Archery Basics - The Best Compound Bows

From Past to Present: The Full Evolution of Compound Bows and Archery

by thehoth

The imminent sportsman Teddy Roosevelt believed hunting was vital. Not just for humans but for the animals as well. Hunting, as a practice, allows both man and nature to sharpen each other.

The evolution of devices and techniques through time have given man a superior edge in hunting. That said, it has also helped the animals.

Recent studies show an overall reduction in wounding rates. This comes from a combination of technique and especially the force of modern compound bows.

Changes in bow technology have been slow coming but steady. Always steps forward with no tech lost. Outside of the sword, no other weapon has inspired as much artistry and skill.

Compound Bows Step by Step

Several factors have contributed to the continuing evolution of the bow. New strides are taken today even after the invention of other projectile weapons. One is the expansion of human ability.

The visceral nature of taking aim and following through to deliver a blow promotes something primal in us. This is true across all martial arts. The Japanese art of Kyudo and the Native American improvements of the atlatl exemplify this pursuit.

The history of ranged weaponry fascinates generations who go back to retrace the steps. Mechanical engineers frequently use bow tech as am metaphor.

Modern bow advancements have cropped up for the second reason, broader audience. While hunting may still be seen as a strictly manly affair, increasingly women and teens get involved. The hunt has become a family affair with many participants.

This guide will walk through the steps of the bow as a projectile weapon. We’ll start in the distant past when the shape had not yet come together. Then we’ll move into the middle ages and beyond to the modern mass-produced items.

Along each step, we’ll discuss what was learned from the past iterations and show the trajectory of the next advancement. After reading this guide, you might find yourself discovering the next great advancement.

Primal Bows

Before the wheel stole all the glory, the most important human inventions were about survival. In the world of weaponry, the hierarchy was sharper followed by longer.

Spears gave way to spear throwers. The atlatl was the most effective of the spear throwers. It worked through a process of centripetal and centrifugal force. In this way, it resembles a sling almost more than a bow.

While the Anasazi tribes are widely known from making the best atlatls, they were also discovered earlier in France. Early Franc tribes discovered that it takes a lot less work to huck a spear at something than to run after it.

The other alternative, particularly in boar hunting, was to guide the beast to a narrow location. This required many hunters and some planning to execute well.

With an atlatl, a lone hunter could do the work of a whole tribe. This greatly increased food supplies.

Hunting more dangerous game was another contributing factor. Wounding a bear or wildcat before it could close distance would slow it down and give hunters more of a chance to escape the predator or kill it.

What We Learned

The atlatl is different enough from modern archery to create a split. The angular momentum goes out the window once you start pushing the projectile from behind. The atlatl prompted thought into the release point that made this possible.

Springier wood or wood that could quickly snap from a rubbery form into a rigid one delivered more force. The American Southwest provided better materials for this advancement than areas of France.

A strong, direct release force could move a projectile faster. Removing the perpendicular movement allowed a hunter to spare energy and work in tighter spaces.

The First Bows

The first bows appear in 3000 BCE in Egypt. While spear points and arrowheads date back to 20,000 BCE, it is unknown what they attached to.

This definitive step in bow evolution produced low-powered but recognizable weapons. Materials used for bows differ greatly in the earliest incarnations.

What didn’t vary was the construction. Bows made of single staves, rather than multiple kinds of wood bound, were most common. Binding along the grip provided comfort and kept the bow from breaking.

These early bow designs, known as “self-bows” were thin at the grip and wider at the limbs. They also used a shaping process that made the front facing side flat. The rear of the bow was rounded.

These bows had estimated draw weighs under 50 pounds and flight distances of up to 150 yards.

The strings were made of animal sinew or plant fibers. In Europe, these would be reinforced with beeswax. In areas such as Egypt, beetle-based insect glues were used.

The Americas used sap resins. These bits of sticky material kept the string from drying out and also provided a tackiness that helped hold an arrow notched during the draw.

What We Learned

The original bows gave insight into how wood reacted when under load. The looped notches on the limbs provided an anchor for the string. The shape, flat to round, provided power as the wood contorted.

