Shooting bows drawings. How to make a compound bow with your own hands

Today, it is unlikely that modern dads know how to properly make a bow for a child, finding the best option in their own wallet. Moreover, nowadays it is not at all difficult to buy a bow for shooting for a boy. Store shelves offer an abundance of beautiful options for toy archery bows, which are practically smaller copies of adult models. And for adults who have not forgotten their childhood hobby, there is plenty to choose from: complex and simple crossbows, recurve bows, powerful compound bows and many other options that can interest both an experienced hunter and an ordinary lover of shooting with high-quality weapons.

photo. Note compound bow

Compound Bow Historical Facts

Almost everyone knows that bows were inherited from our ancient ancestors, for whom they were not just a toy, as they are today, but a real weapon for survival. Studying history, we remember that bows were used by ancient Indian tribes and many other peoples who skillfully made them from wood. But few people know where the compound bow came to us from.

The history of the appearance of the compound bow is not quite ancient, like its predecessors; the world learned about it only in 1966. The discoverer of such a powerful weapon was an ordinary American named Holles Wilbur Allen, who lived in Missouri. They say that this man was a lover of bow hunting. One day, while hunting, waiting for his prey, he hid in a tree and sat there for a very long time. But when the animal he had been waiting for so long appeared on the horizon, Holles was never able to fire a shot, because his whole body was frozen, his muscles were so stiff from immobility that they did not allow him to pull the bowstring.

The hunter's disappointment knew no bounds; after an unsuccessful hunt, he decided to use every possible means to make a bow that would be more obedient in any situation, which would be much easier to control. As a result, after a short time, hunters all over the world were able to get acquainted with the compound, that is, they saw the compound bow in all its glory and power, as in the photo.

The compound bow is not just a high-quality, convenient and practical archery weapon, it shoots with maximum accuracy. The only bad thing is that hunting with its use is strictly prohibited in our country, so to feel the excitement of chasing a forest animal with the compound in your hands, you will need to go to other foreign countries. Our portal presents a fascinating video review about compound bows.

photo. How to properly hold a compound bow

Advantages and benefits of compound bows

At first glance, looking at the photo where a compound bow is presented, at its appearance, everyone will be surprised why it is so praised and admired, because its design is practically no different, for example, from a recurve, classic or any other bow. Yes, compound bows are unlikely to impress an experienced archer with their appearance; admiration for such weapons can only be seen among novice shooters. But the advantages of the presented weapons are not external, but, on the contrary, hidden.

The first thing that a compound bow can impress you with is its simplicity and ease of use, especially since an arrow fired from it flies at the aimed target with double and sometimes triple force and speed. It is also worth saying that the power of the compound is hidden not only in its elastic elements, that is, the arms; the block mechanisms, which are located on the upper planes of the arms, are mainly responsible for the speed of the arrow. Blocks are also called eccentrics, which are connected to each other by a special system of cables for more synchronous operation.

Thanks to the block mechanism and cable system, block bows can safely be called a lazy person’s small arms, since after pulling the bowstring, the shooter can aim and shoot without much effort. While when shooting with a recurve bow, the shooter needs to use the strength of his own straightened shoulders, and not just the bow. The described block mechanism of the bow, when pulling the bowstring, takes the entire load upon itself and plays the main role of the shooter, that is, it holds the bowstring until the shot itself is fired. It is difficult to explain the function of the mechanism to a simple person, so we suggest watching a video review, where the information presented can be seen with your own eyes.

Thus, when making a shot, the shooter does not need to hold the bowstring tightly with all his might until the moment of shooting. It is precisely because of this difference that compound bows have become the best weapons used for hunting and sports and Olympic competitions. After pulling the bowstring, the shooter only needs to take careful aim and make an accurate shot.

photo. Compound bow up close

Varieties

Among all the popular models of bows for hunting, the following classification can be distinguished. Each option is more complex in design than the previous one:

1. The traditional bow for hunting seems to have come to us from our ancestors - similar weapons were used in the old days. It is made only based on the dimensions of the hunter - height and arm span. The design is simple, so you can easily make a homemade bow for hunting; you only need one piece of wood to make it. They are not very powerful, although they are quite large, so they are unlikely to be suitable for a modern hunting enthusiast.
2. The composite model is made on a wooden (modern bows are made from composite) base, which is supplemented with internal linings and tendons. The main element requires careful preparation, however, the finished products are much closer in shape to sports models than simple ones.
3. A compound bow is a powerful hunting weapon that has sufficient ergonomics and a high arrow launch speed (90 m/s or more). Their production has moved to factories, since the design of the blocks is difficult for manual assembly, and it is unlikely that you will come across a good homemade compound bow. For the most part, these models are sporting, but such weapons are best suited for hunting purposes.

Brief conclusions

1. The bow is used in cases where greater penetrating ability at a long distance is needed than that of a crossbow.

2. The model of Tsukiyono Omi’s bow is similar to the blocky bows that were outdated at the time the series was filmed. Based on a number of features (see section 2.4 “Handle” for more details), this bow can be identified with the Hoyt Archery line from 1984:

Hoyt Archery: "Contender", "Button Buck", "Stag".

For comparison, here is the Omi bow model:

Outdated, but reliable and proven weapon.

4. Onion parameters (according to theoretical calculations):

Draw force: 20 kg Bow length: 135 cm Bow weight: 3.5 kg Release: 45% Arrow speed: 65-70 m/s (213-229 ft/s)

5. The Omi bow is equipped with almost the entire set of professional attachments.

6. In the second season, the same bow is used, but the technique is characteristic not of sports shooting, but of kyudo (for more details, see the article about Takatori Mamoru’s bow in the second season).

Bow Handle Design

A collapsible bow includes two arms in its design, which are attached to both sides of the handle using nuts. The handle should have two flat surfaces for attaching the shoulders, a place for a hand grip, and a shelf-cutout for the passage of the arrow. The handle should not bend (at all!) while using the bow! As long as the bow satisfies these three conditions, it doesn't matter what it looks like. Now is a good opportunity to show your creativity. Start developing your bow design with a couple of sketches on a piece of paper. I did a few scaled-down sketches so I could have some ideas before drawing the full size handle.

The two handles I created were approximately 51cm and 46cm in length. The handle pictured on the left was designed using only one bolt to secure the bow's limb, while the one on the right was designed using two bolts to each limb. Don't pay too much attention to this. Even after the bow is fully built, there are ways to change the angle to increase the tension on the string. We'll come back to this later.

Next, I made a model of the handle from 5 cm thick foam. This step is not necessary, but it may be useful when later cutting the handle out of wood.

Make a copy of your drawing so that you have the original drawing to transfer to the wood. Cut and glue the design to the foam board and cut it out using a knife or rasp.

On a foam handle, you can choose a comfortable shape for the part that your hand will hold on to, and adjust the curves before making the handle out of wood. The foam model helped me a lot. I'm not very good at transferring a three-dimensional picture from my imagination to a plane. Having a 3D model allowed me to tweak the design before making the wood handle.

Construction

The center mount on the bow for other components such as limbs, sights, stabilizers, and quivers is called the riser. The risers are made as rigid as possible. The center riser of a compound bow is usually made from aluminum, magnesium alloy, or carbon fiber and many are made from 7075 aluminum alloy.

The limbs are made of fiberglass. composite materials and are able to withstand high tensile and compressive forces. All the energy of the bow is stored in the limbs - no energy is stored in the pulleys and cables. Adult compound bows typically weigh between 40 and 80 lb (18 and 36 kg), producing arrow speeds of 250 to 370 feet per second (76 to 113 m/s).

The most common configuration has a cam or wheel at the end of each limb. The shape of the cam may vary slightly depending on the bow design. There are several different concepts for using cams to store energy in the limbs, all of which fall under a category called bow eccentrics

. The four most common types of arc eccentrics are Single Cam, Hybrid Cam, Double Cam, and Binary Cam.[3] However, there are other, less common designs such as Quad Cam and Hinged. Cams are often described by their "release". As the cam rotates, the force required to hold the bow in position peaks and then decreases as the bow approaches maximum draw (a position known as the "wall"). The difference in percentage between the maximum force generated during the draw and the force required to hold the bow at full draw is the “release.” This value typically ranges from 65% to 80% of peak weight for newly designed compound bows, although some older compound bows only provided 50% release and some recent designs achieve over 90% release.[4]

The photo to the right shows that the cam-to-cam axis is mounted on the edge of the cam rather than in the center. When the string is pulled, the cam rotates and transmits force to compress the limb. The archer originally had a "short" side cam and the lever was a mechanical flaw. Therefore, a large energy consumption is required. When almost full draw is reached, the cam is fully deployed, the archer has a mechanical advantage and the least amount of force needs to be applied to the string to keep the limbs bent. This is called "letting go." Less holding weight allows the archer to keep the bow fully drawn and take longer to aim. This release allows the archer to shoot a compound bow accurately with a much higher maximum draw weight than other bows (see below).

