Kemend

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:59 am

Regarding the Saracen Archery method, I did a sketch over one of your pictures (If it's not OK with you I can remove it). Here it is:

Place the grip just behind the knee. As shown in this picture, you would use your left hand to push the top syiah and the right hand to place the string. You may want to use the other leg if you prefer to flex the bow with the right hand and place the string with the left.

I don't know if this method is possible in full gallop, or if it's easy to do on a horse or not. Since the leg is under stress, it might sent the wrong signal to the horse.

Zarasp · Post by **Zarasp** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:24 pm

thank you very much for the picture Storm, i will try this tomorrow, a nice coincident is that tomorrow morning i have scheduled to ride a horse called Storm!!!

Zarasp · Post by **Zarasp** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:34 pm

Storm wrote:Zarasp, I managed to do it as you have shown, but again slightly different. Maybe this will help others trying the method:

If I hold the top end of the bow and the string with the right hand, as you've shown in the first two pictures, the string stays in contact with the bow an all of it's length. I cannot slip the left hand in between them..

Very good method. Thanks again Zarasp!

you are very welcome my friend!

the way you described, you do it correctly.

also i should have mentioned that the 2nd picture was only to show the position of right hand, on horse you put the siyah under the thigh first!
my apologies for any confusion, i have edited the post now.

after i get used to the Saracen method i will try both methods while in full gallop on the race track, i hope to be able to ask someone to videotape it.

thanks again!
Sincerely
Zarasp

WarBow · Post by **WarBow** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 3:38 am

I also used Gokmen's stringing technique to string the Kassai Bear 110# and other bows. Instead of a Kemend, I use a regular longbow stringer and a rolled up blanket for cushion.

Peter Dekker · Post by **Peter Dekker** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 2:43 pm

Storm wrote:Regarding the Saracen Archery method, I did a sketch over one of your pictures (If it's not OK with you I can remove it). Here it is:

Very interesting thread guys!

I had read a Mongolian source about stringing the bow on the horse with one ear through the stirrup and wondered how it worked. I think the technique shown above would be pretty much it. I'll experiment with these techniques with my Manchu bow, and see how that works.

-Peter

Gokmen · Post by **Gokmen** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 2:57 pm

About the Memluk technique described in the book Saracen archery, the only problem with this method is that your foot goes to the side/up and you dont have the strength to string. You can try it out while sitting in a chair even. I have difficulties with my korean 55lbs bow. How to string a 90lbs+ sipahi bow?

Another idea, I heard the cossacks and some other people tied their stirrups together. The trick riders do that today as well.
This way the stringing method is easy.

Another idea, what about turning the bow 90 degrees? then the pressure will make the foot/stirrup press against the horse and it might be possible.
Gokmen

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 12:38 am

Gokmen,
I think that the individual bow and the method of sitting in the saddle may have some effect. Taybugha recommends a stirrup length that was close to the modern style. The bottom of the stirrup came to the height of the ankle when sitting in the saddle with the feet free. However, the saddle seats were higher off the horse's back and the position of you leg in relation to the horse was different. The style of riding developed much stronger leg muscles than riders today would have outside of those areas where traditional riding lifestyles are still practised. Also I doubt if the descriptions include all the technique necessary. This is clearly a method for bows that have lost much of their reflex so comparing it to modern reproduction bows is quite valid.

Regarding your kemend advice, I watched your video and improved my technique and have braced a bow successfully. I am going to try it with my Karpowicz bow to see how well I can do it. It is shorter than the Grozer bow I used as a test. Thanks.