which is the same, but 45 lbs instead of 30 lbs to help me build up strength (along with strength training). I'll eventually move up to a 40 lbs bow and I've really been eyeballing the Lothlorien 2nd edition bow. Its beautiful!!

[TrueSwordsman]

I have only fired the 2nd edition once (35 pounder). It has a ver smooth draw and fast release. Compared to my First edition (50 pounds), of course it did not have the same power, but seemed to fire quicker. I think it is because the tips are smaller, which makes it faster.

I cannot wait to get my 55 pound 2nd Edition. They are just beautiful beyond words! And it almost makes my fingers itch for the want to shoot it!

[Laurelin]

Aw, man! I'm envious and happy for you too! I guess I'm going to have to save my money and get me one. :grin:

TrueSwordsman - what kind of arrows are you using? Are you going completely traditional with a back quiver too? I just bought a beautiful back quiver on e-bay, handcrafted by a leathersmith.

[elvenrocker]

Originally posted by TrueSwordsman
What kind of bow are you using? I currently use a 50 pound Lothlorien Bow from www.armsofvalor.com, but hope to upgrade to the 2nd edition in the spring.

http://armsofvalour.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AOVL&Product_Code=WB-008&Category_Code=B1

:o!!! I want the gondorian bow! That's the best looking in my opinion ;)

"armguards that give you that "I'm not about to get a painful bruise" confidence you need to keep from tensing up or jerking on the release. Orlando Bloom doesn't need to work too hard to look good, but he still has to have a smooth release and basic skills. The powers of the Computer Fairy are great, but it would look wrong if the arrows came from the string wiggling and off-kilter, then miraculously straightened out once they got past the bow. Also, unless he is careful, they will need extra cameramen." lol lol lol lol

I've never gotten a bruise from the string. It's the arrow that I have to watch out for. I have a really weird stance. My heels are almost off the ground and I'm leaning forward :mmmm:

[Laurelin]

Hmmm...that is an unusual stance elven, but then if it works for you no worries! lol ;) The gondorian bow is beautiful too, I agree.

[TrueSwordsman]

I use a brown quiver (item number 011-GR on the www.armsofvalor.com website). It works really well, and they use a three strap system, which makes the arrows lay in just the right place for one to reach over the shoulder for an arrow. The arrows I currently use are cedar with feather fletching (they are 12 for $30), very inexpensive. The nocks are plastic. I do have twelve hand tied traditional arrows, but I don't use them often for fear of loosing or breaking them.


The Gondor Bow is a nice bow too. It does not shoot as fast as the Lothlorien Bows, but then again it is for a man. It is very stable, and has good power.

The weather is starting to warm up, almost 40 degrees! Hopefully this weekend I will be bending the bow.

[elvenrocker]

If anyone needs good links to selfbow instruction guides (or arrow making), let me know ;)

[Laurelin]

TrueSwordsman- Do you work at Arms of Valor? It seems you get the opportunity to try various weapons; so I was curious. lol I'll be at the range tomorrow if all goes well! Its still way too cold (and WINDY) here to shoot outside. :(

Elven - I'd love to see the instructions! :grin:

[TrueSwordsman]

Yes, I do work at Arms of Valor. I am a weapons designer and sales/advertising consultant. I also do testing and sword demos. So far I have designed the Sword of the Ranger Battle-Ready Sword and the Twin Elven Daggers. I helped on the design of the Lothlorien 2nd Edition bow and currently working on the Black Sword of Turin (Gurthang).

It is a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

[Laurelin]

Wow, very cool! :thumbs: Rough job, I'm sure. ;) lol

[elvenrocker]

well, stickbow.com has some good info for beginners :)

Wow :o thats wicked, trueswordsman! I love your designs ;) So you guys are going into the silm?

[Laurelin]

Cool, I'll check it out. :)

[Pil]

I was wondering, seeing as we have a lot of archery fans here....if anyone would be able to take a picture of their hands when they are in position holding an arrow in the bow....just holding the bow at their side.....maybe holding the fletchings of the arrow in their fingers???

I'm doing my GCSE art coursework on 'character' and i would like to do it on legolas and his weaponry.....however i need some pictures of a normal person holding bows and arrows so that i have background material and something that i can base original pictures of my own around...rather than just copying shots from the films which wouldn't get me very good results (or a high grade) ;)

so please, if anyone with archery equipment could spare a few minutes for me then thank you soooo much....either leave me a little note here in this thread....or pm me.

thanks so much archery guys! :)

[elvenrocker]

thats cool, maybe i'll take a pic of someone holding a bow properly (i dont know who yet, cause i need to take the picture and i cant do both) cause i have a photography assignment this weekend.

[Pil]

that'd be great, thanks for considering it elvenrocker :)

[Eomund]

Cool, do you have those knives also on him on the picture.

[Laurelin]

Cool Pil! I will take some pics. PM me with your email address. Hopefully they will (the pics) help you. ;)

[Pil]

Thanks so much for your help :)

[Laurelin]

No worries Pil! ;)

Hey does anyone have any tips for perfecting one's release? :huh: I seem to be having trouble with my release lately. My bow string is plinking on me. lol Any help would be appreciated! :notworthy:

[elvenrocker]

You mean the string is smacking you? or you're pulling back instead of just letting go (the string)?

If the string is hitting your arm, it's most likely due to how you're holding the bow with your wrist, so check that out. I'm a bit confused.

EDIT: Oh and i'm curious of those pics, can you also send them to me? :) ts_moe@yahoo.com

[Laurelin]

no, thankfully no arm hits. lol My string is just loud on my release. You want the pix too? lol If I have too. j/k I'll send you some if you like. But you'll have to tell me the name of your bow. lol

[elvenrocker]

I think the sound is effected by how your bow handles tension.

[Laurelin]

Hmm...maybe. I hope that is all. :huh:

[Pil]

I had this problem a while ago when i still did archery (it's on hold for a while)...i tried to explain properly to my instructor what was wrong....he didnt know what to do about it....mystery :huh: lol

[elvenrocker]

well i've noticed that some of the shorter, thinner ones make more noise and aren't as smooth (shots) as the thicker, more stable ones.

[Laurelin]

That's it! You're right Elven. I've shot a 45# bow and it was much quieter and smoother. Cool mystery solved. Thanx! ;)

[elvenrocker]

glad to be of help ;)

[Laurelin]

I also just discovered that my bow string was too short for my bow. Once that was replaced and my brace height was reset to the proper height...things were MUCH better! :thumbs:

[elvenrocker]

see, shorter bowstring= greater tension :) doesn't the string come with the bow?

[Laurelin]

yeah...but it was the wrong one. So I got a new one, better one for free! :whoohoo:

[elvenrocker]

uh huh... :) they gave you the wrong one to begin with?? that sucks! yeah, good, free.

