Recurve bows are a popular archery option and come in various prices. To ensure you make the right decision, it’s essential to select one that meets your needs.
Recurve bows are composed of four components, including the riser, limbs and arrow shelf. Understanding how each part works together is essential for getting maximum performance from your bow.
Riser
The riser is the handle in the centre of a recurve bow that connects its limbs to its bowstring, looping around each tip under tension. This allows the bowstring to be drawn back, releasing an arrow from its quiver.
The recurve bow riser is an integral component of the bow, controlling how well its limbs bend and perform when shot. Choosing the correct riser can make all the difference for an enjoyable, effective shooting experience.
Different risers are available and each has its own distinct specifications. Some risers are more advanced than others, offering additional features to make them simpler to use.
Many risers feature a cutout where you can look through to aim. This feature is especially important for recurve archers, as it provides space for an Olympic recurve sight pin, which assists archers in hitting their targets more accurately.
Another essential feature on a riser is an arrow shelf, located just above the grip. This shelf serves two purposes: it holds an arrow while it’s drawn back and it allows mounting an arrow rest if desired.
The arrow shelf, usually constructed out of plastic or metal, can be replaced by an arrow rest that helps hold the arrow as it is drawn back. A recurve riser with an arrow rest will offer archers a more comfortable and accurate shooting experience and is an excellent option for those wanting to advance in their sport.
Recurve bow risers can also be used to adjust the limb alignment of a recurve bow. Usually, this process requires using a side screw; however, some risers come equipped with buttons which make this task even simpler.
Recurve bows offer two main limb types: takedown limbs and screw-in limbs. Takedown limbs enable archers to replace the limbs on their riser, providing them with a larger draw weight without needing to purchase an entirely new bow.
Limbs
Recurve bow limbs are the backbone of the bow. As you draw back on the bowstring, they bend in unison and snap forward, providing impressive power in a compact package. The best recurves have long lifespans and can easily be repaired if necessary; some even come with warranties! There is an array of limb styles available on the market – some lightweight composites while others are made from solid wood – each serving an important purpose in archery from hunting to target archery. Whether new to archery or experienced at this sport, visiting an archery shop nearby is recommended – where experts will give advice and demonstrations!
Arrow Shelf
Arrow shelf is an accessory on a recurve bow that serves to support and safeguard the arrow before it is drawn. Though small in size, its importance cannot be overstated; it plays a significant role in improving shot accuracy and consistency.
Recurve bows feature an arrow shelf located in the middle of the riser above the handle, where arrows rest during and after drawing.
Recurve bows offer several types of arrow rests, such as stick-on and screw-in models.
Stick-on rests are an inexpensive, yet effective solution for recurve bows. They attach to the riser of the bow and can be adjusted with double-sided tape or adhesive.
This type of arrow rest works great with vanes or feathers and offers excellent stabilization before shooting, though it doesn’t offer as much flexibility when it comes to changing the elevation angle of an arrow.
Furthermore, it can put undue strain on both your bow and arrows. With time, marks will form on the arrow shelf which eventually become grooves that cause arrows to tear or lift off their shafts.
For a more durable and accurate arrow rest, opt for a screw-in rest. These can be installed on any recurve bow and provide solid support when shooting from the bow.
Some recurve bows come with rests drilled for attachment, while others come with a kit that allows archers to do it themselves. These options tend to be more affordable and offer greater adjustability than their stick-on counterparts.
Shelf rests can be constructed out of felt or a thicker material such as a rug. Some archers even use the soft side of sticky back velcro for these purposes.
The primary function of a shelf rest is to protect your recurve bow and arrows from damage due to arrows. This is especially critical if you use vanes or feathers with your bow.
String
The bow string is the main component of a recurve bow that loops at each tip and launches an arrow. The material used in its construction, as well as how many strands there are, all influence how much energy is stored behind the arrow and its trajectory.
Selecting a new bow string can be daunting with so many options and prices ranging widely. The most important step when making this decision is selecting the correct one for your recurve bow.
When choosing a string for your bow, you want one with the perfect balance of stretch and power. Furthermore, make sure the material is compatible with your draw weight so the string can withstand both the force of your draw weight and any shock released by your bow.
Additionally, the length of your bowstring will be an important consideration. Be sure that it’s neither too short nor long and that all strands are evenly spaced.
Looped strings offer strength and stretch, with materials such as linen, cowhide or plant fibers providing the balance. While these types of strings were once popular in the past, most recurve bows today use synthetic materials like polyester for their construction.
Dacron (strength per strand = 22.5 kg, stretch = 2.6%) is an affordable polyester material that’s widely used. Not only does it possess excellent durability and ease of upkeep, but its cost-effective nature also makes it attractive to many buyers.
It is an ideal option for beginners and wooden-handled recurve bows, as it provides plenty of stretch without causing too much shock to the bow.
A quality bowstring should offer the optimal combination of stretch and power, made from high-quality material with a low tension-to-stretch ratio that prevents tangling.
Your bowstring should be approximately 3 to 5 inches shorter than the actual length of your recurve bow, to ensure it is taut but not too tight. Overly taut strings can damage both the bow and string itself.
Strings are essential tools for archers of any bow type, but especially so with recurve bows. When you release an arrow from a recurve bow, the string usually hits against the inside of your wrist – which can be quite painful. An arm guard helps absorb this impact and shields your wrist from potential injury.
