[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

I'm looking for a maker of authentic longbows. I don't want nothing fancy, no new technology, just want a plain-jane longbow. Used to practice the art of archery when I was way young, and would like to continue.

Anybody know who makes them? And if anyone here can make them at a reasonable price, I'm all ears.

[Dave Markowitz]

A couple places to check:

3 Rivers Archery (http://www.3riversarchery.com/)
Rudder Bows (https://rudderbowsarchery.com/)

I've dealt with 3RA on more than one occasion and they've been great. I haven't bought from Rudder Bows Archery but have read numerous positive reports online.

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Rudders seems reasonable on price. Couldn't draw that 225lb bow they have, though lol.

[mole]

Rudder bows reputation has gone done over the years. www.woodbows.com seems to be a decent no frills place to get a decent bow, but they're just a linen backed red oak board that has been crafted with power tools. You can go to your local home center and find a good enough red oak board for few dollars and make your own. You have to be picky about the grain though.

John

[Billy Shears]

If you want the most authentic style longbow you can get, as opposed to some modern laminated repro made with lemonwood and other inauthentic materials (though they make those too), and you have the money to spend, you might give this sight a look:

http://www.diyarchery.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=56

You can even get accurate replicas of the heavy warbows used by English longbowmen during the Hundred Years War, though a bow that heavy might not be what you want to start with.

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

I am capable of 100-110 lbs.

[Billy Shears]

They make them with with draw weights up to 180lbs, which apparently was par for the course for a medieval war bow. But lighter ones are available from them also.

[Bikewer]

I was going to say, have you considered making your own? I got into making "primitive" equipment some years ago, and turned out several hardware-store "board" bows and a very nice Osage orange number. Minimal investment in tools required, and you can learn everything you need to know from the first of the Traditional Bowyer's Bible series.

As noted, there are a number of outlets for such bows; Three Rivers carries blanks, mostly-finished blanks, and finished bows in a number of weights.

Drawing a bow in the 100# range with good form and good aim requires as strong archer and a lot of training. Most of the people you see drawing heavier weapons are not using good form and often only come to a partial draw.
The claims about massively-heavy draw weights used by our ancestors are mostly the stuff of legend; examination of the medieval bows recovered from the wreck of the Marie Rose years ago indicated an average weight of between 90-110 pounds. These were weapons meant for war; hunting weapons were generally lighter.

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

I don't have the time to "roll my own" right now, but figuring a practice session with a few arrows every day before work. I was about seven years old when I made my first bow, inspired by the game Age of Empires, lol. But up until I was 19 or 20 I stopped for some reason or another.

My draw length would be 29-32" and my ideal long bow would be about 68" to closely match my height so I can have the best possible draw. I don't just draw to my cheek, I almost draw to my ear. I am no amateur when it comes to archery, lol. Just been out of practice for a while.

[nmlongbow]

You have a huge selection these days.

Here's a few to start.

Howard Hill Archery
Northern Mist longbows
Protege longbows
Jack Harrison longbows
Great Northern Archery
Whippenstick Custom Bows
Bigfoot Bows
Maddog Archery
Miller longbows
Liberty Bows
Don Dow Stikbows
Lewis Hollow Archery
Owl Bows
Huntworthy Productions

If you want something with carbon or fiberglass in a hybrid or recurve then you'll have a lot more choices.

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Looking for traditional. I'll give them all a look-see.

[R H Clark]

If your draw length will vary that much and is that long,you will be much better off with a glass laminated bow.

Northern Mist would be on the top of my list.I've never been able to stand the shock of the Hill bows.

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Well I was measured at 16 to 29" but have grown some since then so I'm thinking about 31"

[xmanpike]

My stepmother's brother makes beautiful longbows. From plain Jane all the way to quite amazing and intricate. He actually made the bows for the movie "Book of Eli". His name is Mike Yancy and his website is Pinehollowlongbows.com

Some of his are absolutely breathtaking. camoflauged with rattlesnake or copperhead skin. back of the bow strengthened with deer leg sinew. Tips of the bow are usually antler.

I have a very simple osage bow he made me for christmas and it is wonderful!

[nmlongbow]

Mike Yancy does some incredible work. I would love to own one of his bows some day.