Compound and Recurve Bows
Compound Bow
It is a very modern development in the field of archery. It has a leverage system of cables and pulleys to operate it. The limb of this bow is stiffer than that of a longbow or recurve bow. Because of this stiffness that it possesses it is more efficient energy wise, compared to other bows.
If a string is directly attached to the bow then it would be very difficult to shoot with a compound bow. It would require great physical strength and skill on the part of the archer. The string of the compound bow is attached to the pulleys. A cable is joined from one of the pulleys to the other end. When the string is drawn, the pulleys are turned and energy is stored in the limbs.
This is the main form of bow used in the United States.
Advantages of a Compound Bow:-
–When the bow is drawn there is an increase in the draw weight and then there is a ‘let off’, which is 65 per cent to 80 per cent of the peak weight. The ‘let off’ allows the archer to hold the bow in the drawn condition for a longer period and take more time to aim and shoot.
–The compound bow also possesses greater resistance to variations in temperature, humidity and other climatic conditions giving it better accuracy and greater range as compared to other bows.
–The design of the pulleys also can control the acceleration of the arrows.
–These bows also have draw stops so as to facilitate a consistent draw for novice archers. Novice archers can artificially regulate how much they draw their bows.
Recurve Bow
It has tips that point away from the bow when it is strung. More energy is stored in it than other bows. It is of shorter length than other bows of comparable energy and so it is preferred by archers in situations where longer bows are troublesome. However they put more stress on the material of the bow and also make more noise when an arrow is shot.
Advantages of a Recurve Bow
–It is the only bow permitted in the ‘Olympics’ except for a few categories.
–It has a better mass-weight ratio and helps in stability and also increases accuracy.
–It is made of advanced materials and is preferred by Europeans and Asians for sport.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 at 10:25 am and is filed under Archery Equipments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.