Archery in Nepal

S

Snuffy

Joined
Jun 14, 2000
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186
Since everyone here is interested in Nepal, I thought I'd pass this along. A while back someone asked about traditional archery in Nepal. Yesterday I received my Summer 2002 issue of Primitive Archer magazine, and there's an article on Nepalese pellet bows called "matengra", used for hunting among the Rai people. The article says the bow is about three feet long and made of bamboo, with a natural fiber bowstring.

Although the article isn't online, if you're interested in this it's worth tracking down a copy of the magazine - should be on news stands now, or you can subscribe or read other online archery articles at: http://www.primitivearcher.com.
 
Thanks loads, I clicked on the site and bookmarked it for future use.
Thanks again. Have you made your own bow yet?
 
Hi Pappy,

Glad you liked the site - there's alot of useful tips there on making your own bows. I have several bows started in the basement. I ran into some problems drying the wood - didn't coat the ends of the staves fast enough when I cut them and had problems with checking and splits developing in the wood. I have some store bought ash which I'm going to try backing with a maple veneer when I make the time.

I had heard that good bow making wood was scarce in the Himalayas and that interfered with the development of a widespread archery practice, but this article seems to refute that.

Pellet bows are usually used for birds and small game - with all the enviromental pressures I hear about in the region (population growth, reduced habitat, etc.) I don't know how much large game is left, but if a hunter DID get a deer what kind of khuk do you think he'd prefer for dressing?
 
Snuffy, I only have two right now, but I've got my BAS sharp enough to shave with if I wanted to. It does have enough belly to skin a deer in pretty good order I'd say. Unless you have used some of the bigger knives a lot you would get tired pretty fast too. Well, I'm sorry, I don't stop to think sometimes. I'm old enough that I would probably get tired. Maybe you younger guys would do just fine with a lot bigger knife. For my money though, I'd not worry about how big the knife but some shape and how sharp it is.
 
Any forumites who are interested in making bows have probably already come across The Traditional Bowyer's Bible; if not, I can't recommend it highly enough. It's *the* book to get you started, and see you right as you progress on to the most challenging of projects.

My bowmaking is limited to basic stickbows, with hickory or rawhide backings; you can't get sinew in the UK. But even a simple lemonwood and hickory laminate makes a sweet bow, and there can't be many more satisfying feelings in archery than shooting with a bow you made yourself.
 
Originally posted by Pappy
Snuffy, I only have two right now, but I've got my BAS sharp enough to shave with if I wanted to. It does have enough belly to skin a deer in pretty good order I'd say. Unless you have used some of the bigger knives a lot you would get tired pretty fast too. Well, I'm sorry, I don't stop to think sometimes. I'm old enough that I would probably get tired. Maybe you younger guys would do just fine with a lot bigger knife.

"For my money though, I'd not worry about how big the knife but some shape and how sharp it is."
Click to expand...

And that's true of a bunch of us older guys in here. You can do things with a big knife that you can't do with a small one, but you can't do things with a small knife that you can do with a big one although it may not be quite as easy or handy.
I've always liked a big knife in the field and always regreted it when I left the big one home and carried a little one. The best of both worlds is the khuks because then you always have both.:)
 
Yvsa,

For a field knife I split the difference and carry something in between - I have a WWII with no chape that I like for pack carry instead of a camp axe. Not as heavy as my 18" AK, but plenty heavy enough for most camp jobs. If I need a small pocket blade I don't usually use the karda since the blade's so thick, usually I prefer a small commercial folder which I find better at slicing small things.
 
Originally posted by Snuffy
Yvsa,

For a field knife I split the difference and carry something in between - I have a WWII with no chape that I like for pack carry instead of a camp axe. Not as heavy as my 18" AK, but plenty heavy enough for most camp jobs. If I need a small pocket blade I don't usually use the karda since the blade's so thick, usually I prefer a small commercial folder which I find better at slicing small things.
Click to expand...

Good idea Snuffy.:) When I 1st got my 18"AK, my absolute bug out khukuri if I was able to "bug out," I made myself a couple of kardas to fit in the existing places for them in the scabbard.
One is a nice little recurved blade 1/8" thick made from an old set of pruneing shears I had layin around and hardened with water similar to the kamis.
The other one is a longish thin karda made from a Cold Steel Red River blade. Both have stag handles and are inset with either turquoise or coral.:D
I aim to finish thining down some of my thicker kardas one of these days if I ever get to it.
A few are pretty decent as is, the YCS comes to mind 1st of all.:D
 
I want all you oldies to quit talking and thinking old. It's a state of mind. I wrestled a 49 KG box of khukuris from our mailing site to the Titanic today -- against all odds and the good doctor's orders but I'll admit with the help of a Sherpa -- strongest folks per pound than anybody in the world..

I've had 14 bottles of Heineken so far today, smoked two packs of Camels, and had to put down a couple of old hags tonight at the Atlantis who tried to put the make on me while Yangdu was away winning dinner for us at the Purple Parrot.

It's just a number. You're as young as you allow yourself to be.

And I ain't done yet! Hear that, Yangdu????????
 
Originally posted by Bill Martino
I want all you oldies to quit talking and thinking old. It's a state of mind. ........... You're as young as you allow yourself to be. ........
Click to expand...

Absolutely true!
 
My body tries to tell me I'm pushing 70 with some spare parts installed on the ticker but my mind says I'm 35 with an extra 35 years of experience to use.
 
FOURTEEN Heineckens!!! AND a 49-kg box of K's. Bill, you are an inspiration.

In my mind I too am a lot younger than my driver's license says. The thing I dislike most about staying in hotels is all the mirrors--in the elevators, all around the room--so you can't help but see yourself both front side and back at the same time. It interferes with that mental picture I've got going.
 
While we are on the topic of archery I have a Martin ML10 pioneer longbow for sale. It is 142# draw @ 28" in very good condition.
Price is $200+sh.
Call or e-mail if interested. t_sarki@yahoo.com 1-918-283-0022
God Bless.
Terry
Uncle, you need this!!!!!
 
Originally posted by Mike L.
142 Lbs draw weight!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

No wonder you need so many hams!

--Mike L.
Click to expand...

Yeah!!!!
And I have seen T-Bone pull this monster to full draw!!!!!!!!:eek: :cool:
 
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