Right Handed Bow VS Left Handed Bow

How to tell a Right Handed Bow from a

 Left Handed Bow
 by Larry Vienneau

never trust a seller, they often know nothing about archery. This photo shows that both the model and photographer are clueless when it comes to using a bow. 

It seems that many archery sellers from Asia are not well-informed about the bows they are selling. I came across an example on eBay that illustrates this issue. In the photo, the model is holding the bow upside down, which is a serious mistake that could result in injury if she were to release an arrow. Additionally, the photographer posed the model as if she were a left-handed shooter, which is not accurate.

Did you know that only about 10% of the population is naturally left-handed, while around 18% of right-handed individuals are left-eye dominant? Unfortunately, archery manufacturers have been slow to cater to this demographic. In the 1950s, some manufacturers created dual shelf bows that could accommodate both left and right-handed archers, but others ignored left-handed archers altogether and only produced right-hand models. It wasn't until the late 1950s and early 1960s that manufacturers started producing both right-hand and left-hand bows, oftentimes charging more for the left-hand version or requiring a special order. As a result, there are far fewer good vintage or used left-handed bows available today. For instance, a typical search on eBay for used recurves yields approximately 300 auctions, but only 25 of those are for used left-handed bows, which is less than 10%. A search for new recurves on eBay results in about 1,700 auctions, and a search for new left-handed bows yields only 160, again less than 10%.

While searching for used left-hand bows, it can be frustrating to find that four out of the 25 options available are mislabeled. It's one of my pet peeves when bow sellers on eBay can't distinguish between a right-handed bow and a lefty. It's even more aggravating when a seller is too stubborn to take suggestions or comments. Some sellers have been shooting their bows backward for years, and when confronted, one seller even dared to say, "What difference does it make?" 

Safety is of utmost importance when it comes to using a bow. When the limbs of a bow are strung backward, they are not designed to handle the stress, increasing the risk of breakage. Additionally, there is a possibility of the string slipping off during a full draw, which can pose a danger to both the shooter and any spectators present.

this bow could break or the string slip and injure the child

 

On the internet, you can find numerous instances of individuals shooting bows that are strung in reverse.

 http://torontoarchery.blogspot.com/2013/12/funny-photos-of-people-with-bows-strung.html

this fellow is supposed to be an archery instructor, he has his bow strung backward

here he is instructing his student, please note that all of the bows are strung backward

shooting incorrectly strung bows is dangerous

There has been confusion surrounding the proper way to string a bow, which has been further perpetuated by Hollywood. A promotional image for the movie "Exodus: Gods and Kings" shows Christian Bale holding a horsebow that has been strung backward.

how a horse bow should look when strung

"Brave," the Disney movie, depicted a young girl challenging the traditional gender roles in medieval England and became a beloved children's film. Additionally, it sparked interest in the sport of archery among young girls. However, at the movie's premiere, a red-haired girl was photographed holding a bow strung backward, which went unnoticed by the organizers.

this is a properly strung bow

It is worth noting that many photographers incorrectly pose their models while shooting bows.

she has no idea what she is doing.

I guess they thought no one would be looking at the bow.

.

ditto

the onlooker is waiting for the string to pop off and wondering why does she not have an arrow on the string??

no caption is needed here. 

As I browse the various bows available for purchase online, I frequently come across bows that have been strung in the wrong direction.

two backward-strung right-handed bows, they appear to be left-handed. 

Some believe that storing a bow this way internationally is safe, while others may not be aware of proper bow storage practices. In the past, such ignorance could be excused, but with the abundant information online today, anyone with even a slight interest in archery can easily learn how to properly store or string a recurve bow. Therefore, there is no longer any excuse for ignorance on this matter, and a little initiative to do some research can go a long way.

Shooting Right-handed, bow held with left hand - shooting left-handed, bow held with the right hand.

