What is a Recurve Bow

by Rob Daniels

A recurve bow is a more modern version of the traditional bow. Older recurves and some modern hunting recurves are one-piece bows. By far, the greatest number of archers choose to shoot recurve bows, the modern version of the traditional Longbow. The limbs on the recurve bow curve away from the archer, increasing power. A recurved bow, instead of being straight pieces of wood when unstrung, has limbs whose tips are curved away from the archer. Becaue the limbs on the recurve bow curve away from the archer, increasing power.

A recurve bow has three main parts – the riser, or handle, two limbs, and the string. In an unbraced recurved bows the arms are bent in the opposite direction as that of the string. In a recurve bow, the power comes from the bending of these limbs when pulled back. In the thirteenth century, the Mongols changed the nature of warfare through their development and use of the recurve bow. These curves, which were first introduced by the Assyrians 3,500 years ago, give recurve bows more power than longbows of the same length. A short recurve bow had the power to pierce a knights armor.

Long bows and recurve bows are similar and are based on the traditional design. Long bows tend to be larger, while recurve bows point forward at the tip where the string is attached. Both recurve bows and longbows are lighter, quieter to shoot and less prone to mechanical failure than compound bows. The parts of a working-recurve bow near the tips, however, are elastic and bend during the final part of the draw.

About the Author
Rob Daniels writes educational material for http://www.archery-target.com and http://www.kayak-escape.com two of his favorite lifelong sports.