Hand Forged Bodkins

I have recently begun blacksmithing and finished my first bodkin arrowhead.  It's fairly crude but it will get the job done nonetheless!  It was forged from 1/2" diameter steel round stock in my coffee can forge.  I'd like to thank my friend Joe S. for use of his anvil, coal, and more. I'd also like to thank Matt P. for some tools, and great knowledge of smithing.  I plan on making more and hopefully better looking ones by the end of this week.

Warbow Pictures

Here are some pictures of my favorite English warbow archers of today!



Jaro: Czech Bowyer




Mark Stretton




Marlon Torrez:
Recently pulled a warbow of #225lbs made by Rudderbows!




Martin Harvey of the Company of Hollyrood



Nick Birmingham of the Company of Hollyrood

Forum name: Thimo

Thimo



Thimo



Simon Stanley: Very well known in the warbow community.



Steve Stratton of DIY Archery, Bowyer in the U.K.

Theory About Warbows of #180lbs!

In my time reading an old warbow forum I ran across an interesting theory.  The theory pertains to the warbows that are percieved to have a draw of close to #180 pounds.  The aforementioned warbows were square in the handle cross section, which would make them painful and undesireable to shoot by hand.  They also fit into "U" shaped brackets on the gunwhales of the Tudor flagship the Mary Rose.  The brackets are spaced about seven feet apart, enought for a longbow.  The theory is that these extreme bows were used as mounted crossbows whereas the archer would place the bow in the bracket and use both hands to draw while using the rock of the ship to gain elevation. 

An interesting theory no doubt!  I've tried researching for pictures of these brackets but haven't come across any yet.  This theory is not outof preportions and it would be interesting to see more investigation.

Here is the link to the original forum post. Go near the bottom of the page and look for the name 'glennan' on the left.
http://englishwarbow.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=warbow&action=display&thread=26&page=2