If you are a beginner archer who is currently looking for a bow, you may stress when you see the many different types of bows available on the market. Coupled with the dozens of bow manufacturers, and types of bows and arrows, choosing a bow can be an extremely daunting process.
This comprehensive guide is here to help. It will introduce and explain to you the four main types of bows—recurve, compound, longbow, and crossbow. At the end of it, you will successfully be able to identify and distinguish all types of bows!
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<p><strong>Please include attribution to <a href="https://www.bowzones.com/">BowZones.com</a> with this graphic.</strong><br/><br/><a href="https://www.bowzones.com/types-of-bows/"><img src="https://www.bowzones.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Identify-4-Types-of-Archery-Bow.jpg" alt="All Types Of Bow"/></a></p>Bow Anatomy: Parts of a bow
It is essential for you to know the different parts of a bow, both for safety and practical reasons. In this guide, we will be introducing the riser, limbs, and bowstring. Feel free to dive deeper into bow anatomy.
Riser
As the central part of the bow, the riser contains the grip, arrow rest, and sight. Simply put, it is the part you grip and the part where the arms meet. It is also the part where the stabilizer and V-bars meet and where the top dampener and sight meet.
Depending on whether you’re left- or right-handed, you will need a different riser.
Limbs
The bow’s limbs refer to its extremities. It attaches to the string and supplies energy that will propel your arrow forward. They keep the bowstring in place at both string nocks. Limbs feature a variety of materials, such as wood, composites, and metals. They’re normally laminated with fiberglass or other related materials as well.
Bowstring
The bowstring attaches to both ends of the bow. It keeps the arrow in place and generates more energy, allowing you to make a better shot. The two main parts of a bowstring are the center serving and the nocking point.
The bowstring features various materials. You should rub it using silicone-based wax to keep them in tip-top condition.
Bow 101: The 4 main types of bows
1. Recurve bow
Invented in 1600 BC, the recurve bow is one of the oldest bows that we know of today. Several layers of fiberglass, carbon, or wood are commonly used in recurve bows. Recurve bows also see a wood or composite riser.
To spot a recurve bow among different kinds of bows, take notice of the bow’s limbs. The central parts of a recurve bow limbs curve toward the archer. The tips of the limbs curve away from the archer.
This configuration increases the bow’s power and reduces the amount of strength required to use it. The bend in the limbs also allows more energy in a shot than most straight-limbed bows, resulting in a powerful bow.
For this reason, most people start learning how to shoot with a recurve bow. That said, though, recurve bows are great for archers of all expert levels. Whether you are a beginner hunter or a seasoned archer, there is a recurve bow out there for you. Consider popular options like the PSE Archery Pro Max Recurve Bow or the Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow.
Easily disassembled and transported around, recurve bows are an essential part of any survival kit. The best survival bow is thus often a lightweight and compact recurve bow. They aid you when you are always on the move. To check out some of the best survival bows available, check out our guide.
Recurve bows are typically used for a variety of uses. This ranges from sport-shooting, target archery, practice shooting, as well as hunting. It is also the only bow allowed in the Olympics is the recurve bow
2. Compound bow
First seen in the 1960s, the compound bow is the youngest bow out of the four main types of bows. The compound bow features almost exclusively composite materials. This contributes to its durable, long-lasting, and sturdy characteristics. The recurve bow, on the other hand, features wood which changes in flex and strength when the weather changes,
A compound bow usually has a cam or pulley system. It consists of a riser, limbs, cams, cam systems, bowstring, cables, cable guard, cable slide, arrow rest, peep sight, sight, string vibration arrester, and a stabilizer.
This highly technological system multiplies the power stored in the limbs and transfers it to the string and arrow when fired. What this means is that you would be able to make a more effective shot with less effort.
Using sights and releases, the motion of a compound bow can adjust to an extreme degree for precision at long distances. Due to its mechanics and technology, hunters often opt for compound bows for their power. It is similarly suitable for field archery and target archery. It is also often used in International target archery competitions.
If you are into bow fishing, compound bows are the best type of bow for your needs. Since you are hunting a game that is just a few feet away, an easy-to-shoot and accurate compound bow is recommended. Check out some of the best fishing bows on the market here.
Due to their complex system, compound bows are good for intermediate and expert archers. If you are looking to challenge yourself? The Bear Archery Cruzer G2 and the Southland Archery Supply SAS Outrage Compound Bow are two great options!
To learn more about the difference between recurve bows and compound bows, check out our comparison article.
3. Longbow
If a simple bow is what you are looking for, longbows are a great option for you. Traditional English longbows are made from yew wood. Today, other types of wood like white oak, red oak, hickory, red elm are used. Two bestsellers are the PSE Archery Oryx Longbow and Southwest Archery Host Takedown Longbow.
A long wooden pole with a string on both ends, longbows are made up of a long, slightly curved piece of wood. This piece of wood is often the same height as the archer and has no arrow rests or sights.
As the bow’s length increases, so does its draw weight. Longbows, therefore, are extremely powerful. However, they require a significantly stronger user to operate it. Because of the lack of advanced parts and components, they are also much harder to aim as compared to the compound and recurve bows. They have less power and velocity as well.
For this reason, longbows are difficult to master and are recommended for expert archers. Used in warfare in medieval times, longbows are used today for target shooting and field archery. Some expert hunters do bring longbows to the field to shoot for its power.
In terms of competitions, the longbow is used in the US Traditional Target Archery Competition. Internationally, longbows are only recognized in World Archery field or 3D archery.
4. Crossbow
A crossbow is often seen as a hybrid between traditional and modern bows. They are generally made from wood, steel, aluminum, and fiberglass, or some composite materials. A crossbow consists of a riser, stock, sight bridge, limbs, latch, flight groove, cocking stirrup, barrel, and an arrow retention spring.
They were widely used in combat and arose in China around 600 B.C. In modern times, they are predominantly used for target shooting and hunting. Crossbows are also used in competitive shooting sports. In most states, only legal to use during rifle or shotgun season.
To use a crossbow, the bowstring is pulled back using a crank mechanism. It is easy to aim and pull the trigger once the arrow is nocked. Because of their structure, crossbows are held like a gun or a rifle and designed to be shot with one hand. Crossbows are also versatile and can come with a recurve or compound limb arrangement.
Because of this easy point-and-shoot system, crossbows are easy to use. Unlike other archery bow types, crossbows are suitable for all expert levels. They are great if you want to get into bowhunting with little practice.
Crossbows are also great for archers with a disability that does not allow them to shoot with both hands. For some of the best crossbows in the market, check out Barnett Jackal Crossbow Package and Excalibur GRZ2 Crossbow.
Conclusion
Choosing the kind of bow you want to shoot is one of the first steps in learning archery. Now that you have learned much about all types of bows, you are one step closer to your archery goals.