Bows

BOWS

The bow as a mechanical weapon is much older than the crossbow. Scientists believe that it began to appear in Africa around 40,000 years ago. It came into use in Europe about 10,000 years ago and in America about 1,000 years BC. It was undoubtedly invented to make hunting animals, that were a source of food for humans, easier and more efficient. Using a bow for hunting was certainly safer than using a weapon for hunting at close range. There are several hypotheses and theories as to how it came into existence. The most famous is the theory that it was developed from a musical instrument, or that people accidentally noticed what a bent and suddenly straightened tree or branch could do. Each nation was distinguished by its specific bow shape.

The bows today are modernized and have a wide division. The wooden material of the bow is replaced by fiberglass composite, or carbon. The inflexible part or string is braided from fine Kevlar fibers for durability and high resistance to wear and tear.

Generally, bows are divided by construction into traditional recurve (reflection - recoil of bent limbs) and compound (cams as a complex cam system). Thus, we have two primary categories of bows. Traditional recurve bows are further subdivided into Olympic, barebow, riding, traditional recurve, and longbow bows.

Olympic bows are a recurve type bows, with no restrictions on material; further they use special equipment for the best results of the archer. They are mostly foldable, with a riser made of high-quality duralumin. The limbs are chosen according to the preference and experience of the archer, also these bows need to be do-equipped with the necessary accessories such as sights, stabilizers, etc. Such bows are also called competition bows.

The second type of recurve bows are long bows (English bows). The material of the bow is wooden or composite fiberglass. This type of bow was created in antiquity, but it was massively spread only in the 12th-13th centuries. It is clear from the name that it is a larger bow and its length reaches about 150-180 cm (unstrung). That is why it had a greater draw weight and power. In the 14th century this bow became the national weapon of England and every subject was obliged to practice shooting. Even the English hero Robin Hood defended his honor with this type of bow. Thus, in the past it was used for hunting and defensive purposes, today, the Long bow, is a bow in the category of competition bows.

One of the best-selling groups of bows are traditional recurve bows. Simple in design, suitable for children, youth and adolescents, women and men. Mostly for beginners. Often fully equipped and in a set ready to shoot.

Another criterion for the right choice of a bow is its draw weight. To choose the right bow, you need to consider your options, because you will need to put some effort in cocking the string. The strength of the bow is indicated in lbs.  You also need to know the length of the string, which is neither too long nor too short. The draw weight and the draw length are indicated on almost every bow. The draw weight for beginners is in the range of up to 20-30 lbs. This is also true for women and juniors. However, it must be stated that every shooter is unique and these recommendations may not be accurate for everyone. For advanced archers, a draw weight of 30 lbs. or more is appropriate. As for choosing a compound bow, these are modern mechanical weapons that will literally teach you how to shoot in a matter of no time. There are models of compound bows that are extremely versatile (adjustable) for the whole family. That is to say, a good quality compound bow can be tuned by draw weight, and you can change the draw length as well. Top compound bows for the whole family are for example Bear Cruzer 2/3, Bear Legit or PSE Stinger Maxx.

Very important when choosing a bow is your posture or orientation, i.e. whether you are right- or left-handed. Or rather, what will be your dominant aiming eye. But if you are right-handed, choose bows marked RH (right hand) right-handed grip. This means you hold the bow with your left hand and cock the string with your right. For left-handed people, the bow is again marked LH (left hand). As a left-handed person, you hold the bow exactly the opposite way, with your right hand and cock the string with your left.

Arrows for bows are a special category. You must always purchase arrows that are at least 1" longer than the draw length of the bow you will be using. Also pay attention to the material the arrow is made of or what type of broadhead it uses. If you are unsure of the arrows to match your bow, let us give you expert advice. For pro archers, for example, the so-called SPIN - the stiffness of the arrow - is also important, as it determines how the arrow will bend in flight and thus how accurate it will be. The lower the SPIN number, the stiffer the arrow is and the more powerful bow needs to be. Less stiff arrows are in turn designed for less powerful bows.

If your bow is not complete, don't forget to buy the needed accessories, you should also think about hand and finger protection, such as armguards and gloves. This will prevent the string from scratching your skin when you shoot.

Another essential accessories of an archer are certainly a target ranges and targets. A proper target range will save you a lot of time with making a homemade alternative, which is often not enough. You need a strong and bulletproof target range for compound bows, and conversely a weaker but effective one for recurve or children's bows. A proper target range must stop the arrow and not to damage its vanes. Archery is a beautiful sport that can enchant at any age. If you haven't tried it yet, don't hesitate and maybe you'll fall in love with it too!