FirstFreedom
Moderator
I've talked with this one ol' boy a couple times who sets up at gun shows - He handmakes these nice looking but very plain jane 6 foot laminated longbows - he's got some made out of bamboo/bois d'arc, and some made of bamboo/bamboo. Weights are 28 lbs up to 50 lbs. No accessories at all - not even an arrow rest. Does come with a natural string (waxed flax?). He says they are normally $200, but the best he can do is $125 to $150 ($150 for the thicker ones with heavier pull - 45 to 50 lbs @ 26"). I almost got one, but I wanted to get him down to $125 on the thick ones - he wouldn't go for it. Can anyone give me some basis of comparison for a good handmade longbow? Am I a fool to pass that up, or correct in looking for a better price? Thanks. I'm wanting to get into traditional archery..... Also, for a noob to traditional, would I be better off starting with a recurve or longbow?