Archery Equipment

Bows

For the purposes of competitions competitors are classified by the type of bow they shoot: Normally Compound or Recurve, longbow etc,  their age and their sex.

The Longbow is the most basic of bows.

The shape is unchanged from its invention approx. 9,000 - 6,000 B.C.

It is shaped from one piece of timber and the grip is usually made with a strip of leather bound around the bow.

A small shelf is cut into the side of the bow for the arrow to rest on.

There is no bow sight attached.

Shooting is done by aiming with the tip of the arrow at full draw.
Recurve bows These are the only bows allowed in Olympic competition, they range in length from 1220mm (48 inches) to 1780mm (70 inches).

Most target bows will range from about 1675mm (66 inches) to 68 or 70" in length, depending on the archer's draw length.

As a rough guide to choose the length of a bow to suit you, a person with a draw length of less than 710mm (28 inches) could use a bow between 1575mm-1675mm (62 - 66 inches) and a person with a draw length of more than 710mm (28 inches) could use a bow between 1575mm-1780mm (66-70 inches).

The draw weight of the bow is usually written on the back of the lower limb.
The weight is noted in pounds (lbs) at a draw length of 710mm (28 inches),
e.g. #20 @ 28
which means at a full draw of 28 inches the force required to hold the bowstring at this length will be 20 pounds (approx. 9 kilograms). Bows increase in weight at approximately 2# per inch, so a bow drawn 1" more than 28" would be 2# heavier, lighter for underdrawn.

Bows for beginners should have a draw weight between 15-20 lbs. for the kids and between 20-25 lbs. for the adults.

Most basic Recurve bows are made from laminated wood usually with a clear finish on the riser and the limbs having a layer of fibreglass applied each side for strength.

The types of wood used in the riser can vary, giving a multi-coloured appearance.
The bow shown in the picture on the left is a one-piece bow.

There is another type called a "Take-Down Recurve" which has a pocket at the top and bottom of the riser for the limbs to bolt into.
This type of bow can be dismantled for ease of transport. The limbs, being separate, can be replaced by limbs that may be slightly stronger or lighter.
Compound bows can vary in length from 840mm to 1220mm (33 to 48 inches) measured from axle to axle. (Hunting model pictured at left.)

The smaller lengths are for juniors and the larger lengths are for adults.

The riser is usually made from aluminium alloy for strength. The limbs are fitted with an eccentric wheel. (The axle is off-set from the centre of the wheel.)

The bowstring is terminated with small loops that connect to the cams (wheels) at the tip of each limb. The cable guard holds the cables off to one side for the arrow and fletch clearance.

The draw weight of a compound bow is usually adjustable within a 7 kilogram (15 lbs.) range by turning the adjustment bolts in the limbs.

The compound bow has a peak draw weight and a let-off percentage. For example, the peak draw weight for a particular bow could be 14kgs. (30lbs) with a let-off of 50%. This means that the maximum draw weight of 14kgs. will occur at approx. 3/4 of the draw length and as the eccentric wheels roll over, the lever effect will give a 50% less weight at full draw. So at full draw, the archer will be holding a draw weight of only 7 kg's. (15lbs.)