Types of Bows

Bows fall into one of three main categories:

  • Longbow
  • Recurve
  • Compound

Longbow

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Also known as a straight bow, a long box is D-shaped. Traditional longbows are carved from a single block of timber. Modern longbows can be made of timber strips glued together, known as laminating. They can also be made of carbon fibre.

Longbows can also be made by attaching special limbs to the riser of  a take-down bow.

A traditional longbow will have a grip with the arrow resting on the archer’s finger. A modern longbow may have an arrow rest cut into the bow body..

Before purchasing a longbow, consider the types of shoots you may want to participate in. Some clubs may not allow longbows on their ranges. Other clubs accept any type of bow but restrict the type of longbow  that can be used in competitions.

Recurve Bow

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A recurve bow has a distinctive curved shape. The limbs of a recurve bow curve outward from the centre, creating a reverse S-curve when viewed from the side. This design increases the potential energy stored in the bow, allowing for greater power and efficiency.

Traditional recurve bows can be made by carving a single piece of timber. They can also been made by gluing materials such as animal horn, wood or bamboo, and sinew together.

Modern recurve bows are made from a combination of materials such as timber and carbon fibre. The bow can be a single piece but most modern recurve bows are made of three main parts. A riser, or hand and arrow rest, and two separate limbs attached to that riser.

Before purchasing a recurve bow, consider the types of shoots you want to participate in. Some rules don’t allow for carbon limbs in a traditional category shoot.