Recurve bows are one of the main archery bow types. When unstrung, their limbs curve away from the archer and add extra energy to an arrow’s trajectory, making it stronger and faster.
Recurve bows consist of three components – the riser, handle in the centre, and two limbs that bolt onto it. These limbs may be constructed out of wood, fiberglass or carbon fiber while the riser is typically metal.
Wood
Bow limbs come in various shapes, sizes and weights. They may be constructed out of materials such as wood, fiberglass or carbon fiber or even a combination.
Limbs are the long, flexible parts of a bow that store energy and produce power when drawn. Recurve limbs typically consist of wood or may be laminated together for durability; some recurve bows also use fiberglass laminations.
Recurve limbs are traditionally made from maple, though modern bows can be constructed using a variety of wood types. The ideal recurve limbs are composed of strong yet lightweight wood that bends and snaps easily while still storing energy to fire an arrow.
Recurve bows often feature laminated limbs, allowing archers to quickly replace them without purchasing an entirely new bow.
Recurve bows can be crafted from various woods, but maple and hickory are two of the most commonly used. These woods offer great value while possessing sufficient strength and flexibility to craft strong recurve bows.
One of the newest bows available on the market is made with wood and fiberglass laminations. Traditional archers prefer this type of recurve bow due to its excellent combination of flexibility and strength.
Recurve bows come in a wide variety of shapes and looks, such as the classic Grizzly model from Bear Archery which features laminated maple and fiberglass limbs for extra strength.
Another popular option is Hoyt’s recurve bow. Constructed with laminated red elm and maple wood limbs, this model has been a favorite among Traditional archers for decades and makes an excellent starter choice when exploring recurve bows.
Recurve limbs come in an array of shapes, sizes, weights and colors. They may be constructed from various materials like maple, fiberglass or carbon fiber or even a combination thereof.
A high-quality recurve bow’s most important characteristic is the wood used in its construction. Not only must the wood be capable of withstanding all stresses put on it by use, but it should also have a high specific bending strength (MOR). Furthermore, it must have low modulus of elasticity (MOE), an indicator of how easily a wood will bend under stress.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is an incredibly strong and lightweight material, capable of being used in many applications. Its strength-to-weight ratio can often be up to five times greater than metal or wood products while also being resistant to rust, fire and corrosion. Fiberglass also boasts superior fire and rust protection as well.
Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) has been used for many years in the production of products ranging from furniture and appliances to roofing shingles and construction materials.
The strength of a fiberglass profile is determined by the quantity, type, and orientation of its glass fibers in the composite. Fiberglass composites can be stronger in lengthwise directions than steel, making it an attractive option for various applications.
Fiberglass is also resistant to alkalies and has low thermal conductivity, making it an excellent dielectric material with applications across a range of fields.
Material such as this can be molded into various shapes using several processes, including pultrusion. This involves heating a die to pull glass fiber strands through vats of resin in order to create stiff and flexible profiles.
Automating the forming process enables manufacturers to produce custom profiles tailored for customers’ needs. These products can take on any shape, from rods and window reinforcements to tree stakes and driveway markers.
Depending on the application, fiberglass may be coated with an anti-static composition that is sprayed onto the surface during cooling stages of production. It may also be lubricated to reduce fiber abrasion.
Fiberglass can be molded into many different shapes and even woven. Woven products tend to be more cost-effective than their past counterparts.
Recurve limbs come in various styles for use with bows, such as screw-in limbs and ILF limbs.
These limbs attach to a recurve riser via a limb bolt. They’re the most common limb type found on recurve bows and can be found on various models.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is a type of steel often used for tools and components. Its properties depend on its carbon content and heat treatment process applied. The higher the carbon content, the stronger and harder it becomes.
Carbon steel, especially high carbon, is widely used for applications requiring strength. Examples include rails and gears used in railroads or beams supporting buildings or bridges. Axels, springs and washers can all be manufactured using this steel type.
Carbon steel comes in three grades: low-carbon (AISI 1005-1030), medium-carbon (AISI 1035-1055) and high-carbon (AISI 1060-1095).
Low-carbon steels contain less than 0.50% carbon content and tend to be weaker and brittle than their higher carbon counterparts, but can be tempered for improved surface hardness.
On the other hand, medium carbon steels contain between 0.50% and 0.75% carbon content. While this grade offers good machinability, it isn’t quite as strong as its higher carbon counterpart.
As previously discussed, steels with higher carbon contents tend to be more durable and corrosion resistant. Unfortunately, they do not withstand high impact loads like stainless steel does.
Surgical stainless steel has become a widely used material in orthopedic implants due to its superior mechanical properties, but it also tends to crevice corrosion when implants with multiple parts such as plates and screws are assembled.
This problem can be avoided by using a high-speed rotary lathe, which cuts metal in one motion. Afterward, the parts are polished and etched to remove any remaining metal stains.
The parts can then be joined together using welding wires, which is much quicker than the traditional tack-welding process that must be done by hand.
Carbon steels lack the iron that stainless steel has, so they are susceptible to oxidation (rust). Even low carbon steels are susceptible to corrosion from trace impurities like sulphur.
Foam
Recurve limbs are the parts of a bow where an arrow rests, connecting to the riser (handle) in the centre of the bow. They come in various materials like laminated carbon fibre or foam and offer various strengths or draw weights to suit different archers.
Recurve limbs are most often made out of carbon foam, although wood-core versions offer greater durability and cost efficiency than their carbon foam counterparts. Carbon foam limbs are lighter, more stable, and don’t warp or warp as easily when exposed to changes in weather conditions like wood-core ones do.
Some archers prefer the feel of a foam limb over one made of wood, but others find it harder to tune. In such cases, hybrid limbs with both foam core and wood core may be best.
For those seeking the maximum performance from their recurve, advanced limbs have been developed that prioritize speed and accuracy. These include graphene foam limbs and an innovative carbon limb.
WIAWIS’ NS limbs feature a graphene foam core for improved stability and string movement, as well as increased speed. Furthermore, these limbs are very forgiving when one breaks or twists; they can take the torque of an arrow without cracking or breaking.
These limbs are incredibly affordable, making them an ideal choice for anyone searching for their first set of recurve limbs. Top archers have been using NS limbs for years, and their performance is unmatched by any other brand on the market.
These limbs feature a Graphene Foam Core to increase power and stability, as well as a twisted structure to dampen vibration during shooting. Furthermore, Strain-Balance technology recognizes the optimal limb flex profile – giving archers an accurate draw curve with smooth transitions.