[Laurelin]

Yeah, direct from Martin too. lol Boneheads. ;) It shoots much truer now! (um, provided I'm anchoring/releasing consistently that is lol)

[Pil]

always helps lol :p i always have issues with that....*psst* i just blame the weather....'It's the WIND i tell you!' :p

[Laurelin]

lol Yeah we get some wicked cross winds here. Ahem... lol

[elvenrocker]

heh... well archery club takes place in the gym indoors, so i can't blame that :( although i wish we could shoot outdoors.

[Laurelin]

:whoohoo: I just shot my best ever today!!!!! *sits stunned* lol Beautiful weather (finally) and everything. My stars must be in alignment. lol Now if I could just shoot like that every time I shoot. Ah well...mustn't be too hasty. ;)

I'm in the process of setting up a target area in my backyard too. That will be nice when the weather is consistently nice. I don't mind shooting indoors, but the fresh air is more enjoyable.

[elvenrocker]

aww... i can't do that. its against the law to shoot in the backyard. well, i haven't read this anywhere, but my friend tried it and the neighbors called the police and the police were just like, "cool a bow" and "you cant do that anymore" so yeah :( i understand the logic though, i might end up shooting through the fence into a neighbor's backyard party or something.

[Laurelin]

Hmmm...perhaps I should look into that (annon. that is). I'd hate for the police to show up at my house.

[TrueSwordsman]

When I was younger I shot through the fence by accident, and was terrified to retrieve the offending arrow due to the Doberman Pincher that was the inhabitant. I thought for sure the neighbors would freak out when they found the arrows and call the police or something. When I came home from school a few days later my neighbor came out and gave me the arrow, without saying a word. I just took it and said thank you.

Now back to the present. I shot on Saturday and had some good grouping with the 25 pound bow, but was all over the place with the 50 pound bow.

I think I need lighter arrows. Though the ones that I use with the 50 pound bow are spinned for 45/50 pounds they don’t seem to shoot as well as they should.

Just shoot, and if the police show up.......say your sorry and put the bow away.

:dragon: :archer:

[Laurelin]

Good story. I think the direction I'm shooting or rather that I intend to shoot will be ok. There will be no children that direction and the neighbor that direction is very cool (and they know I'm into archery). So... I think I'll shoot in the backyard. ;) At least for now.

As for your arrows shooting poorly with the 50# bow...hmmm... could be the length of the arrow, your brace height on the 50# bow, number of strands in your string/string type (flemish, etc.), and spine of arrows as you mentioned, also draw length. I have some really good articles from Easton about arrows and how to fine tune things if you're interested! Just let me know. ;)

[Laurelin]

Anyone get a new bow recently? Or try someone's? I got to try the new Martin Savannah long bow. It was a 40# bow, very nice, smooth draw! Loved it! *sigh* Want one. lol

[elvenrocker]

all long bows are nice :drool: i want to get a stave, so i can make it myself (sort of) ahhaha. that, or get a bandsaw :p

[Laurelin]

Got both...come on over! ;) lol

[elvenrocker]

noo! can't lest this topic go down :P how are you doing?

[Laurelin]

I'm doing alright. How about you? Have you been shooting much? I'm going on a 3D shoot tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have fun. The weather is supposed to be perfect for it so it should be a blast. :grin: I'll let you know how I did when I get back from it. ;)

[Laurelin]

Sorry for the double post. :blush: But I said I would tell how I did. ;) Well... I got first place in my class for both the females and males traditional archery! I must have used up every bit of my luck today. lol

[TrueSwordsman]

Congratulations! I have never shot in a tournament before. It would be cool to see how added pressure would affect my shooting. The weather here in New England has finally become conducive to Archery, now I only have to find the time. Yesterday I shot for about 30 minutes (just not enough time in the day). I am still very inconsistent, but hopefully once I knock the rust off things will get better.

I am thinking about creating a 3D style range in my back yard, but with orcs and trolls instead of animals. It would be cool to have it timed, so that you have to run from target to target and shoot as quickly as possible. I think that would simulate combat pretty well. Now if I could only find a way to have the fire back………

[Laurelin]

Thanks for the congrats. It was a lot of fun. There's not much pressure except to do well for your own sake, although there were some really difficult shots that I was surprised that I even hit (like through tree limbs, squirrel targets, 85-90+ feet, and such). But a timed shoot sounds intriging! Do they have 3D shoots in your area?

Aw, cool TS!! I wish I could shoot in your backyard once you get the 3D's set up. That would be so fun and much better than shooting poor deer, squirrel, etc. Shooting an orc between the eyes would give me an incentive! lol Especially if you figure out how to get them to shoot back!! Paintballs come to mind...perhaps a small motor actuated arm to sling the paintballs? Good luck with your idea. I think it rocks!

[Mithrandir]

Well, in the TTTEE they mention a little bit about it. For example, the orcs used crossbows.

And yes, archers named their bows. Example: Belthronding (Beleg's Bow)

True, they talk about it a lot in the Appendices, theres even the actual guy that made all the swords for the movies

[elvenrocker]

wow! I've never seen a 3d range! There are two tournaments coming up soon (for my school archery club), I'll be happy just to qualify LMAO ahha

[Laurelin]

Elven...I think you'd qualify! ;) You should go for it!! :grin:

[elvenrocker]

theres one on wednesday :) i'm going... hopefully i can recover from this cold before then

[Laurelin]

Good luck to you Elven!! :thumbs:

[elvenrocker]

mecry mecry grr.... I'm SOO ANGRY!! I was doing alright (for me heh) and during round 1, got 114 (16th place - out of 45 people). Then round 2 the stupid school bus came when we were shooting number 8/10 and the coach made us leave. He could have called the bus company and told them to come 15 mins later! I don't like being in a "archery club" when the coach cares less about archery then the kids :(

EDIT: I don't even know how I scored, and when I do, I'll know it's not the best I could've done and thats why i'm a bit ****ed

[Laurelin]

:cuddles: I'm sorry my friend. That wasn't very cool of your coach. Hopefully he won't do that next time.

[TrueSwordsman]

I am sorry to hear that. It sucks to not even know how well you were doing.

I must say though, even having a bad archery club is better than no archery club!

;)

[Laurelin]

I agree with TS!!! A bad day of archery is also much better that a good day at school/work! ;)

[elvenrocker]

yeah.. club better than none... but i would've enjoyed a good day in school depending on what made it good ;)

[Laurelin]

I know what you mean. :)

[elvenrocker]

another tournament next wed

[Laurelin]

Way cool! Let us know how you do. :thumbs:

[elvenrocker]

sure thing :)

[elvenrocker]

didn't do that well... :(

[Laurelin]

Aw, I'm sorry Elven. :rose: Some days are just like that. My last shoot I didn't do very well either. Still can't figure out what I did wrong, other than my shoulder on my bow arm wasn't right. I got stung by the bowstring a couple of times, despite using an arm bracer. Ouch! *whimper* I'm still bruised. lol Hang in there and keep shooting!! ;)

[elvenrocker]

aww :( what'd you score? i have an arm gaurd and it i don't feel a thing although i sometimes get slapped by the string.

