Choosing the right longbow for your archery adventures is the story's first half. The second half starts when you start setting up the bow. And this is the point where most of the newbies find themselves lost.
Questions such as "what should I start with?" and "what part of longbow assembly should I focus on first?" are common at this stage. But what if we told you that the longbow setup process is easier than you might have thought?
Are you finding that hard to believe? You need to go through this guide on how to set up a longbow to see how easy the process is by yourself!
Table of Contents
What Are the Parts of the Longbow Called?
First of all, you need to know what are the parts of the longbow called. Without that knowledge, you will not understand the steps we are going through below. So, longbows mainly have five parts. And they are -
String
You probably do not need any introduction to this part of the longbow. But, if you are not familiar with the string, it is the part that attaches to the ends of the bow. It is the thing that will provide the arrows the tension that they require to launch.
Generally, the strings will be of traditional materials, such as hemp and linen. But some modern offerings can be Kevlar, Vectran, and Dacron.
String Nock or Loop
This part is where you will need to attach the string to the longbow. Do not confuse it with the nock. That is the place where the arrow rests on top of the string. That is a different thing.
Limbs
The limbs are the largest part of the bow. As you might have guessed after reading the name, longbows have two limbs.
And each will have the string nock, where you will need to attach the string. Also, limbs are the parts that make the bow its shape and give it a bending angle.
Riser
The riser is the central part of the bow. It is the part that will meet the limbs and keep everything attached. Also, it is a crucial component for the bow to get its natural structure.
Grip
As the name suggests, the grip is where you will hold onto the bow. These days, the bow's grip will slide right onto the riser, offering you a much more comfortable and secure grasp on the bow.
How Do You Assemble Your Longbow?
There is really not much that you have for assembling a longbow. In fact, you can get through the entire process by going through the following six steps -
Step 1: Get All the Pieces of the Longbow Set on a Flat Surface
Before anything else, you should open the packaging and get all the pieces of the longbow on a flat surface or a table. By doing so, you will have a fair idea of what are the parts you need to work with. In fact, you might even have a general idea of what will go where after taking a look at the parts.
Step 2: Work with the Top Loop
Pick the string up and place the large top loop of the line around the top limb. Here, you will be putting the line loosely on the limb. There is no need to tighten the string, nor will you need to create additional loops.
Step 3: Create a Slack
After placing the top loop of the string in place, you should create a slack. To do that, all you need to do is slide the loop down. That will allow you to make the slack.
Step 4: Work with the Bottom of the String
At this point, you should focus on the bottom loop of the string. Put it inside the notch that is present on the bottom limb top.
Here, you will need to make sure that the line is centered. If the string is not centered on the limb, you will not be capable of using the bow correctly.
Step 5: Set the Riser
Before you work with the riser, you should place the bow under your thigh. Make the longbow face up and put the bottom limb under your thigh.
The longbow should be above and behind one of your knees. Get a proper grip on the rise and pull it towards you.
While dragging, push the loop of the string away from you. Follow this motion until the rise is in the notch. It should be on the notch of the top limb tip.
Step 6: Start Shooting
Once you are done working with the riser, the string should be right in the center of the back of the limbs. And with that, the bow is ready for some shooting.
All you need to do now is place an arrow, aim at your targets, draw the string, and then shoot!
What Should You Do When You Are Not Using the Longbow?
You should unstring it whenever you are not using your longbow or if you do not plan to use the bow for a prolonged time.
Wondering why? By doing so, you can ensure that the bow's structure is intact. You will also lower the chances of the bow losing its power and drawing weight.
So, what happens when you do not unstring the bow? Well, it will depend on the material that your longbow is of.
For example, if the longbow is of fiberglass, the damage will not be that adverse. But if it is of other types of material, you will notice a degraded performance if you keep the string on when you are not using the bow.
Final Words
See how easy it is to learn how to set up a longbow? You just need to go through six steps, and you will be all done. Also, do not forget to maintain the longbow properly. Without that, the performance will degrade over time, and you might have to purchase a new longbow pretty soon.
Relevant Longbow Guide: