Want to buy nice SCA combat long bow

[Gaston de Clermont]

Looking for something pretty, but not super fancy for SCA combat archery. Any leads appreciated.

[Cian of Storvik]

Just a word of warning that longbows tend to be less efficient at imparting energy to the arrow at lower draw weights due to the mechanics of the bow. A good "thunk" is sometimes necessary to get someone's attention in combat. And at 30# of draw, the impact decreases geometrically at distances over 20 yards.
Longbows are pretty inefficient to begin with due to stacking, but the amount of energy lost to limb weight & hand shock is exacerbated at these lower draw weights.
I usually suggest that individuals look into reflex-deflex bows for combat archery. As most of the energy is imparted on the arrow, so cast distance and force of impact both tend to be improved.

Grozer makes a scythian 28-30# bow that has excellent cast, and costs under $100. Despite being solid fiberglass, it is covered in leather and looks just fine on the SCA field.
A solid fiberglass bow will be less tortured on the combat field due to heat/humidity, and more resiliant to being stepped on.
-Cian

[dragon's etchings]

I use a Sage Bow. Easy to buy, collapsible limbs, easy to increase/decrease power, cost me $135, and looks pretty decent.

[Gaston de Clermont]

Thanks guys, that gave me names to look for.

[cgraber78]

as a side note... I recall seeing a discussion on the FB combat archery group about the fiberglass bows and that they are not yet approved for CA activities.

They are 'in testing' last I read....

[Cian of Storvik]

You're confusing PVC with Fiberglass.
The discussion is about allowing PVC bows on the SCA field. Fiberglass bows have been allowed on the SCA combat field for dozens of years.
-Cian

[Steve S.]

Fiberglass bows have been allowed on the SCA combat field for dozens of years.

Yup.

Steve

[cgraber78]

My apologies... yep, materials were confused!! Sorry ((off to find more coffee!!))