Archery bows have been around for centuries. Originally, the archery bows were made from one or two materials with simple construction. But as time went by, technology and lightweight materials led to the development of different types of bows. Several types of archery bows, including longbows, recurve bows, compound bows and crossbows, are available to meet the needs of the individual archer.
Longbow
Longbows, characterized by their D-shaped construction, were originally used during war in the middle ages and can be dated back to 9,000 to 6,000 B.C. It is typically made with simple construction from one piece of wood and stands about the same height as the archer. Longbows shoot arrows without the assistance of sights or an arrow rest. The archer aims the tip of the arrow at the intended target while at full draw. A longbow has a built-in shelf that takes the place of an arrow rest. Longbows are difficult to shoot and may take years to master with the simple construction and absence of a sight or rest.
Recurve Bow
Recurve bows are a popular type of archery bow because it can be used by an archer at any level. Recurves are characterized by the curved tips that curve away from the archer and the string touching the limbs. This construction and design allows the bow to store more energy that is transferred to the arrow during the shot, resulting in faster arrow flight than a longbow. Common materials used to make a recurve bow include wood, laminated carbon or fiberglass. Traditional archers typically choose wood, while competition shooters generally choose lightweight materials, such as the fiberglass.
Compound Bow
Compound bows were developed in the 1960s by Holless Wilbur Allen in Missouri to improve the function of the recurve bow. Utilizing a system of cables and pulleys, cams, wheels and limbs, compound bows can be held at full draw much easier than longbows or recurve bows. Hunters are attracted to compound bows for its ability to hold at full draw for an extended time period along with the ability to shoot an accurate and fast arrow. Compound bows will typically measure between 33 and 48 inches.
Crossbow
Crossbows are types of archery bows that mechanically hold the bolt at full draw. To shoot a crossbow, you mechanically draw the bow and then lock it at full draw before pulling the trigger to shoot the bolt. People with disabilities or reduced strength may use a crossbow for its ability to shoot the projectile without holding the weight of the bow string at full draw.
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