The integrity of a bow had a lot to do with the quality of the wood. As a bow was made of a single stave, inspecting the material for cracks was vital. Reinforcement at the grip helped distribute the load along a larger area.

Still, pinch points existed in the grip and the string loops. These areas were the sites of catastrophic failure for bows.

Two other major issues remained in primitive bows that needed fixing. We’ll talk about those as we hit the first compound bows.

Longbows

The first improvement over the “self-bow” was to simply build longer bows. This was possible partially from the ability to cut and process trees with iron and later steel tools.

The second improvement came from fletchings and arrow regularity.

English longbows were the pinnacle of this innovation. The combination of yew staves and longer 30-36 inch arrows provided superior draw weight and distance.

These bows boasted 90-110 pound draw weights. They fired arrows out to 240 yards.

The longbow was the weapon of prominence from 1200 to 1600. The power and ease of construction gave the weapon a lot of longevity. These bows also had superior piercing power because of the heavier arrows and broader arrowheads.

During this time, three fletched arrows became more common. Two-fletching arrows provided adequate direction for a shorter bow. Three were needed to spin the arrow in the air and not lose momentum over distance.

What We Learned

Making a bow longer than a person was tall gave more power. Japanese bows, much smaller in diameter used this same principle. To draw such a bow featured a person to angle the bow up and then bring it down to aim.

This motion provided more overall strength to the archer, as the mechanical motion of the body maximized force.

The heavier arrows could fly further and more accurately. In part, this came from the ability of the projectile to ignore wind factors. The other part was heavier objects deliver more force.

The changes to fletching started research into how spiraling objects behave in the air. This would be a principle point in creating rifling for guns much later. For arrows, this allowed a heavier tip to be used and still reach the target before dropping.

Recurve Bows

While the longbow dominated the battlefields of northern Europe, other developments occurred. Cultures interested in mobility were thinking along other lines. Horse riding groups such as the Mongols and Ottomans needed something shorter.

Recurve bows changed the usual D shape of a bow into more of a C shape. These were the first multi-material bows. In the Americas laminated bows were common. In Asia, these were made with glue and horn.

The process of production for recurve bows was extensive in comparison to previous bows. In part, this was a result of the multiple materials. The larger component was the effort to string such bows.

A recurve bow starts with a single material stave. To this, layers of plant fibers, sinew, or bone are attached with glue. This more rigid bow has several layers that can store force.

Finally, craftsmen pulled the bow into a reverse of its original C shape for stringing. This provided a second dimension of power to the bow as it wanted to return to its original shape.

Recurve bows have been reported to fire arrows up to 900 yards. Their draw weight doesn’t reflect their power, much like modern compound bows. While their draw was in the 40-50 range, the resulting force was much greater.

What We Learned

Most importantly, recurve bows showed the power of combining materials. The shape of the bow also related to power. Rather than making a bow longer, so as to achieve more angle of tension, shorter with more tension worked.

These bows were easier to draw in a shallower motion, which made them perfect for horse riding.

A major drawback of the recurve was in the production. A bow made with even minor flaws would rip apart under its own power. Restringing a bow was also not a one person job.

Compound Bows

Finally, the history of compound bows arrives at the HW Allen prototype built in 1969.

Allen worked for years to make a mechanical bow that outperformed traditional designs. His concept was published in 1967 as “Archery Bow with Force Multiplying Attachments”.

The original design used slightly oblong pulleys and a separate grip and limb system anchored with broad screws.

The design worked but failed to gain much attention. Tom Jennings would partner with Allen in the late 1960s to bring prominence to the idea.

With Jennings’ influence, the final two issues with archery began to get lined out. The first was customization. Before the advance of compound bowhunting, a hunter needed multiple bows to remain effective across the game. Now, with tuning and hardware changes, a single bow could do all jobs.

The second issue was in how an arrow flew from a bow. Previous bows had to fire around the grip. The string was in line with the grip but the arrow was forced around it.

This created a wobble as the arrow fought to regain shape from the launch force. This required a higher degree of skill to aim and still hit a target or to compensate for wind forces.

What We Learned

The magnification of force was adequate but relied on the shape and position of the pulleys. Better positioning would mean a smoother release. Also, the riser shape and position could now change to affect aim.