[Laurelin]

Darn string hurts, doesn't it? lol We were playing 300, I got 120. :( :huh: Some days you're the windshield and some days you're the bug. That day I was the bug! lol Ah well. ;)

[elvenrocker]

heh. wait.. where do you live? theres, like, no archery clubs or anything where i live (with exception of a few highschools).

[Laurelin]

Greenwood! Seriously, Greenwood, Indiana. Its basically a suburb south of Indianapolis. Most of the archers around here are hunters, but they're still fun to shoot with at meets. We have a huge traditional meet coming up June 11th, 12th, and 13th! I can't wait. It will be held west of Indianapolis in a place called Cloverdale. All of the big bowyers in traditional archery will be there with their bows and other archery equipment. We'll be able to try their bows out, buy if we like or sell our own bows if we want. Plus they set up a really nice 3D course for us to shoot. A lot of the hunting archers usually camp out there all weekend.

[TrueSwordsman]

By the way, don't feel bad about not doing well. Remember most of the guys you are going up against (as you said) are hunters. Most likely a bow was slapped into their hand at the age of 3 by their hunter fathers. I am sure after a year or two you will be shooting just as well if not better.

:grin:

[Laurelin]

:) Thanks TS!

[Laurelin]

Wish me luck... I'm going on another 3D shoot this weekend. Hopefully I will do well. :blush: *crosses fingers*

[elvenrocker]

cool :) good luck! sounds like fun, I wish I could be there

[Laurelin]

I wish you could have been there too! I think you would have enjoyed it and we need more traditional shooters at lease 3D shoots. :)

[Laurelin]

Well, we've had our traditional festival in Cloverdale (1 hour west of Indianapolis) and its pouring rain - yuck! I was going to take pictures for those interested in archery, but with the rain... I kinda gave up. It was muddy. All the major bowyers were there tho and I got to shoot some really cool bows. I'm in love... I have found my bow! You're gonna laugh, but I got to shoot a Mongolian Horse bow and I absolutely LOVE it!!! :love: *notes to self - must save money* :blush:

Anyone shoot this weekend? TS - did you ever set up your orc 3D shoot? That would be cool! :cool:

[elvenrocker]

you have to take a picture

[Laurelin]

Ok... since I'm going tomorrow I will try to get a photo of it. :grin:

[Steve the Great]

I have been planning for a few weeks to start archery... In our village there is a traditional archery club, they use different eastern compound (sp?) reflex bows... I saw them in a festival and fell in love with bows and arrows... :grin: Since then I have looked through lots of websites (bowyers, archery clubs etc.) to learn about basics as many as possible, and found the site of Csaba Grozer (http://www.grozerarchery.com/)... I read quite good reviews about his bows so when I save enough money I will buy one of his bows (I'm quite sure that it will be this one (http://www.grozerarchery.com/htm/magyar/magyar_l.htm).)

[TrueSwordsman]

I have been so busy, no chance to shoot for at least a week. I had some of the course set up, and as you may remember I was using boxes. Anyway, one night I got lazy and left them up overnight. It rained on them, so I will have to start over.

I did have a cool idea to set up part of the course that you have to run and shoot at the same time. Have not tried doing that before, but it would be to simulate being chased by orcs like at the end of FotR.

Steve the Great, where are you from? It must me cool to live in village that has a traditional archery club!

[Steve the Great]

Well, I live in Hungary and yeah... it's cool that I need not travel so far to find an archery club... :grin: However, most of its members are kinda newbies in archery but I think it's not a serious problem...

[Onilalle]

Hey I've done archery!
Sadly it wasn't as good as Legolas, but hey... I tried, I hit the Bullseye!!! :grin:
I did archery at this camp place, where the arrows were really wierd... but it was cool. I dunno how Orlando managed to keep shooting like that and not get any cuts on his forefingers (at least i think so)- the bow hurt my fingers after a while!!!

[TrueSwordsman]

I shoot a 50 pound bow, and there is no way I can pull the string more than a few times without a glove. It feels like the string is cutting right through my fingers. I guess some good CGI goes a long way in protecting one's fingers! lol

[Laurelin]

Hey StG, way cool bow. Funny that tho, I shot a 48 pound bow similar to those this weekend and now I'm dying to buy one! It shot so smoothly, with NO stack up on drawing that I was absolutely stunned and its way fast! They are so different from recurves and long bows. I really enjoy them. I will need to get a glove for my bow hand tho since the fletching on the arrows does tend to slice the finger/knuckle a bit. I posted a photo in the photo forum of it.

I'm with you on the glove thing TS. I can't shoot very long without my poor fingers feeling like they're about to be cut off.

Cool Oni! :thumbs: Sounds like you need a glove for you bow hand too. After the traditional festival this weekend I have several cuts across the top of my bow hand from the fletches. lol Still fun tho. ;)

[Laurelin]

http://www.horsebows.com/bows/
http://www.horsebackarchery.com/kassaieng.html
Here's a couple of links for those interested in Horseback Archery or the related bows.

StG - are you going to try Horseback archery?

[Steve the Great]

Well, no... hehe... ;) It'd be cool but I would have to learn riding at first and these two (archery and riding) together are far beyond me... (btw. I'd like to ride too, I hope this summer I have some time for that)
Here's an another link (http://www.atarn.org/) where you can find many interesting articles about Asian traditional archery...

[Laurelin]

StG - Thanks for the link! I'm really considering learning to shoot from horseback. One minor problem tho... I don't have a horse! lol Minor details... I know how to ride and I know how to shoot; I just don't know if I do either well. :blush: But I like a challenge. ;) There's a place 4-5 hours from me that trains people in horseback archery. I'll have to look into that.

Way cool site btw! :thumbs:

Oh I got my Legolas bow today too!

[Laurelin]

My honey just bought me a Mongolian horse bow (like the one I posted in the photo forum). Now I just need a horse! lol Dare to dream. *shrugs shoulders*

They are available at www.horsebows.com (Madison, WI for those of us in the US).

[Steve the Great]

Wow... congrats on your new bow... :thumbs: (Maybe one day he will buy you a horse too :p)
Hehe... it's quite good to see Hungarian products in such far places of the World... lol

[Laurelin]

lol Dare to dream about the horse. You have one similar to it from a bowyer in Hungary right? They are such beautiful bows!

[Steve the Great]

Not yet... :( Unfortunatelly, I haven't got enough money but I hope I can buy one this summer or autumn... :hyper:

[Laurelin]

Oh I do hope you get one! I love recurves and longbows, but there is just something sexy about these bows. lol Call me crazy if you like, but I just love 'em! ;)

[Edairion]

Hello everybody!
I'm glad I finally found an archery thread. But I’d like to return into beginning, there was question about names for bow. I have just finished my first flatbow, and now I’m wondering to have nice name to her. Does anyone have some ideas in mind? Please!
:)

[Laurelin]

HI!!!!!!! :wave: Welcome Edairion!! Well, I went to the language part of the forum and asked Wilwarin and Ohtarien (sindarian and quenya respectively) for a translation so I could give my bow an elvish name. Ohtarien was kind enough to give me ideas like true, orc killer... well here's what she wrote me:

All Quenya below -
Cotumorco [coh-tum-OR-coh] = "Orc-Enemy"
Cotumorqui [coh-tuh-MOR-kwee] "Enemy or Orcs"

Eldaquinga [el-dah-KWEEN-gah] = "Elf-Bow, Elven-Bow"

Orquilantë [or-kwee-LAN-teh] = "Fall of the Orcs" (Implying that orcs are "felled" (ie killed) by the bow.)

Morinár [MOR-ee-naawr] (Here, even though the "a" is long, it does not receive the stress; but you still need to make it twice a long as a normal "a".) = "Black-fire"

Alright, that's all I want to do for now to do with Orcs and the like. Here are a few shorter names, to give you a wide variety of samples.

Sanda [SAHN-dah] = "True, Abiding" (Implying that the bow is very reliable.)

Wilipilin [weel-EE-pee-leen] = "Flying-Arrow"

Eldatirë [el-DAH-tee-reh] = "Elf-watch" (Meaning that the bow gaurds the Eldalië (Elves).)

You can add these little "touches" by adding on endings to give different nuances to the name.

For example:

"Sando" is a maculine alternative to the name "Sanda" - it's just adding the male ending "-o".

"Sandon" is another masculine one; it simply attaches the longer masculine ending "-on". (This is how Sauron's name was formed; it is "Saura" (which means "foul") plus the masculine ending "-on".)

As for feminine forms of "Sanda", here are some examples:

"Sandië"
"Sandai" (Although this looks too Sindarin for my tastes!)

Another thing you could do is to add a color, or other visual adjectives into the name; for example, since your bow has some black in it, you could name it something like "Morisanda" or "Sandamori" (Both mean Black-Sanda.)
Or, since it's wooden (at least, I'm assuming it's wooden) you could have a name like "Sandatoa" or "Toasanda" (Both mean "Wood-Sanda") or "Sandapano"/"Panosando" (Both mean "Wood-Sanda" as well, but "Pano" means "Piece of shaped wood" rather than just "wood/wooden".)

Good luck and let us know what you finally name her! ;)

[Edairion]

WOOOOW!!!!
Thanks!! There are some really good ones. :) :) :)
Lets see. I guess I won’t use Eldaquinga. I like it very much, but Elfs didn’t use flatbows, so I reserve it to my next, which I’d like to make look like a bow Legolas had in movie. So, if I don’t find any better name till tomorrow I would use Eldatirë. Nice name too. Otharion gave me some good phrases to write on bow, but I’m not made my decision yet, which one to use. I hope I’m able to do it soon, because I’m tired to wait when I can went to shoot. :)

[Laurelin]

I can't wait to hear what you've named her. What kind of bow is she? I have 3 bows in my collection now: Lothlorien 2nd edition Legolas bow, recurve, and Mongolian horse bow. I haven't named all of them yet, just my recurve. I named it Thenin, which means true/abiding in Sindarian. ;) I'm still contiplating the names on the other two. lol

[Edairion]

Heheee … you must wait little bit more, because I still wait for few translations more I asked in Elvish phrases thread.
What kind of bow… hmm … I’m not very familiar in archery terms, so I’m not sure I’m talking about right things, but I’m pretty sure she isn’t recurved. As I understand on recurved bows string must have a contact with bow 2-3” (maybe more) from tips. In that meaning my bow is traditional longbow. But not British one :) British longbow must have cross-section like O (or D) My bow have rectangular cross-section. I believe in Britain they call this type of bows as “American Flatbow”. And it’s not made from solid wood. There are few wood slices clued together and added glass backing (guess it’s right term) for security and strength. And shelf for an arrow. Uhhh.. It’s damn hard to explain and describe something, if you don’t know enough words. :) I hope you understand enough. Anyway, I’ll try to take few photos after finishing and then you can see it and decide what it is

[Laurelin]

You did a fine job explaining it! Better than I would have. lol ;)

[Edairion]

Thanks
By the way, I’m really envy you your Lothlorien bow. I’m dreaming about her days and nights since I first saw her on Arms of Valor site. How is she? Looks really nice, but how she shoots?

[Laurelin]

I had to save up for quite awhile to buy her! She shoots very nice and true! Pretty fast too for 40#. It shoots faster than my 30# recurve! Very smooth draw, the weight doesn't stack up on you as you draw the bowstring back. Feels nicely balanced. :thumbs: And very pretty!!

[elvenrocker]

Hey StG, way cool bow. Funny that tho, I shot a 48 pound bow similar to those this weekend and now I'm dying to buy one! It shot so smoothly, with NO stack up on drawing that I was absolutely stunned and its way fast! They are so different from recurves and long bows. I really enjoy them. I will need to get a glove for my bow hand tho since the fletching on the arrows does tend to slice the finger/knuckle a bit. I posted a photo in the photo forum of it.

I'm with you on the glove thing TS. I can't shoot very long without my poor fingers feeling like they're about to be cut off.

Cool Oni! :thumbs: Sounds like you need a glove for you bow hand too. After the traditional festival this weekend I have several cuts across the top of my bow hand from the fletches. lol Still fun tho. ;)

Yeah, i need to get a glove too... once in archery club i had a chunck of a feather stuck in my hand. It hurt. But i'm not sure what kinds of gloves i should be using so that its not too lumpy and interferes with the flight.

[elvenrocker]

man, i need to get a good bow... i usually use the schools cause my old bow is crappy, 20lb, and really small, so it doesn't have a smooth release.

[Laurelin]

Elven I feel for ya! Try using a thin leather glove like for driving, but just cut out the 4th and 5th fingers out of it. Looks funny but works really well. lol

"... once in archery club i had a chunck of a feather stuck in my hand." - OUCH! That had to hurt! :elfeek:

[elvenrocker]

And it’s not made from solid wood. There are few wood slices clued together and added glass backing (guess it’s right term) for security and strength.

The wood slices glued together is called laminating or something allong the lines. Yeah, backing is the right term, but its most likely not glass. Sounds like a nice bow.

[Laurelin]

Fiberglass backing and lamination. ;)

[elvenrocker]

fiberglass is a kind of plastic, but the "glass" part can be confusing :P

[Laurelin]

True, but when they say glass they are usually referring to fiberglass, either the smooth kind or the other kind (unsmooth? lol Can't remember). :huh:

[Edairion]

Sorry Elvenrocker if I used wrong terms, but I belive you understood me. You are right,the word "glass" isn't very good. "fiberglass", whitch is plastic reinforced with glass fibre, is much more accurate. :)

[Laurelin]

So did anyone go shooting today? Finally I got to go after a month of no shooting (foot surgery kept me down :( )! Man was it hot, humid and sticky with lots of bugs today. Ack! lol But I still had fun. :veryhappy:

[TrueSwordsman]

LOL, I also went out to shoot today for the first time an a few weeks. I stopped after 15 minutes when the heat, humidity, and bugs caused me to actually miss the target I put my bow away for another day. I thought it a good idea to quit before I shot myself in the foot or something while trying to slap a bug.

Yes, bug spray would have also worked but I was to agitated by that point to risk it.

[Laurelin]

lol I used bug spray, but since it was sooo hot... I sweated it right off. Yuck! It was way ugly hot yesterday. lol I hate mosquitos!

[elvenrocker]

aww man... that sucks... I don't think humidity is good for wooden bows though.

I have a question: I'm 5 ft exactly (i know, i'm short :P) and don't know what height my longbow should be if i got one. Any ideas guys? I think it should be a few inches taller than me...

[Laurelin]

No worries. All of mine are laminated, except one. lol I swear its like Africa hot outside today. Tomorrow is more of the same. :(

[elvenrocker]

No worries. All of mine are laminated, except one. lol I swear its like Africa hot outside today. Tomorrow is more of the same. :(
heh, its africa hot *INSIDE* too :P haha

[Laurelin]

That's a bummer elven! lol

[elvenrocker]

it thunderstormed last night much cooler today.

[Laurelin]

It finally cooled down here too. I shot in my backyard today which was nice. :thumbs:

[elvenrocker]

i have no backyard to shoot in. i live in an apartment

[Laurelin]

Well that's just not fair at all Elven! I suppose people wouldn't like you shooting in the courtyard either, huh? :(

[elvenrocker]

hahahah... yeah, no archery range in the area either.

[Laurelin]

I shot my horse bow today, successfully for the first time. That bow is a handfull, but lots of fun. Shelfless bows take a bit to get used to, don't they? lol Anyone else shoot today?

[elvenrocker]

nope, but i want to get a longbow, but i'm not sure what length i should get, me being 5ft exactly.

[Laurelin]

Well, for what its worth, I have a 6 foot bow and I'm only 5'9" so I say get what suits you. Food for thought - The longer the bow, the less draw weight stacking due to the angle between the bow and the bowstring. ;)

[Edairion]

If it stops raining tomorrow, I'll try to do first real shot from Eldatirë :)
Thanks Laurelin, it is my final choice and I named my bow so.

[Laurelin]

You're welcome Edairion! ;) Excellent choice too. One of my bows is named that as well. lol Have fun shooting and I hope your arrows fly true.
:archer:

[elvenrocker]

nice avatar laurelin :) thanks for the suggestion. what do you guys use as targets at home? i use a cardboard box stuffed with pieces of cardboard.

[Laurelin]

Thanks elven! I saw you're on Adun's Wonders once in awhile. I'm on there now too. ;) Anyway, back to the topic... I have a target that I bought at Galyans Sporting Goods Store. Its a super thick foam block. That way my arrows (provided I hit the target) won't go through and into something I didn't intend. I sit the target on a bench with a thick rubber mat drapped behind it so my stray arrows (did I admit that?) don't go any further. lol Shhh, don't tell on me that I miss once in awhile. ;) I could take a picture of it if you like and then post it.

[Isilme_cu]

I'm afraid I'm coming in way late on the bow thread. Did most of you get into archery after getting into LOTR? Thats when I did. I took a few lessons, but the archery place I was going to kept trying to sell me compound bows (ech) or take down bows and what I wanted was a nice traditional wood recurve. So I got what I wanted online and now I practice in my yard. Thank goodness I haven't sent any arrows anyplace odd yet. I liked the Mirkwood Bow I saw online. Has anyone got one of those? If so, how does it shoot?

[Isilme_cu]

The foam block targets are nice for the yard. They're not real heavy to move around. I had McKenzie Tuffblocks. Then I moved up to a bag cause the arrows started going through the foam. My arrows are pretty light, I only have a 20# bow. I'm a weakling. I use the old foam targets as kind of a buffer zone around the bag. In case the "wind" blows an arrow off course. :blush:

[Laurelin]

Hi Isilme! Nice of you to join us. :smooch: I would imagine many of us archers had a rekindled interest in shooting again because of the movies. I shot as a kid and after my selfbow broke, I stopped until January of this year when I took it up again. Now I have 3 bows in my collection, all of which are traditional (no compound or take down stuff for me thanks). ;) I have one recurve, one mongolian horse bow, and one Lothlorien 2nd edition bow by Arms of Valor (bow of the Galadhrim).

Don't worry Isime, you 'll get much stronger the more you shoot! veryhappy Its good to have you here. Drop in anytime!

[Laurelin]

I shot the bow today at another tournament. veryhappy Did anyone else get to shoot today?

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

Hello again, Laurelin!!! :)

I've done some archery in the past...but it's been a while, I fear, since I last practiced... :blush: Time...*sigh* Just don't have enough!!! :(

:legolas: :ring:

[Laurelin]

Hi Ithildiel! Yeah, I understand the time thing. I tend to place most things at a lower priority so I can shoot at least 4 times a week. Its hard to do tho. :( Its cool that you've done some archery! You should pick it up again. What kind of bow did you shoot? Its great stress relief! ;)

:archer:

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

I have to travel across Athens to go to the shooting range I used to practice in, and traffic is usually just DREADFUL- now with the Olympic Games, things are a little better, but they're making a shooting range in the suburb I live in, so I'll be able to start again!! :grin: :grin:

Apart from the standard bow they gave us for practice in the range, which I hated and don't even remember how it was called right now,being on the PC 3 hours straight! :) I had a medieval longbow- a present from a friend who travelled to France- and an authentic crossbow-my absolute favourite, I'll have to say! Both were stolen when our house was burgled last year!!! :(

I really want to buy a Galadhrim bow at some point, after I start shooting again- I don't want such a great bow till I'm back in practice! ;) ...and of course, my beloved crossbow!!!! ;) :legolas:

[Laurelin]

I'm really sorry to hear your bows were stolen. That's awful! :( It sounds like you had some really cool bows. I hope that you will be able to get new ones one day and start shooting again. ;)

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

I'm really sorry to hear your bows were stolen. That's awful! It sounds like you had some really cool bows. I hope that you will be able to get new ones one day and start shooting again.

I know,it was quite sad and very scary, since the burglars came in while me and my parents were asleep and also took some of my jewellery-thank goodness I hadn't bought the Evenstar back then!!! ;) -from a drawer right next to my mom's bedstand!! :( I didn't really care about them, or the bows, I couldn't stop thinking what might happen if my mom woke up at that moment!!!! :ring:

But I miss my crossbow in particular, it was just so...so precise!!! ;) Like I said, come winter- being a teacher, I don't work in the summer, so I am a little low on money-I'm going to get myself a Galadhrim bow, I don't know if you have the same, Laurelin, a friend of mine has it and it shoots like a charm! He has the arrows custom-made, I have no idea where!!! :shhh:

:legolas:

[Laurelin]

I got mine at Arms of Valor www.armsofvalor.com , and it does shoot very nicely and accurately. Its quite forgiving if you foul your release or something. They are worth it. I've never shot a crossbow. Sounds intriquing, but doesn't it take a bit to load the bolt? :huh: I don't know much about crossbows, so you'll have to educate me. lol ;)

Very scary about what happened. I'm glad you are all ok!

