Ottoman · 15th–17th c. · Anatolia & the Balkans
The Solak
The upgraded Ottoman short bow.
Named for the archer bodyguard of the Ottoman sultans, and now rebuilt with new materials.
Draw it yourself
How the Solak comes to full draw.
Weight beyond 28″ is a linear estimate for guidance only. Every bow is weighed at 28″.
Shoot the Solak on the rangeIn the round
Turn the Solak in your hands.
A 3D model built from the Solak’s own measurements: hardwood riser and siyahs, laminated bamboo limbs, phenolic tips and string bridges.
The story
The upgraded Ottoman short bow
The Solak, Paragon’s short bow named for the archer bodyguard of the Ottoman sultans, has been upgraded. Robert is always refining his materials and designs, but sometimes the process takes a leap rather than a step.
The goal is a better, more authentic shooting experience. New materials make it heavier in the hand and more stable, with subtly prettier lines. The Ottoman short-bow design favours function over form: it bends in all the right places like a horn bow, avoids undue stress around the grip, and shoots fast, thumping arrows into the boss. Like before, only more so.
Materials
What it’s made of.
- Riser & siyah woodsAsh, Cherry, Maple
- Phenolic overlaysBlack or brown, on the bow tips
- Fibreglass laminationsClear or black, in any configuration
- Limb coreBamboo
- ConstructionStrengthened with a polymer composite for longitudinal and lateral stability
Options & prices
Make it yours.
Riser finish
- Built-in dual hard-wearing arrow passes with micro-leather cover (standard)Included
- Cow-leather cover with cow-suede arrow passes£20
- Cow-leather cover with rayskin arrow passes£30
Limbs
- Dye stain on the bamboo core (clear glass only, up to #50 @28)£10
Decoration
- Kirinte overlays on the bow tipsColour options on request£20
- Semi decoration on the limb backs (no calligraphy)Discussed with you before work begins£70
- Full calligraphy on the limb backs, by a professional calligrapherPaid up front when ordering£150
- Hand-painted grey cattle-horn imitation on the bellies£50
Plates
The Solak, close up.
From the archers
“You commission a work of art.”
What archers say after the bow arrives. Five-star reviews on the Paragon Bows Facebook page.
“When you buy a bow from Rob you commission a work of art. You also get a bow that shoots fantastically well!”
Pat FitzGerald★★★★★“Robert Pozderka is a master bowyer and pours his heart and soul into each bow. The bows are truly spectacular and a true delight to shoot! Would truly recommend a bow from Paragon Bows.”
Trilochan Singh★★★★★“The bow made by Paragon is not only an ultimate performance bow but also a piece of art, and a must-have in the collection of any traditional archery fan.”
Tomasz Matuszewski★★★★★“Amazing bows, wonderful communication, incredible quality.”
Jose Claure★★★★★The rest of the collection