Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => English Warbow => Topic started by: BillBow on March 11, 2013, 04:29:31 pm
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:) I have just received a Poletti Yew War Bow from Italy, I have to keep pinching myself to make sure I am not in a wonderful dream. The bow is 70# at 32" and cost a little over half as much as I would pay for a bow "Made in England". Photos to follow.
BillBow.
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Cannot wait to see them! Congrats!
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Here are some photos of my beautiful *Celestino Poletti* warbow. (I am not yet able to draw to the full 32")
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Beautiful. It was worth the wait for the pictures, haha. ;D Thanks for sharing it! Does he usually put handles on his bows, or did you opt for one? Not that it matters either way, just curious.
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[quote Does he usually put handles on his bows, or did you opt for one? Not that it matters either way, just curious.
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I was not expecting a handle , but comunications were a little bit difficult, (I had to use Google Translate) so I was quit happy to take whatever I got. At the price I was paying (About half the cost of a "Made in Britain" one and the turnaround time (about 30 days compared with about 6 months for British), I am delighted. I will decide later whether to keep the grip or take it off.
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Beautiful. :)
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See Celestino Poletti (Great Bowyer and record holding archer ) here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNKeYXzki8
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Very nice. A good healthy stave of yew as well. Keep eating the spinach!
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Hi Yeomanbowman,
I see you are a 'Warbow Wales' man, I really fancy coming down from North Wales to a meet there, now that I have my Warbow.Unfortunately we are on holiday on 19th May. Might see you sometime soon though.
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That's a fine bow. Reminds me of my yew' Luna, but she's 64@28 and only 72".
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Hi Yeomanbowman,
I see you are a 'Warbow Wales' man, I really fancy coming down from North Wales to a meet there, now that I have my Warbow.Unfortunately we are on holiday on 19th May. Might see you sometime soon though.
Great!
We hold shoots about every other month or so hopefully we may see you and your lovely bow on the shooting line.
Jeremy
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Hi Yeomanbowman,
I see you are a 'Warbow Wales' man, I really fancy coming down from North Wales to a meet there, now that I have my Warbow.Unfortunately we are on holiday on 19th May. Might see you sometime soon though.
Great!
We hold shoots about every other month or so hopefully we may see you and your lovely bow on the shooting line.
Jeremy
I am now told that we don't go on holiday till May 20th,so I may well make it to the May meet. I will let you know if I am coming Jeremy.
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Who did you get that from? It is absolutly beautiful!
I love the old style english longbow, but hate the price:(
-Squirrel
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Who did you get that from? It is absolutly beautiful!
I love the old style english longbow, but hate the price:(
-Squirrel
Did you not read the post from the beginning? He bought it from C. Poletti.
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Who did you get that from? It is absolutly beautiful!
I love the old style english longbow, but hate the price:(
-Squirrel
Yes as abd say, I contacted Celestino Poletti in Italy and was amazed when he told me the price and that he could do it in 20 days. He is a superb Bowyer and I am very proud to own one of his beautiful Warbows. ( so much so I have just ask him for a price for a Target bow.)
Billbow.
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Stunning finish. Wonder what he uses? Oil or varnish?
Can it be classed as a "warbow" at only 70# @32" with a grip? I'd call it a target bow I think. Not that it makes it any less beautiful! You must be overjoyed with it. I would be!
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Just out of interest when you say 'British' which bowyers did you contact? I could have done one for you and it wouldn't have taken months!
Lovely bow anyway!
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Stunning finish. Wonder what he uses? Oil or varnish?
Can it be classed as a "warbow" at only 70# @32" with a grip?
As I understant it the minimum weight for a Warbow is 75# at 32" which is what I asked for. I then had to choose between one of 80# and one of 70# and choose the lesser one as I know I would always be struggling to draw 80#. If someone wants to go to the trouble of testing it FINE. At 80" long it really is a bit long to be a Target bow. But I agree about the grip which I have now removed and the bow looks better for that.
The finish is oiled.
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Just out of interest when you say 'British' which bowyers did you contact? I could have done one for you and it wouldn't have taken months!
Lovely bow anyway!
PM sent.
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Sorry guys, but I kinda skimmed the text and paid full attention to pics.
Hm... so to make a warbow, it has to be at least 75@32 inches?
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I think there's a huge amount of varying opinions on what can be classed as a warbow. Considering that the only ones really found and studied were on the Mary Rose (and nobody is really even sure if they were finished or not) its hard to say.
Personally (and this is purely just an opinion) I wouldn't consider anything under 80lbs to be a warbow, just a heavy longbow. Even 80lbs is right on the bottom of the scale, really. That's for a full 32" draw also. There's a guy at the club i shoot with who uses an 80#@29" that he built and he considers that a target bow. Its not designed like a Mary Rose bow, with the quickly tapering tips and more rectangular cross section. I think to be considered a true warbow quite a few different requirements have to be met.
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Considering that the only ones really found and studied were on the Mary Rose (and nobody is really even sure if they were finished or not) its hard to say.
Where on earth did you hear that?
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Few different sources, actually. Half of them are listed as "incomplete" in the Mary Rose Trust databases. I wasn't there when it sank, so I don't know. All I know is what people write and think. I've handled them and I can't even say. It's all conjecture.
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It beggars belief
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I am quite happy with my 'Mary Rose' "look alike" Warbow, I do know that it is a low powered version and may not be allowed in some circles. BUT I had to be realistic I will NEVER be able to draw 100# at 32". I love the shape of the Full Compass bow plus the rounder section, and I find pleasure in standing facing a hillock (covered in molehills) 200 yards away and just trying to get in amongst those molehills.
I think it ridiculous to think an army would ship "incomplete" Warbows (I understand someone thinks they were to have their tips steam bent into recurves), but it only takes one *Expert* to suggest this for it to be accepted as possible.
But if those bows WERE unfinished MAYBE they would be tillererd and trimmed down to a weight of 75# so that someone of my build and age could have a go at the enemy. In which case my Bow could still be classed as a 'Completed' WARBOW.
BillBow.
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For what its worth - and I'm certainly not interested in dredging up yet another pointless argument about what we do or don't think about these bows - I dont think they were unfinished either. I still dont know if I agree with Chris Boyton about the recurved tips.
This was never meant to take anything away from your thread, so I apologise if it seems to have gone off track. Your bow is beautiful, and you should be happy with it. If you're not entering EWBS shoots, and you want a bow that you can realistically use, then why get a 150# monster?
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If you're not entering EWBS shoots, and you want a bow that you can realistically use, then why get a 150# monster?
I would like to think that I could go to a EWBS shoot and stand in line with all the other Warbow lovers but if I am not allowed to do that with a mere 70# bow I will understand.
PS. I have just had a look at the EWBS website and they don't seem to have a minimum poundage for shooting at their meets, Just a minimum length, and NO hand Grip.(Which I have already removed)
BillBow.
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Interestingly enough since you mentioned it, I had a look as well and it looks like you're in luck!
This is straight from the EWBS site
The Society imposes a lower limit on bow draw-weight for adult males (70lb at a measured 32” of draw), although there is no lower weight limit for women, juniors and archers over 60. In order to encourage beginners, further allowance is made for a new member’s first year.
Mary Rose Class Self yew bows in the “spirit of the original” MR bows:
- No shorter than the shortest MR bow (74” – to be confirmed);
- May be to any MR bow profile;
- Heat treatment may be used to straighten a stave but not to induce unnatural reflex (an unbraced bow shall not show any artificially induced reflex);
- Be full compass in tiller;
- Within the 5/8th, Depth/Width rule along the length of the bow;
- Has some profile to the belly of the bow (ie not flat bellied); and has no handle grip/covering.
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Considering that the only ones really found and studied were on the Mary Rose (and nobody is really even sure if they were finished or not) its hard to say.
Where on earth did you hear that?
Good grief... I agree with Ian... where did this come from??? The Mary Rose Trust even took a few bows and drew them to full draw on the tiller to look at their shape and draw weight. Why on earth would Henry VIII have a warship full of unfinished warbows???
As far as draw weight goes... yes, EWBS states that min is 70#@32". A good starting point, I believe. Some people can't shoot more than this, especially initially. Personally, I think a warbow starts at >80#@30". I also think it depends more on bow style, shape, tiller, and how it's drawn and shot. I've made 85# target longbows, and 70# warbows, and they're very different beasts.
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[quote ]
abd
As far as draw weight goes... yes, EWBS states that min is 70#@32".
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Have you seen these figures written down somewhere ?.
BillBow.
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Yes, on the EWBS website. www.theenglishwarbowsociety.com
On the top titles row, click on 'About' (second from left), scroll down there until you find 'Shooting Equipment' 'The Bows', and it's there. Min length, min draw weights, etc.
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Have you seen these figures written down somewhere ?
The post I made was a direct quote from the EWBS website.
Good grief... I agree with Ian... where did this come from??? The Mary Rose Trust even took a few bows and drew them to full draw on the tiller to look at their shape and draw weight. Why on earth would Henry VIII have a warship full of unfinished warbows???
Like I said above, I don't actually think they were unfinished. I know people who do, and I know people who have done talks on them being unfinished. And the fact still remains that the Mary Rose Trust actually list them as "incomplete." Whether that's a reference to broken bows or bows that they consider weren't finished I have no idea. For some reason, whenever conversation about these bows comes up - either on forums or in general - people get very fired up very quickly.
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Yes, on the EWBS website. www.theenglishwarbowsociety.com
On the top titles row, click on 'About' (second from left), scroll down there until you find 'Shooting Equipment' 'The Bows', and it's there. Min length, min draw weights, etc.
Thanks for this info abd, as my bow is 70# at 32 I would be ok even if I lied abot my age.
BillBow
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Yup... you should be good to go, and if you're over 60, you're even more good to go! I think it has more to do with getting a full draw (30+") and shooting 'in the bow' with proper form, than heavy draw weight.
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Have you seen these figures written down somewhere ?
The post I made was a direct quote from the EWBS website.
Good grief... I agree with Ian... where did this come from??? The Mary Rose Trust even took a few bows and drew them to full draw on the tiller to look at their shape and draw weight. Why on earth would Henry VIII have a warship full of unfinished warbows???
Like I said above, I don't actually think they were unfinished. I know people who do, and I know people who have done talks on them being unfinished. And the fact still remains that the Mary Rose Trust actually list them as "incomplete." Whether that's a reference to broken bows or bows that they consider weren't finished I have no idea. For some reason, whenever conversation about these bows comes up - either on forums or in general - people get very fired up very quickly.
I believe the references to 'incomplete' bows are to fragments or pieces of incomplete bows... not ones which were untillered. Think about it... who would finish tillering them on board a ship, and why would they take up precious space on an already crowded warship if they had no purpose? Makes little or no sense to me.
Yes, when it comes to the Mary Rose bows, there are many theories and many opinions. Most are not based on close observation or replication. Most people with theories haven't even been to Portsmouth, nevermind handled any of these bows. I've done both, but in no way consider myself even slightly qualified to offer much of an opinion. I believe these were weapons of war, used at the peak of their effectiveness, and certainly had a purpose onboard a warship. I believe they had draw weights of 100-180#, which was required to shoot a heavy projectile with effectiveness. Beyond that, I'm not qualified.
However, this is getting way off topic of the original post... a beautiful Poletti bow, which happens to be 70#@32". A warbow or not?... depending on your opinion of what that is. EWBS says it is. I agree. All be it at the minimum end, but a warbow none the less. It is tillered to draw to 32", does so in a more or less circular fashion, is >74", and has no grip.
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If you're not entering EWBS shoots, and you want a bow that you can realistically use, then why get a 150# monster?
I would like to think that I could go to a EWBS shoot and stand in line with all the other Warbow lovers but if I am not allowed to do that with a mere 70# bow I will understand.
PS. I have just had a look at the EWBS website and they don't seem to have a minimum poundage for shooting at their meets, Just a minimum length, and NO hand Grip.(Which I have already removed)
BillBow.
youd be allowed to shoot whatever bow you wanted
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youd be allowed to shoot whatever bow you wanted
....as long as it was over 70 pounds, longer than 74" and as ADB said, was drawn to the full 32" then yes, anything you want...