One common misunderstanding is that people think a right-handed bow is held with the right hand. However, a right-handed bow is actually held with the left hand and pulled back with the right hand. On the other hand, a left-handed bow is held with the right hand and pulled back with the left hand. The hand used to pull back the bow determines whether it is right-handed or left-handed. 

two nearly identical Ocala 14A bows. One is left-handed and the other is righthanded

Sometimes, sellers who lack knowledge about bows may string them backward, which can make a right-handed bow appear to be left-handed. I had a conversation with a seller who insisted on selling me a left-handed bow, but it was actually a right-hand bow strung backward. I shared a picture of someone shooting a bow strung backward to clarify, but the seller insisted that it was how they shot.

lefty strung backward

I took a picture of my son's bow which was strung backward for a right-handed person (lefty), and then I corrected it by stringing it for a right-handed person (righty). As a result, the seller admitted his embarrassment that he had been shooting his bow incorrectly for years.

I usually send these sellers the 3Rivers Archery YouTube video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4pHS_4EU7g

left-handed bowstrung, rest on the right side of the bow                                                right-hand bowstrung, rest on the left side of the bow

Most sellers are very thankful for the help and will change their listing to correct the dexterity.

Send them this link if you find a seller who insists that the listing is correct.  
http://shakespearearchery.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_24.html

© Copyright, Larry Vienneau Jr.

All rights reserved.

 

SHAKESPEARE WONDERBOW- THE KAIBAB X27

Shakespeare Catalog May 1969

THE KAIBAB X27 

by Larry Vienneau

Like many of Shakespeare's Wonderbows, this bow is named after a national forest, Kaibab National Forest in Arizona. The word Kaibab is a Native American word meaning "the mountain that lies down" referring to the Kaibab Plateau.

• 1966-69 AMO 56 inch, 1970 AMO 58 inch, 1971 -56 inch
• Weights 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60
• Handle –Benge or Seduha and Zebrawood
• Tips- Benge and Zebrawood
• Semi pistol grip
• Limbs- 2-inch wide, Black glass 1966, after 1967 – 1970 Dark Olive Green,  Black with white glass laminate 1971
• Brace Height 1966-68 7 1/2" after 1969 8 inch
• sight window -4inch
• Arrow speed- 12 shots average, 410-grain arrow, 55# bow- 182.80 FPS

Shakespeare's bows started resembling Root Archery's designs in 1964, after Ernie Root sold several of his designs to Shakespeare, which they modified and renamed. Shakespeare eventually acquired Root in 1967, with Ernie Root assuming a key role in Shakespeare's bow design. The initial bows after the acquisition were labeled "Root, by Shakespeare," but this was short-lived as Ernie Root joined Shakespeare's team, and the Root name was phased out completely. This particular bow serves as a testament to Ernie Root's design prowess. In the early 1960s, Root introduced the Root Brush Master, with black glass and a riser made of laminated Zebrawood and Seduha. The Kaibab, which is almost identical to the Brush Master, was introduced after Shakespeare acquired Root in 1967, with slight modifications to the riser. The Kaibab was available in dark green glass and was 58 inches long between 1967 and 1970. After 1971, Shakespeare offered 56 and 58-inch variants of the Kaibab with either dark green or black glass, as well as custom bows above 60 lbs. The Kaibab was considered a high-end bow, similar in quality to the Ocala, and was a primary competitor to Bear Archery.

I am thrilled with this bow! Over the years, I have owned a few different models, including a 1966 #50, a 1967 55+#, a 1969 55+#, and a 1970 -45#. The Kaibab is a superb bow that is both quiet and level, forgiving, and incredibly fast. Its accuracy is deadly, making it an excellent option for hunting or 3D shooting. Despite being short, the bow is consistent and reliable. Additionally, the graining lamination on the 1966 and 1967 models is stunningly beautiful.

1966 50# Kaibab

My Kaibab X27, 1967 55+#. note the wonderful wood grain

I haven't come across many Left-hand Kaibab bows, but if I happen to find an X27 in great condition, I plan on bidding on it. Additionally, the 1969 model is a 55+ pound bow that's shorter than the 1969 model with black fiberglass.

My 1969 55+# Kaibab X27

the 1970 Kaibab X27 also has black fiberglass and there is also glass lamination on the riser. 

