Unleashing Your Longbow's True Potential

Breaking in a new longbow is a two-step process. Firstly, there are technical things to consider, such as the number of shots needed to break in the bow and the string. This can range from 100 to 250 shots, or even more, depending on the quality of the string. Secondly, building a relationship with your bow is crucial. This involves learning how it moves and reacts, allowing it to become an extension of yourself.

Brace the bow at a low height and allow it to settle

When you buy a new longbow, you need to 'teach' it to shoot. To do this, you must brace the bow at a low brace height and allow it to settle for about an hour. This is because new bow strings, especially the Flemish-twist style, will stretch. By letting the bow settle, the string will stretch about as much as it's going to, and this will help you to avoid potential physical danger to yourself and your bow.

To get the correct brace height, you need to measure from the deepest portion of the grip to the bowstring. This is called the brace height, and it is critical for tuning your longbow or recurve. For modern compound bows, the manufacturer will set the brace height, but for recurves, you will need to twist or untwist the bowstring to achieve the ideal brace height. You add twists to the string to increase the brace height, and untwist the string to shorten it.

Longbows are generally never braced lower than six inches, and recurves rarely less than seven. Most modern longbows like to be braced at or around seven inches, and recurves, depending on design, between seven and nine inches.

Once you have the correct brace height, you need to get a nocking point in place. This allows you to nock your arrow at the same place on the string every time. You can use brass crimp-on nock sets, or you can tie on a nocking point using regular string material.

Slowly part-draw the bow several times

To break in a new longbow, you need to brace it at a low brace height and allow the bow to settle for about an hour. Then, you can slowly part-draw the bow several times and come down again. This is because your English longbow has been carefully crafted over a long period to achieve an optimum bend and tiller to suit the stated draw length and weight. Therefore, you need to 'teach' the bow to shoot.

When you buy a longbow, the brace height is usually set up as standard, so you will need to lower the brace height by taking out a few twists. Continue this process until you have reached a full draw after 10-15 part-draws. This will help to avoid the risk of the bow breaking into firewood.

Once you have completed around 10-15 part-draws, you can then brace the bow fully and begin to shoot arrows into a close target, working back to a full draw. This will help to ensure that your bow beds in and feels smoother to draw.

Wax the string to improve performance and protect from dirt and moisture

Waxing your longbow's string is an essential part of bow maintenance. It is important to keep the string well-waxed to improve performance and protect it from dirt and moisture.

Firstly, you should ensure that your bow string is clear of any dirt or debris. You can wipe it down with a clean, dry cloth or use a scrap piece of bow string serving material. If you do a half wrap with the bow string serving and lightly pull it down the string, you will see dirt and old wax being removed.

Next, take a tube of bow string wax and rub it up and down on your bow string. Make sure the wax is sticking out far enough so that the tube itself is not in contact with your bow string, as this can cause premature wear. Apply a generous amount of wax, ensuring that the entire string is covered with a thin coat. Be careful not to overdo it and only wax the exposed portion of the bow string. Avoid getting any wax on the nocking point area and the servings around it.

Now, use your finger and thumb to rub the wax into the bow string. The heat and friction will cause the wax to melt, allowing it to penetrate each individual strand. You can also use a length of thick cord to work the wax deeper and more evenly into the string. This step is optional but may be beneficial if you are preparing for an important competition.

Finally, take a cloth and wipe off any excess wax that may have built up, especially where the bow string meets the servings.

It is recommended to wax your bow string regularly, ideally every fortnight. However, the more you shoot and the older your bow string is, the more frequently you will need to wax it. Always ensure your bow string feels slightly sticky to the touch. If it feels dry or you can see frizzing within the individual strands, it's time for a wax.

Avoid using the bow in sub-zero or extreme heat

When it comes to storing and using your longbow, it is important to avoid extreme temperatures. Both hot and cold temperatures can negatively impact your bow, but heat tends to cause more issues.

Leaving your longbow in a hot car, for example, can affect the strings and cables. The high temperatures cause the strings and cables to stretch and lose their elasticity, which then impacts the accuracy of your shots. The heat can also cause the glue that holds the various parts of your bow together to weaken, leading to warping and bending in the limbs, throwing off the balance of your bow.

Direct sunlight or excessive heat can also cause de-lamination in the bow limbs, which can be dangerous as the limbs hold a lot of energy.

Cold temperatures can also affect your longbow. The material of your bow, especially wood, can become brittle and prone to breakage. Any moisture on or in the bow can freeze and expand, leading to cracks or splits.

Therefore, it is crucial to store your longbow at a stable temperature, neither too hot nor too cold, to prevent any damage. The ideal temperature range for storing a bow is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you need to store your longbow in a hot or cold environment, there are some precautions you can take. For hot temperatures, use an insulated case designed for archery equipment. For cold temperatures, a hard-shell case with foam padding can provide better insulation. You can also wrap your bow in an insulating material like bubble wrap before placing it inside the case.

Taking care of your longbow and protecting it from extreme temperatures will help ensure its longevity and accuracy.

Warm up the bow before shooting to extend its life and performance

Warming up a new longbow before shooting is essential to extend its life and performance and prevent breakage. Firstly, brace the bow at a low height and allow it to settle for about an hour. Then, you can start to part-draw the bow several times, slowly bringing it down. Repeat this process until you reach a full draw after 10-15 part-draws. This helps to "teach" the bow how to shoot.

After this, brace the bow fully and begin shooting arrows at a close target, starting from a part-drawn position and gradually working your way back to a full draw. It is important to never draw the bow back too quickly, as this can cause it to break. Take your time and aim for 10-15 shots.

Additionally, temperature plays a crucial role in the performance of a longbow. Avoid using the bow in extreme cold or hot temperatures. The ideal temperature range is above zero but not extremely hot.

By properly warming up your new longbow before shooting, you will not only improve its performance but also ensure its longevity.

Frequently asked questions