However, there are some youth-oriented, low-draw weight compound bows that have no trigger and whose maximum draw length is deliberately set further than most youth shooters would be able to achieve. This effectively makes the function of the bow very similar to that of a recurve bow, with the draw length determined by the shooter's preferred anchor point. This eliminates the need to adjust the bow's draw length or use a different bow for different shooters (or change bows as the shooter gets older). An example of this type of bow is the Genesis, which is standard equipment in the US. National Archery in Schools Program.

The complex strings and cables are usually made of high modulus polyethylene and have high tensile strength and minimal stretch so that the bow transfers its energy to the arrow with maximum efficiency and durability. In earlier models of compound bows, the cables were often made of plastic-coated steel.

DIY paper bow

Paper is shredded wood with the addition of clarifier. Therefore, in theory, something strong and dense can be made from it. How? You will need many A4 sheets (Figure 6).

This will be somewhat similar to a bow for DIY hunting, provided that your game is empty tin cans:

1. Fold the sheets like an accordion, inserting them into each other, then gluing them together. Compress them each time, pressing firmly.
2. After reaching a thickness of 2cm, the base can be considered ready.
3. Use a rubber band as a string.
4. For a larger specimen, you can experiment by thickening the base.

Figure 6. The paper construction is unlikely to be suitable for serious shooting. An alternative option is to wrap the pencil in a sheet, folding the edges. Take out the pencil, attach a rubber band with glue to each edge and have fun.

Hunter bow

Modern bows for hunting can be simple (solid) and composite, recurve and block, having different lengths and power. The cost of some ready-made branded models is quite high, so we’ll tell you how to make a hunting bow yourself. Moreover, in “field” conditions.

What you will need

• Durable wood (cedar, spruce, bird cherry, pear, apple, elm, pine, birch, larch).
• The knife is sharp and comfortable.
• Animal fat.
• For the bowstring - a cord, a leather strip three millimeters wide, or twisted nettle stems.

Technology

1. We choose a suitable flexible branch in the forest.
2. We try it on for size, placing one end to the thigh, the other to the end of the outstretched arm.
3. We clean the bark and cut out the desired shape.
4. In the middle we make the thickness 5 centimeters, at the edges - 1.5 centimeters.
5. For the bowstring, the grooves are 1.25 centimeters from the ends.
6. Rub the finished product with animal fat.

DIY hunting bow

What you will need

• The wood for the base (otherwise known as kibiti) is single-layered, dense, and not flexible. It's best to take it close to the root of the tree.
• For the shoulders (aka, horns), we take bird cherry growing near the water.
• For the bowstring - a cord, a leather strip three millimeters wide, or twisted nettle stems.
• For gluing parts, use glue made from crushed fish heads.
• Birch bark, a plate made of spruce “Kremlin”.
• Animal fat.
• Knife.

Adjusting Bow Power

Here are some ways to increase the power of your bow.

Removing material from the ends of the arms

The bow is one of the few ancient types of weapons that have survived to this day practically unchanged. Today, the scope of use of bows is quite wide. They are used in hunting, sports and just for fun. Due to the simplicity of the design, many people are interested in how to make a bow with their own hands. And if you want to end up not with a craft of dubious quality, but with a real weapon, then you should approach the manufacturing process with all seriousness.

A bow is a throwing weapon designed to fire special arrows. The shooting process is extremely simple and requires the shooter to lay the arrow, tension and release the bowstring. Thus, the energy accumulated in the bent arc of the gun is transferred to the arrow, which hits the target.

Despite the simplicity of the bow design, shooting from such a weapon requires a number of specific skills:

1. First of all, the shooter must have sufficient strength to pull the bowstring.
2. Classic and traditional models do not have a sight. In addition, the aiming process is somewhat complicated by the need to keep the bowstring taut.
3. Firing a shot from a bow requires a number of actions, ranging from the correct placement of the arrow on the arc and ending with the release of the bowstring. Without precision in actions, there can be no talk of any targeting in this case.

The next stage in the development of this weapon is the crossbow, which arose around the 4th century BC. e. It does not require physical strength or special skills from the shooter. However, the bow has a simpler design and high rate of fire, so it was not forgotten even with the advent of firearms.

Varieties of bows

Bow designs have been constantly improved throughout known history. Currently, such varieties of bows are known.

Traditional bow

This is a bow that was used from ancient times before the invention of firearms. These bows were used by the Indians and many ancient peoples. They were made using technology using natural materials such as wood, leather, and natural adhesives. Mass production of such products will not work, because any onion has its own characteristics.

Classic (sports) bow

This bow is used in sports competitions and because of this it is called “Olympic”. It is similar to the traditional one in the way it accumulates energy to fire a shot. This occurs when the elastic branches of the bow are bent. Most of these bows have a recurve shape - a double bend of the shoulder.

The presence of such a design helps in accumulating twice as much energy with equal length of elastic beams. Thus, one arc is compressed, the second is stretched. Classic is most often a collapsible bow. Recurve bows originated from the Huns, a nomadic steppe people.

The sporting orientation of classic bows predetermined the fact that elements began to be installed on them to significantly increase shooting accuracy. The presence of sights, balancers, shelves for arrows, and vibration dampers serve to eliminate the elements of chance from the training processes to the maximum extent possible.

Another similarity to a traditional bow is the method of holding the arrows while drawing the string.

The most famous of them:

• English - the arrow shank is held using the index and middle fingers;
• Indian - the bowstring is held using the index, middle and ring fingers.

The main element in a classic bow is the shelf on which the arrows are held. An intricate device allows arrows to be released from the bowstring without the feather hitting the handle. Thanks to him, archers abandoned natural feathers and replaced them with solid stabilizers, which significantly increased the accuracy of hits.

Sports rules prohibit placing a device on such a bow, with the help of which a line of sight is built, which can rest on more than one point.

It should be noted that pulling the bowstring is a strength exercise due to the increase in resistance when bending the shoulders. Learning to shoot a classic bow is very complex and this also has similarities with the traditional one.

Compound bow: features

Another third type of bow is the compound bow. Its appearance in 1969 is associated with Holles Allen from the American state of Missouri. Structurally, this is a system of blocks (pulley hoists) that increase the force applied to the running end: as many times as there are blocks.

Useful tips for storing onions

Now you have all the instructions on how to make a good bow. But it is very important not only to make it correctly, but also to maintain your creation in the right conditions so that it retains its original shape and excellent characteristics for a long time.

Here are some valuable tips for storing onions at home:

• Keep the bow upright
• Remove the string after each use. Don't keep it tight.
• Each time before use, make several smooth bends of the structure. This procedure will help “warm up” and help avoid breaks.
• Do not keep onions in the sun for a long time. It should be stored in a dry, dark place.

That's all! You can get down to business.

Maintenance and storage

Beginner archers would do well to know that only with careful inspection and care of the bow can they achieve long service life. It is necessary to understand that although a blocker is a weapon, in total it is a set of parts. Thus, only the ideal condition of each of them will make the use of the entire device safe.

A collapsible bow, unlike a compound bow, breaks often. And all because little attention was paid to his care. Although during the hunting period a blank shot may occur with a blocker. Almost all models are damaged after a blank shot. Suppressors, shock absorbers or shelves rigidly attached to the cables break down.

In compound bows, special attention is paid to eccentric blocks. In winter, make sure that they do not ice up, and in summer, protect them from sand and dirt.

Experts advise monitoring the amount of tightening of threaded connections in compound bows more often. Due to frequent shudders, it can decrease, and if you do not check compound bows for hunting in a timely manner, you can harm both the weapon and the archer.

As previously mentioned, the cable and string are key elements in compound bows for hunting, which means that their maintenance must be taken as seriously as their selection. Over time, the bowstring becomes frayed, which leads to a sharp decrease in shooting accuracy. The waxing process is a good help to prevent this process. To do this, the bowstring is rubbed with special wax after every 200-300 shots.

Neoprene bags are great for long-term storage of modern bows. The bag is hidden from direct sunlight and stored in dry rooms. The “shoulders” of the bows are slightly weakened if they are not planned to be used in the next six months.