1970 Kaibab x27 with black fiberglass with black glass on riser

1970 top, 1969 middle, 1967 on bottom

Profiles of 1970, 1969, and 1967 Kaibab X27

I received a picture from Stephan Tongi of his Kaibab bow with a unique serial number, M52138R. Typically, the first letters of the serial number indicate the month the bow was made (A for January, B for February, etc.). However, since the last month of the year is represented by L, the letter "M" in this case likely designates a pre-production bow made for the 1966 catalog in late 1965. Interestingly, Stephan also owns another 1966 Kaibab bow with the same "M" designation.

© Copyright, Larry Vienneau Jr.

All rights reserved.

 

How Photography Can Sell Your Vintage Bow

Great Photos Will Help You Sell Your 

Vintage Bow

(all photos used are actual photos found on eBay auctions)

 Let's begin!

Although eBay is infamous for having poor product photos, I'm always impressed by the lack of quality of some of the pictures used in auctions. If you search for "Recurves, longbows" on eBay, you'll come across a mix of both excellent and terrible photos. High-quality photos are essential for selling your bow successfully, whereas low-quality photos can hinder your sales. This holds true whether you're selling vintage archery equipment or electronics.

Cameras

Nowadays, smartphones have impressive camera capabilities that are perfect for capturing photos to share online. With the ability to edit photos directly on your device, it's easier than ever to enhance your images. However, if you're looking for truly professional-level quality, there are countless digital cameras available on the market. New models are introduced practically every week, with advancements in image quality being a top priority. The image quality of a camera is determined by its pixel count, measured in megapixels. Generally, the higher the pixel count, the better the image quality. Higher-end cameras tend to offer greater resolution and overall quality, but they can come with a higher price tag.

When it comes to auction photography, extremely high resolution is unnecessary. In fact, high-resolution photos can be a hindrance as they take longer to download when someone views an auction. eBay suggests limiting photo file sizes to 50 kilobytes, but you can go up to 1-2 megabytes without any problems. Opting for one megabyte will allow potential buyers to see finer details. Keep in mind that most digital cameras have an email setting of 64 kilobytes. Therefore, when purchasing a camera, it's important to ensure that it has a low resolution or email setting.

For digital photos that won't be cropped, the email setting is sufficient. However, cropping causes a loss of detail, so a resolution of 1 or 2 megapixels is necessary for editing or cropping. To preserve detail, it's best to shoot at the highest resolution and then resize for online or auction purposes. It's important to save the higher-resolution versions. If using a smartphone, consider downloading a photo editing application.

 Shoot outdoors in indirect light.

When taking photos, it's best to avoid shooting in direct sunlight to prevent unwanted shadows and high contrast. It's important to be mindful of your surroundings and avoid casting a shadow on your subject, especially if you're trying to sell a product like a bow. Check out eBay for examples of photos that could be improved by avoiding shadows cast by the photographer.

GET YOUR SHADOW OUT OF THE PHOTO

Get your shadow OUT OF THE PHOTO! (String your bow correctly)

Shoot in an indirect light.

 To avoid glare, it's best to have indirect light. If your window faces north, you can enjoy beautiful diffuse light. If you own a high-quality camera, use a tripod and a slower shutter speed, ideally under 1/125th of a second. A sturdy tripod will prevent blurriness and enable you to take good shots even at 1/25th of a second. While a good tripod can set you back $100, you can find second-hand options for as low as $20-$30. To diffuse light from your lights, consider using white plastic light covers or invest in a light tent like the "EZ Cube".
LINKS FOR PHOTO TENTS:

 http://store.tabletopstudio-store.com/ezlite.html
http://www.tabletopstudio.co.uk/Pages/EZcubeMenu.htm
https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-photo-light-boxes
The “EZ Cube” is a light tent widely used by good photographers. It makes taking great photos easy. You simply place an object inside the light tent; shine the lights on the outside and you get very diffused light. This eliminates glare and reflection from shiny objects. Also, it has a seamless background, and you can place different colored paper or cloth in the background to get different effects.

Never photograph your bow strung backward. 

