alright i've done some archery, but everything i own is basicly 60 lbs compounds. so i'm looking for something nice and not hugely priced. i'm assuming since our rules are pretty strick people tend to use recurves (i think it easier to get correct poundage for a specific pull) but other than that tidbit im lost.

so what do i need to look for in strings? whats a good site to buy? is anyone getting rid of old ****? etc. help would be nice.

I don't have much experience with bows. We got one in our unit to train ourselves against archers, so we got the simplest one available.
It was a youth bow from Bear archery. 60", 30 pounds draw, works very well and it was not expensive.
I can't find the exact one we bought, but this one looks very similar:

Fred Bear Titan bow

I'm sure you can find a lower price for it. It's not too nice looking though.

I'd recommend going to ebay first. There is usually a good listing of bows that meet the requirements in the BoW. It can be hit or miss, tho, in the quality of bow you're getting. Make sure you ask the seller lots of questions about the bow. What is it made out of? How old is it?I s the string the original or has it been replaced? Has the owner/seller taken good care of it? You'll be going on faith in interpreting his answers, but generally the more positive the response, the better the deal gets.

If ebay isn't your thing, check out your local hunting/sporting goods stores (especially around fall to about now-ish) for the kids' fiberglass bows. They're inexpensive, they meet our standards, and you won't get upset if it breaks (see comment about price. I'd be very sad if my $80 bow broke, but wouldn't blink an eye if my fiance's $0.50 bow snapped in half).

Generally, the more inexpensive the bow, the better off you're making out. I know several people who found 30# *" fiberglass bows for less than a buck. Just keep your eyes and ears open for any deals.

I don't really know too much about strings, other than you really need to have the string custom made for the bow (even if it's nylon cord that's cut to the right length). I don't know any sites offhand that show anything about string-making, but I'm sure poking around Google for a bit will yield good results.

Recurves are common, but longbows are appropriate for our rules, as well. Go with what you prefer, and if you don't have a preference, borrow both types from someone (or ask lots of archers what they like about each one) and make a decision about that. As for me, my recurve fits my elven persona (it's pretty), but I would much rather have a longbow that's a higher poundage than my measly 20#.

I have a list somewhere of, like, dozen sites of places to buy good bows (read: more than $50), reference sites on how to take care of them and other random junk. I'll have to hunt it down later b/c I'm about to pass out from exhaustion. If I don't respond within a week or so, (and you really want the sites), poke me with a PM.

Buckeye Takedown Recurve, 35#

This is the bow that i, and at least 2 others at my realm use. Breaks down for easy storage and traveling.

I used to have that bow years ago. Does the trick quite well. In fact, it was nice enough for someone to steal it at a Rag a few years back.

bleh

I just might have to finally get me another one.

I just bought a Fred Bear Titan. Pretty cheap. About $54 includes S+H. 60" tall, when I pulled it back it had about a 25" draw, and I'm not sure about the poundage but I think it's close to about 30lbs, but I'm going to get it tested just to be on the safe side.
I haven't tried it out yet because I have to finish making my arrows, but it's got a pretty good pull. I've also only shot compounds, so I know how you feel.
I got mine from 3 Rivers Archery. Just follow the link Old Horse posted and it takes you right to the site.
Good luck, hope you find what your looking for!

WOW! great info, you guys have been a huge help, i apriciate it. i'll check out the titan and i'll ask a couple people in my realm about preference. thanks everybody and if you guys have any more to add i'm all ears.

Heed the advice of Twinkle (she has far more experience with bows than I do).
I did a quick ebay search for the bow and there were a few under $30.

Found this at WalMart.com

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=5984225


This is the bow I see a lot of people using. And it's a great deal at $45. You'd spend a lot more in trying to accumulate the things in that set you'd need (the bow, the arrows, the quiver and to some extent the bracer and the glove) if you didn't buy the set. I've been thinking about getting it so that I'd have a second bow to play with (I don't count my fiance's bow). Of course, I also want a longbow from http://woodbows.com/ (more expensive, but very nice handmade bows). And a Mongolian recurve. And like, a dozen different type of bows in between. :-D

http://www.pse-archery.com/prod.php?k=1 ... &u=3735Bow

If I really wanted to try I could probably name 15 people in Belegarth with this bow. $105, pulls near 35 every time, breaks down. You've shot mine

thanks jimmy, thats almost exactly what i'm looking for. is that also the same thing skydd uses?

FYI, I have an older version of this bow (the breakdown model) and was told at a recent day event that their pull ratings are measured for 25" or 26", not 28." Apparently the poundage on some of these will shoot well over 35lbs. * 28" if they aren't strung down.

I haven't tested this myself, but I though it was worth mentioning.

Yes, and Kyrian, and Moxk, and.... everyone.

I bought one of those walmart bow packs. Not sure if it's that exact one, but it makes a great "support" bow that'll tuck nicely into the back of a shield cover on a heater.

No quickie, I don't use a break down bow. Mine's all one piece.

I can only shoot around 30lbs. When I first started I tried my friends 50lb bow and the longbow string slipped off my fingers when I tried to pull it back and it sent the arrow sailing into the woods.

Hey Jbird. This particular thread is from 2009. Rather than "necroing" the thread, you're better off to start a new one with any questions or observations. You can see the last post date on the right side of all of the posts here. You may find most of the existing threads on the boards to be quite dated, as the forums have largely been replaced by social media.