Welcome to the issue 4 of Archers Review Magazine
This month sees the release of yet another Robin Hood film, to celebrate this months magazine is a Robin Hood special. We look at the man behind the legend with a couple of articles about the man and the period that gave rise to him. We also have an article on Little John, not Robin Hoods side kick but John Cately of Little John Arrow, he talks to us about his life in archery and the way he likes to make his arrows.
Last month I attended the NFAS Scottish Championship, my first visit to the event, and I give you a tour of the event, the course and what a great time I had. Back to the Robin Hood theme we talk to Lee Ankers of Heritage Longbows about his bow building for this months 10 minutes with feature. Finally of course we have the usual summary of reviews and shot of the month. Don't forget we are constantly on the look out for articles and reviews, if you have anything you would like to share please get in contact at contact@archers-review.com
Heroes of Archery - Robin Hood
Over the last few months we have had several modern day heroes of archery and there have been mutterings that the most famous exponent of our art has not yet been mentioned- Robert Hode, Robin Hood or Robin Of Loxley. Known throughout the world for taunting that rascal the sheriff of Nottingham and rescuing the Maid Marion from his evil clutches. After at least 800 years he still has the power to elicit several hundred million dollars from Hollywood to tell more tales of his escapades and further enhance the legend. With Russell Crowe starring in the latest film about to hit the screens perhaps a closer look is required.
So what is the truth behind such a powerful figure, is it the man himself, the things he is supposed to have done, or could it be the spirit of what he stands for at a time when the powerful exploited the dispossessed and the gap between rich and poor was measured in life expectancy as much as wealth.
We have 2 excellent submissions this month, the first is from the website www.robinhoodloxley.net an astounding collation of Robin Hood information, here you will find likely candidates for the real man, lists of Sheriffs of Nottingham, public records regarding various Roberts and various Hoods, even family trees and genealogical records - for those interested in Robin Hood and in fact even for those that didn't think they were this website will enthral you.
Robin Hood is no fictional character as this pardon in the Public Records Office at Kew proves. It reads "Robert Hode (Hood) otherwise known as Robert Dore of Wadsley (Yorkshire) given the King`s pardon on 22nd May 1382." Loxley and Wadsley commons were held by the De-Wadsley family.
This was during the Peasants Revolt when Robin Hood was involved in the municipal riots at York between Simon de Quixley and John of Gisburne during the contest for the position of Lord Mayor of York. Gisbourn was surrounded by scandal, there was rioting, Gisburne had to flee the city and the king was obliged to intervene to restore order.
Robin Hood supported Simon de Quixley against Gisbourne and those familiar with the legendary outlaw will know that his arch enemy was Guy of Gisborne. The opposition of Robin Hood to Gisbourne will not have endeared the two men to each other and Robin Hood was outlawed and locked up with others in the city prison tower. Robin Hood’s involvement in the Peasants Revolt rings true with the image we have of him today.
Medieval history abounds with ‘robin-hoods,’ there was Robin Hood and Little John at Evesham in 1265AD among the brambles and briar's, there was Robin Hood who was pardoned at York in 1382AD and many more including William-le-Fever who was also the leader of a gang of outlaws. When William appeared in court the clerk wrote 'Robehod' in the margin of the Plea Roll at the side of his name, no doubt indicating he was a robber in the same way as knights belong to the knighthood and priests belonged to the priesthood. The author Mark Twain used the term 'robberhood' in the same context. Originally 'Hood' appears to have been derived from the Saxon word "houdt" meaning "the whood" which when combined with 'robber' becomes 'robberhood.' Later it became corrupted to Robin Hood and we can see the transition between the old and the new when we look at the old manuscripts.
OUTLAWS
People turned to outlawry for many reasons and the law of primogeniture had a part to play in this. Primogeniture meant 
the eldest son inherited everything on the death of his parents causing the younger members of the family to become homeless. Hopefully the daughters made good marriages or failing that might enter the church as nuns while the young men of the family survived as best they could. The infamous Folville and Cotteril gangs are two examples of well educated family members of the nobility who became outlaws due to their eldest brother inheriting the estate. Those who fought on the loosing side in battle were automatically outlawed and it was better to escape to the woods for fear of being put to death or alternatively being put to work building castles and the like and living as serfs under conditions of slavery on the estates of the barons. Also living in the woods were the unemployed and the unemployable and of course there was the criminal element. Whatever the reason for people being in the woods they were 'home' to many. There was shelter, concealment and food and in addition there was always the proceeds of highway robbery with which they could perhaps buy a pardon and return to society.
