Product Description

This book is packed with information for all those interested in traditional archery, from the basics involved in taking up a traditional bow for the first time, to clear concise guidelines on making your own arrows, strings and bows.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #319536 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

From the Author
I have been shooting and making traditional archery equipment since 1986, and have been a full member of the Craft Guild of Traditional Bowyers and Fletchers for much of that time. I make bows and arrows professionally, including English and American Longbows, Œprimitive bows¹ and bows to prehistoric designs; I have learnt much from my own practical experience as well as from experienced archers and from sheer enjoyment of this fascinating subject. All this I hope to pass on in this book to newcomers or existing archers starting out on the traditional path.

About the Author
Hilary Greenland is a professional bowyer and fletcher who has been making and shooting traditional bows for over 15 years; she is a member of the Craft Guild of Traditional Bowyers and Fletchers in England. She runs events, competitions and bow workshops, and also writes for international archery magazines on a variety of traditional archery topics.

Customer Reviews

Outstanding
The perfect introduction to the subject. By following Greenland's simple, clear instructions, I was able to make a perfectly functional lemonwood flatbow at the my first attempt.

Many introductory-level handbooks flood the reader with too much information, leading to confusion. Greenland provides precisely the right amount. Her text is simple, straightforward, clear and lively, and her enthusiasm is contagious.

Anybody interested in traditional archery and making traditional bows couldn't do better than to start with this book.Once you've made and learned to use your first bow, move on to the classics, such as Jim Hamm's 'Traditional Bowyer's Bible'.

An excellent book in every respect.

A gem of knowledge, appeals to both new and the experienced
For the increasing number of archers (or would-be archers) who have a wish to return to the roots of their sport beyond just shooting this little handbook is an excellent introduction . Hillary Greenland takes us through the choices that need to be taken as regards to bow, it's tuning, arrow and string. The main variations found in each are described although regrettably no mention is made of the Mongolian or Japanese bows. The book is worth buying for the chapter on arrows alone. Handling gives mostly basic but sound advice useful not only for the newcommer but also for the experienced archer comming from a diffrent discipline. Under each topic the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of equipmrnt, materials and preformances are given with no attempt to guide the reader to any particular type - each are given a fair and unbiased appraisal with their suitability in diffrent styles of competition or discipline allowing the now enlightened archer to make their own choices. Care for the equipment and how to appraise the state of the materials both for the longevity and safety of the bow, arrow, string and user are esential yet often an neglected area. Finally a brief description of how to make a primitive bow is given. The merits and drawbacks of diffrent designs, timbers, backing and tools to be used are discussed. Suggested dimentions of an English Longbow an American Flat bow and a Pyramid bow are given. Here a preferance is stated for the latter not, I think, for any fondness of the design but to hrlp the novice produce a tolerable result. It cannot be within the scope of such a small book to give detailed advice on all aspects of bow making. The finished product seems to be for sheer pleasure not to win competitions - that of course is up to the archer. This book purports to be a handbook and a practical guide not a detailed text-book and as such I feel it lives up to its title superbly. A good glossary, fair and balanced writing and some humour make this a worthy addition to any archer's book shelf or even tackle bag. I feel I can thoroughly recomemend it to all archers traditional or not as there is something for everyone packed into this small volume.

A pocket encyclopedia for traditional archers.
To describe this little jewel, only few words are needed.
The author covers almost anything you need to know if you are interested in traditional archery.
Of special interest is the chapter covering fletching, more subjects are covered: bowmaking (a bit brief), accessories, stringing, shooting practice and much more.
It's simply astounding how much is contained in this little book (it's reduced size is another plus).