Consider the bow material
- Rattan wood is light and flexible, but you need to handle the bow with care.
- Classic wooden bows are a bit more durable, but also heavier.
- Fiberglass bows are the most durable, but they don't look very period-accurate.
Consider the bow length
- The shortest bows, around a meter long, are compact and suitable for shorter people, but they usually have the lowest draw weight (and thus a shorter range).
- A good compromise is bows of medium length, around 1.5 m.
- Longbows offer great draw weight, but we don't recommend them for shorter people or children.
Consider the draw weight
Draw weight is measured in kilograms and represents the force required to pull the bow to the full length of the arrow.
| children 5-7 years | 2-4 kg |
| children 8-14 years | 5-8 kg |
| teenagers | 8-15 kg |
| women | 9-15 kg |
| men | 15+ kg |
If you want to use the bow for fantasy battles or LARP events, keep in mind that the maximum allowed draw weight at these events is usually 10 kg.