ROBIN HOOD WAS KNOWN TO THE KINGS OF ENGLAND
The deeds of Robin Hood were well known to the kings of England. King Edward II in his visitation of the northern counties c. 1323 went after Robin Hood when he discovered the devastation caused to the king's deer.
King Henry VII knew of Robin Hood and in 1487 the account of his journey to Pontefract Castle recorded "Robin Hood's Well" at Barnsdale between Pontefract and a little beyond Doncaster which pinpoints its position very precisely.
King Henry VIII knew about Robin Hood. His printer Richard Grafton and his historian John Leyland both visited Kirklees Priory. Richard Grafton in his influential history "Chronicle at Large" c.1569 drew a sketch of Robin Hood's grave at Kirklees as it was then and tells us the legendary outlaw had the king's price on his head and his lands confiscated. This he said can be verified from records in the King's Exchequer along with an "olde and aunciente pamphlet." As the kings printer and associate of the kings historian he will have had access to these records.
SLOANE MANUSCRIPT
One surviving "olde and ancient pamphlet" is the handwritten Sloane Manuscript which appears to be an early version of the 'Geste of Robin Hood.' It would be nice to think it is in the handwriting of the author of the Geste who Joseph Hunter claims was Richard Rolle 1290-1349. It begins with Robin Hood in Loxley, Yorkshire and ends with Little John's burial at Hathersage. This is a short extract:-
"After which tyme he continued that course of lyfe about XX years, tyl, distempered with could and age, he had great payne in his lymes, his bloud being corrupted; therefore, to be eased of his payne, by letting blud, he repaired to the priores of Kyrkesley, which some say was his aunt, a woman very skylful in physique and surgery; who, perceiving him to be Robin Hood, and way'ing howe fel an enemy he was to religious persons, toke reveng of him for her owne howse, and al others, by letting him bleed to death; and she buryed him vnder a greate stone, by the hy way'es side. It is also sayd, that one Sir Roger of Doncaster, bearing grudge to Robin for some injury, incited the prioress, with whom he was very familiar, in such manner to dispatch him, and then al his company was soone dispersed".
Our second submission is from Geoffrey Towers, an article which allows an insight into the circumstances and times which allow a man such as Robin Hood to exist.
ROBIN HOOD ..... THE MAKING OF A LEGEND by Geoff Towers
Legend is a powerful force. Often it is the vehicle for the hopes and dreams of each generation that perpetuates it. The hopes and dreams themselves carry a desire for justice. Legend does not disappoint as it can accommodate change, whilst retaining it's essence.
In 1377, William Langland makes reference to the 'rymes of Robin Hood' in the vision of William, concerning Piers Plowman.
'I can naughte perfitly my paternoster as the prest it syngeth, but i can rymes of Robin Hood and Randolf erle of chestre'
By the 1600's ther were over 200 references to him. Ships were named after him and outlaws referred to as 'Robin Hoods' by the King's officials. Outlaws themselves took the name as a 'badge of honour'. The ballads and plays retold and expanded the story so that it was very much in the public consciousness.
As times changed, so did Robin Hood. In Renaissance drama he became an Earl. In the 19th century his appeal was as a Saxon freedom fighter. More recently he courted new age mysticism and probably, as the final straw, became an all American action hero! ( no offence to our cousins intended, just Hollywood )
A great deal has been written about the probable Robin Hood that spawned the legend. But, equally interesting, is what do we know of the times and conditions in which he could have lived? Historians and researchers have a range of views on the dates of Robin Hood, the very earliest placing him at the end of the 11th century and into the 12th century. The earliest dates in legend are an interesting place to start.
These were turbulent times, as England was in the grip of a brutal enemy occupation and it is my belief that this period could have provided the ingredients for our story and hero.
The battle of Hastings in 1066 is probably one of the best known dates in our culture. It's familiarity can obscure the implications and the lasting change on the Anglo Saxon way of life. Many of the nobility were killed in this battle, together with the battle of Stamford bridge two weeks earlier. Those fortunate to have survived would have been dispossessed. Their property and lands would have been given by William the Conqueror to those who had come with him from Normandy. Life would have never been the same again. Many of the dispossessed fled to the forests and marshes, living in makeshift tents and carrying on the struggle against the Norman invaders. Many chose not to live in buildings lest they became 'soft' and were known as 'Silvitici' ( men of the woods ) and were regarded as outlaws.