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Beautiful bow. I am curious what is the ring count on that particular Italian yew?
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youd be allowed to shoot whatever bow you wanted
....as long as it was over 70 pounds, longer than 74" and as ADB said, was drawn to the full 32" then yes, anything you want...
no that isnt what i said, i said anything he wanted
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Beautiful bow. I am curious what is the ring count on that particular Italian yew?
I will try and count the rings tomorrow Carson.
BillBow.
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How are you doing on the draw BillBow? Are you getting almost to 32" yet?
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Beautiful bow. I am curious what is the ring count on that particular Italian yew?
OK Carson, I will let you try and count the RPI.
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How are you doing on the draw BillBow? Are you getting almost to 32" yet?
Looking at this photo I can see that I need to pull my right shoulder back which will give me another 2" or so.
The red mark is 26" my normal target bow draw length, so I think I am drawing about 29" here.
Anyway my coach Poseidon is happy with my progress ;)
Bill.
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Here is a pic of the bow now that I have removed the Hand grip.
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Looks like a warbow now!
It would also be more helpful to see your full draw from the other side.
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Thanks for sharing Bill. I was just curious what kind of ring counts the Italian yew has. I wonder if CP reserves the higher ring count stuff for the 200lb warbows he makes. Beautiful looking wood. On that full draw shot, I would say you need to bend at the waist and knees more to keep your shoulders in line with the line of the arrow. I don't know anything about warbow technique, so take that with a grain of salt. ;)
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How are you doing on the draw BillBow? Are you getting almost to 32" yet?
Looking at this photo I can see that I need to pull my right shoulder back which will give me another 2" or so.
The red mark is 26" my normal target bow draw length, so I think I am drawing about 29" here.
Anyway my coach Poseidon is happy with my progress ;)
Bill.
What's the over all length of the arrow you're pulling? If I want to draw to 30", I use a 30" arrow. That's 30" from the valley of the nock to the base of the head. That way, I'm not over or under drawing. For me, drawing a warbow is hard enough, never mind guessing what draw length I'm at.
If you want to work up to a longer draw, make some different sized arrows 1" longer up to your final goal.
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How long is that bow :o
It looks long even for a warbow...
Not that the legnth takes away from it's beauty...
if you guys have not seen this video, here it is. Shows Celestino at work building yew warbows, and them on the tiller. Real neat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNKeYXzki8
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Avoiding all the standard arguement over what is and what isn't a warbow, lemme just throw out a hearty congratulations to you on receiving what is very obviously a great bow. Celestino is an amazing artisan and artist. His work with yew is just a little slice of heaven and I am envious of your new weapon. I'm sure you will enjoy it for years to come.
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How long is that bow :o
It looks long even for a warbow...
Not that the legnth takes away from it's beauty...
if you guys have not seen this video, here it is. Shows Celestino at work building yew warbows, and them on the tiller. Real neat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNKeYXzki8
It's 80 " long, Maybe looks more because I am only 68". Glad you like it and the video.
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Avoiding all the standard arguement over what is and what isn't a warbow, lemme just throw out a hearty congratulations to you on receiving what is very obviously a great bow. Celestino is an amazing artisan and artist. His work with yew is just a little slice of heaven and I am envious of your new weapon. I'm sure you will enjoy it for years to come.
It really is a pleasure to shoot, (even with very tender drawing fingers) I am mostly shooting it as a target bow at the moment drawing about 28" but do like trying it for distance when I get the chance.Hope to post some video soon.
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What's more important...having a bow that meets some arbitrary bunch of rules, or one that flings the arrow with force and accuracy? Something tells me the archers at Agincourt didn't argue about who's bow was more proper!
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Hi, Bill
That's a beautiful bow to be certain. I'm amazed at how fast it was delivered. I have a Poletti on order through a bowyer and was told in October of last year it could take six months. To date it still hasn't arrived.
At any rate, congratulations on that wonderful bow. Should be great fun to shoot for a long time. :)