Books on traditional archery and bow making

kamaangir · Post by **kamaangir** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 1:44 pm

Hi,

I am a newbie here and although I don't post much, I read this forum as much as I can.

I am interested in foot and mounted archery with horn bows.

Are there any recommendations for books.

I would like to read the as much of the history of the various peoples that wielded these bows (have made a start with books on the Hun and Mongols)

Bow making, I would love to make my own some day, though I fear my ambition far surpasses my skill!

Also I would love to learn the techniques for this art form.

I know that there is a lot of information on the net and I try to read as much as possible but I love reading books.

My thanks in advance!

Arry · Post by **Arry** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:39 pm

This here is forthcoming. It looks quite promising, but it will be quite expensive:
http://www.moshtaghkhorasani.com/biogra ... dsmanship/
Cheers,
Arry

kamaangir · Post by **kamaangir** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:03 pm

Hi Arry

Thanks exactly the sort of thing I am looking for!

The only thing besides tools that I don't mind spending money on is good books!

jkekoni · Post by **jkekoni** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:41 am

Ottoman t?rkish bows in extreamly great book about turkish bow manufacture:
http://www.ottoman-turkish-bows.com/

There are some small issues, mostly due to the fact that it is written by a single expert with no experince of wooden bows.

NOTE: It takes ages to get one.

You will also find a lot information browsing trough this site.

Arry · Post by **Arry** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:57 pm

Kamaangir,

don't know how I could not mention this one in the first place. This book is currently being translated into English and will be available probably at the end of the year: Adam Swoboda, "The art of using a short reflexed bow" (approximate translation). I have read it in Polish and full-heartedly recommend it. It concentrates on Ottoman Turkish/Saracen technique, is comprehensive and well-structured. Also, the edition is beautiful (hard cover with artwork, lots of colour pictures and diagrams inside). The author won several Polish archery championships and shoots a horn bow made by Adam Karpowicz. Through this book, I learned to shoot with thumb ring technique.
You can find some info (albeit in Polish) on www.zekier.com.

Best,
Arry

Uli · Post by **Uli** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:03 am

I suggest "Saracen Archery", "Arab Archery", and "Kitab fi'ilm al-nussab"
- as these are translations of original "contemporary" military manuscripts (around 13th century) and very detailed on technique and material.

you may have to go to a library to see these books

kamaangir · Post by **kamaangir** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 4:16 am

Thank you very much guys, I have book marked the books due out and will hunt the ones suggested.

Cheers