The Cam vs Pulley

We mentioned mechanical engineers earlier, they have a few thoughts on pulleys and cams.

Essentially, the shape of your cam dictates a lot about the way it behaves in a fluid motion. The angular motion of the atlatl comes back into play in designing cams. They need to pull smoothly and deliver force without skipping.

Oblong cams allowed engineers to form more accurate string angles. This shortened the limb length further. These advances also allowed the bow to deliver more power at lower draw weights.

The Riser

All previous references to ‘grip’ affect the riser. This is the middle section that limbs attach to. Previously, the grip gave a rest for the arrow and a place to center the fulcrum of a draw.

Disconnecting these components allowed the riser design to change. Wider risers could hold more force without adding length. A person can move the grip position left or right of the center for different handed hunters.

Hunters can place a release, rangefinder, or sight and stay in-line with the string without throwing off balance.

Modern carbon fiber compound bows also use cutouts to reduce drift on the bow itself when firing in strong winds.

Take the Shot

The technology of the compound bow crept along for thousands of years before speeding up in the past 50 years. Today’s compound bows allow hunters to customize and change the bow to their needs.

All of these options make finding the right bow for you daunting. We have a review of the best bows of the year to help out. Contact us for more information on bows and bow hunting.

The Difference Between a Recurve and Compound Bow

by thehoth

Of the millions of archers in America, most of them use compound bows: 71% of target shooters and 83% of bow hunters prefer a compound bow.

What’s so special about compound bows?

In this article guide, we’ll check out recurve vs compound bows to show you why the majority of archers prefer the newer technology.

A Quick History of Archery

People have been using archery since the Stone Age, but what we think of as archery was first used by the Ancient Egyptians about 5,000 years ago. But like any technology, archery was often being improved; the Mongolians are credited with using the first recurve bows.

Before that, archers relied on the longbow. The recurve bow was more compact and could be used from a chariot or while on horseback. The longbow retained its popularity, though.

In the twentieth century, archery was forever and radically changed when, in 1966, Holless Wilbur Allen applied for a compound bow patent. It was granted three years later, and since then, archery has become more powerful and more accurate.

Recurve vs Compound Bows

Power and accuracy are the major differences between these two bows. We’ll look at why compound bows are more powerful and accurate, then we’ll talk about some other differences between these two types of bows.

Compound Bow Are More Powerful

Before we can dive into discussing where power comes into the recurve vs compound argument, you need to have a basic visual of each of these bow types. You can spot a recurve bow by the curve of the limbs and the way that their tips curve away from the archer. Compound bows are easily spotted by the cams and pulley system.

It’s that pulley system that gives the compound bow its power. Because the strings are longer, you can draw the bow back farther, which adds to the power of the shot. The cams and pulley system also help with control, which improves arrow acceleration.

Because it’s a more powerful bow, the compound is great for hunting large prey.

Compound Bows Are More Accurate

In addition to boosting power, those longer strings on a compound bow make each shot more accurate by increasing stability.

Compound bows have what’s known as a let-off point, which means while you’ll feel the draw weight when drawing, you reach a point when you can hold the draw with less effort. The mechanics of the limbs, which pull toward each other horizontally when you draw the bow, and the string length, is what allows for this.

A secondary benefit of the let-off point is that you can hold a compound bow in the drawn position. If you’re hunting, this is especially helpful as it allows you to wait for the right shot. If you were using a recurve bow, you might have to take a less favorable shot or relax the bow and start again.

In the recurve vs compound decision, if accuracy is important to you, remember that compound bows can be used with a scope. Scopes allow for more accuracy at greater distances.

Another handy addition is the mechanical release aid. This improves accuracy as well, and can only be used with a compound bow.

Because a compound bow can fire an arrow with a flatter trajectory, it produces more accurate shots. In contrast, a recurve bow might require a shooter to use an arched trajectory to get a greater distance.

Other Benefits of the Compound Bow

If you’re just starting to explore archery, a compound bow can give you more satisfaction for your efforts for a couple of reasons:

It’s more comfortable to use
You don’t have to practice as much

Compound bows offer more comfort to the archer because they don’t have as much recoil or vibration. Both recoil and vibration can frustrate beginner archers because they can make it less comfortable to fire the bow at first.