Selection of components for onion harvesting

Components of a compound bow.
For the manufacture of a bow as a structure subject to repeated bending and high stress, it is important to select the highest quality materials.

Regardless of the type of material (wood, metal, fiberglass or ordinary plastic), no defects are allowed: curvatures, pores, cracks, foreign inclusions and knots can lead to breakage of the bow at the most important moment.

The bow itself is not as important as damage to the face and organs of vision, which are constantly near the weapon when using it.

Excessive humidity and mold are also unfavorable.

Making the handle

Preparation for onions.
Creating the handle requires care - the remaining parts will be mounted on it.

1. Short ones are attached to the longest bar using furniture corners.
2. After installation, the longest self-tapping screws are screwed in for reinforcement.
3. The assembly is sanded with emery, during which the original shape and roundings are given.
4. At this stage or earlier, planing with a knife is performed to obtain the required shape.

Material to create

Among wood species, yew is optimal - flexible and durable. Also suitable:

• willow;
• ash;
• juniper;
• cedar.

When harvesting with your own hands, cutting is carried out in cold weather. The bark is removed only after drying. It is recommended to use a variety of impregnations and protective compounds.

Gluing the handle

The most effective is a solid piece. If there is a need to increase its size or obtain significant arrow reach power, there is a way to create a multi-layer handle.

1. Blanks made of plywood, boards or composite material are coated with glue (special high-strength - for composites or helicopter type) and wrapped in gauze.
2. Fiberglass is much more reliable, but at home there are enough materials at hand.
3. The blanks are laid out on top of each other and covered with glue.
4. The resulting sandwich is assembled to the required thickness.
5. At this stage, bending is performed - it will be difficult to bend the dried structure.

When forming, self-tapping screws are useful - but in small quantities and with a symmetrical installation.

Hole for fastening

Holes and grooves are made in the arms (short bars) for installing wheels.

1. Pins with wheels are threaded into the holes.
2. The studs are covered with angles or U-shaped brackets and attached to the handle with short self-tapping screws.

How to make and stretch a bowstring

In addition to synthetic rope, which has a limited service life due to abrasion, other materials are used:

• nylon thread (is wear-resistant, but the thickness leaves much to be desired);
• fishing line (designed for high dynamic loads);
• cord made of lavsan, polypropylene and other polymers;
• slings from climbers' equipment (Kevlar fiber created for extreme conditions).

Natural fiber works best.

1. A string selected according to its length is placed into the grooves of the arms and wheels, and the ends are secured.
2. The arms are screwed to the middle of the handle.
3. Corners are mounted to them, and springs are placed on them.
4. Changing the degree of initial tension of the bowstring is performed mechanically - by angular movement of the shoulders relative to the handle.

Making a bowstring with your own hands.

What do you need for arrows?

A stand is required for the arrow - it will save the bowstring itself and your fingers. A piece of sheet metal or hard plastic is suitable.

Arrows for a bow.

What is a compound bow

So, we have dealt with the classification, and now we will take a closer look at compound bows for hunting. These products contain blocks with an eccentric axis in their design. On the shooter's side, a bowstring is attached to the blocks, and cables are wound in the opposite direction. As a result, when the bowstring is pulled, the blocks unscrew and collect the cables. At the same time, the bowstring is released, and the shoulders come closer together. In this way, kinetic energy is accumulated, which will give speed to the fired arrow.

The eccentric axis of the blocks itself plays a special role - thanks to it, unlike a classic bow for hunting, with increasing stretch, the required force of the shooter decreases, not increases.

The greatest load during a shot appears not at the beginning of the bow opening, but at the end. Simply put, a compound bow for hunting pushes the arrow, giving it acceleration. This operating principle also applies to sports bows.

This same quality allows the shooter to spend more time aiming, because such a hunting bow can be kept cocked much longer.

For shooting from sports bows, a device called a “release” is used: being attached to the bowstring, it plays the role of a kind of trigger that will prevent the shooter from getting injured.

Compound Bow for Beginners

What kind of thing is this? How does it differ from an ordinary bow, so familiar to everyone from children's games? How does it differ from classic bows, the shooting of which is an Olympic sport all over the world? I'll answer right away. Easy to use. Simplicity and convenience. Does this mean that a compound bow is a bow for the lazy? To some extent, yes. But you definitely need to make an allowance for twice or even three times the force and speed of an arrow fired from a compound bow.

So what is it and where is the difference?

The difference is that “compounds” - compound bows work not only by the force of the elastic elements - the shoulders.

A shot from a classic bow occurs due to the straightening of the shoulders, which the archer bends while pulling the bowstring. It is the shoulders that are responsible for the strength and speed of the arrow of a conventional bow.

Video - The structure of a compound bow and the basic principles of its operation

In the blocker everything is not quite like that. A compound bow also has shoulders, otherwise it wouldn’t even be a bow. They provide the force of the shot in the same way as on its predecessor, the recurve bow. But the initial speed of the arrow is controlled mainly by special blocks located on the upper ends of the arms - eccentrics, connected to each other by a system of cables for synchronous operation. It is this system of blocks and cables that makes the “compound” bow for the lazy, because its main difference from its classical counterparts is that the bow itself, after the shooter has pulled the string, helps him calmly aim and fire the shot. The fact is that at the very end of the stroke of the tensioned bowstring, the blocks provide the moment of disappearance of the effort that the shooter must make in order to keep the bowstring in a state of combat tension.

You no longer need to hold the string with your hands shaking from muscle cramps - this is the main difference between a compound bow and a simple bow. All that remains for the shooter to do is to fire a calm, accurate shot. It is because of this quality that I called the “blocker” in this article - a bow for the lazy.

This property of a compound bow makes it a very accurate weapon compared to conventional classic bows. In competitions, the ten target that an athlete shooting in the compound class must hit is one quarter of the diameter of a regular archer's ten. These are the requirements of all archery sports federations for a very accurate blocker.

What else is different about a compound bow?

Many, very many.

While maintaining the basic shape and purpose, the compound bow differs from others in the materials from which it is made. I hasten to inform the reader that only very rare and very few models of compound bows had, namely had (past tense) parts made of wood in their design.

The main materials from which the handle is made - the middle part of the compound bow - are alloys of light metals; aluminum, magnesium, etc. The main material of the shoulders is carbon. So the compound is a very technologically advanced and modern weapon, not much like the traditional bows of antiquity.

The second most important main difference between the compound class is that the design of the bow and the materials from which it is made do not “get tired” as much as the design and materials of classical and traditional bows, from which the string must be removed during storage and transportation, rendering them unusable .

The blocker is always combat-ready. He does not “get tired” of keeping a combat watch in the service of his owner. During long-term storage, there is no need to release it, disassemble it, or remove the string and cables from it, just as you do not need to perform these procedures in the reverse order to equip the bow.

Agree, serious advantages over other bows.

But what kind of bow is this? This is already a sniper rifle!

This is exactly what the reader will probably say after reading my story. Partially true, I don’t argue. Accurate, fast and strong. Even the optical sight is like a rifle. I'll get better. Not an optical sight - a diopter scope with a lens, front sight, protective hood and level. Everything is as it should be with a serious weapon, even the trigger device. Surprised? Yes Yes. To shoot from compound, it is recommended to use a special trigger device - a “release”, and not fingers, gloves or special fingertips.

The factor of muscle fatigue and fingers shaking from the tension of constant shooting disappears completely with the use of a release.

Has a compound bow and slotted rear sight, which all rifles have. This is a pipsite. A small thing installed right among the fibers of the bowstring, At the level of the right eye, the arrow has a hole in the middle, or a “sighting bar” with holes of different diameters. It is through it that the shooter sees his sighting scope and then the target. The result is a stable long line of sight, which amazingly improves the accuracy of hits and forgives the archer some mistakes in shooting technique.

Unlike traditional (historical) bows, modern bows, including Olympics and Compounds, are equipped with an arrow rest. In our century, you no longer need to hold the arrow with your finger on the side so that it does not fall out or go to the side.

Holding the arrow remained in shooting from the so-called “Long Bow” and traditional bows. Sometimes this is very painful, because the fired arrow, starting its rapid movement, burns the shooter’s fingers with the shaft; I’m not talking about the contact of your fingers with the fletching of the projectile.

arrow rack was developed for bows and sport shooting

With her appearance, the archer stopped holding the arrow with his fingers and no longer cared about how the arrow would fall and come off the string. Now she was lying on her convenient shelf.