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

I got mine at Arms of Valor www.armsofvalor.com , and it does shoot very nicely and accurately. Its quite forgiving if you foul your release or something. They are worth it. I've never shot a crossbow. Sounds intriquing, but doesn't it take a bit to load the bolt?I don't know much about crossbows, so you'll have to educate me.

Very scary about what happened. I'm glad you are all ok!

Thanks, it really was scary!! You know, it's one of those things you think can never happen to you, and when they do...it takes a while to get over it!! It's been over a year now and we are still a little jumpy!! :(

I know about Arms of Valor, that's where that a friend of mine got his bow and it really is forgiving even if you mess up the draw!!!I love it!! :cool: With the Fiberglass practice bow I had whrn I was learning-wasn't mine, but the trainer's- the cord-nylon or something, I believe- was so stiff I'd got tenonditis in my left wrist from trying to stretch it as I should!! The longbow I had was much easier-or maybe I had got used to the harder one, so it felt easy!! lol

As for crossbows, I think-judging by my own!- that they are much easier to use! Once you get used to fitting the projectile-a real pain, at first, I'll tell you!!! lol -it's much more accurate than a bow...but it has a shorter shooting range!!!Mine had a seriously heavy kickback, as well, though! It was rather large,and of hard wood- oak I think- so it had a sort of cushioned handle, to lean on the shoulder, and I had a...permanent bruise there till I got used to it ;) lol The nice thing was that it was decorated with flower and leaf designs all over...almost elven... :)

:legolas: :ring:

[Laurelin]

lol I bet your cross bow was pretty cool looking! :thumbs:

It sounds like your trainer's bow stacked up on you. I shot a 50# bow that tweaked my elbow and another one that didn't. From what I understand, when the angle of the bow to the bowstring nears 90 degrees the pounds stack up exponentially. So... a bow that is really long or highly recurved won't reach 90 degrees easily (unless your draw length is like 32 inches or something - with your anchor point at your shoulder lol ) and therefore doesn't stack. Having a bow like that might allow you to shoot a heavier poundage than one that does stack. Make sense? ;) I hate bows that stack quickly. It hurts us precious. lol

:archer:

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

lol I bet your cross bow was pretty cool looking! :thumbs:

It sounds like your trainer's bow stacked up on you. I shot a 50# bow that tweaked my elbow and another one that didn't. From what I understand, when the angle of the bow to the bowstring nears 90 degrees the pounds stack up exponentially. So... a bow that is really long or highly recurved won't reach 90 degrees easily (unless your draw length is like 32 inches or something - with your anchor point at your shoulder lol ) and therefore doesn't stack. Having a bow like that might allow you to shoot a heavier poundage than one that does stack. Make sense? ;) I hate bows that stack quickly. It hurts us precious. lol

Yes,it does hurts us, precious!!! :elfeek: :( And that's pretty much what happened!! It would seem that training bows were designed for much larger people- and I am pretty tall, but not like 6feet tall, more like 5 something!- and the strings were extremely stiff and hard, stretching it to the max was no easy task, so I ended up with tenonditis in my wrist- and it was my left hand, a slight problem, since I am mainly left-handed, though I use both hands in most things! ;) I hate fiberglass bows, they're so stiff!!!! :( I never had any problems with the longbow, and people always told me it was much more difficult that the training bows...but I liked it a lot better!!! :archer:

[Laurelin]

Poor thing! Sorry about your wrist. That couldn't have felt very good. :( I don't mind fiberglass or really anything, just so long as it doesn't stack. It sounds like a longbow would be easier than those training bows. At least for you and I anyway! lol ;)

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

Poor thing! Sorry about your wrist. That couldn't have felt very good. :( I don't mind fiberglass or really anything, just so long as it doesn't stack. It sounds like a longbow would be easier than those training bows. At least for you and I anyway! lol ;)


You can say that again!!! lol ;) I totally dislike fiberglass bows, though! They just feel so...so artificial and not right...And they do stack easily :rolleyes: , they aren't as flexible as traditional wooden bows! :cool: My longbow and the Lorien bow I fired once never stack on me! ;) And they are considered much more..tricky than fiberglass bows, more of a challenge...I always found them more intriguing, though! :archer:

[Laurelin]

I'm like you... I love a nice challenge. Archery is so awesome that way. Wood bows are just sexy, aren't they? lol I know that sounds funny, but there's just something about traditional bows that is simply beautiful. I love going to 3D shoots with other archers and walking through the woods, carrying my bow. Its so peaceful. ;)
:archer:

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

I'm like you... I love a nice challenge. Archery is so awesome that way. Wood bows are just sexy, aren't they? lol I know that sounds funny, but there's just something about traditional bows that is simply beautiful. I love going to 3D shoots with other archers and walking through the woods, carrying my bow. Its so peaceful. ;)
:archer:

Well, we don't have many forestw where I live- urbanization has really caught up with us the last few years...sadly so- but I know EXACTLY what you mean!! There's nothing like a traditional bow, the ones used for training etc. are just so...soulless, they can never give you the feel of an original wooden bow... veryhappy

A friend of mine said that Archery is a romantic art...I think he was right! :archer:

[Laurelin]

Urbanization is taking over here as well. The cut out forests, build houses and then name the housing complex Forest Glenn. How ironic, eh? Not a single tree left standing. verymad I wonder why they can't build around most of the trees instead? I feel for you.

I like what your friend said. I think he's right too! ;) :thumbs:

[Isilme_cu]

Archery with a traditional wood bow is the only way for me. I have to settle for shooting in my yard in the shrubs and hedges, sadly, no forrest around. I don't think the authorities would be happy with me if they knew. The archery place I took lessons at kept trying to get me to buy compound bows. They are kind of awful and ugly, like some sort of automatic weapon. Wood bows are so beautiful aren't they? When you get your form and shot just right, isn't it almost like a dance? Sorry, sounds a little silly doesn't it. :rolleyes:

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

I don't think it sounds silly, Isilme...I think you are yet another romantic who likes archery, though... ;) :) And that is great!!! ;)

And as I was saying above, I always disliked plastic practice bows...and, though I've never fired a compound bow- I've only seen them!- I can't say I like it much...doesn't have the feel of the original, traditional bow!!

