Hawkwood English Longbow

Comments about Hawkwood English Longbow:

AMAZING.CANT THE BOW 45 DEGREES.PUT THE ARROW IN THE TROUGH YOUR HAND MAKES BETWEEN THE BOW AND HAND.HOLD THE BOW UP AND LOOK DOWN THE ARROW TO THE TARGET.IF THE POINT IS OFF A BIT ROLL YOUR WRIST TIL THE ARROW IS STRAIT TO THE TARGET.NOW MOVE YOUR HEAD A LITTLE LEFT AND RIGHT TO MAKE SURE THE ARROW IS PERFECTLY IN LINE.DRAW STRAIT BACK AND PAUSE ABOUT 1 IN. IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE ANCHOR.WITH BOTH EYES OPEN LOOK AT THE TARGET LINE IT UP FOR SURE ONE LAST TIME AND JUST DRAW BACK AND TOUCH YOUR ANCHOR AND LET ER GO.YOU'LL SEE.I HAVE A DALAA AND I CAN SHOOT THIS BOW JUST AS WELL.I ACTUALLY FIND A LONG BOW EASIER TO LINE UP AND SHOOT THAN A RECURVE.
I PUT MY BRACE AT 6 1/2 IN.I BUILT MY GRIP TO FIT MY HAND WHICH WAS EASY AND PUT ON SOME NICE LEATHER WRAP.THE BOW COMES WITH A STRINGER AND IS EASY TO STRING.I GOT THE 45-50 MODEL WHICH PULLS 52 ON MY SCALE.
I PUT TWO COATS OF VARATHANE ON IT SO HAS A DEEP BEAUTIFUL FINISH.
I USE PORTLAND CEDAR TAPERED WOOD ARROWS.
THOSE OLD ENGLISH GUYS USED THIS BOW FOR A REASON.
NOW I KNOW THE REASON.IT'S A GREAT SHOOTIN BOW.
I'M NOT AS IMPRESSED WITH FOAM LIMBS AND CARBON ARROWS ANY MORE.ROBIN HOOD USED A BOW LIKE THIS AND HE DID OK.

Comments about Hawkwood English Longbow:

I am extremely pleased with this bow! I used to shoot a kid's bow when I was young and recently decided to get back into it. Despite the fact that this is NOT a beginner's bow, I wanted something that was high-quality as well as authentic and primitive. I got just that. This thing has an impressive look to it being around 6' tall unstrung. I was impressed by the craftsmanship as well. It's feels solid and durable in my hand, but still extremely light and easy to carry around. I bought the 50-55 pound draw weight. I'm 24 and in good shape and don't have a problem using it, but I don't think I would want to draw back anything heavier. Speaking of the draw, that and the release is extremely smooth. The arrows have a lot of power behind them even at long range. It comes with one braided string and mine started to unravel at both ends, but I fixed it with some heavy tape. The only thing I could complain about is the leather grip, which doesn't appear to be in keeping with the quality of the bow. Like the other reviewers wrote, it will begin to come off after use. I recommend planning for this and buying something to replace it. All in all, an excellent buy.

Comments about Hawkwood English Longbow:

I ordered my first hawkwood long bow. and went to purchas 4 carbon arrows from local deler. Shot perfectley 1st time.the next day i broke it. not due to any imperfections in product. but due to ignorance in stringing up the bow. Idid not use the bow stringer supplied and did it up side down. TO ALL USE EXTREME CAUSION in stringing these. i would hope that full instructions would be included in every bow purchased. and U read any and all instructions that may apply to your product. PLEASE avoid my mistake as it does cost. I have been semi assured that a local bow maker will evaluate if my miatake can be reparied. In closing. PLEASE, PLEASE call and ask for informatio before U do any thing out of your realm. There are not stuped questions. only stupid mistakes.
Thank you
Jim Bean

Comments about Hawkwood English Longbow:

I USE IT FOR TARGET SHOOTING, INCLUDING 3D ANIMAL ONES, AND DURING RE ENACTMENT EVENT.(BUT NOT FOR COMBAT : TOO POWERFULL FOR THE MATTER).
EXELLENT PRODUCT REGARDING THE PRICE.

PS sorry for my poor english that is not my mother language(french).

Comments about Hawkwood English Longbow:

love the bow but the warp handel was lose and came off in a day so i made a lether handel an now the bow is grate!!!

Comments about Hawkwood English Longbow:

I am a competitive target archer who teaches extensively. I have been shooting a recurve for 37 years. I picked up a 35 pound longbow a few years ago and found it to be most unsatisfactory. A 35 is inconsistent, inaccurate and shoots very poorly at longer ranges (40 to 100 yards). This 47 pound longbow is everything my 35 wasn't: Consistent, accurate, tough. The bow is beautifully made with wonderful horn nocks and an excellent Flemish string. The vinyl hand grip is a distraction, but it was always my intent to replace the grip with my own anyway. A note and warning I would offer: This is not a bow for a beginner. A truly Period longbow is a difficult weapon to shoot. Hauling back 47 pounds, using one's hand for a shelf and trying to hit something is a task that would be very discouraging for a new archer. Learn the basics of shooting first, develop your muscles, then go to this bow. You will not be disappointed. Also, remember: This is a Period longbow. If you pick this thing up on a cold morning and just start shooting, the bow will crack and you will have $200+ dollars worth of kindling. Also: wear a bow glove, no exceptions. Unless, of course, you like going into surgery and having fletchings cut out of your hand! Learn about longbows before you try shooting one.

Comments about Hawkwood English Longbow:

Change the material of the hilt ... this plastic takes away all the charm of this beautiful longbow ! I put leather instead ... it changes all believe me !

Comments about Hawkwood English Longbow:

A lovely piece of craftmanship.

Comments about Hawkwood English Longbow:

Overall the best use for this bow is for a primitive archer or SCA medieval renactment events. Specifically, this bow is comparable to others made of hickory or epe backed with bamboo. It is smooth shooting with little hand shock. It is not anywhere near the quality of self bow made of pacific yew. If you looking for longbow with serious punch for hunting, look elsewhere. Even with the 50-55 lb rating, it quickly loses power over time, and requires considerable tweaking of the bowstring. I found this longbow to be too fragile for hunting with the hickory backing, and too suspectible to damage under normally conditions of use. Be extremely careful while stringing this bow, as the overall stress limit of the red oak is not nearly as strong as yew, and will crack if overextended or overdrawn. My personal drawlength is 28.5" which seems to be the limit of this bow. The bottom line is unless you know and understand primitive longbows, this should not be a "first time" bow buy.

Comments about Hawkwood English Longbow:

Upon arrival I wasn't sure if it was worth the [$] but after stripping the wrap off regluing both horn string nock and building my own leather grip and my own string to get it to the 6 1/2 brace height needed.... this turned out to be a sweet little bow.... I have about 500 arrows through it and the string follow has not increased but maybe 1/2 inch. It's a rather smooth draw without real noticable stack and very little hand shock at all!!! So for the money and a little elbow grease it turned out to be a sweet deal! Oh I ordered a 50-55lb draw.... with the correct brace height of 6 1/2 inches the draw is now at about 63 lbs. at least in my case....