The shelf of an ordinary classic sports bow - "Olympic" - is very simple.

This is a plastic part, permanently attached to the bow handle, creating the effect of an artificial groove - a hollow for an arrow. You will say that the arrow may well slip out of a small groove with a powerful bow. Maybe. But a little ahead, it is held by a metal plate “clicker”, which, working together with the shelf, forms a hard lock, and until the athlete makes the right movement, does not reach the bowstring, the arrow will not come out from under the clicker and will not be freed from the “lock”. And only then will the shot occur.

Difficult again.

But if things are not so simple with regular, classic bows, what happens in the compound class? What kind of shelf stands on these wonders of modern technology? Right. The compound bow shelf itself is also a miracle of technology. The compound bow is so seriously different from its counterparts, therefore, all its devices are no less seriously different.

The arrow rack for a compound bow is not a stationary device. I'll say more. There are such an unimaginable number of shelves for the block that your eyes may run wild. Each has a characteristic difference and purpose. And most importantly! A compound bow shooter can change his rest, replacing it with another often, easily and simply. It is attached to the bow handle with a special screw.

The shelves of the compounds do not create a “hollow” effect.

On the contrary, sometimes they look like a pin, a mustache, and so on sticking out of the bowl. But the arrow will slip, the reader will say. Calm down. She's not going anywhere. Moreover, during a shot, the shelf will also spring under it, saving the exiting arrow from unwanted contact with a rigid structure and unnecessary friction. There are shelf designs that are connected to the bow's cable system and, when fired, generally fall from under the exiting arrow, completely eliminating its contact, providing a “clean” exit. Such shelves are called falling. Both regular and falling shelves of compound bows are adjusted by their owners, providing the desired arrow with the softness of the spring at the “arrow exit”, the desired height of arrow support and the desired horizontal angle in relation to the bow handle. All this cannot be done with the shelves of classic bows, just as it is impossible to achieve such a clean release of an arrow when shooting from a traditional or historical bow, when the shooter is forced to stick his fingers everywhere.

Now it's time to talk about the system for protecting the bow from being thrown up during a shot.

All throwing devices, when fired from them, inevitably throw up. To avoid this, the modern archer uses a stabilizer.

When the string slips from the fingers or is released from the release, the arrow, which has a long body, continues to move, sliding along the bow shelf, or along the shooter’s fingers. At this moment, the bow itself, having released all the energy of its bent shoulders, throws up. But! The tail of the arrow is still firmly on the bowstring! The arrow will go up the target, thrown there by the bow.

To prevent throwing from interfering with the accuracy of the hit, a stabilizer is attached to the bow handle, in a place below the shooter’s hand grip. Many uninitiated people call it a “stick,” asking why this “stick” is attached to the bow? Many initiates (in general terms) call it a “balancer” or “counterweight” - more correct names in comparison with “stick”.

In fact, the stabilizer has only one purpose - to pull the bow down, preventing it from tilting and catching the exiting arrow. But about the stick, I don’t agree. After all, this “stick” is made of carbon and is equipped with a weight of a verified mass at the end, or has a whole system of weights both inside and outside, along its entire length. A very difficult to manufacture, knowledge-intensive and technologically advanced “stick”. Separately, I would like to tell the reader about its cost, which will forever cure the misconception and banish the desire to call the bow stabilizer a “stick.”

Many bows often have more than one or two such “sticks”. Any bow, except the historical and traditional one, can have a whole system of stabilizers: horns, mustaches, and so on in common parlance. They really do appear to have horns and whiskers. In fact, these are smaller front upper and lower side bends - stabilizers. These “mustaches” and “horns” help not only prevent the bow from tilting upward, but also prevent the weapon from tilting to the right and left.

You see how in reality everything is not simple and complex. How now, after all of the above, is the onion perceived? A bent stick whose ends are connected by a bowstring? Well, this is modernity, the reader will say. In ancient times, everything was probably simpler, closer to nature. I hasten to assure you that it was not. Do not succumb to delusion, do not let it lead you into the darkness of ignorance.

Neither in ancient times, nor now, this simply was not the case. Making a bow and mastering shooting from it was a serious, difficult craft that was not accessible to everyone. But in ancient times there were no compound bows! - they will object to me.

What if they were? What if this is also a delusion? After all, the structure of the modern compound is suspiciously similar to the structure of the ancient Archimedean ballista. Naturally, in ancient times there were no materials from which any modern bow is made. But everything new, as you know, is old, well forgotten by people.

I tried to tell the reader in general terms what a Compound Bow is. I hope I managed not to fall into the abyss of boring scientific and purely sports terms during this story and bore you with snobbery.

Compound bow - compound

. Very accurate, strong, fast, convenient and beautiful weapon.

The compound bow is the pinnacle of evolution, the completion of the degeneration of an ordinary bow into something more. Something more that has been preferred by so many athletes, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts around the world.

And so little known in our country! Almost nothing is known about compound bows to the average Russian citizen, just as it is unknown that competitions in the “compound” class are held all over the world, along with Olympic shooting from the classic “Olympic” bow. Often, archery tournaments are mixed, with both compound archers and classic archers participating in them, competing for the same first place with each other. Naturally, athletes shoot at “ten” of different diameters; in the block class it is smaller. But the accuracy in the block class is greater.

Compound archery has long become a global sport, with its own champions, its own shooting schools, and its own federations. We seem to be the last country in the world where this type of archery has remained in its infancy, although more and more athletes prefer to move to the heavier “compound” class from the traditional Olympic “classics”.

I will also touch on another, little-known topic. The theme of Hunting and Recreation with a compound bow. A topic known in every developed country in the world. Bow and arrow hunting sites can be easily found on the Internet. Note! Almost all of the hunters in the photographs of these electronic resources used a compound bow.

During active recreation in nature, and in our country this is relaxation in the country, a light blocker can bring a lot of joy to the whole family and especially children when organizing mini-tournaments in archery at a target. You don't have to worry about your wife getting a muscle strain or your child getting a dislocated joint. A compound bow simply will not allow this due to the nature of its design. All you have to do is follow general safety precautions when shooting (such as: do not point the bow towards a person, etc.) and the compound will take care of the rest.

Compound Bow - Compound. Very accurate, fast, convenient. A bow that has become a technological marvel of the twenty-first century. I spoke about it only in general terms. Although, each part of it, each of its accessories deserves a separate detailed story.

Vadim Andreev

LOOP ON THE STRING

The loop on the bowstring has long been a natural and familiar choice for both hunters and athletes. Since the average compound bow length has become less than 34 inches, a loop on the string is also a recommended necessity. It is better to use a loop made from materials that include Fast Flite or Dyneema, although cheap nylon substitutes may work well.

How to tie a loop correctly

Some previous articles on the topic of hunting with a bow and crossbow:

