Sorry but the old AFB v ELB

[firey bowman]

Hello all, Ive just got into traditional bows, and would like some help with the ever complicated debates about flatbows and English longbows. Is there anyone out there who can un biosly advise me on the two? Pros and Cons etc. Even a good web site to iron it all out.

I got into traditional archery to be traditional, but hear time and time again about flatbows are longbows just American. If they are easier to learn on then so be it, I will wait before I fight against the French!! Im not entering events as yet so that not a problem.

Its a swomp of the two out there and wondered If someone had all the answers for me! lol.

Thank you and hello to you all again

Lee

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[pafc1886]

Hi Lee,

Are you new to archery or just to traditional ?

Just wondered if you are a member of a club, or know of one nearby, so that you could ask the same question at first hand, so to speak.

My wife and I have just finished our first year of field archery shooting AFB and have really loved it - she with more success than me I'm afraid !!

Have never tried longbow so can't really give a balanced view of the two myself. There are quite a number of trad archers on this forum though so hopefully you will get a range of opinions.

All the best,

Les


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[zetabow]

Because of the history of the English Longbow the English have a different name for what the rest of the world calls Longbow (AFB).

Both are very traditional and both have a very long and ancient history and both are great fun to shoot. The American Longbow is driven by American Bowhunting and is still developing in design and materials, the English Longbow has gone through some changes since the 1800's but is still traditional in the sense that it doesn't use Carbon or fiberglass.

To shoot an English Longbow takes more skill to shoot than an AFB and I do enjoy watching a really good Longbow Archer shooting (thats coming from and AFB Archer) but any top shooter in any class is a joy to watch.

I just have a little more admiration and respect for the English Longbow because of the dedication needed by the Archer to shoot it well.

One of the nice things about English Longbow is anybody with basic woodworking ability can make their own bow and arrows, this adds another dimension to the sport, many Archers take great pride in the fact they made all there own equipment.

[sid]

The fundamental difference between the two is that ELB is shot off the hand and AFB is shot off the shelf. As has been stated previously AFBs usually contain a fair amount of glass fibre in their laminations and ELB although still laminated, unless you are spending big money, are all wood laminations. Also as the name suggests AFBs are flat in profile whilst the ELB will have a D shape profile.

I have shot both in competition and for fun and only ever shoot my ELB now, I cannot remember the last time I shot my AFB. My advice would be to try both if possible and see which you like best. I was consistent with my AFB but find if I put the work in with my ELB I am a far better shot.

The only thing to remember is an ELB is a bit less forgiving with a long draw or a longer hold than a bow with glass laminations, it is essentially a bent stick and will snap if abused. If you have a standard draw length and do not hold for too long then this obviously will not be a problem.

HTH


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[English Bowman]

I'm with the English Longbow all the way, but the American bow does have it's advantages.

From a shooting point of view, the AFB is likely to be smoother, more consistant, take more abuse without being damaged, and has an arrow shelf which makes it easier to shoot.
The ELB is more dependant on the quality of wood as to how it feels to draw, won't give a consistant shot from the beginning of a day's shooting to the end. Is more affected by changes in temperature, and more fragile. It is much harder to shoot well.
That said the ELB has a longer tradition the competition rules of most British societies banning any innovation later than the Victorian age, whereas the AFB is still being improved upon. The ELB is legal for competing in more UK shoots being accepted in target, clout and field archery whereas the AFB is only accepted in field archery.
Out of the two I'd have the ELB any day, but if I could I'd have an AFB as well to take out when it's too cold for the ELB. (I wouldn't shoot mine when it's around freezing point)
As for which is best for you, it depends on what sort of shooting that you want to do, and with what society (if any) and finally, which you like best.

Daniel

[Joe(thebow)M]

I dabble in ELB's, making them from different woods (selfbows) and laminated wood ELB's from the Victorian Age (though my woods differ).  I've made ELB's and added an arrow shlef to some, and I've made one all wood AFB with arrow shelf and plan on making a few more using different laminations.

My take is that the arrow shelf does add a few overall points on "my game" however,,, shooting off the knuckle with an ELB is by far the most rewarding bow experience I have ever enjoyed.  This coming from a guy who started out on Compound Bows and now they're all just wall hangers.

When I pick up a bow to practice with in my yard, I always choose one of my ELB's...  For me, it is my bow of choice and having learned how to make them (and still 'always' learning), it is by far and away my favorite style of bow - hands down!


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Joe(thebow)M

[segolden]

   Ah, the old can of worms is opened once more, heh. Methinks this sport is very much like Joe intimates, one of emotion rather than logic. My problem is a bit more complicated than yours, Lee, in that I'm fond of shooting anything that goes boom or twangs. Since I'm limited by funds to "twanging" these days, I have both AFB and ELB, and consider the process of deciding which has different advantages and disadvantages over the other as a toss-up. Mood and use justify which I take off the wall, so it finally comes down to which gives you the most satisfaction, not necessarily which "does" better in performance on the field. History and culture play a part in this as well, so don't ignore these if you absolutely must choose between the types. A lot of what you'll be doing in archery depends on the particular parts of the sport you enjoy and who you shoot with, so there are limits and requirements there, in addition. Whatever you pick, however, choose a bow for the way it makes you happy, not what others say it will do for you. In the end, that joy is what will carry you through the sport.


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[kirk]

AFB for me, though I love the ELB, it's graceful lines and uncluttered nature. Its history and romance capture the spirit of archery, just wish I could shoot one well. I have had a few, the last a lemon wood and purpleheart Bickerstaffe 55#, but it was to much for me to handle all day. I admire the shear determination of some of the longbowmen/women.

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