It is not recommended to leave your recurve bow strung backward during storage, as it is not a common practice among experienced users. Unfortunately, some sellers on eBay may unknowingly list their bows with this error, signaling their lack of knowledge on proper bow handling. As a buyer, it is best to avoid such listings to ensure the safety and quality of your purchase. It is also important for sellers to use their own photos when listing their products, as using photos found online can be misleading and deceitful for the buyer. As such, it is crucial to take the time and effort to properly string and photograph your bow to ensure an honest and fair transaction.

watch out for flash flares

Avoid reflective flares that distract from your subject

Focus carefully and correctly!!!  

I come across blurry images on eBay regularly. In the particular photograph displayed below, the seller failed to capture the bow and background in clear focus. Consequently, a potential buyer gains minimal information from the image.

there is a bow hiding in this photograph

Difficulty in focusing is typically attributed to two factors: malfunctioning auto-focus or inadequate depth of field. In digital cameras, a laser or infrared beam is projected onto the subject to determine the distance for focusing. However, this beam can easily be misled by large objects that are too close or reflective surfaces on the subject.

 Sometimes when taking a photo, the camera may focus on an object situated behind your intended subject. This occurs when the camera struggles to determine the correct depth of field. You may have observed photographs where the main subject is sharply focused while the background appears blurry. The term used to describe this phenomenon is "depth of field." It refers to the range of focal distance from the nearest to the farthest point that the camera will capture with a sharp focus. The camera lens's opening can be adjusted to allow more or less light into the camera. When the lens opening is wide, the focus range becomes narrow. Conversely, when the opening is small, the focal length increases. This effect is particularly noticeable when taking photos of small objects or details at close range.

 If you own an expensive camera, you are likely familiar with the concept of "depth of field". However, for those using a smartphone or inexpensive camera, I recommend taking your time to allow the camera to properly "read" your subject. It's best to take multiple photos to ensure that the focus is correct. If your camera struggles with focusing on close objects, try setting it to the highest megapixel setting and taking the photo from a distance where the camera can focus. You can then crop or edit the image before uploading it to an auction site.

 Make sure your photo is oriented correctly. You can edit an image while it's still in the camera, on your computer, or through edit options on some auction sites when uploading it.

POORLY ORIENTATED PHOTOS

This seller was too lazy to turn his photo.

when I first saw this photo, I had trouble figuring out what I was seeing.

Three eBay photos were oriented incorrectly. Don’t be lazy, turn on the photos!!

and no matter how cute your girlfriend is, DO NOT use a photo like this to sell your bows

Here is another example of a poorly orientated photo. The dog is a cute touch.

OUT OF FOCUS

A horrible blurry photo was found on eBay

Out of focus, and poorly lit. (See the foot?)

An example of a poorly lit, under-exposed, and out-of-focus photo (what is the electric plug doing there?)


Get the feet out of the photo!

Get the feet out of the photo!

more feet!

bare feet

One more with ugly feet, poor lighting

Keep your feet out of the photo or take them out by cropping

Avoid clutter.

 For a clean and uncomplicated look, opt for a simple background. Personally, I prefer to use deerskin as my backdrop. However, you may also choose to use a gray or off-white fabric or even animal fur.

Well Organized Photos

This is an example of an uncluttered, well-lit, well-cropped, quality photo of a vintage bow

Here is a great example of good composition, lighting, and simple background.

The Background

Keep things simple. avoid clutter or confusing backgrounds!! Try to photograph only the object you are shooting. Get your feet, your dog, the laundry, and the kid’s toys out of the photograph! If you are going to use carpet make sure it is clean and compliments your bow. Putting your bow on a table surrounded by clutter in the background will distract from your subject. 

 

Poorly Organized Photos

The bow is lost against the background

the "Where's Waldo" Photo hurts your sales.

Here is a good example of a cluttered photo. What is this person trying to sell?

believe it or not, there is a bow in these three photos, NEVER USE A BACKGROUND in which your item will be lost!!!!

To showcase your bow in the best way possible, it's important to choose a background that doesn't overpower it. Clean up the background as much as possible and select one that highlights the beauty of your bow.

I found this photo on eBay, believe it or not, there is a bow hiding in that photo.

This is a terrible photo because a buyer can’t see what you are selling. Clean the clutter!

Cluttered and out of focus, what is this seller trying to sell?

Another example of a cluttered photograph is a buyer will pass this up because the bow is too hard to see

This bow is lost against a landscape background.

another photo of a bow lost in the landscape. If it were not for the Hoyt logo, this bow would be completely lost in the background!! 

