More Information wanted

[Shadow]

Sorry kids, I have lots of questions and not enough answers. I'm still learning so bare with me for now. I would like to know, of all the given traditional bow styles, which would give the greatest power to poundage? e.g a 60# long bow compared to a 60# Mongolian horse bow. would they shoot the same distance and hit just as hard or would they vary? This is just an example, I'm interested in finding out which is the 'best' tradional bow. I lean heavily towards the Welsh Long Bow! Due to my Welsh heritage I suppose, but I am open minded.
Also, What the hell is a 'Self' bow? Can someone explain the various bow types/styles or point me to a forum section or book that explains as much as possible about traditional bow styles?
Don't be shy, I don't bite (growl alot though).

Thanks,

Mick

[Jeffro]

Gday mate, a selbow is a bow made from 1 piece of wood.
As far as which hits harder and has more power etc it would depend on the bows core type and design.
One type of lamination core material may perform better than another type .One limb design may work better than another design so its not "a longbow works better than a horsebow "if you get what I mean.

[Glenn]

G,ay Mick, as Jefro explaained a selfbow is made from a single piece of timber or two pieces of timer joined in the handle to make a bow. You can back a self bow with linnen or rawhide and it is still a selfbow but if you back a self bow with a material that adds to te bows peformance such as another piece of timber or sinew it is then called a backed bow. If the bow is made up with three or more laminations of the same material or different materials such as wood horn and sinew or timber an fibreglass then they are refered to as composite bows...Glenn...