With a recurve bow, the primary focus is on the physical elements of shooting: the stance, the posture, the draw, and the breathing, for example. These are still important when shooting a compound bow, but the cams and pulleys place less emphasis on physical shooting style.

For this reason, archers who use recurve bows have to practice more, and they have to practice consistently. Fans of recurve bows love this, because that physical focus is what they tend to love most about archery. But for beginner archers, or for archers who can’t devote that time on a regular basis to build muscle memory, the compound bow is a fantastic way to get into the sport of archery.

Because the compound bow has longer strings and accessories, it can be more expensive. However, recurve bows can rise in price depending on the bow–especially if it’s an artisan item. Finding the right compound bow brand for you can help mitigate budgetary concerns.

Draw weight isn’t as important with a compound bow. With a recurve bow, draw weight is a concern because of the actual strength required to draw the bow, but also because the archer usually has to hold that weight to hold the shot. Because of the let-off point, compound bows don’t have this concern.

And draw weight can be a concern. If your bow requires too much strength to operate, you can do permanent damage to your muscles and tendons. That’s why it’s important to start with a lighter draw weight and then increase as you get more practice.

Recurve vs Compound Bows: Final Thoughts

Your archery priorities will determine which bow is best for you. But if power, accuracy, and comfort are important to you, or if you plan to hunt — especially larger game — then a compound bow is the way to go.

If you have questions, or if you would like to get your archery recommendations out there via a guest post, we welcome you to reach out to us today.

Fast and Furious: How a Compound Bow Works

by Kenny Fox

From the outside, archery looks like a simple case of physics.

Pick up bow. Pull back on the bow string. Release the bow string. Hope for luck.

But bows have evolved beyond what you used in your high school gym class or the replicas in action films. A bow can now be complex, relying on a more sophisticated system than ‘aim and fire.’

A compound bow is one such bow. And these bows allow archers to actually hit their target more often than not.

How does it work, you ask?

Let us break it down for you. Here’s everything you need to know about shooting a compound bow.

Compound Bows vs Traditional Bows

Bows shoot arrows by tapping into the leverage, which is a mechanical advantage that allows it to store energy in the limbs when drawn.

That leverage is why a bow shoots an arrow far faster than you can throw it.

A traditional bow stores this energy directly in the limbs. When you draw the quiver further back, it gets hard to pull. The energy manifested here allows the arrow to fly further upon release because the energy is transferred.

However, when you pull the string all the way back, you’re using a lot of energy. This is because you’re holding the weight from the bow in your own hands. It’s not only hard to do, but it’s inefficient.

When you’re trying to manage 70lbs of weight, you’re less likely to be accurate. You’re also more likely to feel fatigue much faster.

Compound bows are different. The best way to break down their differences is to go through the most important parts of the bow.

The Basic Parts of a Compound Bow

A compound bow includes a pulley or lever system designed to create a more energy efficient and accurate bow.

There are a few parts that are important to note.

Like all bows, this type of bow has limbs. Most models have limbs made of composite materials. The limbs are important to mention because they store the bow’s energy. The cable system may keep the bow tense, but that tension lives in the limbs.

These models also have something called a riser. This is the central mount for the different parts of the bow. The limbs, quivers, sights, and stabilizers are all mounted here.

A common configuration also includes the cam also known as the wheel. Cams vary in shape depending on the design of the bow. They’re found at the end of the limbs to store energy.

Most manufacturers describe a cam according to its let off. A “let off” is the amount of weight you end up holding when you draw the bow. So, if the draw weight is 70lbs, you’re holding 70lbs in your hand on a traditional bow.

However, if you’re using a bow with a cam that has a let off rating of 70%, then you only have to hold 21lbs of that weight.

The cam provides an opportunity for you to stop struggling with the heavy weight of a traditional bow. You have more time to focus, take careful aim, or wait for the target. Basically, it’s the difference between setting up the perfect shot and struggling.

Finally, there’s the bow string. Every part of the bow is designed to facilitate an efficient transfer of energy that makes it easier to shoot an arrow, including the strings.