• Selection and individual assembly of bows and crossbows for hunting, rules for choosing throwing weapons
• Bow and crossbow hunting for beginners - what to buy for bow hunting
• Easton Bow Arrows: How to Choose Bow Arrows
• Hunting with a crossbow and crossbows for hunting: Reviews of hunting with a crossbow
• Fire arrows - bow and crossbow arrows with fire tips
• 10 Misconceptions in Choosing a Compound Bow for Hunting and its Accessories, as well as 5 Tips for Beginning Bowhunters. Hunting with a Bow and Crossbow Analytical Review - Part 8
• Crossbows and Bows for Hunting: Hunting with a crossbow - Basic rules for hunting with a crossbow - Analytical review - Part 7
• Truth and fiction in the ratings of the Best Hunting Crossbows and the ratings of the Best Hunting Bows 2013 - Analytical review - Part 6
• Archery and Crossbow market in Russia: Commercialization of sports or sports commerce - Part 5
• Rating of Hunting Crossbows 2013: The best new hunting crossbows and the best cheap crossbows 2013 - Analytical study of the throwing weapons market - Part 4
• Rating of Weapons and Weapon Brand Loyalty: Analytical Study of the Throwing Weapons Market - Part 3
• Crossbows and Bows for Hunting in Russia: Analytical study of the market for throwing weapons and archery services in Russia - Part 2
• Crossbows and Bows for Hunting - Hunting Bow and Hunting Crossbow in Russia is a reality - Analytical study of the throwing weapons market - Part 1
• Hunting Bow – Classic and Traditional – Renaissance
• BEAR MOTIVE 6 2013 recognized as the best hunting bow in the World
• Hunting Bow Hoyt Spyder 30 review - new bow of 2013 Hoyt Spyder 30 Review
• Hunting recurve classic bows HOYT: HOYT BUFFALO, HOYT GAME MASTER 2, HOYT DORADO
• Classic bows Samick Samick Sports - the best Korean bows for Hunting and Sports (VIDEO)
• Hunting Bow BEAR MOTIVE 6 - New TOP bow from the No. 1 archery company
• Hunting Crossbows INTERLOPER - Tactician and Skald - Viking song
• BARNETT GHOST 410 Hunting Crossbow: The World's Best Hunting Crossbow in the Hands of Matt Busbice
• Hunting Crossbows BARNETT VENGEANCE - worthy Revenge from Barnett
• Hunting Crossbows BARNETT RAZR - 400 fps with maximum compactness and minimum weight
• Hunting Crossbows SCORPYD Telson, Ventilator and Velocity, or Abdominal Segment from Point-PIDs
• Hunting Crossbows TEN POINT: TenPoint Vapor, TenPoint Stealth SS, TenPoint Tactical XLT, TenPoint Wicked Rider CLS
• Hunting Bow: Development of arrows for the hunting bow
• Bow hunting for a hare: How to hunt, what to hunt with, where to hunt
• Bowhunting for pheasants - how to hunt, where to hunt, what to hunt with
• Peculiarities of pheasant hunting with a bow... in Russia (PHOTO, VIDEO)
• Fox hunting with a bow: how to hunt a fox with a bow and decoy, where to hunt, what to hunt with
• BOW = WEAPON = HUNTING? No, son, this is fantastic
• BEAR FOREVER, or how to choose a compound bow - answers to reader questions
• BEAR ARCHERY: 110 years of Fred Bear - Happy Birthday FRED BEAR! (PHOTO, VIDEO)
• BEAR ARCHERY - Exclusive photo report from the hunting bow manufacturer's factory
• Archery - the basics. Sport bow. Sports bow design
• Archery - proper grip of the bowstring. Archery lesson from a Korean champion
• Bowfishing or Bowfishing: How to buy a bow for fishing, a reel for bowfishing and where to go bowfishing

What do you need to know before you start?

Even if you're making a bow and arrow for fun or as a gift for a child, there are a few things to consider:

The classic version of the arch consists of:

• Shoulders
• Bow string
• The main part, namely the handle

After making the bow, it is necessary to ensure proper care. Don’t be alarmed, leaving is easy and won’t take much time:

• The bowstring is only put on when shooting, so it is immediately removed. Before shooting, you need to “click” the bow and pull the string.
• Store only in a dry place, preferably in a case.
• Onions should be stored in an upright position.
• You can't pull the bow.

Bow hunting

Due to its quality and properties, the bow is suitable for hunting birds and animals. But the following fact is of critical importance: the use of a bow (not just a compound bow, but such weapons in general) as a hunting tool is prohibited at the legislative level. It is not included in the lists of hunting weapons.

The use of a bow is allowed only for entertainment and sports purposes, subject to safety precautions.

1. However, in fenced areas, training use for hunting purposes is allowed - with strict control of the actions by an experienced shooter and without the presence of unauthorized persons. The danger of a bow lies precisely in the fact that a mushroom picker or simply a lover of forest species is under the threat of a silent shot and the arrow itself.
2. The bow is selected or made exclusively for yourself, otherwise posture and muscle function will be negatively affected.
3. It is important to move slowly with a bow.
4. If the arrow is inserted and the bowstring is pulled, it is never allowed to point the bow at a person.
5. The shot (like releasing a bowstring) is done softly. To protect the hand and fingers, special gaiters are common - archer's gloves.

Hunting with a compound bow.

Combat effectiveness of bows

• A classic bow gives all its energy to the arrows when the bowstring is released. With a short-term pulse of force, the arrows fly at speeds of up to 50 m/s and do not have high penetrating force. However, this has the effect of increasing the rate of fire if you do not jerk or pull the bowstring too hard;
• Blockers' arrows accelerate rather slowly. The peak of power occurs at the moment they leave the shelf, and the arrows themselves fly at speeds of up to 90 m/s. You can use heavier arrows with greater penetrating power. As a result of this, these bows are often positioned as hunting bows. At a low rate of fire, it is impossible to partially draw the bowstring. However, in terms of accuracy and accuracy, this bow is not inferior to firearms.

How to make a bow with your own hands - designs, sizes and detailed description of how to make a weapon

Surely many would like to have a bow and arrows made with their own hands. In this article we will tell you how to make this dream come true.

Preparation of material

The arch will be made with your own hands from acacia (can also be ash or elm) with a trunk diameter of about 15 cm and a length of at least 1 meter.

It would be nice if the barrel was a little thicker. This will make it easier to “find” the shoulders of the arch in the body. The trunk should be fairly straight, not twisted, without knots or branches.

This "trunk" can also be a large branch. If someone has access to a two-meter log that meets the above conditions, they might be tempted by a bow made from a single piece of wood. Then he will skip the gluing step.

What other wood is used

For production you can take ash, rowan, willow, juniper, oak, birch. It is recommended to cut the branch in winter after frost. Before making a bow and arrow, it is necessary to determine the opening of the future shooter's hand.

Cutting a branch takes longer than cooking the onion: the broth can be up to 30 cm. A branch 3-4 cm thick should be flat, without knots. Wood plays an important role in how to make a bow and arrow with your own hands.

Barrel processing

So where to start making onions with your own hands? With barrel processing. Below are instructions.

The trunk should be cut with an ax so that it has straight cut ends, which should be painted with rubber paint. This will allow you to monitor the wood as it dries and possibly prevent cracks from occurring.

The trunk is then cut in half. If there is a knot, the cutting line should intersect it. This requires 2 wedges and a hammer. The ax can be used as a wedge, but understand that the ax can be broken. A wedge is inserted into the thicker end of the barrel.

When the wood breaks, a second wedge is inserted into the crack to free the first. These steps are repeated until two strips of wood are obtained.

Note. If the trunk breaks asymmetrically, it should never be “straightened.” It is possible that one of the parts will no longer be useful for anything and will have to get rid of it.

The bark is removed with a sharp ax (or other tool, such as a plane). After this, the tree is placed in a dry and cool place.

The main idea behind these steps is to dry the wood slowly and evenly. In the notes of the old masters it was written that the target humidity should be 10%. If you have nothing to measure, you will have to trust your instincts.

The above mentioned events can also be separated from each other by a break of several days. There's no rush here. Drying should last at least 2 months.

After about 5 weeks, you can gradually move on to the next stage. The wood is still too wet, but removing any unnecessary excess will speed up the drying process a little.

If during this time the pieces of wood begin to become covered with white mold, they should be placed higher in a drier place so that they do not collect moisture from the soil. If cracks appear during drying, the wood should be moved to a cooler place. The reason for these shortcomings is the lack of bark on the trunk.

Next, the most beautiful piece of wood is selected. Now you can get started; When making a compound bow with your own hands, the steps may vary.

"Finding" the arc

The base surface is the part of the tree without bark. This surface is processed to a minimum.

Another thing to pay attention to is the rotation of the barrel. A twisted barrel is not suitable for bows. You can try to make corrections, but the chances of success are low.

After determining the position of the bow arms, a dividing line is drawn between them. The shoulders need to be separated so that they can be connected again, but in a slightly different way. The trunk is cut with a saw.

An ax or plane removes fragments that are definitely not useful. Leave to dry further. You can’t be too zealous here, as a very thin block will warp when drying.

You need to leave a little more material at the ends, which will serve as a connecting piece. If you plan to make carved griffins, this must also be taken into account when planing, leaving an appropriate allowance.

It should be understood that this piece of wood once lived its own life. And now it needs to be revived, but in the form of an arch. All steps need to be done slowly and carefully to make a bow with your own hands.

Shoulder gluing

A wedge-shaped notch is drawn on one of the shoulders (exactly on his back). The diagram can be found on the Internet. The cut should be 10-15 cm long. The marked fragment is cut out.

If something went wrong, it needs to be fixed. The second lever is sharpened for a cut wedge. First with an ax or saw, then with a wooden file. It is important to adjust both shoulders so that (when viewed from behind) they form a straight line.

You can help yourself by drawing an axis of symmetry on them. Then three nails are driven superficially along these axes: one near the future connection and two on the griffins.

If all three “coincide” with each other, the arc is straight. Epoxy resins are best suited for gluing. After joining, everything is twisted using carpenter's clamps or rope or twine.

