Contents   I. S.C.A. Archery  II.Equipment III.The Way IV. Links

BOWS There are many different types of bows out there. In the SCA we generally use Longbows, Recurves and Crossbows. Which you use is mainly a matter of personal taste. Modern compound bows are forbidden. We also do not allow attached sights or stabalizers. Most of the bows used in the SCA are of modern construction. The construction of period equipment is encouraged. The Longbow The Crossbow The Recurve The crossbow is slow but can be extreemly accurate. If you want a crossbow I reccomend aquiring one through the SCA. Most modern crossbows are not allowed. Except for crossbows, I do not reccomend that a beginner use a high poundage bow. Some folks think that pulling a #50+ bow is macho, but most of them would be more accurate at a lower poundage. I became a Grand Master with a #35 longbow. Try to stay at a pull weight that is comfortable for you. Don't let a guy with a #70 bow intimidate you. Anything from #30 and up, will do. My favorite is the Longbow. It is the weapon that won at Agincourt and Poiters and Crecy. ARROWS We only allow real wooden arrows with real feather fletching. Good wooden arrows can be the hardest thing to find of all the equipment here. Most of the wooden arrows sold commercially at sporting goods store are very poor. I suggest asking Scadian archers where they get their arrows. Many people in the SCA make thier own and some of them merchant as well. 14th century archers It is extreemly important to have arrows that are made, or "spined", for the weight of your bow. Arrows that are not spined for your bow will not be consistantly accurate and can explode on release. OTHER EQUIPMENT Unless you have tough finger-tips, I suggest that you get an archery glove. It will protect the fingers of your release hand from the string. I also reccomend an arm gaurd, or "vambrace". If the string hits your arm upon release, it can be rather painfull. A vambrace will protect you from this hazzard. Lady Gretchen von Gernebach with her recurve For speed. it is important to have a back quiver. Some people use ground or belt quivers, but I increased my speed quite a bit when I swithched to a back quiver. There are many other usefull items you can carry such as: string wax, nocking points, nocking pliers, stringer for the bow, spare strings and stipping tape or china marker for making sights. BACK   NEXT