D
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Sorry in advance for a long meandering post:-
I've been asked by my niece to make bows for her partner and her 10 yr old son (Both new to archery). I'm a tad iffy about the whole thing and anxious not to produce something inappropriate. They will be visiting to try some bows and have a go next weekend.
The adult is no prob as I can make a Hickory backed Lemonwood ELB of a suitable draw weight, but I'm reluctant to produce a nicely crafted wooden bow for the 10 yr old which won't perform well enough or will be seen as "un cool" or be sneered at by people who won't know anything about wooden bows.
One of the bugbears will be arrows (I don't much like making arrows).
I know the normal advice would be be join a club and use their bows first, then come back for bows if they take to it. This is probably what I'll advise. But I would rather they didn't start with modern materials and bows with cutaways etc.
I have a few specific questions and I'm also interested in general sensible constructive advice as target shooting isn't my thing.
1. Can I assume indoor target will be at 10 and 20 yards (metres)?
2. How many arrows in an indoor end? I'm assuming 6 but wonder if 3 may be used to avoid smashing arrows (and I'd rather make 3 )
3. Are wooden bows (other than ELB) and arrows seen/accepted at clubs and welcomed or are they seen as weird. (I'd rather the lad shot a wooden bow than a plastic 'snake bow' one).
I'm thinking a neolithic style bow of Hazel or maybe a Bhutanese style bamboo bow rather than a longbow, because it's difficult to build a nicely performing low draw weight ELB (I'd rather make a 40# than a 20# ! )
This may all sound a tad paranoid, but it's a tricky position I'm in. I don't want to lavish a load of time and care on something that won't be appreciated, especially as this will effectively be done at cost of materials. I'm also wondering, is this what the lad wants or is it just something the adults want him to want!
Del
PS. My niece's dad (my Brother) died about 8 years ago, so I'm keen to be supportive in this quest.
I've been asked by my niece to make bows for her partner and her 10 yr old son (Both new to archery). I'm a tad iffy about the whole thing and anxious not to produce something inappropriate. They will be visiting to try some bows and have a go next weekend.
The adult is no prob as I can make a Hickory backed Lemonwood ELB of a suitable draw weight, but I'm reluctant to produce a nicely crafted wooden bow for the 10 yr old which won't perform well enough or will be seen as "un cool" or be sneered at by people who won't know anything about wooden bows.
One of the bugbears will be arrows (I don't much like making arrows).
I know the normal advice would be be join a club and use their bows first, then come back for bows if they take to it. This is probably what I'll advise. But I would rather they didn't start with modern materials and bows with cutaways etc.
I have a few specific questions and I'm also interested in general sensible constructive advice as target shooting isn't my thing.
1. Can I assume indoor target will be at 10 and 20 yards (metres)?
2. How many arrows in an indoor end? I'm assuming 6 but wonder if 3 may be used to avoid smashing arrows (and I'd rather make 3 )
3. Are wooden bows (other than ELB) and arrows seen/accepted at clubs and welcomed or are they seen as weird. (I'd rather the lad shot a wooden bow than a plastic 'snake bow' one).
I'm thinking a neolithic style bow of Hazel or maybe a Bhutanese style bamboo bow rather than a longbow, because it's difficult to build a nicely performing low draw weight ELB (I'd rather make a 40# than a 20# ! )
This may all sound a tad paranoid, but it's a tricky position I'm in. I don't want to lavish a load of time and care on something that won't be appreciated, especially as this will effectively be done at cost of materials. I'm also wondering, is this what the lad wants or is it just something the adults want him to want!
Del
PS. My niece's dad (my Brother) died about 8 years ago, so I'm keen to be supportive in this quest.