Post here the Best bows through the eras... Not just pictures, but detailed images and explanatory text...
The Mongolian Bow The Mongol bow is not as large and long as the English one, but it is vastly more powerful. The draw weight of an English longbow averages around 70-80 pounds, whereas the Old Mongol bow had a pull that, according to George Vernadsky, averaged at around 166 pounds. Chambers states that the pull varied from 100 to 160 pounds. This seeming discrepancy certainly reflects the fact that draw weight varied with the strength of the user, and with what use the bow had been made for. As could be expected, there was a considerable difference in shooting range. Whereas the English longbow could shoot at distances up to 250 yards or around 228 meters, the Mongol counterpart can hit its target at 350 yards or 320 meters and, if the archer is well trained for the task, even beyond that. The backbone of the bow is a wooden frame, which will typically be birch, because that wood is resilient and is also readily available. The total length of the frame is 150-160 cm. When the bow is unstrung, it looks like a semi-circle with a beautifully curvaceous shape, but when a string is attached the whole thing is stretched out so that its limbs are bent inward. Even so, these limbs with string attachments are bent slightly away from the archer, forming a double curve. It is this double curve that delivers explosive acceleration and awesome velocity to the arrow. From these limbs or bends of the bow behind the string attachments where the impact is greatest, the frame is covered with elongated and flattened pieces of mountain sheep's (or other wild or domesticated ungulate's) horn or/and bone which adds snapping power to the resilient wood in the frame. These hard parts form a layer that covers the whole area of the so-called belly, which is the part between the grip and the limbs. The Mongolian bow illustrated The Mongolian bow is here shown unstrung and before the string is attached. From the descriptions above it should be fairly easy to understand the various parts. The harmonious curvacity of this shape conceals great powers: Now a string has been attached to the bow, as you can see. The string is tied to the ends of the limbs, from where it runs over their flat outer ends and keeps the bow straight. Already the string is very tense. Next, we see how the bow has been drawn and is ready to shoot. Note that during shooting, the arrow shaft is resting on the part where the thumb and index fingers meet to grip the handle of the bow. It does not rest on the hand of the archer. Another detail: If the archer is right-handed, the arrows goes to the right of the handle, whereas a left-handed archer will let it rest to the left of the handle. Next we shall see depicted the whole shooting sequence. Now you certainly get an idea of what forces are contained in the Mongolian bow, in particular when it has been made in complete accordance with the age-old traditions of bowmanship: Source : http://www.coldsiberia.org/monbow.htm
i wouldn't trust a bow like that made by me! Unless i was wearing a helmet and safety goggles. I wonder though how you would go about stringing it
What's there in trying??? Besides, this discussion is about best bows BTW, I am still waiting for your tutorial
a bow building one?. tell me what you've got at your disposal
a bow building one?. tell me what you've got at your disposal Time and Energy, Plus, I want to make one... I can get wood, got some cutting tools etc. etc.
ok so your probably going to want to get a board first.... Before that. Dimensions. You what sort of bow are you wanting. Like a full draw longbow or just a primitive short bow. Like could you draw it up on some paper. You probably have some sort of shape in mind. Also have you got a Rasp Craft knife Hatchet Jigsaw powertool Bandsaw handsaw Chisel Dont go out and buy them but just give me an indication If i dont reply within a week it means my power's off. If not within 2 it means i'm probably dead or seriously injured
