Nadaam Mongolian Bows - Purchasing opinions wanted

[J-Boon]

Recently, I came across an archery site selling bows directly from Mongolia. There is a picture of the Mongolian bower in their website. I wrote to them, and after a while I got a reply. Before, I jump in to order it, I thought it might be a good idea to at least hear the opinions of experience ATARN-ers

I guess it might be a case of lost in translation from the representative but I didn?t get a reply to the maximum draw length of a Mongolian bow. I wonder maybe its an odd question for them. My question got mistaken for draw weights instead. I was told their bows come in 3 types (Soft 14-18kg, 30-40 pounds , Normal 19-25kg, 40-55pound, Hard 25-35kg, 55-77 pound).

Does anyone know if Nadaam type Mongolian bows are made to a certain maximum draw length? I was just running this thought in my head because (correct me if I am mistaken) I heard Korean bows and Japanese bows don?t specific much their draw length because they are made to take a maximum drawn length?? )

My question to ATARN-ers, how difficult is it to maintain a Nadaam styled Mongolian bow (With Sinew & horn, not sure if they use fish bladder glue though) in places with low humidity? (I?m based in Australia, and its approaching summer here, which is very dry). Would any forum members like to share any tips on maintaining or using these sort of bows?

[Stephen Selby]

These three standard draw weights refer to 'youth', women' and 'men' leagues in the naadam. I advise that you swallow your pride and do not buy a 'heavy' bow.

They should be ok if the conditions are not too humid. Mongolia can hit 35 degrees with low humidity; but performance of the bow will fall off slightly.

Before you order you should check with Australian biosecurity authorities. Mongolian hornbows certainly would not make it past a airport biosec control in Oz.

S

[J-Boon]

Thank you for your reply Stephen,

I was actually thinking on ordering the 'soft' version. I prefer to use bows not heavier than a 35 pound draw.

Thanks for the heads-up on Australian bio security, I cleanly forgot about it. I guess that seals my fate about ordering one in.

[Dusan]

J-Boom if you clearly read threads , we talked many times about todays mongol bows. Its VERY bad shooters! This bows haevnt nothing vith old Dzingis-chan empire era bows. Its bad shorter ears manchu bows replica. If you like target or 3D archery, this bows dont satisfi you.

Only if you are big Mongolian life fan and you very desire for one of this " lazy composite bastards " in your home wall - thats it... Be carefull.

For this money/ +- litlle more/ you can buy good work from Lukas Novotny ... Or somebody from Atarnos bowyears. Believe me, mongols haevnt bow masters... He lost all old information. Todays bows are like wors or better touristic things...
/I say from personal experiences- i haev one or two in mi hands.../

[Orda Khan]

I agree with Dusan, there are better 'period examples' and certainly better bows among the craftsmen here in ATARN. Whether you could commission a bow (or afford it) is another thing.
Lucas Novotny makes a very nice Yuan dynasty replica but a rich man's choice in my opinion.
Most bows here are Turkish design but there are some examples of other cultures. Yokhua has made some stunning horn bows.

[Dusan]

Orda if sombody can make ... good shooting turkish stile bow- vith no problem can make somthing like longer arms Chinese -Mongolian bow. Working kasan bows was more dificult than a non working siahs (Moshevaya Balka-Hun or another boes.)

[Orda Khan]

Dusan, I agree. I was not making that point. Most bows here are Turkish and if you are looking for another type, you would look for an example, no?

[Dusan]

detail info i mean more for J-Boon.

[Ashbow]

Sadly I also have quite bad experience about the quality of the bows from Mongolia, the one I shot was one of the worst bows I have had in my hand, though heavy in draw weight it had very bad cast and the hand shoock was horrible. As said before those bows are made mostly for the specific type of shooting and don't do quite well in other disciplines, but apart from all those crappy made ones for the unsuspecting westerners some say you can see some better made bows crafted in Mongolia.
My advice would be as the one Dusan gave, go for something different, or if you really want to get this type of Mongolian bow and made in Mongolia, research the matter well.

[J-Boon]

Thank you all for your replies (Dusan, Ashbow, Ordo)

Post like these are what I hope to hear. Personal anecdotes about this particular type of bow.

I'm aware that Nadaam bows are not reflective of true Chinggis Khan era bows. I did read that theres alot of handshock in Mongol style bows, and read complains here and there about how slow & inaccurate it is. Was not sure how bad it is personally, since I never use one before. ( I was not sure if its a cross discipline thing, then again as a medical scientist, I guess its in my nature to question everything before I engage doing it)

So, the initial thought was to gather enough opinion (from what I read so far and from forum members views), to get a statistically sound consensus. Guess, I will drop the idea of acquiring one of these bows.

In any case, customs will not allow a horn bow into Australia as Stephen mentioned, so in either case its no go.

Thanks all

[Dusan]

Hm- maybe ask Bede - if i dont mistake - is too from Australia and own some hornbows include new bows from Adam Karpowitz.

[Orda Khan]

Good point, Dusan. I'm sure I've read on Australian forums of horn bow construction as well. Maybe it's not so much the product but where it is shipped from?

[Gokmen]

I agree with Dusan and the others, it is known that the bows you find today have nothing to do with the Genghis Khan era bows. For example if you look at the paintings of that era you will see that the bows are much smaller and have a different shape altogether.
It happens so often that people mistakenly think that the bows, people use at the Nadaam Festival are the famous Genghis Khan era bows.
I dont know how to prevent that. Maybe call them 'Modern Mongolian bows'?.

Also the shooting style today on Nadaam is not historic and some people still try to analyse it as if it was historic.
You also have to consider that Genghis Khan's army was not homogenous meaning his army consisted of a lot of different groups e.g. Turks. As colourful the different ethnicities were, so were probably the bows.

I dont know why anyone would like to get a modern Mongolian bow.
If you are interested in that type of bow, then get the 'real' Chinese/Manchu bow from which the modern Mongolian bows were copied (badly).

Get a modern Korean bow if you want a cheap performance bow. Btw I have met somebody who 'transformed' a Korean bow to a Manchu bow adding the Siyahs etc., that might be an idea as well.

cheers

Gokmen