I know what you mean, Laurelin...that's sort of what they do here, though in the suburb where I live, we have a lot of trees and greenery- thank goodness for that! :) They're now making an archery and shooting range in a place- a park really, with lots of pinetrees and almost a forest- that the City Council rescued from developers who wanted to turn it into...apartment blocks( as if we don't have enough of those already! verymad ) Now, we'll finally have a place to go, with many outdoors athletic facilities, so that the trees and whole feeling of the place is not destroyed...I think it's great! ;) :archer: :legolas: :rose:

[Laurelin]

Archery with a traditional wood bow is the only way for me. I have to settle for shooting in my yard in the shrubs and hedges, sadly, no forrest around. I don't think the authorities would be happy with me if they knew. The archery place I took lessons at kept trying to get me to buy compound bows. They are kind of awful and ugly, like some sort of automatic weapon. Wood bows are so beautiful aren't they? When you get your form and shot just right, isn't it almost like a dance? Sorry, sounds a little silly doesn't it. :rolleyes:

It doesn't sound silly at all. Its like everything in the world is right and in balance when that perfect shot is loosed. :thumbs: I've shot a compound before, but I don't like the way they feel or shoot. They feel unnatural. lol



Now, we'll finally have a place to go, with many outdoors athletic facilities, so that the trees and whole feeling of the place is not destroyed...I think it's great! ;) :archer: :legolas: :rose:

Way cool! :thumbs: :)

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

Way cool! :thumbs: :)

I know! I just found out a couple of days ago and I was SO excited!!! :) :cool:

[Laurelin]

So when are you going shooting??? ;)

[elvenrocker]

20lb isn't too bad. i have one ;) but i prefer 25 or 30. and my stupid cheap bow is sucky and i want a longbow.

i want a foam target, but bow first, target later, ya know?

[Laurelin]

lol Yeah, probably no point in having a target unless you have a bow to shoot some arrows at it, right? ;)

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

So when are you going shooting??? ;)


lol lol lol As soon as the facilities are finished, of course... and I should have bought me a new bow by then! ;) :grin: :archer:

[Laurelin]

:thumbs: Excellent!! :whoohoo: ;)

[elvenrocker]

lol Yeah, probably no point in having a target unless you have a bow to shoot some arrows at it, right? ;)
exactly lol

i can hug the target to sleep like an overly large teddy bear hahahaha

[Laurelin]

roflmao That's almost kinda cruel tho. lol Poor teddy bear didn't do nothin' to nobody. :p

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

roflmao That's almost kinda cruel tho. lol Poor teddy bear didn't do nothin' to nobody. :p


lol lol Not to forget...teddy bears ARE a protected species!!! lol lol

[Laurelin]

lol Yes, very protected by some I might add! ;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

I always wanted to learn archery. Is it possible to figure out which type of bow one should get without trying the bow first? Like mail-order? Or is that just plain stupid?

[Laurelin]

Hiya Cuiel! Nice to see you in this neck of WotR. ;) Archery is lots of fun to learn, but it can be frustrating at first because for every archer you ask the same question to you'll get several different answers. Having said that... yes, you can order a bow through mail order. But keep the poundage light so you don't "overbow" yourself. If the bow is too heavy for you then you could injure yourself or simply loose interest because it will be too difficult for you to draw the string back. Depending on how strong you are, I would start with a 25-30 pound bow. It doesn't matter if you want to shoot longbow or recurve, but I would suggest a bow that is longer in length rather than shorter. These bows are easier to draw at heavier weights. My first bow was a Martin X-200, 30 pound bow when one draws the string at 28 inches. If you draw 25 inches normally (for example) then the weight would be approximately 2-3 pounds less per inch. It has a very smooth draw (doesn't feel heavy and hard to draw all of the sudden) and is somewhat forgiving if you botch up your release. The X-200 is a laminated recurve, 60 inches long. This is a very good beginners bow and isn't horribly expensive either. :thumbs: I hope this helps. Let me know if I can help you more! ;)

Cuiel, here's something I wrote earlier that might help you decide on bows as well:
It sounds like your trainer's bow stacked up on you. I shot a 50# bow that tweaked my elbow and another one that didn't. From what I understand, when the angle of the bow to the bowstring nears 90 degrees the pounds stack up exponentially. So... a bow that is really long or highly recurved won't reach 90 degrees easily (unless your draw length is like 32 inches or something - with your anchor point at your shoulder ) and therefore doesn't stack. Having a bow like that might allow you to shoot a heavier poundage than one that does stack. Make sense? I hate bows that stack quickly. It hurts us precious.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Wow this is VERY helpful indeed! Thanks a bunch Laurelin...me thinks I'm better equiped with knowledge now to go out and shop!

I'm gonna see my physical therapist on monday, I have a muscular problem in the neck and arms, so need to find something fun to do in order to build up power. I was thinking maybe archery could be it! :)

And by the way I luuuuurve yer avvie! :cool:

[Laurelin]

:blush: I'm glad I could help. Archery will definitely build up your shoulders and back muscles! I've always had really strong legs and a weak upper body, but now I feel much more in balance strength wise. ;) Good luck to you hon and please let us know what bow you get! Thanks about my avie btw. :grin: I wish I could find the whole picture. ;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Sounds like a good idea then! :) And sure I will keep you posted...gotta find the local archer people in order to know where to practice too!

Oh and ask Nessa about that image sweetie...she's our primary avatar-hunter and I'm sure she can tell you something about that!

[Laurelin]

Ah, thankee! I will do that. Oh, I see you're in Norway... just a sec and I will look into my archery database for archery dealers in your area. I'll post it as soon as I find something! ;)

Here's a link that has lots of good info:
http://archeryworld.com/bows/index.tpl
http://www.archeryexchange.com/links/mfglink.shtml
http://www.grozerarchery.com/index_m.htm - Steve the Great was looking at these types of bows (I think)

I'm still looking for a bowyer. brb ;)

[Laurelin]

Sorry for the double post. I found that Martin bows deal in Norway! ;)
http://www.martinarchery.com/dealer.php?foreign=NORWAY

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Weeeeee what a great person you are! Thanks heaps!!!!!! :) :cuddles: I got lots of stuff to look through here...been in looking at the Martin-site, there are some beautiful longbows! :archer: I do agree tho that them modern bows look pretty ugly...they're prob efficient but I'm not out to win a medal or take home dinner. I actually found an archery-club that is an undergroup of the local uni's sportsclub, but open for everyone! I'll get in touch with them when I'm done with the doc's appointment on monday! :whoohoo: *Hurries off to look at them other links.*

[Laurelin]

Oh, if you like longbows, Martin Savannah is AWESOME!!! It shoots fast and true. My hubby bought one and he loves it. :thumbs:

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Oh yes longbows are sooooo beautiful! I eyed that Savannah just now! By the way did I mention that I as a 10 year old aimed for a carreer as a native american? I was gonna live in a teepee out in the field near our house, and my horse would occupie the garage in the winter! :grin:

[Laurelin]

lol That is a noble career my dear! I think I had aspirations to do the same. Some days I still consider it. lol ;)

[Laurelin]

Ok, for those that are interested... I posted 2 pics in the photo forum of the Lothlorien bow (2nd edition by Arms of Valor, made by Rudder Bows). ;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Ooooh go look people...her bows are all beautiful!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Sorry for the doubble post...I ahd to go look at the Arms of Valour-site! The Lothlorien bow is made of hickory...I don't know anything about this wood except for the name, and that farmers in the US made all sorts of things from it. Anyone?

