[Archers] More Broken Bows

[Doug Munitz]

At an Outlands War many years ago,  I was wandering around the  
merchants area when a gentleman selling
english longbows saw me eyeing the bows.  He came forward with one in  
hand and let me inspect it.  all the while "selling" the product.
Back in those days, I had a really long pull and I asked him what the  
draw length was on a handmade bow like this,  he did about a 28 inch  
pull,
then pulled it back to his jawbone.  then he told me about the thumb  
draw,  proceeded to do it, and the bow blew apart into three pieces.   
the top limb hit me in
the chest,  (not hard)  and I caught it,  handed it back to him, and  
asked him if he was alright.  he mumbled something to the effect of  
yeah, sure, and picked up the
pieces and left.  Do I qualify for the order with this?

Sven


On Dec 12, 2011, at 8:10 AM, Garth Groff wrote:

> Noble friends,
>
> This Saturday I was inspecting and prepping our bows before leaving  
> for a practice. I was planning to shoot the new traditional yew  
> longbow I got a few weeks back. After inspecting the bow, I thought  
> I would blow off a few arrows on the 8-yard range I have in the  
> basement. I hadn't even drawn the bow halfway with my first arrow  
> before it exploded into three pieces, right at eye-level. I feel  
> very lucky that I wasn't injured, but all the pieces were cast  
> forward.
>
> The good news is that I emailed the bowyer and he got right back to  
> me with an offer of a similar bow he was just finishing. He even  
> offered me an osage orange longbow at half price. I politely  
> declined his generous offer, and asked for the next yew bow. I  
> really want this for living history demonstrations, and a substitute  
> wood just won't work (I already have a hickory traditional longbow  
> which I wanted to replace with yew). The next yew bow will not be  
> shot. I have plenty of other bows for that.
>
> So are there lessons to be learned here? Probably not, since I went  
> through the whole inspection cycle (except the drawing, which would  
> have had the same effect). So Baron Colum is not alone.
>
> I propose we start an honorary order, the Society of Shattered Stave  
> Survivors. Any Scadian archer who has had a bow completely break is  
> eligible for membership with all rights and duties pertaining (which  
> are none). I nominate Baron Colum, Lady Sarah Sinclair who broke an  
> Ed Brayette bow at practice, and myself. Any others?
>
> Kind regards,
>
>
> Lord Mungo Napier, Shire of Isenfir TA Marshal
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