As if dispossession was not bad enough, the ghastly and extreme brutality of the 'Harrowing of the North' would have left a deep and indelible scar on the Anglo Saxon community. William's brutal retaliation to the Northern Earls uprising and armed resistance, shocked even the Norman writers of the day. Between 1069 and 1070 he set about extinguishing all human and animal life within 100 miles along the East coast and some 60 miles inland. All houses were reduced to ash. Crops and agricultural tools were destroyed. All people, men, women and children over 12 years were to be killed, I do not need to spell out what would have happened to the children under 12, most, if not all died from starvation and exposure. Corpses littered the countryside and it is estimated that at least 100,000 died as a result of this action.
The full toll of the Norman occupation becomes clear in the estimate that half to three quarters of the male Nobility were killed and many wives and daughters forced to marry Normans. The hatred for William and the Normans would have been wholehearted and pretty much universal, giving support to any form of resistance. All classes of the old society would have been affected by the occupation. Hereward the Wake was an iconic figure of resistance during these dark and evil times, many fled to join him.
William's new order was slowly unveiled as it sought to to reduce the former culture to a distant memory. The French Feudal system took root with its' pyramid of power, designed to reward and assist the new 'Masters'
The system worked from the top. The King gave land to nobles in return for their loyalty and help in the invasion. The nobles gave land to the knights and adventurers who fought for them. Knights gave land to what were known as 'villeins' ( a form of slavery ) and serfs who gave rent and other dues in return. Basically you owed loyalty and taxes to whoever gave you land. The villeins were tied to their land and village, which had the desired effect, ( from the point of view of authority ) of keeping everyone in 'their place' From this hard and restrictive existence, the life of an outlaw must have been perceived as exciting and full of adventure.
"England has become the dwelling place of foreigners and the property of strangers..............William of Malmesbury"
Those who looked to the Church for spiritual relief from their nightmare were to be gravely disappointed, for the Church that the Normans brought with them, could be every bit as corrupt and brutal as the feudal system that cohabited with it. In spite of this, ( for there is always a remnant within ( any ) generation ), there is a suggestion that many Saxons did not abandon their faith, rather they made a distinction between faith and the corrupt system. Many ecclesiastical appointments were given to Normans who used the opportunity to extort more taxes from the people.
William, who loved hunting and regarded the deer as his children and he, their father, made large areas of woodland subject to 'Forest Law'. This meant that not only the animals that lived in the forest belonged to the King, the very leaves on the trees did as well. This law made life very difficult for those living nearby since it was now forbidden to kill animals in the forest for food or even to gather sticks for a fire without the harshest penalties ( removal of limbs, eyes.... etc ).
The ingredients for our story are then, in place. We have a plot which is the overthrow of a country's sovereignty and the imposition of an unjust ruling system. Any resistance is met with wanton cruelty. The heart of Saxon England is ripped out. Even the Norman church appears to be in league with the conspiracy. The Saxon nobility are dismantled and the few that make their peace with William, survive only if they trade in their freedom for the feudal system. The enemy is clear. The Normans, from the King; the King's men; the Sheriff, the new nobility and the clergy. Their crime? The removal of freedom, removal of hope, premeditated brutality and greed. 'Gangsters', in other words.
Enter our hero; a fine archer ( perhaps one of the archers left behind by Harold and who fought with the Northern Earls ) and swordsman. A man with a faith and a burning desire for justice. Dispossessed of his lands and branded an outlaw. A natural leader living in the forests in post occupation England, joined by other dispossessed nobles and others who have placed their hopes of freedom in his hands. Their aim: to wage guerilla war on the enemies of Saxon England. In this new uncertain world, their survival against the occupying war machine gives many, hope that the 'old days' could return'.
Sadly the old days did not return and the feudal way of life became the 'English 'way of life. Organised resistance was crushed and the 'Silvitici' became a memory. Castles developed, machines of war developed, the bow developed, the justice system developed and improved, agriculture and trade developed. Kings came and went, the Norman church developed and eventually changed. After the death of our hero, there were others happy to carry the name and the dream. Different adversaries, different times, but the same battle for perceived justice. The ballads and plays flourished with this English folklore so that the rhymes of Robin Hood were known by virtually everybody.
