How are Korean bows / KTBs measured? Some thoughts and ideas.

Some thoughts and ideas around the "Korean bows are measured at 31 inches" statement.

From experience none of my bows are the stated poundage at 31 inches. If anything it's closer to that weight at 28 inches.

So what's happening here?

Are KTBs measured at 28 inches or 31 inches?

Does Korea use British / Imperial pounds?

What are the traditional Korean system of weights and measures?

In this video I explore some ideas I've had. I try to come up with a conversion chart to work out the actual weight in British/ Imperial pounds from the stated poundage on the bow.

I don't know the answer, but I hope that I am asking the right questions.

My objective is to start a discussion and get feedback from KTB owners and enthusiasts.

Please share your experiences and thoughts in the comments. Let me know if my hypothesis holds true for your KTBs.

Traditional Korean units

#koreanbow
#archery
#koreanarchery
#ktb
#국궁
#geun
#근

Edit: Looks like I misunderstood the word on the goja of the Black Shadow. It's not 근 Geun, it's 특 Teuk meaning special and refering to the length of 53" a special longbow. My thanks to Prof Duvernay.

[egbertypma]

I had exactly the same question and asked it to Thomas Duvernay. He explained that Korean arrows are usually 31 inches from base of the nock to base of the the arrowpoint. Imperial inches that is. When a ktb is fully drawn the base of the point touches the thumb which is on the top of the handle on the back of the bow or a bit further . That should be the length reference for the bow weight measurement.

[thomasduvernay]

I believe the word at 1:39 is 특, meaning "special"

[ooTheMAXXoo]

Daylite archery does their draw weights at 30 inches and the two I have, a 50" phoenix and a 53" majesty, both at 60lbs, both match the draw weight advertised at 30".

[Slingshotsbowsandknifes-tmev]

This is very interesting... Thank you for the research! The Kaya I ordered is supposed to be 50# at 31". I don't have a measuring scale but I will fill if there will be a discrepancy. I will be able to draw even 100# bow but my shoulder/triceps won't be happy as I have an injury there. That's why I went with 50#...

[ooTheMAXXoo]

Colder climate means stiffer materials? Maybe your string has a few twists and is on the shorter side, higher brace height, maybe within spec but not the same as when measured?

[scratchyrick]

So basically you have to guesstimate and are not going to know until you put it on a draw board with a reliable heavy duty scale of ordering off the peg as it were. Or you have o get the seller to measure it on a draw board before he sends it?

[mrln]

You have bought a few direct from Korea? Is it almost all of them?
You deduction does sound logical I wonder if some of the discrepancy in the units comes from domestic market stuff being marked per Korean Traditional standards as I'm roughly aware they have to have some paperwork etc so may follow a different standard.
Then if you where to be a UK or European distributor then you would be aware of this and either get them stickered and measured different from the factory or do it in house, measure and mark maybe some of them do so @30"-31"?
>100# is cool though