The seam reaches maximum strength in a week, but the arch can be worked on in two days. After gluing, it is recommended to check whether the arms are offset relative to the axis. The previous model is used for correction.

Excess wood outside the lines drawn on the template is removed. A second model is drawn showing the thickness of the shoulders. If your shoulders are bent, this line is best drawn with a ruler. After submitting the application, the premium is removed. Traditionally, you can use a plane, saw or axe.

In this form, the arch should resemble a rectangular strip. The surface of the convex was rounded with a file so that the cross section was shaped like the letter “D”.

Slowly but surely the process of creating a combat bow with your own hands is progressing.

Arc formation

To form it, you will need a beam of approximately 10x10x100 cm; a homemade crossbow and a future arch are made from this beam. To do this, “thresholds” are made on the bar, cutting them every 5 cm along the entire length. They must be deep enough to hold the rope.

Instead of thresholds, you can nail short nails that will perform the same function. The end on which the bow hilt rests is inserted into the saddle so that the bow is firmly attached to it. In one set, the string is made approximately 10 cm longer than the bow.

The “crossbow” is attached by pulling the bowstring onto the griffin, and the bow handle rests on the crossbar saddle. Gradually he moves on to the next “thresholds”, looking around the back of the arch. If you bend more, it means it is weaker. Then the next file is archived.

The shoulders should bend evenly along the entire length, except for the handle. Otherwise, the hardest parts of the shoulder are sawed off. Throughout the process, it is necessary to maintain the arch and not stretch it to its maximum length before it is formed. Of course, only the convexity, that is, the inner part of the shoulder, is processed.

Very often it turns out that the formed arc is too difficult for the archer's skills. To reduce the pulling force, it is necessary to trim both arms evenly from the middle side and reshape the bow. Then measure the voltage again. And so on until the end.

At the end of the work, the file is replaced with increasingly fine-grained sandpaper. The operating time will, however, increase, but the effect will exceed expectations.

This phase is perhaps the most tiring of all, and at the same time the most difficult, because without “getting used to” bending the bow, it can break.

Bowstring

An ideal bowstring should be thin, strong and not stretchable. The thinner the string, the better the bow's performance. However, it must withstand arc voltage of more than 7 times. The best material in terms of availability, price and parameters is the so-called dratva linen.

Practice shows that a drape folded 8 times can withstand a load of up to 25 kg. You can reduce the number of fibers to obtain better parameters, but this increases the risk of string breakage and, as a result, bow breakage.

You should remember about strengthening fragments that work with an arrow (sleeve) and griffins (rings). In these places the bowstring most often breaks. The bowstring has one or two rings.

In the case of two rings, it must correspond to a certain arc length. Once he has it, the archer ties the free end to the crossbar, drawing the bow. Thus, he has the ability to adjust the degree of deflection of the bow.

Here the terminology is noteworthy: the archer draws the bow, threading the string, and draws it back, preparing to fire.

There are many ways to weave fibers. Examples can be found on the Internet.

Service

Do-it-yourself wooden arches are very sensitive to moisture and must be protected from moisture. Otherwise, it may become permanently deformed. In turn, it should not be overdried (for example, over a chimney), otherwise it will dry out and may crack.

Modern wood paints effectively prevent the exchange of moisture with the environment and are recommended for people who have limited choice of storage space. However, experienced experts say that the onion must “breathe”.

To make this possible and at the same time protect it, the raw wood is regularly rubbed with warm linseed oil. However, this is a dirty job that needs to be repeated periodically.

What other options

An intermediate solution when caring for onions at home can be painting the onions with linseed oil. The aroma is not very pleasant, but it is excellent as an impregnation. However, after 24 hours the smell disappears.

Regardless of the chosen method, archery accessories must be protected from dust and moisture; Wipe them with a dry cloth from time to time.

Decoration

A bow must first shoot well and only then look good. Therefore, you should wait a little with decoration. It's better to shoot and test the bow first.

It is possible that after a while you will have to make small changes. Its handle and griffins can be shaped using a sharp knife and small files.

Alternatively, leather tape or linen cord can be wrapped around the handle to disguise the gluing area. One of the decoration ideas is to make an original inscription on the shoulders.

Good. The wooden arch with your own hands is ready!

Bow Omi. First season.

Part 1. General characteristics.

1.1. The power of the bow. Bow tension. Draw weight.

This value shows the force in kilograms required to hold the bow in a drawn position. It depends on the parameters of the bow arms and the type of blocks. The maximum force that must be applied to draw a bow is considered to be the force that must be applied to lift an abstract object with some mass.

According to FITA standards ( Fédération internationale de tir à l'arc - International Archery Federation), depending on the type of shooting, the draw weight for compound bows is limited to 60 pounds (27.2 kg) for men and women. When performing the “3D” exercise (shooting at animal dummies in conditions similar to hunting conditions: forest, etc.) - 80 pounds (36.3 kg) - for men.

I would like to draw attention to the fact that the bow strength of 80-100 kg indicated in many information sources is often the result of carelessly ignoring the conversion of units of measurement from the original measurement system to SI. In this case, kilograms should be understood as pounds (1 pound = 0.462 kg).

***

It is quite difficult to talk about the tension force of a particular bow: figures that are not supported by verified information are debatable in any case. However, no one bothers to speculate. In the case of Omi, taking the upper sports limit of 36.3 kg will be quite self-confident, with all the potential of this character. A bow that is too “strong” creates certain difficulties for confident use: its owner needs constant training. We cannot say how actively Omi trains.

Let's try to come from the other side. Tsukiyono Omi's age is 17 years old. For a young man of this age, it can be assumed that a suitable tension force, i.e. the mass that he can confidently lift with one hand is somewhere in the range of 19-23 kg. It would be appropriate to settle on an approximate figure of 20 kg (43.5 lbs).

1.2. Onion mass. Weight.

The weight of a compound bow ranges on average from 1.5 to 2.5 kg, depending on the design, size and materials used. The final mass of the bow is largely determined by the mass of the attachments - sights, stabilizers, shelves, etc. The weight of a fully equipped bow can be about 3.5-4.5 kg.

***

It is quite difficult to make any statements about the possible mass of a particular compound. However, it is worth noting the fairly large cast handle, long arms, and the presence of a complete set of all attachments. Thus, it is acceptable to assume that the total mass of the onion is 4 kg.

1.3. Bow length. Axel to axel

Bow length is a value that shows the distance between the axes of the eccentrics in the state when the cables and string are installed, but the bow is not tensioned. Early (70-80s of the last century) models were quite long: the upper limit was 54 inches (135 cm). Since the late 80s, the size of bows began to decrease towards the boundaries of 41-45 inches (102.5-112.5 cm). Modern compound bows can have different lengths, but the most progressive models have recently gravitated towards a noticeable reduction: from 90 cm. However, professional athletes prefer longer bows, which, in particular, are less susceptible to falling when aiming. The reduction in length is due to the improvement of the eccentric system.

In our case, the eccentrics are paired, round and small, which precisely imply a fairly long bow length.

For more information about this, see section 2.2 “Eccentrics”.

***

Let's try to roughly estimate the length of the bow. We use the method of simple comparison with a certain known value, in this case with the growth of Omi.

The model shows an image of both Omi and a bow and arrow. Based on this, you can make some calculations.

Omi's height is 163 cm.

The length of the arrow relates to Omi's height as 0.442, and the length of the bow to the length of the arrow as 1.71.

Knowing Omi’s height, we calculate the length of the bow: 163x0.44x1.71= 123 cm .

1.4. Arrow launch speed.

The initial speed of arrow flight is the speed of flight of the arrow at the moment the arrow's shank leaves the string. Bows with round eccentrics had a fairly low speed.

Modern bows can have speeds of up to 120 m/s (figures like 300 m/s are the result of carelessness on the part of the person using them, in most cases these numbers should be assumed to be km/h or ft/s - fps) , however, their eccentrics differ fundamentally from paired round ones. The average speed of these bows (particularly the Hoyt round cam bows of the late 80's/early 90's) was around 65-70 m/s (213-290 ft/s).

Bow Omi. Part 2. The nuts and bolts.

2.1. Shoulders.

The shoulder is the part of the bow located above and below the handle and serves to create force and transmit the movement of the arrow through the string. This is an elastic element of the bow (as opposed to a rigid handle), which, when bent, accumulates energy for throwing an arrow.

