I don't wear bows, I shoot them

The archer is the true weapon; the bow is just a long piece of wood.

~Sebastien de Castell

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Woohoo what fun this weekend will be! I've decided to learn archery using a standard recurve bow. I'm super excited. The reason that I chose this is because since I was a child _{(a distant memory now practically)}, I've always wanted to learn how to do archery and get relatively proficient at it.

Well now is my opportunity. I have a recurve bow that I recently wrote about purchasing that I'm fixing up so that I can learn how to use one and practice without having to fork out an extensive amount on fees going to a range and using a practice bow for hire.

Apart from that, well, I've always wanted a recurve bow. I think that they are one of the most beautifully constructed weapons in the world and if you get one that is solid and you get to know it, it could potentially save your life. It's not a very good close range weapon but I do have other weapons for close range combat that are far more efficient for that. From a hunting point of view, these are good if you can learn how to use them properly. I've done a bit of hunting in the past with rifles not bows so I would like to learn how to hunt antelope with a beast like this.

In order to actually learn the practical part of this, I need to learn a lot of other stuff first. The theory part of it. There's quite a bit to it and if you combine that knowledge with the practical part once you get set up at a range, it makes the whole process easier because you understand the science behind how the bow actually works.

My particular bow shoots without an arrow rest, but instead has what is known as a shelf. I only learned this today.

Did you know that arrows don't actually fly straight when they are released from a bow? If you watch the slow motion part of the movie Brave, when she releases her third arrow and it tends to curve around the bow, that's a good depiction of what happens in real life. The kinetic energy that propels the arrow forward tends to almost warp it around the bow before it straightens out again. This is similar to when you put a back spin on a snooker ball. It's still moving forward but it's actually spinning backwards while doing so.

The theory behind the bow and arrows is just as fascinating to me as the actual art of archery and I love learning new things so this is the perfect opportunity for me to get to know my bow a little bit better before putting her to use. And yes, you read that right. My bow is a she!

I decided to name my weapon. It's a simple practice really. She will henceforth be known as Hesykhia (also known as Silencia). I feel that in order to get to know and work with my bow, I need to have a kinship with it. Every good sportsman whether shooting a rifle, handgun or bow gets to know their weapon inside and out, that is a relationship that builds over time and tools tend to take on the particular usage patterns of their owner. That's why people who look after their weapons, are loathed to lend them out.

There is nothing quite so satisfying as finally fulfilling a childhood dream - even at the age I am now.

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_{^{The image and the bow Hesykhia are both mine}}