Bows have been used since antiquity for hunting and as weapons of war. Early bows were made of wood or, in some cultures, combinations of materials such as bamboo, animal horn and sinew. Some modern archers favor bows designed and built using the latest technology, while others prefer to use historically accurate equipment. Each type of bow has its own advantages and shortcomings, and one may prove better suited to a certain situation than another.
Longbow
The longbow is one of the more traditional bows used in archery; these weapons were made famous by English archers during the Hundred Years' War in the 14th and 15th centuries, when their range and firing power helped to negate the effectiveness of the French cavalry. Longbows are commonly made from the wood of the yew tree, although some bowyers incorporate woods like walnut, ash and maple into their creations. To be considered a true longbow, the bow must stand as tall as the archer, with the ends straight and the widest point at the arrow plate; when the string is drawn, the standard distance from the grip to the knocking point is 28 inches.
Recurve Bow
The recurve bow is similar in appearance to the longbow, but with a couple significant differences. In addition to the single bend in the center, recurve bows feature additional bends near the ends of the bow stave; this change allows the bow to impart more energy to the arrow and provide power similar to the longbow, but in a smaller weapon. As such, these bows are well-suited for use in places where a longbow would prove too cumbersome, such as in woods or heavy brush; in the 1200s, Mongol warriors used a variation of the recurve bow that enabled them to shoot from horseback.
Composite Bow
Most bows used by modern-day archers are some variation of the composite bow, so named because its stave is comprised of a composite of different types of material: Instead of using a single piece of wood, bowyers construct the stave from separate pieces that are bound, glued or bolted together. One variation of composite bow is the compound bow, which consists of rigid limbs attached to a series of cables and pulleys. These bows are often made of metal and plastic, and are designed to maximize energy transfer, consistency and accuracy. It is also easier for an archer to adjust a compound bow to better suit his personal preferences and shooting conditions.
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