Longbow newbie seeking advice

[Nic Rhodes]

Any comments about a Steve Ralph or Tom Foy 'starter longbow'. Both about £80 and are self nocked (Sycamore and Ash?). I am not sure rushing into a £300+ Bickerstaff is the best route to start when my poundage will be low.

Albion Archery
The Archery Centre - The specialists in field, traditional, and re-enactment archery.

Not really for competition but just to get my toe in the water to try.....probably 40 to 45 llbs.

[alanesq]

I have one of the Steve Ralphs cheap bows and am very impressed with it
Its had lots of abuse and still going strong

If you want a budget priced laminate bow you cant beat Irondale Longbows
btw - check out the link to bows selling on eBay

[Yew Selfbow]

Originally Posted by Nic Rhodes

Any comments about a Steve Ralph or Tom Foy 'starter longbow'. Both about £80 and are self nocked (Sycamore and Ash?). I am not sure rushing into a £300+ Bickerstaff is the best route to start when my poundage will be low.

Albion Archery
The Archery Centre - The specialists in field, traditional, and re-enactment archery.

Not really for competition but just to get my toe in the water to try.....probably 40 to 45 llbs.

If you pay 80 quid for a bow .... you'll get 80 quids worth of bow. Sycamore and Ash will shoot well for about a week.

[Nic Rhodes]

The other option is to pay £300 ish for an under weight bow as I am just starting. Which would be best or is there a better route?

[alanesq]

I always say that your first bow buy something cheap and cheerful - no point blowing a lot of money on a bow then deciding its not what you want (like I did several times)

as I say; I have a Steve Ralphs £80 bow which I have had for several years, its been abused and drawn to 32" but still gets used lots to this day
you are welcome to give it a try if you are anywhere near Nottingham

[Nic Rhodes]

Thanks for offer Alan, unfortunately my 12 years in Nottingham are now finished and I moved on to the lakes.....I think I probably need a neebie bow for a year or so for my 'casual' shooting to see how I pan out and then spend if appropriate.

I will speak to a couple of people at the club tomorrow and see what they suggest as well.

[nutterforlongbows]

Originally Posted by jb.68

I'll give you five reasons why I disagree with that statement.

Mr Roy King
Mr Chris Boyton
Mr Pip Bickerstaffe
Mr Ron Palmer
Mr John Marshall

You may struggle to get one from Ron nowa days, as he is getting on a bit, but the other 4 are the only ones I would personally have a bow from.
Not one of them is a member of the guild.


jb

My understanding is that 3 of the bowyers you mention were `founding members` of the guild 2 of which have retired from active membership and a third has been made a `life member`.

[nutterforlongbows]

Originally Posted by DenzilS

The Guild can't award degrees, they are an association of bowyers who are probably already experienced in the subject.

HI,

Sorry mate, perhaps degree is the wrong word, its hard to pass the tests they require to become a member and then become a master bowyer, I have seen the application sheets a mate requested from their website, beyond me! they get awards from the bowyers compant too, its on their website, boywers ( dot ) c o m

[steve58]

One of my mates got a bow from Ron Palmer that turned up in 2 weeks, another has just ordered one and been told it will be about 3

[jb.68]

Originally Posted by nutterforlongbows

My understanding is that 3 of the bowyers you mention were `founding members` of the guild 2 of which have retired from active membership and a third has been made a `life member`.

Well my information is that two of the named were founding members, with one other joining later. Two of which have left (as they have no need to be endorsed by any guild, their workmanship speaks for its self) and are generally accepted by most people as two of the countries finest bowyers.
The third is a life member, but to be honest, this is all getting away from the point, which is that by your statement, you will only get a decent bow from a guild member.

I believe Graham Anderson is a member, I have seen his work, a very nice self yew longbow. A beautiful piece of work. Equally I have a bow from a guild member that I couldn't give away.

So Again, I have to say that I disagree with your statement as a general rule to guarantee getting a decent bow.

[jb.68]

Originally Posted by steve58

One of my mates got a bow from Ron Palmer that turned up in 2 weeks, another has just ordered one and been told it will be about 3

That's excellent news, I'm glad he's still nocking them out.
I have had the honour of meeting Ron (and Eileen) great statesman for the sport.

jb

[Nic Rhodes]

anyone know how I can get in contact with Ron re making me a bow?