EM wrote:bluelake wrote:Many of the bows used here in Korea, by Korean archers, have a slight tilt to the arrow side, just like a true horn bow.
Thanks Bluelake,
If true Korean bows have a tilt to the arrow side, isn't it for a practical reason that is definitely useful to the archer (who uses a thumb ring) ?
Didn't you suggest that this tilt helps the bow to spin easily to the arrow side, in the archer's hand, after release ?
This is what I've difficulty to produce with my KTBs. [I use a thumb ring]. And more, I can't always avoid the slap of the string on the bow arm.
Clumsiness of the archer... ok.... but after two years of trying and 2 broken bows... I'm wondering whether it is also due to the inappropriate behaviour of the bow. Trying to produce the spin of an internationalized bow obliges the archer to exaggerate the torque on the handle ??? That would stress the bow and explain some of the breakages some of us complain about ???
Well... I'm addicted to KTB+thumb ring... so I've bought two other KTB (kaya, normal 48 inches and one 52 inches). But I don't try to apply any torque anymore. And I don't draw over 30 or 32 inches anymore. All that because I'm afraid of breakages. A bit sad... but it works... till now :-)
With the string slightly to the arrow side, there is less bow for the arrow to have to work around. When paired with a correct form and release, it makes for a very smooth shot. Having the slight tiller on Korean domestic bows works well, as the bows are intended for individuals shooting on a certain side with a thumb ring. However, if one plans to use both fingers and thumb ring, it doesn't work. The bows I sell internationally are all center-strung, so anyone can shoot them.
Regarding arm slap, that is a matter of correct form and release. When I first started shooting Korean style twenty years ago, I got an "archer's kiss" all the time; it was my form and release. When I corrected those two things, I never had any more problems.
I have never had a bow break, whether it be a YMG or SMG Hwarang or a Kaya KTB. That's not to say it hasn't happened to others, because it clearly has (such as yours), but it isn't always the fault of the bow (I have no idea in the case of your bows--the bowyer would need to look at them to see what happened). In the very few bows my customers bought that had some type of failure, most were attributable to user error, such as flexing the bow in the wrong direction. Regarding Kaya KTB bows in particular, some earlier versions had problems, but have improved greatly over the years; Kaya is constantly working to improve their bows so, if there are any problems, let Freddie know.
T