Archery

[Orda Khan]

OK....Just to clear up the different bow categories...

Longbow......No aids, string drawn from one point to same anchor/reference point. Tab or finger glove allowed. Wooden arrows.

Traditional.....No aids, string drawn to same anchor/reference point. Arrow rest, Tab/glove allowed. Any recurve bow (the Martin bow pictured is commonly called a Hunter Recurve, generally shorter and not taken down, unlike the longer recurve in Tosa's pic) Wooden arrows.

Barebow.....No sights. Weights in riser, arrow rest, button (to stabilise the arrow) and string walking allowed. Tab/glove allowed.

Recurve.....Sights, stabilisers, button and clicker (arrow is drawn through the clicker until it slips off the tip, at which point it is released) Same anchor/reference point. Platform tabs are usually used in this style.

Compound Barebow.....Generally the same as for barebow but using a compound.

Compound Limited.....Any sight, stabiliser allowed. Same anchor/reference. Tab/glove allowed.

Compound Unlimited....Sights, stabiliser, trigger type release aid.

Incidentally, the thumb draw is generally unrecognised. It is possible to shoot in this style, using the relevant bow type (ie Turkish, Asiatic reflex)
The use of a thumb ring is the cause for concern as it is viewed as a release aid. Therefore, as an example, if I was to use my Hun and wooden arrows and use my thumb to draw....
Without a ring.....OK
With a ring......Compound Unlimited.
All down to the officials' lack of understanding and viewing the thumb ring as an 'aid' when its principle role is the same as a tab or glove, to protect the archer from soreness.
I know a few archers who have been put off using the thumb draw because of this misunderstanding.
As there is no archaeological evidence suggesting the Huns used thumb rings, the earliest discoveries being 7thC Avar, I use my fingers on the bow string

.......Orda

[TosaInu]

Incidentally, the thumb draw is generally unrecognised. It is possible to shoot in this style, using the relevant bow type (ie Turkish, Asiatic reflex)
The use of a thumb ring is the cause for concern as it is viewed as a release aid. Therefore, as an example, if I was to use my Hun and wooden arrows and use my thumb to draw....
Without a ring.....OK
With a ring......Compound Unlimited.

How about increasing the thickness of the string? I recall the Mongols (?) wrapped soft leather around the string where the thumb would grab it.

How about a leather thumb protector? A metal ring makes a smoother release, but a leather one is more comfortable. My guess is that a leather one would also be easier to recognise as a sort of tab too.

[Orda Khan]

How about increasing the thickness of the string? I recall the Mongols (?) wrapped soft leather around the string where the thumb would grab it.

How about a leather thumb protector? A metal ring makes a smoother release, but a leather one is more comfortable. My guess is that a leather one would also be easier to recognise as a sort of tab too.

As long as the thickened area is at the nocking point only and could not be deemed as a means of aiming, at inspection. It would even be possible to fit those sleeves you sometimes see, especially on kids bows; but extra weight on the string only serves to slow it down. Most traditional Korean bows have thicker strings.
As you know, the traditional way to string the Asiatic bows is slightly different to western bows. A loop is tied, using a special knot, to each end of the string. There is evidence that these loops were sometimes wrapped in soft skins such as mice.

The thumbring issue I described is the current understanding within GNAS/FITA guidelines (though FITA does not recognise 'Traditional') It is possible that a leather ring would be permitted, it would depend on the judge and/or any objections from other archers.
There are other governing bodies that allow the thumbring but the rules applied to the bow become strict and a little contradictary

......Orda

[edyzmedieval]

Archer experts, I wish to ask you the power required to fully extend a yew longbow. Thank you.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Archer experts, I wish to ask you the power required to fully extend a yew longbow. Thank you.

Depends on the longbow, very simply. Each will have it's own individual draw weight, and the weight on some might feel less or more than the weight on others, even if it says it's the same.

[TruePraetorian]

Evil Maniac, I agree with you on doing it traditional. I've shot many a bow for hunting or just for fun, but the traditional/recurve has always made me feel more "human", know what I mean? I usually use a 55-60 lbs draw wieght on a homeade traditional, with wooden arrows and a leather arm-strap (once, I didn't wear this my arm was red for days when I shot a 60lb). My good buddy shoots only compound, and I don't like how your not "tested" to hold the string back. I prefer to struggle with it while i'm out in the bush; again it makes me feel more tested and I get a better sense of pride when I hit a deer.

The highest weight I pulled back was either a 95lb or a 105lb, but it doesn't come easy...luckily I play (American) football and have to lift weights every day.

EDIT: BTW home-making takes forever and they often break at the oddest times, so I don't advise it if you don't have the time, uncle to teach you, or live in Michigan with plenty of trees.

[TosaInu]

Archer experts, I wish to ask you the power required to fully extend a yew longbow. Thank you.

Depends on the longbow

That is correct. It also depends on your draw. Someone who pulls a bow 24" may draw 40 pounds. Someone who draws the same bow to 29" may draw 50 pounds (considering both draw as a longbow should be drawn, not one in the center and the other using it like a yumi).