[Horsebow] Difficulty getting in?

flatfoot

New member
I am wishing to enter the field of Horsebow shooting. Trying to obtain 40/45# Mongolian style. Currently speaking to three Hungarian companies direct. The main suppliers either do not have what I want, or can hardly be bothered to give info. Got to the stage of almost begging one company for an invoice to purchase and they have gone dead on me. Is this a common problem? UK suppliers only seem to stock "entry level" toys.

I have a little experience of making bows. Would have a go at making one, but info. on the subject seems hard to find or written in German?

Bit frustrated but determined. Any helpful advise, most gratefully received.
 

frustratatosk

New member
I've been a bit frustrated on this front too:
No 'horsebow' (actually covers a wide range of middle to far eastern styles) style to compete in (with a thumb ring else what's the point?)
Very expensive, labor and skill intensive, construction that is less durable (particularly in the rain) than fiberglass and synthetic materials.
So your left with authenticity which only a few value to a high enough degree to support an industry.
It's kind of one of those things that if you feel the calling then you do yourself and in the process become the artisan you were looking for :)
Rick
 

flatfoot

New member
Rik - Need an Asian TBB. - I have ordered "The way of Archery" So that may help.
I am a stockmaker and can do the craft side. But would like to gather more info before jumping in. Joined several F/B sites & the SPTA who support this genre.
Was hoping to purchase a bow to use and evaluate. Have successfully copied my own AFB`s. So have tillering, forms and limb tapering gear etc.
 

BillM

Member
My experience was different. Being a Target archer I started doing field with the recurve which I found to be a pain in the proverbials due to the stabilisers catching on trees etc. It also meant others were waiting while I shot from the red peg before they shot from the blue. I tried one of the gang's horsebow (?300+ Grozer) and liked it. I bought a 52# horsebow over the internet from Flagella Die (less than ?100) and it arrived about a week later. I've shot it very regularly for the past 3 1/2 years and despite a few scatches, and probably a slight drop in poundage, it still gets my arrows to the longest target at 50m. I know others have had problems with cheap bows but it all depends on how much you want to spend. There are retailers in the U.K. that sell horsebows (The Longbow Shop springs to mind) but they cost a lot. Be patient and I'm sure you will get what you want. I certainly do not regret buying a horsebow. BUT, I shoot for fun these days.

BillM
 

Tassell

New member
Currently I shoot a Korean bow, but only after four months of trying to buy a Turkish bow. A maker in Poland seemed reluctant to take a commission and my dealings with Grozer were simply frustrating. They seem to make a number of bows at random and stick them on a stock list. If none of them suit, tough luck. I couldn't get Grozer simply to make me a bow. They don't seem able to understand that concept--God knows why...
 

flatfoot

New member
Tassel - My experience exactly. Not just Grozer but the other two majors as well?
King Arthur's physician has a few at English prices!!!
 

steve Morley

New member
Speak to Lukas Novotny at Saluki Bows, they're the best made Horsebows on the market, he is a master of Horse and bow.

The Damascus and Genghis models are well suited to mounted Archery. I have the Turk and Ibex and the performance and quality is out of this world and Lukas gives great customer service.

Home - Saluki Bow Co.
 

Tassell

New member
Speak to Lukas Novotny at Saluki Bows, they're the best made Horsebows on the market, he is a master of Horse and bow.

The Damascus and Genghis models are well suited to mounted Archery. I have the Turk and Ibex and the performance and quality is out of this world and Lukas gives great customer service.

Home - Saluki Bow Co.
Yes, beautiful bows, but out of my price range!
 

Whitehart

Well-known member
UK suppliers only seem to stock "entry level" toys

Interesting comment when some of the GBR Horsebow team shoot the SKB and Kaya are all the rage in Korea.
 

flatfoot

New member
Sorry about that! I had the last 40/45# Laminated Mongolian. Just got fed up trying to buy one from abroad, and I now include China in the list of can`t be bothered.
 

Riceburner

Active member
UK suppliers only seem to stock "entry level" toys

Interesting comment when some of the GBR Horsebow team shoot the SKB and Kaya are all the rage in Korea.
If you want to get into Horsebows on the cheap side - try a Samick SKB of a suitable weight.

They are NOT a toy - anyone who thinks they are obviously only equates value to cost, and not experience.

Get one that's about 5lbs heavier draw than your current bow (eg if you shoot 40, get a 45), they're measured for draw weight at 32", not 28". This may be why people think they're toys - because for a certain draw weight they feel very light..... until you draw them to their full capability.

I have a Samick Mind50 (same bow as the SKB but with carbon rather than glass fibre). it's 60lb at 32, and I draw around 54-55lb when shooting it with Med release. (NFAS doesn't have a category that it fits into at all - but I shoot in HT). I physically can't draw it properly with my thumb - it's too heavy (ie - my thumb isn't strong enough at the moment). I may buy a 30lb or 40lb SKB (when I find some cash!) and practise with my thumb at some point.

The Samick SKB and Mind50 differ from traditional Mid-eastern Horsebows because they don't have 'Siyahs' at the ends of the limbs. They are fast, stable and reliable though. :)
 

flatfoot

New member
In frustration I ordered an Attila laminated Mongolian 45#@28" This was the style I wanted, I draw this type of bow and ELB to 31" Did not stack until 32"+.
After going through the arrow boxes, it surprisingly preferred 5/16" 45# (pine). This was quite obvious. - Speed wise seems on par, if not better than, my Boyton AFB 42#. Full marks to Merlin who delivered this in less than 24 hours. I am relieved, surprised and pleased, both with the finish and the quality of this bow. If like me you seek a reasonable quality entry level bow. I would at this time, 120+ shafts, recommend it.
Cautiously happy bunny!!
 
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