Rarely has a legend endured such longevity and universal appeal, illustrated by the fact that we are still captivated by it nearly 1000 years later.
Long may it continue...........
......................Long Live Robin Hood!
Building the Perfect Arrow
It seems fitting that in this special Robin Hood edition of the magazine that we should catch up with "Little John" Catley of Little John Arrows to talk about himself, Little John Arrows and a his thoughts about making the perfect arrow. We went along to Johns studio a few weeks ago and spent the day picking his brains.
John can you tell us a little bit about how you got started making arrows and how it turned in to a full blown profession.
I worked for Ericcsons mobile phones as a test repairer (microscopic soldering of circuit boards) we were on continental shifts and found that I had a considerable amount of spare time, which I spent at Marksman Archery Products. Through this I got interested in the manufacturing side and science of bows. When Ericsons eventually made us all redundant, I spent more time with a local bowyer, helping him make the English longbows, during which time I started making arrows for club members and friends. Along the way I was given a Victorian longbow and after that started to purchase them where ever I could, as to see the different makers style and types of wood used, and the quality of their workmanship. Also had a collection of Victorian arrows, given to me, then also started buying them from wherever I could. This would give me something to study i.e. weight, spine, materials, POB, footings, nocks, etc
After a considerable length of time, and studying some of the Victorian arrows, which I had obtained, I decided to have a go at making footed arrows, and I eventually discovered the art and was making them and improving them as I went along. I was originally giving them away to friends and was eventually asked if I can match arrows for spine and weight. After that I thought there is a niche in the market for quality, footed, crested, weight matched, all singing and dancing arrows, and decided to start retailing them. This was back in 2003. One of my first trade customers was for Helen at Eagle Classic Archery. I then found that I could not keep up with trade orders due to the many private orders I was getting
There are a number of wood choices available to archers, can you give us a run down of your favorites and if possible a brief explanation of the main ones, their plus and minus points and why somebody might use one over another.
I started using Port Orford Cedar, as this at the time was the most popular shaft, which was about. Then after a period of time, the quality of the 5/16th shafts deteriated slightly, although the 11/32nd seem to maintain their standard, so I decided to look at an alternative. I started to import Sitka Spruce Shafts, from Hildebrand in America. I found that the Sitka Spruce shafts were lighter than the POCs, however they do bend much easier, but are easy to straighten. The Sitka spruce is prone to creasels within a couple of inches of the pile. This is easily rectified by footing, with lemon wood or a tougher material than the arrow shaft itself. All in all a good shaft, I have made arrows out of Sitka spruce for flights shooting, and generally target archers especially love the Sitka spruce shafts due to their lightness.
The Sitka spruce I find that the best shafts weigh as much as the pine shafts, but people want the Sitka spruce for its lightness, but as with lightness, there is less density, so therefore less strength. But don’t get me wrong I am not knocking these shafts, they are good shafts, but they are best of being footed, as they are prone to breakages on the front end. (As mentioned in Target Archery, by Elmer)
I was purchasing Boyton pine shafts from Helen at Eagle classic archery, found that I liked working with them and decided to contact Chris Boyton to buy direct from him. I found that from 1 batch to the next there was no difference in quality they were all good. I found them easy to match for weight and spine and were consistent from one batch to another. As most of the arrows I make are weight matched to +/- 5 grains, and spined matched, as I said earlier this particular shaft material is consistent and therefore makes it easier to produce matched arrows. The Boyton pine shafts are a good tough arrow shaft for all types of traditional archery. People think there is a big weight difference between POC and Pine, however I find the weight difference is minimal. They straighten easily, with a slight tweak, or a little bit of warmth from a heat gun. Nice straight grain, good all round arrow shafts.
After studying the Victorian arrows, most of those were made from Scots pine, I found that the shafts, that Chris Boyton is making is the same material and weight to spine ratio as the Victorian ones.
How important is fletching choice on arrows, what advantage is a longer or shorter fletch and which do you recommend. Also with regard to profile is there any difference between them or is it all in the look and style.
I find that with target archery, for the long distance i.e. 100 yards 2.5 parabolic are the most popular. Shorter distances 50/60 yards and less, larger fletchings work well. As for shape difference archers have different opinions and I always consider the archers preference. (It’s always the case of what works for you). But it is a fact larger fletchings do slow the arrow down.
Do you have any opinions on helical fletched arrows, they seem popular in some parts of the world but you don't often see them in the UK.