Blocker limbs are traditionally made of various materials: monolithic fiberglass (mainly in PSE bows), laminated plastic, interspersed with carbon and wooden plates of variable thickness (products from Hoyt). Currently, carbon shoulders are also being installed (by Mathews). The limbs of compound bows are much more elastic than those of classic bows.

The highest quality in terms of performance and shooting accuracy at present are bows whose limbs are made of layers of unidirectional fiberglass in combination with carbon fiber, ceramics or other material.

***

It is quite difficult to draw any conclusions for this bow.

The appearance is quite standard. We can conclude that this is a typical bow.

I would like to note that none of the sources indicate the use of metal (with the exception of deeply homemade “spring” cases, which are not considered). Metal is heavier, and its parameters are much worse than those of elastic plastic. The idea of ​​recognizing the arms of a particular bow as metal simply by color association is dismissed due to the lack of evidence in our country and the undeniable presence of a rich color palette of paints and varnishes from bow manufacturing companies.

With some degree of probability (see section 2.5 “Handle”) the Omi bow can be considered a product of the Hoyt company (USA). Accordingly, the material of the shoulders is laminated plastic, interspersed with carbon and wooden plates of variable thickness.

Let us also note that the shoulders of the Omi bow are different from most known at that time. At the base they are wider than the handle. For most bows these values ​​are equal or inverse.

We can assume this is a classification feature, but now it is not possible to say anything more precise.

2.2. Eccentrics (blocks at the ends of the arms).

The eccentrics are blocks of a special “two-chamber” design. They rotate on axes fixed in holes at the ends of the arms.

There are several types of eccentrics, so we will first consider the eccentrics of the Omi bow (used caps - see the beginning of part 2) for a more specific further analysis.

The shape is round. The dimensions are quite small compared to many modern designs. It is possible to calculate specific proportions/ratios, but in this case it does not seem necessary. The eccentrics are the same.

So, round paired eccentrics.

The round eccentric block consists of two chambers - a large one, which is covered by the bow string, and a small one - the inner one - through which the cable moves. The ends of the cables and bowstrings are rigidly fixed in their chambers. The winding of the string and cable around the chambers when stretching the bow occurs in opposite directions - the string, rotating the block, comes off it, and the cable, on the contrary, is wound around the inner chamber. At their opposite end, the cables are secured in one way or another to the axis of the block of the other arm. Thus, when the bow string is stretched, each of the blocks - through shortening its cable - compresses the opposite shoulder (see figure).

When fired, the cables rotate the blocks and wind the bowstring faster, the greater the difference in diameters (i.e. angular velocity) on the block between the chambers of the bowstring and the cables. The rotation axes of both cameras do not coincide with the conventional axes of the cameras themselves, and due to this, the tension force felt by the shooter is reduced. Moreover, in the process of stretching the bow, the force on the string gradually increases, and then, having reached its peak, drops sharply. This release let-off in English , depends on the design of the blocks. At first, the eccentrics gave a slight let off - about 20-30%. It already looked impressive then. Modern release values ​​range from 65% to 85% of the bow's peak draw force - but such large values ​​are typical for other types of eccentrics. For the specified period (mid-late 80s), Hoyt bows give an average reset of about 40-50%.

Round eccentrics have a number of significant disadvantages:

1. Sluggish dynamics curve (otherwise - uneven load shedding).

As the bow is pulled, there is first a smooth increase, then a smooth decrease in the tension force, and at the end of the stretch there is a smooth increase again. However, small eccentrics were installed on old longbows, which made it possible to somewhat compensate for this disadvantage.

2. Relatively low boom speed.

The vast majority of bows of those years had a large base (the distance from the string to the handle stop) - 10 inches or more, due to which the take-off speed was so low that practically nothing special was said about it. We emphasize that as the flight progresses, the arrow begins to noticeably lose speed, i.e. and in penetrating power, too, which is especially noticeable when shooting at long distances.

It is worth noting that round paired eccentrics are one of the basic old models that are still used today. However, already in 1992, more advanced models appeared - monoeccentrics, followed by one-and-a-half eccentrics, etc.

There is no need to explain these terms in our case. Learn more about the different eccentric models of compound bows here.

In 1998, faster models were in use, providing greater discharge.

Japan has been out of information and technological isolation for a hundred years now. And yet, it was not without reason that the creators chose paired round eccentrics. Many bows with fast cams (fast kama, binary, mono) have one major problem. This problem is the difficulty of synchronizing the operation of both eccentrics or the eccentric and the block. The higher the speed of the eccentrics, the more difficult it was to achieve their perfect synchronization, and even more difficult to maintain this setting during training; practically they had to be adjusted every two to three days. This forced professional shooters, whose income depends on shooting accuracy, to choose round eccentrics, which many, however, abandoned with the advent of new, more advanced types. Some modern athletes who focus on shooting at short distances also choose bows with round eccentrics, preferring a calm and accurate shot to a high-speed shot.

Round eccentrics are less sensitive to errors in shooting technique than faster models.

It may also be noted that bows with double eccentric eccentrics are quite common and available (although nowadays - 10 years later - they are more of a relatively inexpensive option for beginners).

***

Summarizing the above information, we can draw a number of conclusions.

The reasons for choosing an older (somewhat outdated) model could be:

1. Greater reliability at lower speed. It’s easier to bring the target closer and hit it with a known-accurate shot, being sure that there will be no malfunction. This is confirmed by the fact that in episode 11, Omi fires a shot while already in the bright light of the headlights of a slowing down, but at the same time quite quickly approaching car, practically several meters away from him.

2. There is no need for regular adjustments: there may be little time to “run for a bow” before a mission, and spending it on checking and adjustments is an unacceptable luxury.

3. Less sensitive to shooting technique errors: mission conditions can be anything, so a bow that is sensitive to various subtleties may not live up to expectations due to some subtlety, such as tilt, etc.

2.3. Screws.

The compound includes 2 types of screws:

• fixing (fastening the shoulder to the handle)
• adjusting (adjusting the bow tension - sometimes even a minimal adjustment in the case of a compound can be decisive for accuracy)

Adjustment is made by rotating the tension force adjustment screws. If there is a need to increase or decrease the tension of the bow, both adjustment screws (on the upper and lower arms of the bow) must be respectively tightened or unscrewed by exactly the same number of full or partial turns.

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In this case, it is impossible to judge something unambiguously - the position of the lower screw clearly indicates its fastening properties. However, its appearance (see Fig. 11: compare with the screw holding the sight rod) allows us to draw conclusions about its direct adjustment functions.

The upper screw - noticeably smaller in size and externally not suitable for manual adjustment - is most likely only a fastening screw.

Note that most models at various stages of existence have one screw on the “front” side (and not two, as in our case). Perhaps this should also be taken as a kind of classification sign. But at the moment it has not been possible to find specific analogies.

2.4. Lever

The grip is the central link of the bow. It serves to hold the bow and attach the remaining parts of the bow: shoulders, sight, stabilizers, shelf, sidewall, clicker (the latter is missing in our case).

Handle components:

1. Shoulder attachment elements are devices that represent various structures for holding the shoulders on the handle.
2. The rest (handle) is the place where the bow is grasped by hand.
3. Aiming frame (window for an arrow) - a cut on the left side of the handle, if viewed through the eyes of an archer during a shot, so that the arrow passes clearly through the center of the bow. The width is approximately equal to half the handle + half the arrow (maybe less for the compound). In height: from the top of the rest to the attachment of the upper shoulder (approximately equal to the distance from the bottom of the chin to the center of the eye or more - for ease of aiming)

The late 90s were characterized by cast handles made of light alloys - aluminum or magnesium. Currently, the most common are so-called CNC handles, milled from a single piece of high-quality aluminum on special computerized machine centers. The weight of the handle does not exceed 800-1100 grams. The exception is handles made of duralumin alloys - their weight is about 1500 g.

According to the geometry of the handle, the Omi bow belongs to the deflex geometry type. reflex geometry (which began to be actively used in the mid-90s) In Russian terminology, a deflexive handle is sometimes called a curved handle.

The rectangular shooting window with a straight outer side is a feature of many bows from the 1980s and 1990s from a variety of companies.

In the 90s, this was also observed in a number of Hoyt models.

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Based on the shape of the handle, with some degree of probability you can determine the manufacturer, down to the specific model. Of course, it is not possible to say this clearly. What doesn't stop you from thinking about this topic? If we think logically, then some ideas on this matter still seem quite plausible.