The string on the bow you choose will likely be constructed from high-modulus polyethylene. The materials allow for minimal stretchability while retaining strength. Effectively, it facilitates the rest of the bow in transferring energy from the bow to the arrow as smoothly as possible without losing too much energy.

There’s also a second benefit to these strings. Temperature and humidity have less of an effect on these strings, which also allows for greater accuracy.

Let’s Talk Physics: How Arrows Fly Faster

Thus far, you’ve learned that the addition of the pulley or lever system and the cam allow for a more efficient transfer of energy from the bow to the arrow.

You’re not focused on holding the whole weight of the bow in your hands. So, you’re able to set up the perfect shot. However, there are more benefits than an increase in accuracy. They also allow the arrow to fly faster.

An arrow fired from the standard longbow will travel at a speed under 200 feet per second. Meanwhile, a compound bow sends an arrow flying at up to 370 feet per second.

The efficiencies that remove the weight from your hands allow for the arrow to fly faster as well.

You already know that energy = force x distance.

So when you pull the pulley system, you’re pulling one pulley at a time. Because both pulleys on the bow meet at an axle, both move together. Thus, pulling the long pulley forces the smaller pulley to move with the same energy.

However, when the shorter pulley is pulled a shorter distance using the same energy, it creates more force.

Basically, the pulley system multiplies the amount of force you apply to the bow. The bow itself is able to store that energy with less exertion from you. Thus, the arrow can fly farther with less effort.

Buying a Faster Bow

The let off rate of the cam is one way to determine what speed a compound bow will shoot an arrow at.

When a bow has a lower let off rate, it stores energy in the string. Thus, the arrow will fly at a higher speed.

Higher let off percentages shoot arrows at a slower pace. However, higher let off rates mean it’s easier to hold the weight of the bow. So, you’re trading a slower pace for an easier shot.

Conclusion

The qualities of efficiency and speed are the same across the spectrum when you’re buying a compound bow.

Whether you’re buying a man’s bow or a woman’s compound bow, you’ll find that these bows are always easier to shoot, more accurate, and generally more fun to use!

Check out any of our other reviews to learn more about compound bows and find the best one for your needs.

Compound Bows Parts and Functions

by Kenny Fox

bow_parts_compound_bow

A bow is basically a weapon that is used for shooting arrows. There are different types of bows including: trainer, recurve, longbow, Mongolian and compound. All these differ according to different characteristics. Let’s cut the chase to the compound bows.

Compound bows are designed in such a way that its properties of the length (shorter) and high speed make it simpler to use and with accurate shots. The compound bows have different parts with different functions and or are dependent on each other for effective archery. These parts include:

Arrow shelf

This is a flat radius part of the bow at the sight window where the arrow rests in all its stages of shot. It is designed to protect the hand when holding the bow.

Arrow rest

It offers a platform for the arrow to rest on before and during the shot. This platform is provided due to its attachment to the riser through the Berger hole. Making it an effective catch for the arrow to rest on.

Berger hole.

This is the hole in which the arrow rest is attached via the riser. This enables the archer to have the arrow at the core when setting up the bow. The centralized mode is of standard measures for proper archery.

Bow string.

The bow string is the string attached from one cam end to the other. The string is elastic to enable the archer to draw the bow and thus aim accurately at the target to enable a successful shot.

Brace height.

This is the distance from the braced bow string to the point of the bow’s grip. The brace height is approximately 7 inches. The brace height dictates how closer the string will be to the grip point. The closer the string is to the grip the more the speed and thus the more accurate and easier to shoot.

Cables.

The cables of the compound bows are attached from one end of the upper limb to the other end of the cam. When drawing the bow the cables compress the limbs thus increasing energy for execution of the arrow.

Cams

This is the part where the compound bow string and the cable attach. It allows for turning when the bow is drawn thus allowing the archer to hold the bow’s total weight at any portion. They also transfer the limbs energy to the strings.

Cable guard.

The cable guard runs perpendicularly from the riser to the bow string and it keeps the strings to one side to allow a clear arrow passage.

Cable slide.

The cable slide clutches the cables together thus allowing for the sliding effect along the cable guard when the archer draws and releases the bow.