As my main area of arrow making is for longbow shooters i.e. target, clout, distant shooting, and field there may be the odd longbow shooter that uses helical or offset fletchings, but mostly target archers etc want straight fletch as they do not want anything to interfere with the speed of the arrow. All of the Victorian arrows in my possession were straight fletched; as this is an area of most interest to me all that was altered in the Victorian times was the length of fletchings and possibly sometimes profile.
As a field archer I use helical as I find it settles the arrow down quicker, which for me shooting normally 15-25 yards is a real bonus.
Obviously there is a need for helical fletching; I think it originates from American bow hunting, of which I know nothing about, and all I can really say is if it works for you, then that’s okay. I’ve only been asked on the odd occasion, and the setting up of jigs, or purchasing helical clamps, doesn’t seem worth it for me.
Yes I have used a helical jig and it is difficult to get right.
What is important with fletchings, as with all things, preparation is paramount. I personally when purchasing pre-cut feathers sometimes find the quill is quite large and bulky, I regrind the quill of my fletchings, getting rid of unwanted material so that when the feather is stuck to the shaft, it fits neatly and I varnish between the fletchings, allowing the varnish to help secure the fletchings to the shaft, and not relying totally on fletching adhesive (as the Victorians did)
Do you personally use any sort of spine calculation or to do you have a rough formula which you recommend as a starting point and then work up or down from there.
Yes the formulas I use are the formulas, which have been used for years, and yes you do have a base line to work from. However when a customer orders arrows, I insist on talking to them over the phone rather than by email, so that I can take into consideration their shooting style, whether they like a stiff or weak arrows, what make of bow they are shooting, type of string they use, and what discipline they are shooting i.e. target, field, clout, etc. I think sometimes my customers are getting the third degree, but all information I ask them is relevant in making arrows to suit them. As when making arrows my guarantee is if they do not work for you send them back to me, I will make a new set, or alternatively they can have a complete refund.
With the base line formulas these are guidelines to work from, but in a lot of cases archers find their own arrow, which work best for them. So if they want me to make them a set of arrows, I ask them what they are shooting at the moment, also if they would like to send me their best shooting arrow, I can copy if for weight and spine and point of balance, If I do make any slight alterations, which I think would improve things, I inform the customer of any alterations I propose to do with the proviso if they don’t work for them, and they are not satisfied, I can remake them, or I’ll give a full refund.
What sort of points do you prefer, there seem to be so many, parallel, taper, screw on and so on. I know in the field of carbon and aluminim arrows points are often used to change spine is that a consideration when using wood.
I prefer parallel fits, not the parallel fits which fit over the shaft, I use my lathe and a dolly to compress the shaft to take the pile. No wood is removed from the shaft. I do also use taper fits, as customers sometimes request these types, like field shooters like tapered screw on piles, in steel. So I do stock most types of piles, so I can cater for each archer’s personal preference. I do not use pile weight for altering the spine of an arrow shaft (either to make it stiffer or weaker). I use it to ensure the correct point of balance of each arrow. Pile weight is also dependant on archer’s preference.
One constant problem I have, which I'm sure is not just me is keeping the point on the end, what sort of glue do you use.
I use Araldite epoxy resin, I have tried cheaper versions of epoxy resin, it dries too hard and when the arrow hits the target, it breaks the glue joint and leaves the pile behind in the target. With Araldite I’ve never had any complaints.
When you get in to the niitty gritty of arrow technology one thing you hear alot about is FOC, what exactly is that and is that something you take in to account when building arrows.
Regarding FOC, I look at this as point of balance (POB) and consider this important in all arrows, but as to the degree of POB its horses for courses once again depending on the discipline and distance. But POB as with spine matched, weight matched arrows, POB should match on all.
At Archers-Review.com we consider arrows to be as, if not more important to get right than your bow, do you think in general that the wider archery community spend enough time getting their arrows to fly right.
A fair percentage do know the importance of matched arrows, and there are quite a lot of longbow archers getting exceptional scores, achieving national records, county records and so on. There are the odd few that don’t consider arrows with the same importance as the bow as arrows break, and cannot justify spending money on them.
As more traditional based archers we don't use a shelf or pressure button so getting it right up front is vital for us. How would you suggest people go about doing this in the most effective manner, or more specifically which areas of arrows building do you think people should be focussing on. Also do you think that a majority of archers could benefit for taking a little time to make sure their arrows are as well matched as they think they are.
I am a great believer in the importance of matched arrows, as if all arrows are the same for weight, spine, and POB they should all shoot the same. As a starting point there are plenty of spine charts available for them to select their own spine area, usually shafts are sold in 5lb increments. Somewhere in that area they will find arrows, which will possibly, be all right for them. Sometimes it can be better to shoot a select of different arrows as when people come to see me. Alternatively I do make samples for them to try.
Usually with beginners, the challenges they find especially in mastering shooting the longbow, can be frustrating and time consuming, once they have mastered the longbow then they will know better which arrow works for them. A lot a patients is needed in this case.
Not only do your arrows shoot great they look great too, can you give us an idea of the process to decorate an arrow.
All my designs are my creation and I am trying to improve on these continually, and have recently started using airbrush techniques to create a different look/style.
The cresting machine is one, which I have adapted and made improvements with the assistance of toolmakers Prodec Precision Engineers, which my brother is a director of, so most things I need making can be done professionally. A photo is on my website which shows me cresting arrows using my cresting machine.
The paints I use are house of colour, and automotive acrylics. The brushes I use are good quality rigger brushers (long bristles) I use, old fashioned rustins shellac based grain sealer, as I find preparation in all aspects of making arrows is the most important part of a good job. The varnish I use is a two part mix i.e. varnish and a hardener, trade name Rustins plastic coating. I varnish after fletching and cresting sealing everything in, this is applied with a squirrel hairbrush and three thin coats, sanded down prior to final coat.
You must fletch thousands of arrows, I'm sure people would be interested to know what tools you use. Which fletching jigs do you use and are there any that you don't that you would recommend for the home user. Also what about tapering tools for nock and point ends, is there a particular favorite tool there too.
The fletching jigs, I have tried difference ones, I have got some bitzberger but out of the once I have got I prefer the Tollgate. No longer available sadly. It is robust, and easy to use, and if all jigs are set up the same then all the fletching go on the same.
I don’t use tapering tools, as I use a grinder, as its quicker and more accurate as with some tapering tools you can get the pile or nock of centre.
Can you give us an idea on how you determain what arrows somebody should be shooting, what sort of basic process is involved.
If somebody came to me with a 30lb recurve at 28 inches, usually arrows are spine at bow weight plus 5lb, any additional arrow length after that, add 5lb per inch. This recommendation would be a starting point.
Do you have a preference in tuning methods for accurate arrow selection bare shaft testing, paper tuning or another method.
For recurve shooting using carbon arrows pressure button bare shaft tuning, nock tuning, walk back tuning is the way to go, but with the traditional archer using wooden bows and wooden arrows these sort of tuning methods don’t really fit the bill. With wooden recurves and wooden arrows, highering or lowering the brace height can move the arrows about, left or right and apart from getting the spine to suit it’s a case of go out and try it.
Thanks to John for taking the time out to give us his thoughts. We are also looking forward to the arrows John is currently working on for use to review, the early indications are that they will be brilliant.
The Great Out Doors - The Scottish Championships
I have been involved in archery in some way since I was about 7, first in the Scouting association where we travelled to the US to shoot in international competition, then later via target shooting and then more recently in field archery in the UK and across Europe. However it is only in the last 2 or 3 years that I have decided that I should take it a little more seriously when it comes to competitions. I have the perfect situation in that my wife Wendy also takes part, in fact she is better than I am, so I never had to seek permission to go off shooting for the day. At the end of last year we both really started to get somewhere, I was getting consistently high scores and the odd first place, where as Wendy was getting first where ever she went. This however was at a more local level, so we decided to get ourselves booked in to the National championships, held just outside of Coventry. We had a great time and it made our minds up that Archery was the thing we loved and that in 2010 that's all we wanted to be doing. So this year we have been shooting every weekend we could, we have also committed ourselves to compete in all the big competitions these are, the 3D champs, NFAS Nationals, South West Challenge, FITA 3D festival in France and the NFAS Scottish Championships. The first of these was the Scottish Championships during the Easter holidays, here is how it went.
We live in the South East of England, as it happened Easter Friday was my birthday so as a birthday treat I got to drive all the way to Scotland, we set off very early and had what was a fairly stress free run up. The Championships are held in a set off woods next to a small village called Parton next to Loch Ken, thankfully this is not far past the border so while it was long, the journey wasn't as bad as it could have been. We were staying in a hotel just outside Dumfries and arrived in the late afternoon, got checked in and then rested in preparation for the first day of two days of shooting to follow.
