Archer's reference guide (recurve) Balbardie Archers Editor: Murray Elliot [email protected] Edition: 1 Issue Date: 17 April, 1999 Copyright ©1999 All information contained herein and copyright remains with the original authors. No part of this document may be reproduced in part or in whole for any form of gain or profit without the prior consent of the authors. 2 1 FOREWORD......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 2 EQUIPMENT........................................................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1 BOWS.................................................................................................................................................................................5 2.1.1 Technical terms for beginners............................................................................................................................ 5 2.1.2 Risers....................................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.3 Limbs....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1.4 Strings..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1.5 Buying a bow.......................................................................................................................................................16 2.2 ARROWS..........................................................................................................................................................................17 2.2.1 Technical terms for beginners..........................................................................................................................17 2.2.2 Material................................................................................................................................................................17 2.2.3 Choosing the correct length..............................................................................................................................18 2.2.4 Choosing the right arrow..................................................................................................................................18 2.2.5 Points....................................................................................................................................................................19 2.2.6 Fletchings or Vanes............................................................................................................................................20 2.2.7 Nocks.....................................................................................................................................................................21 2.2.8 Maintenance........................................................................................................................................................21 2.2.9 Jargon...................................................................................................................................................................22 2.3 SIGHTS.............................................................................................................................................................................22 2.3.1 Construction/materials......................................................................................................................................22 2.3.2 Cost .......................................................................................................................................................................22 2.3.3 Sight pin/crosshair/sight ring?.........................................................................................................................22 2.3.4 Sightmarks...........................................................................................................................................................22 2.4 ARROW RESTS................................................................................................................................................................22 2.5 PRESSURE BUTTONS......................................................................................................................................................23 2.5.1 Setting up a second button................................................................................................................................23 2.5.2 Maintenance........................................................................................................................................................24 2.6 STABILISERS...................................................................................................................................................................24 2.7 OTHER ACCESSORIES.....................................................................................................................................................24 2.7.1 Bracer (arm guard)............................................................................................................................................24 2.7.2 Tab.........................................................................................................................................................................25 2.7.3 Quiver ...................................................................................................................................................................25 2.7.4 Chest Guard.........................................................................................................................................................25 2.7.5 Slings.....................................................................................................................................................................25 2.7.6 Clicker ..................................................................................................................................................................26 3 TUNING................................................................................................................................................................................27 3.1 WHAT?............................................................................................................................................................................27 3.2 WHY?..............................................................................................................................................................................27 3.3 HOW? ..............................................................................................................................................................................27 3.3.1 Step 1 – Preliminary Setup ...............................................................................................................................27 3.3.2 Step 2 – Bracing Height ....................................................................................................................................27 3.3.3 Step 3 – Nocking Point ......................................................................................................................................28 3.3.4 Step 4 – Centre Shot...........................................................................................................................................29 3.3.5 Step 5 – Arrow spine..........................................................................................................................................29 3.3.6 Step 6 – Clearance .............................................................................................................................................29 3.3.7 Step 7 – Compensating for incorrect spine....................................................................................................30 3.4 OTHER TUNING METHODS...........................................................................................................................................30 3.4.1 Walk back tuning (Gerhard Gabriel's method).............................................................................................30 3.4.2 Cushion plunger tuning (Vic Berger method) ...............................................................................................30 3.4.3 Short Distance Tuning, Fine Tuning and Micro tuning...............................................................................30 3.5 ADJUSTING THE TILLER................................................................................................................................................30 4 TECHNIQUE.......................................................................................................................................................................31 4.1 THE BASICS.....................................................................................................................................................................31 4.1.1 Warm up!..............................................................................................................................................................31