This is a much better use of a landscape background

This a great example of a well-lit and well-composed vintage bow. All of this seller’s bows are well-photographed

Avoid Over or Underexposure.

 

When capturing images against a white background or in bright sunlight, your camera's light meter may be deceived into adjusting to the surrounding light instead of the object. However, many cameras offer a metering function that lets you measure various parts of an object. If you're uncertain, avoid measuring the brightest lights (overexposed) or darkest shadows (underexposed), and opt for mid-values instead. It might be useful to have a light grayboard or similar material nearby to aid with metering.

When taking photos indoors, the type of light source used can affect the appearance of the final image. For instance, using an ordinary household light bulb can give your photos a yellowish tint, while fluorescent light can make them appear blue-grey. To achieve optimal results, consider getting Daylight bulbs that emit the same wavelength as natural daylight. These are readily available at most large camera stores. Alternatively, you can adjust your camera settings to match the type of light source you are using. If you encounter exposure issues, you may be able to fix them during the editing process. For best results, consider shooting photos outside in indirect sunlight.

Get close.

If you're having difficulty focusing on close-up shots, it's recommended to use a larger pixel format (1 or 2 megapixels) so you can edit the photo later. It's important to capture good profile shots of the riser, take multiple shots of the limbs and overlays, and ensure you capture any flaws such as dings or scratches in detail.

Close-ups of flaws will give a buyer an idea of what they are paying for. It also is good protection for the seller since the seller has fully disclosed any imperfection with the bow.

This is a good example of what not to do. This seller did not get close to the item

Editing

Learning how to edit photos can be challenging at first, but it can greatly enhance the quality of your pictures. While I won't be instructing you on the process, it's something you'll have to master on your own. Thankfully, most computers come with built-in photo editing software that you can experiment with and utilize for practice. There are also more advanced programs available, such as Photoshop Elements, which I personally use for all my online and auction photos. It's a simplified version of the full Photoshop program, and you can even find older versions on eBay. Alternatively, you can try the free software GIMP, which operates similarly to Photoshop and is available for download: http://www.gimp.org/.

do not string your bow like this, string it correctly

Things to learn and practice:

Sizing – learn how to resize your image. This is very helpful when you have a really high-resolution image and you want to make it smaller for email or eBay

Enhancing- this refers to altering the value and color of your photo. This is helpful when you have a slightly over or under-exposed photo.

Cropping- This is THE most important editing feature because you can take a cluttered photo and remove all of the distractions

When you have mastered these you can start playing with other features such as layers and filters.

Here are some helpful links:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/photography-video/digital-photography/using-the-computer/popular-software/adobe-photoshop.html

http://digital-photography-school.com/digital-photography-tips-for-beginners/

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/tutorials/three-key-lessons-for-every-new-photographer

To become skilled at taking great photos, frequent practice is key. Always strive to showcase your best work by leading with your top photo. This is typically a clear profile shot of the item being sold. As your photography skills improve, your chances of selling your bows will increase. It is important to carefully read your camera's instruction manual and experiment with all of its controls until you feel comfortable. Don't hesitate to retake photos if necessary, as sometimes an item that appears in focus can end up blurry. By studying the techniques of successful eBay sellers, you can learn how to properly light, frame, and edit your photos to maximize their impact. Ultimately, the quality of your photos will play a significant role in the success of your bow sales.

Here are some examples of how important good photos are to buyers and sellers. 

This seller is outstanding. He uses beautiful photography. He also uses editing to offer several angles in each photo. ep1944

These are bows refinished and restored by Doan Archery, he uses well-composed and well-lit photos, His bows are exquisite and the photos reflect this.

doanarchery

This seller is one of the best on eBay. Though the prices are high, the seller adds a dozen or more photos

and close-ups of any flaws. Note how the bows are centered in the photo, this is good editing. pretty impractical

This seller uses a riser close-up as his lead photo and adds several detailed photos to inform a buyer

hemdell

This seller uses his backyard as a backdrop for his bows.

 I enjoy looking at his bows as the seasons change.   whitetailridge