We arrived early, it's was a 20-30 minute trip to the shoot, we got our bows put together and then met up with a few old friends. There were a few practice butts out so we warmed up a little before going down to Parton's village hall to register and get our cards. There were two courses, A and B, you would shoot one on the first day and one on the second. As every style was shooting both courses the groups were a mix of all styles which is always fun. The course is set out on the side of a large hill split by an access road, A was on the lower side and B on the upper. I was starting on course A target 27, all the groups gathered, a little safety chat and we were off to the targets, as luck would have it 27 was about as close as you could get so we only had a very short walk out. I met up with my other target companions Steve (BB), Shaun (BH) and Richard (AFB), we swapped scoring cards and then had the usual pleasant chit chat waiting for the gun to sound so that we could start.
The targets were all 2D paper faces, which if you shoot competitions would be very familiar to you. We were starting on a rather short, but equally small gopher, I shot second and managed to hit it with the second arrow for 10. The forecast was for rain but it was holding off for the time being, we headed up the hill for the next shot a lynx again not too far away, first arrow 16 for me this time. We then went up to the top of a mound for what was the first of the longer shots on the course, a mountain lion, down a fairly steep incline and at about 35 yards, this proved a little more difficult and I had to settle for a third arrow 4. Both courses looped in a figure of 8 taking you past the rest area twice and we had come upon it early, we had a quick drink but pressed on. The next few targets were a series of shots up and down the side of the hill, we were all starting to find our rhythm now, finding the target with a little more ease. One of these was a moose which was a fair distance away, I stepped up and planted one in the kill, my best shot so far but disaster was about to strike, we went down the hill holding on to the guide rope, but I lost my footing and fell over hearing a load crack in the process. My initial reaction was that I had broken my bow. However when I had picked myself up I found it was in fact most of my arrows which had broken. I use a GFA quiver which I swing around my back when moving from target to target, and I had fallen directly on it severing 4 arrows in the process, not great when I only carry 7 to start with. In many ways it would have been better if I had shot 3 at that target rather than the 1 as they would have been safe sitting there rather than broken in my quiver. My pain was reduced when I found my arrow had scored a maximum 24, with only 3 arrows left I really needed to knuckle down and start to hit the targets. A series of decent shots followed and I was back in the groove. We broken for lunch after target 36, time to rest and take on board some needed fluids.
The course was wonderful, helped of course by the beautiful Scottish country side. One of the highlights we met after lunch as our first target was across a deep gully, a deer at around 35 yards which I got twice in the ear but only managed a score of 4. Then came the weather as it started to rain, some of us had taken a chance and travelled light and got rather wet. But we were on the homeward stretch, one highlight being a long down hill shot taken from between two trees, there was a small backlog of archers so we had a good chance to see how people tackled it. All of the people in my group dealt with it on the first arrow, which was a very good effort. Wet and a little cold we were glad to see the last target, again it was close to the gathering area and with score cards filled correctly and handed in we were back to the car to dry off and get ready for the second days worth of shooting. I had scored 446, not an exceptional score but not a disaster easier, it's always fun to share stories at this time with other archers and as always there were conflicting reports of what the other course was like. Some suggested B was harder but until we had swapped nobody had much of an idea. We went back to the hotel, got something to eat and it was straight to bed to get the rest we needed for day two.
I was on course B, which was higher up the hill than A, my starting target 16 was also at the very top of the course so it took a while to get to the target. This however meant less of delay before we started so only had a short time to chat to Robin, Ian, George and Stephanie, my shoot companions for the day. I had been shooting a little low the previous day and had discovered it had been due to a lower bracing hight, so with it now set correctly I started much better than I had on the Saturday. First up was a long down hill shot at a boar which I hit first arrow, only slightly lower than the kill. We were close to the rest area so carried straight on, which was good for me as I was feeling good and hitting the target well. The fantastic course of day one was continuing on day two as rather than shooting across a gully we were in one. There were some fantastic shots and as we were at the top of the hill there were some wonderful views.
