Archers please help.

That's a good point, Flix. I definitely want to learn properly with archery.
We went down to Archery Only earlier on and decided to start with a basic recurve takedown--or we will when we have a little money to spend:P. When we're better and decide what weight we want to settle on, we'll upgrade to a custom/handmade bow of some sort.
I'm saying "we" of course because I don't think I can start something so awesome that Matt won't want to do too:D (which is what I was like when he got into knives)!
I'd love to make my own bows and arrows, coote, somewhere down the road. I think that'll really enhance the bushcrafter within!
Thanks!
Kate
 
right on kate...:thumbup: archery only is a great shop.. glad to hear you 2 folks are getting taken care of...

did you meet Willy.. the short Hawaii'n dude... he's a great guy, he makes some awesome bows..
he'll get you folks squared away on a custom bow when you're ready...:D

come on down to santa cruz sometime... we have a whole slough of traditional archers in the area...:)
we're an archery shooting family.. my wife and both my boys shoot, as well as my father in law...

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rksoon said:
That's an awesome pic Mike:thumbup:
Click to expand...

thank you sir... :) it was taken in Pacifica, at the San Francisco archers, cabin fever shoot... it's usually the first shoot of the year.. waay cold.. as you can see, from the frozen pond behind me...

here is another shot, taken right after i fired the arrow...

before.
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after.
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Yeah, I dig em :D Looks cold as it always is in Pacifica :)

I've been following this thread, been thinking I might want to get into some traditional archery too at some point down the line. Good luck getting started Matt and Kate :thumbup:
 
cous said:
we'll upgrade to a custom/handmade bow of some sort.
Click to expand...
When we win the lottery or something!:eek::o

Mike your bows and family look awesome! After going down the the store yesterday I'm quite excited about it too, all of you guys have been a great help - you should have heard Kate at the store, she sounded like a pro :).
It looks like we will be shooting before the end of the month!

One thing, we will probably start with carbon fiber arrows, I figure its one less thing to learn at the start. I don't suppose it will take me long before I get excited about wooden arrows though, is it the sort of thing that is best to learn from somebody directly, or can I learn it from books? I've seen Ray Mears make arrows a few times, and he made it look easy, but then what doesn't he make look easy! I have the episode somewhere on my computer where he spends the whole time making a bow and arrows with flint tools, it's very inspiring.

RKsoon, do it! At least go down to that archery store in Newark and shoot a few arrows, you'll be hooked!
 
Mike makes some really nice wooden arrows...
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I'm not sure if he's in the business of selling them, though, or if he just makes them for his and his families shooting.
 
Matt and Kate,

Take a close look at Mike's photos and you will learn a lot.

In the first photo you will see him drawing and holding with excellent form. His shoulders are relaxed. He is holding the bow without a "death grip." Both eyes are opened and he is focused on the target, just like throwing a ball, he is depending on his instincts and muscle memory to align the arrow with his target. He is anchoring properly and consistently by having some part of his hand touch some part of his face.

(Mike, I hope you don't mind some constructive criticism. It's hard to tell from the 2nd photo, so if I am wrong, please correct me.)

With that disclaimer, I see 2 very common mistakes in the 2nd photo. I see them because they are mistakes that I make all the time. They are so common that archers have names for them: "peeking" and "plucking." Both have to do with the release, which is the most difficult part of archery. In fact, compound archers use mechanical releases to minimize the difficulty.

Mike's draw hand has fallen away from his anchor point. Instead of releasing and moving his hand back toward his ear in a gentle fluid motion, it looks like he has "plucked" the bow string, releasing the string by moving his hand out to the side and away from his face, like plucking a string. Also, his eyes are not longer focused on the target, rather he has shifted his focus and is watching the arrow. This is called "peeking." The idea is to follow through by maintaining the same focus point and posture that you had when you released until after the arrow hits the target.

You made the right decision to get beginner take down recurves. Work on your form, build up some strength, try a bunch of different bows, find what works for you and then get that custom recurve.

Have fun and shoot safe. If you ever plan on a trip to Colorado, look me up. I will take you to our archery club here.
 
There is an arrow building tutorial at www.stickbow.com

3Rivers also has some arrow building tutorials on youtube that it has posted on its web site.
www.3riversarchery.com

The best way to learn is to hang out at a shop and watch it being done. From there, get some supplies and go for it.

I am not at all handy (just ask my wife!) and have no trouble building arrows. You should get fit for your first set, so you know what sort of shaft, fletching, nock and point works best for your bow.
 
1. Do not buy on Flea-Bay - too many rip offs!

2. You can trust the classifieds at www.stickbow.com - you can post some wanted to buy ads. Be sure to let them know you are beginners. You are probably looking for take down recurves, 62 inch long 25# for Kate and 30-35# for Matt.

3. Craigslist sometimes has used recurves.

4. Ask at the archery shop if there is anyone selling beginner's gear. You will probably be selling yours before too long.

5. Larry at Lost Nation Archery www.lostnationarchery.com sometimes has beginner's bows. Call him up - he is a great guy. He can also order for you.

6. Buying at your local shop is always the best bet. You may pay a bit more initially, but you get it back when you need to have the brace height adjusted or the bow is not shooting right. Its nice to have recourse!

Stop me if I am giving too much advice. This is a knife forum after all. Speaking of which, all the guys I shoot with always carry some type of sturdy folder or fixed blade to dig arrows out of logs.
 
Thanks for all that info MTBull and if I'm ever in Colorado (which I hopefully will be someday, its a beautiful place), I'll hit you up on that offer. That goes for you too Mike, if I'm ever down in Santa Cruz again. You guys will regret being so generous after we take you up on your offers, I swear!:D

I thought about buying used gear, but this 'Archery Only' place was very helpful and offered several free lessons if we bought from them, and fit us out with the correct pull wights for the bows we buy, so we're going to go that route.
Thanks for the tips and all of the great information its very much appreciated.
 
So many awesome tips, I'm really glad Matt decided to consult the blade etc. oracle:thumbup:.
Mike, I think we'll definitely be in touch. When's the next event in Pacifica? I never realized it got so cold there; Matt lived by the water there for a few months and it always seemed so nice! By the way, did you make your own arm guard? I like the one you were wearing on the picture. I was thinking about making one with leftover leather we bought for making our knife sheaths... any suggestions for style/method?
MBTull, I don't think you could ever give too much advice.:) I'm soaking up as much as possible, and anyway, beginners should always be as informed as possible before plunging into something new. So thank you.:)
 
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