Let's take into account the fact that Japan and the USA (see the beginning of the article: most of the manufacturing companies that have been afloat for decades are from the USA) are located at a very large territorial distance from each other, and, importantly, weapons are not chosen for school club, but for a professional killer. It would be logical to use bows from well-known and already well-established manufacturers. For example, companies such as Hoyt.

These bows are, of course, not completely identical to the Omi bow. However, sufficient similarity is still felt, in particular - the appearance of the window, the nature of the handle.

It also turned out that from the second film of the same name (S. Stallone, 1985) it was also produced by the Hoyt company and has a similar design, although slightly smaller in size and a number of differences. This hardly has anything to do with Omi, but the very fact of this is worthy of mention - at least for general development. On the other hand, this is perhaps the first film where the compound was demonstrated to the general public, and this film was shown in cinemas in many countries. Perhaps the creators got the idea for such a weapon for Omi from there.

2.4.1 Bow handle grip.

Omi uses a low, deep grip with a tight grip around the handle.

A significant disadvantage of a low grip is that the area of ​​contact of the hand with the bow handle is too large - it is quite difficult for a non-professional to direct the force of contact to the same point on the handle. The launch angle will therefore be unstable even at the same distance. The accuracy of the hit deteriorates accordingly. On the other hand, it is simple and comfortable in terms of holding the handle. However, whoever is used to or accustomed to it.

Using a deep grip is fraught with hand injuries, unless the person uses a protective gaiter when shooting. Professional archers cannot do without gaiters. However, there is nothing like this on Omi.

The grip of the handle is rigid , i.e. the hand grips the handle tightly. This requires significant muscle effort when fixing the wrist joint, but significantly reduces the possibility of displacement of the center of application of the force of resistance to the bow. This compensates for the disadvantages of a low grip.

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However, another source is important for analysis.

One of the official pieces of art shows Omi holding a bow a high, grip-grip grip:

A high grip is considered professional, more correct for sports shooting. This grip provides a number of advantages over others and is recommended when shooting a compound bow. That is, Omi can, if he wants, demonstrate technical skills, but on missions he prefers to work in a way that is convenient.

2.5. Stabilizer.

The stabilizer is designed to stabilize the position of the bow, i.e. maintaining its relative rest at the moment of the shot.

All throwing devices, when fired from them, inevitably throw up. When the string slips from the fingers or is released from the release, the arrow, which has a long body, continues to move, sliding along the bow shelf or over the shooter’s fingers. At this moment, the bow itself, having released all the energy of its bent shoulders, throws up. The arrow shank at this moment is still firmly on the bowstring. The arrow will go above the target, thrown there with a bow. To prevent throwing from interfering with the accuracy of the hit, a stabilizer is attached to the bow handle below the stop. Its original purpose is to pull the bow down, preventing it from tilting back and catching the exiting arrow.

The straightening of the bow's shoulders, the rotation of the blocks, the movement of the cables and string, the micro-tremor of the shooter's hand - everything that is directly involved in the process of pushing the arrow towards the target, and everything that reacts in a certain way to the impact of the shot transmits vibration to the bow. This leads to failures in the accuracy of the shot. Stabilizers dampen this vibration.

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At first glance, this particular stabilizer is of the mechanical . Those. long, thin, light or, conversely, short, thick, heavy rod (aluminum, carbon or combinations thereof; the ends have threads for installation on the bow and for attaching additional weights).

In our case, a short stabilizer convenient for such mobile work. However, its dimensions also allow it to be classified as a combined type.

Combined stabilizers look like mechanical ones, but have a slightly larger diameter and at their beginning, near the bow handle, they contain a hydraulic module. Inside them, at the moment of the shot, a mass of some substance moves, caused by the recoil of the bow: mercury (currently prohibited), metal weights in a sealed container filled with oil, polymeric materials in the form of small balls or powder. This type of stabilizer is characterized by a short length - about 30 cm. This seems quite appropriate for our case.

2.6. Retraction.

In the case of a compound, a complex system of threads is used, consisting of:

1. The bowstring itself is a thread that serves to bend the arms of the bow and transfer force at the moment of extension to the arrow.
2. Technical bowstrings - a system of cables used to pre-bend the shoulders.

To ensure that the cables do not touch the arrow fletching when firing, they are moved to the side (to the right for right-handed shooters) using a special rod or swinging bracket, or they are moved to two sides of the bowstring. To reduce the friction of the cables on the rod when firing, they are placed in a slider, which moves freely along the outlet.

In our case, the retract and stabilizer are practically on the same axis: this is typical for bows from the mid-80s to mid-90s of the last century.

Modern bows are characterized by a higher release mount - above the stop and below the sight.

2.7. Aim.

A sight is a device for accurately aiming a bow at a target. The flight of the arrow occurs along a trajectory that has different elevation angles at different distances, so the sight must ensure that the front sight is set in height and horizontally.

Components of the sight:

• The sight base is the mounting of the sight structure on the handle.
• Sight rod - connects the entire structure of the sight to the handle, screwing to the base of the sight, mounted on the bow handle.
• Vertical ruler - a rod-ruler (in a specific case: markings in centimeters), along which the movable carriage slides.
• The engine (movable carriage) allows you to adjust the vertical position of the front sight.

The front sight on modern sights is a so-called diopter scope (otherwise known as an optical sight) with a level.

Analysis of the caps showed that in the case of the Omi bow, there is no distortion of visible space characteristic of any optics (due to distortion of reflected rays in the lens) when looking at it through the front sight. This indicates the absence of a diopter scope.

2.8. Bowstring and cable system.

Let us repeat that the compound is characterized by the presence of two types of threads: a bowstring (used to bend the arms of the bow and the shot itself) and a cable system (used to pre-bend the arms).

The string in the case of a conventional bow serves to bend the arms of the bow and transfer the forces of the extending shoulders to the arrow, as a result of which the arrow receives movement - a shot occurs. In the case of a compound bow, it is part of a single system with cables and blocks. The string has loops at the ends for attaching the arms of the bow, and in the middle there is a socket for an arrow. In the case of block eccentrics, there is also a pip-site on the bowstring - an additional mini-sight to increase the accuracy of the shot, woven into the bowstring itself.

Cables (otherwise known as technical string) are part of the same system with eccentrics and string; It is due to them that the bow bends: if you remove the cables and pull the string, the eccentrics will simply rotate around their axis without bending the shoulders. For more information about the principle of operation, see section 2.2 “Eccentrics”.

At the beginning of the development of sports shooting, when there were no threads like lavsan, the bowstring was made from specially processed animal veins, from linen thread like makay and other similar materials. Currently, threads made of synthetic fibers with a minimum stretch coefficient, such as Dacron, Kevlar, Dunema, are used to make bowstrings. A properly made and well-maintained bowstring should last 5,000-10,000 shots. The cables are made of the same thread as the bowstring, or they are made of a thin steel cable covered with a protective film (an outdated option, since they cannot be repaired if they become frayed or broken).

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Analysis of the capsules and model did not give any specific clues. Externally – dark/black thread. Most likely synthetic.

There is no pip site.

The cable and bowstring system is quite normal for a compound with round eccentrics.

It is currently not possible to judge what it is made of and whether it has any special features.

2.9. Shelf. Arrow rest. Sidewall (plunger).

The shelf is a small device, usually mounted on the right side of the sighting window of the handle above the stop (for right-handed people). An arrow is placed on the shelf when loading and stretching the bow; the arrow slides along it during the first fractions of a second of flight (modern shelves fall under the arrow at the moment of the shot, ensuring its free flight). Due to the shock-absorbing properties of the shelf, the inevitable horizontal and vertical deflections of the arrow tail as it leaves the bow at the moment of the shot are dampened.

The sidewall plunger is a boom stiffness regulator. The sidewall is adjusted in advance and set so that the axis of the arrow passes through the plane of the shot, which achieves maximum accuracy (a characteristic showing the overall accuracy of the hit; depends on the level of shooting, the correct setting of the bow and the correspondence of the arrows to the bow.).

The sidewall can be moved using a special screw device.

The shelf in action is invisible from such angles, and it can only be seen in detail on the model.

This type of shelf - a simple metal corner strip attached to the handle - is typical of classic sporting bows. In the case of a compound of this type, the shelf is used when shooting without a release (a special device for firing a shot, a “trigger” for a bow; put on the hand and/or squeezed in the palm of the shooter).

The plunger is clearly shown on the model - an adjusting screw on the outside of the handle and a small round protrusion on the inside, resting on the arrow shaft and thereby giving additional accuracy to its position on the shelf.