I was shooting well, much better than the first day. I had a target score for the day and for the weekend and was looking to be in the top 15 in the men's Hunting Tackle class. I wasn't scoring my own card as is the rule for a championship shoot so I had no idea what I was scoring. The good form continued into the afternoon and it was only 2 from the end that I failed to score on a target. At the time I didn't know but that was to prove costly because it meant I missed my second day target score which was 500 and I had come in with 496. This meant that my two day score was 942, again lower than as I was hoping for but a decent score none the less.
Normally we stay until the results are announced, but on this occasion with a 9 hour drive ahead of us and the clock already gone 4 pm we decided that we would head back. It's not something I like doing but neither is driving all night so something had to give. The good news is that like the whole of the event the organisers had done a fantastic job and the results were announced only a few days later. I had come 9th which was well above my target of top 15. Shooting in my first Scottish Championship was an excellent experience and to do as well as I did was really positive. Thanks to all the great people I shot with and all the excellent course layers and organisers who made it a great way to spend the Easter weekend.
10 Minutes With...
Lee Ankers of Heritage Longbows. Although an archer for some time ( and a longbow archer of some note at that) he is a relative newcomer to the black art of Longbow making, you will find a review of at least one of his bows amongst the reviews and we are looking forward to reviewing a couple more in the near future - we managed to get him to take 10 minutes from his busy schedule to find out a little more about him........
1. How long have you been involved in Archery and how did you get started?
I started archery just under 4 years ago after seeing a come and have a go day at the local school with "Chase Archers". I had a fibreglass bow when I was about 10 and got quite good with it but when the arrows broke I had nowhere to get anymore so the bow just stood in the shed for the next 25 years.
2. When did you make your first bow and what was the result?
I made my first bow in July 2009, a self ash bow. I had done a lot of research in Bowyery before I had a go and being a joiner for the last 25 years I thought I could do a good job. I didnt fit horn nocks at first, then shot a Portsmouth round at the club and beat the county record. I was then told it didnt count, so I went back to work, fitted some horn nocks, went back the following day and beat it again!
3. What's the one tool in your workshop which you couldn't do without?
I would say that the one tool I couldnt do without would be the cabinet scraper. You can still make a bow with this 1 tool and get a good finish with it, ok it would take you a lot longer but you could do it.
4. What materials do you enjoy using the most ?
The materials I enjoy using most are Bamboo (for the way you have to process it to use it), Purpleheart ( for the satisfaction of watching it change colour) and Ipe (Cos I love the smell when you work it)
5. What is it about your bows or the way you make bows that sets you apart from other bowyers ?
I like my bows to bend full compass, my arrow pass is in the centre of the bow so in theory you can shoot it upside down and it will still shoot the same. I dont have any training as such in making bows but I have been told now by many customers that my bows are very good. All through my career I have worked with my hands and only have to be shown once how to do something and I can do it, so I suppose that gives me an advantage.
6. Do you still have time to shoot ?
Of course! I shoot 4 to 5 times a week. They will have to bury me with my bow! I live and breathe archery.
7. What’s the best shot you ever made ?
I suppose that would be the shooting the first three arrows at an 18m 3 spot target, hitting 3 tens, after shooting 528 (a new PB) on a Portsmouth.
8. How many bows do you make a year ?
I make around 200 bows a year
9. What’s the spec on your personal bow of the moment ALSO…….What’s the spec on the arrows you shoot ?. Wood- (POC, Sitka, Pine, other ?)/Carbon/Ally, total weight, fletch size, point weight… etc the full spec.
The bow I shoot at the moment indoors is hickory/maple/bamboo/pao amerillo/purpleheart 40# @28"
Arrows are 11/32 POC full length painted black, 5" purple flecthes bound with red linnen and plastic nocks, 100gn brass screw on points.
I havent bothered weighed them individually as they all shoot and group nicely.
Shot of the Month
Jules Sinfield
Sometimes it goes in to the kill from 70 yards, sometimes you get it bang in the middle of the compound kill zone. Other times you have to take what you can get and that's exactly what Jules was very pleased to do with this months Shot of the Month.
Archers Review is dedicated to carrying on the great tradition of sharing archery knowledge, in many ways we are still re-discovering the skills of our forefathers, unlike just about any other competitive sport, in archery the learning never stops, as we grow as archers the enjoyment increases, so we invite you to share with us all the skills, tips and hints that will help us all to be the best archer we can be.
If you have something to add feel free to mail in your articles, it can be on any aspect of archery from training to bow set up, a quick hunting tip or a specific archery question you would like to know the answer to, someone somewhere will have an answer for you.