[Laurelin]

Thanks Cuiel! What little I know (hubby knows much more about woods for bows) is that Hickory is fairly popular for bowmaking. Other woods include osage, yew, african woods...

[Cuiel Rilwen]

I almost forgot about chatting about archery in here while doing it everywhere else! lol Anyways I had my first archery-lesson on monday, and it was sooooooo cool!!!! :cool: And it wasn't hard or heavy on my arms at all, no aches afterwards either! I did get a big bruise on my lower arm because the string lashed across it on one of the first shots, but I soon learnt how to do it right. :grin:

Anyone who wants to have a go at this, go out and do it! :thumbs: I have no great strength in my upper body or anywhere else for that matter, in fact I have been having a lot of troubble with tense and really painful muscles in my arms and neck like ALWAYS, and it didn't matter the least bit! Obviously you use completely different muscles for this than for anything else! And it was such a fun thing to do! I can't wait to learn and practice more...and to go shopping for my own bow sometime soon! :p

Thanks again Laurie for backing me up, you're a doll! :smooch:

[Elfdaughter]

I did get a big bruise on my lower arm because the string lashed across it on one of the first shots, but I soon learnt how to do it right. :grin:


lol - and if you wear bracers, you don't get that anyway! Yeah, Archery is fun, and you don't need a great deal of strength to shoot a light bow - mine's 30lbs and I'm a weakling....

[Laurelin]

:whoohoo: Go Cuiel!!! :thumbs: :hooray: You're welcome sweetie! :smooch: Keep us posted on your next shoot!

ED, I seriously doubt you're a weakling hon. You wield swords and whatnot so I'm sure you're stronger than you know. :smooch: ;)

[Elfdaughter]

lol...yeah, I probably am!!

[Laurelin]

lol I'm sure of it! ;)

[TrueSwordsman]

Most likely you are also more deadly than you think. If you have a slight build, but practice archery and sword fighting your hidden weapon prowse and strength can deceive an opponent into thinking you will be easy prey.

[Elfdaughter]

lol - now that is DEFINATELY true!! I always have a slight shake in my hand when it comes to fighting - which my opponents normally take for fear (unless they've fought me before..) and so they get overconfident, and I am fast when I get going. Also, being small, I can duck blades easier....lol

[Laurelin]

lol That would be true of me in archery too. I shake a bit and fellow archers think I'm overbowed or just unskilled... and then I win tournaments. lol ;)

Hiya TS!! :wave: Have you been shooting lately?

[Cuiel Rilwen]

lol - and if you wear bracers, you don't get that anyway!

Well actually I was wearing a bracer...but obviously in the wrong place! lol Won't be doing that again, I look like I've got an abusive husband or something! :rolleyes:

It looks sooo heavy to wield a sword! I lifted some at the medieval fair this summer and I was totally bowled over by the thought of the wonderful swordfights in LotR...must demand a lot of strength! I doubt that you're weak ED, but I have also learned that I am much stronger than I thought I was! I guess there are different ways of being physically strong tho! :grin: I sometimes find unscrewing jar-caps to be the biggest hazzle! lol

[Laurelin]

lol The blunt edge of a knife to crack the seal will take care of the toughest jars. ;)

Yeah, strength is a strange thing. My legs are very strong and my upper body... well, um, it needs a bit of work. lol Still, I must be stronger than I think from what others have told me. I'm sure you and ED are a bit like that too!

Shocking how heavy those swords are! notworthy

[Elfdaughter]

You do get used to them. I have to say, I tend to use rapiers rather than proper swords though...

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Que? What is a rapier? Playsword?

[Laurelin]

Ah yes, I'd forgotten ED. ED you'll have to explain to Cuiel about the Rapier. I can't do it justice. :blush:

[elvenrocker]

Thats cool cuiel :) If the lashing your arm becomes more of a problem, you can just use bracers/arm gaurds ;)

I'm so excited! My dad let me order the Captain of Gondolin bow at Arms of Valor! I'm getting it in 4-6 weeks. eeEEE! I can't wait. I can't believe he let me get it. AND with HIS credit card!

[Laurelin]

She did use a bracer... the string bit her anyway. ;)

:whoohoo: I'm very happy for you getting that bow Elven! :thumbs: You'll have to tell us how it shoots. veryhappy

[elvenrocker]

Sure thing Laurelin :rolleyes: as soon as I get it lol I might as well camp out at the post office for 4 weeks hahaha

[Laurelin]

lol I imagine you'd love to do that. I'm excited for you and I can't wait to hear all about the bow. ;)

[elvenrocker]

1/28 days to go (at the least)

[Laurelin]

I hope it goes quickly for ya! ;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Second shoot today yippppeee!!!!!! Elvenrocker you're sooo lucky, I want one of them bows as well! I was looking at the Legolas Mirkwood bow yesterday and it's sooooo beautiful but way out of my pricerange at the mo. BUT I'd rather wait and get the one I want so we'll see! ;)

Oh and insidentally I wasn't talking about never before opened jars hehehe! I know how to deal with those...at times I've had such a high tension-level in my arm that even unscrewing a jammed toothpastelid prooved to be too heavy hehehe! Not there now tho thank god!

[elvenrocker]

i love opening jars.

good luck cuiel :D

[Laurelin]

How'd the shoot go today Cuiel?? :hyper: ;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

It went splendid! :whoohoo: :whoohoo: :whoohoo: and I loved it even more!!! We learnt about anchorpoints, opening up the angle of where we place our feet and loosening the grip on the bow, then generally just went ahead and shot, the two hours passed so quickly I didn't even look at the time! :archer: A coupple of the younger boys are straying already so I don't think they'll last the mile, but there was a new grown-up guy yesterday and I suspect if we get any drop-outs that some of the parents will fill the holes! :p lol The kids are talking about Leggy and wanting to shoot like him hehehe like 4 arrows at the time! :legolas:

We're only shooting at a 10 meter range but I'm hitting centre most of the time, so big boost for me! I'm not hurting myself anymore with the string and getting a steadier hold all the time. It's sooooo much fun, I'm so happy I'm doing this! :grin: veryhappy

[Steve the Great]

Awww... good to hear that you like it and already have been quite successful in archery... :thumbs:

[Laurelin]

:hooray: I'm so happy for your Cuiel! :smooch: I'm glad you're having fun and learning lots! Congrats my friend. ;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Thanks guys! I'm thinking what if I hadn't joined the WotR-forums.... :o you have no idea!!! I'm really happy to have such wonderful mates in here, here's to you guys! entdraught

Oh and did you see the new bow at Arms of Valour...Beleg Strongbows black bow!? Looking good I must say!