Stabilizers.

These are rods with varying lengths which, when the bow is released they counter balance the weight of the bow when it’s drawn.

Limbs.

The limbs are flexing points which allow for energy build up needed for a shot when the bow is drawn. They are attached to the riser.

Riser.

This is the par where all the limbs and other accessories attach to allow for proper drawing of the bow with accurate shots.

The Grip.

The compound bow grip is the part where the archer holds on to when drawing and releasing the bow for a shot.

Peep sight.

The peep sight of a compound bow is a rounded shape rear sight device that is inserted between the strands of the bow string which allows for alignment with the front sights when the archer is viewing through the peep sight.

Sight.

The bow sight is attached to the riser on the front of the bow. The bow sight has a pin that allows for a pinpoint accuracy when aiming for a shot.

Idler wheel.

It acts as a pulley since the string passes over it from the upper limb to the lower cam.

String vibration arrester.

This is a string attached to the riser ends and is responsible for absorbing vibrations which are transferred from the string when the bow is released for a shot.

Nock

This is the part of compound bows where the arrow attaches to the string. This knock gives a knocking point where the arrow assumes an accurate shooting position.

Fletchings

These vanes that are plastic or feather made and are attached to the arrow end. These vanes steer and directs the arrow for an accurate shot when on the flight. The bigger the vanes the higher lower the speed and the smaller the vanes’ size the higher the speed.

D-Loop.

This is a compound bow part that surrounds an arrow at the string. It initiates a mechanical energy when the bow is drown and released since it’s a connection point.

Compound bows are at far much easier to use, faster and with surety of accurate shots. They only require proper maintenance and there in will server an archer’s needs excellently. For more information on Best Compound Bow Reviews, check our website.

The Inventor Of The Compound Bow

by Kenny Fox

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The compound bow is actually a fairly recent invention. Many people take it for granted today, but this is a piece of equipment that was not invented until the year 1966. Answering the question of who is the inventor of the compound bow can be difficult, since there is never a case where one person has come up with something without any prior influences. All inventors are standing on the proverbial shoulders of giants. However, Holless Wilbur Allen, Jr. is credited with inventing the compound bow.

Holless Wilbur Allen, Jr. and the Compound Bow

It is not an exaggeration to say that Holless Wilbur Allen, Jr. is one of the most important figures in the history of modern archery. Compound bows are known for being significantly more powerful than their predecessors. Using roughly the same amount of force, people can expect more energy efficiency, more accuracy, and more of a mechanical advantage overall when they use the compound bow compared to the longbow or recurve bow.

Holless Wilbur Allen, Jr. was partly taking advantage of new trends in United States culture and technology. In the early 1960’s, more and more people were interested in bow hunting. There has been a strong backlash against hunting in the modern world. However, people in the 1960’s who were often interested in getting back to nature and simpler forms of living found something appealing about hunting in the wilderness, especially with bows instead of guns. In the midst of a culture of peace protests, guns had lost their luster, and bows were becoming more socially and culturally acceptable.

The design of Holless Wilbur Allen, Jr.’s original compound bow was based on a then-modern recurve bow. He sawed off the ends of that bow and supplemented the ends with pulleys. Holless Wilbur Allen, Jr. actually had to play around with the new design in order to get it right, but he managed to do so by 1966, at which point he applied for a patent. He received that patent in 1969. Tom Jennings was his bow maker, and the two of them managed to create the first line of compound bows. In the modern United States, the compound bow is still more popular than all other bow types a full fifty years later.

About Holless Wilbur Allen, Jr.

By today’s standards, Holless Wilbur Allen, Jr. was not especially well-educated. He had a high school education and he worked as a salesman before he started his own business making steel wire basket frames. Holless Wilbur Allen, Jr. is an example of a person who had a great deal of raw natural intelligence, since he was able to deconstruct and reconstruct complicated devices at an early age. Holless Wilbur Allen, Jr. was also a hunting and fishing enthusiast, so he was very much connected to the subcultures who were interested in bow hunting in the first place. Holless Wilbur Allen, Jr. is very much the prototypical entrepreneurial inventor who is good at improvising and thinking outside the box. He took the recurve bow and made it modern.