Loading ...The bow and arrow combination has been around for centuries as a weapon used by armies and as a valuable hunting tool. This article is part of our series of compound bow tips. Today hunting by arrow is once again rising in popularity, as well as archery competitions. The growing demand of this sport has spurred new innovations and bow styles that can cater to every skill level and discipline. Today there are four common bow types on the market: longbow, crossbow, recurve bow and compound bow.
Longbow
The longbow has been around for centuries and was popular for sport and as a weapon of war during the middle ages. The longbow is the simplest of all the bows, generally made from a single piece of wood and lacking sights, arrow rests or any other bits and pieces used with recurves and compounds. Longbows are roughly the same height as the archer, and provide a good deal of stability but not always the best accuracy.
Crossbow
Crossbows are different from other bows in the way they are held and executed. With the crossbow, archers can release a draw force much higher than what they could have with a traditional bow. Also, crossbows could be kept cocked and ready to shoot for some time with little effort, allowing crossbowmen to aim better. The drawbacks to a crossbow are that they are much heavier and clumsier than traditional bows.
Recurve Bow
Recurve bows are the most popular bows today, and are commonly used to teach beginners who are interested in archery. The name comes from the side profile of the bow – the more central part of the limbs curve towards the archer while the tips of the limbs curve away (hence re-curve). The shape of the bow makes it more efficient at storing energy than the straight arc of a traditional bow. The recurve is made up of three main parts: the “riser” (handle) and two “limbs” which slot or screw into the riser.
Compound Bow
The compound bow is a relatively new bow on the scene, having been invented in the 1970s. This is the most technologically advanced bow to-date, and is increasingly becoming the most popular bow with archers. These bows have much stiffer limbs than recurves, so a system of cables and pulleys is necessary to give them leverage and make them bend. Compound bows are typically more accurate and powerful than recurves and, when fully drawn back, require much less strength to hold than a recurve with a similar draw weight.