Learning to shoot a bow should begin with a consideration of its design, individual elements and accessories.
Any modern bow consists of the following elements: shoulders, handle, string, stabilizer, sight, as well as a special arrow mount. At the same time, sports models additionally have a clicker (a lock for the length of the bowstring tension), a plunger-sidewall and a shelf for supporting the arrow. Central bows have a handle design such that the arrow can pass through the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the bow, and its flight is carried out in the plane of the shot.
Classic bows
Unlike traditional wooden bows, modern materials and technologies are used in the manufacture of classic recurve models. Such weapons have holes on the handle for additional accessories (sight, shelf, plunger, stabilizer). A recurve bow is suitable for hunting small animals and birds.
A fired arrow flies at a speed of 50-70 m/s and can hit a target at a distance of 50-70 meters. The classic model has a collapsible design and consists of 3 elements (2 shoulders and 1 handle). A distinctive feature of all recurve bows is the unique bend of the arms, which serves to speed up the flight of the arrow. No permit is required to purchase such weapons.
W&W Archery SF Optimo+
SF is a recurve classic model from the Korean company Win&Win Archery, which is named after the French archer and Olympic champion Sebastien Flute. Optimo is a bow for beginners. Used for entertainment, hunting and sports. The handle has places for attaching additional accessories.
Description:
- collapsible design;
- tree;
- 1.1 kg;
- 160 cm;
- 34/38 lbs;
- $120
Pros:
- compactness (disassembles);
- reliability, quality.
Minuses:
- There are no additional accessories in the basic kit;
- relatively high price.
Sebastien Flute Optimo
The classic recurve model from the Korean company Win&Win Archery is suitable for sports, hunting and entertainment. Has a collapsible design. The handle has holes for additional accessories.
Description:
- collapsible design;
- wood, plastic;
- 1.2 kg;
- 172.7 cm;
- 26/30/34/38 lbs;
- $129
Pros:
- compact (disassembles);
- reliable.
Minuses:
- There are no additional accessories in the basic set;
- high price.
Cartel Doosung Sirius
The recurve model from the Korean company Cartel Doosung is suitable for hunting and archery.
The bow can be additionally equipped with devices that increase shot accuracy.
Description:
- collapsible design;
- handle made of plastic, arms made of wood and varnished;
- 172-177 cm;
- 1.1 kg;
- 20,26,30,36 lbs;
- polyester fiber bowstring;
- 82 dollars.
Pros:
- quickly disassembled;
- weighs about 1 kg.
Minuses:
- not suitable for hunting large game;
- Over time, the bowstring will need to be replaced.
BowMaster Rebel
The recursive model is manufactured in China. Suitable for hunting and sport shooting. Additionally, you can install a sight, plunger, shelf and stabilizer.
Description:
- collapsible design;
- aluminum handle, wooden laminated shoulders;
- 142.24 cm;
- 860 grams;
- 30.40 lbs;
- $86.
Pros:
- a light weight;
- compactness (can be disassembled).
Minuses:
- not suitable for hunting large animals;
- Over time, the bowstring stretches.
Jandao Beginner
A sports model for beginner hunters and athletes (amateurs) manufactured by Sanlida (Taiwan). Even teenagers and women can shoot from such weapons. The bow can be disassembled and put into a case.
Characteristics:
- wood (maple, beech);
- collapsible design (recursive);
- 167.64…172.72 cm;
- 1.1 kg;
- 22,24,28,30 lbs;
- Dacron bowstring;
- $82
Pros:
- lightness, reliability, strength;
- compactness (can be disassembled).
Minuses:
- not suitable for hunting wild boar and wolf;
- Over time, the bowstring may stretch.
Myth 1. Arrows easily penetrate armor
Image: AilinStock / DeviantArt In most movies, medieval armor is a pretty useless piece of equipment.
One blow with a sword, and the warrior clad in armor falls, breathing his last on the spot. And the arrows pierce armor like paper. True, it is absolutely unclear: if the armor was so vulnerable, why did the knights wear it at all and spend crazy money on equipment. In fact, the armor provides excellent protection against arrows, even those fired from a powerful English longbow. If you don't believe me, take a look at this experiment conducted by Ted's Workshop reenactors. Even a point-blank shot did not cause significant damage to the cuirass, leaving only a dent. And at long range the bow has no chance at all.
Each of the infantrymen wore a jacket of thick felt and chain mail, so thick and strong that our arrows had no effect on them. I saw some with from one to ten arrows sticking out of them, but despite this, they continued to advance at the usual pace, without leaving the ranks.
Baha ad-Din Walad, Khorezm historian and lawyer.
Simple chain mail, which most fans of medieval battles imagine as a rather useless thing, also perfectly protected B. ad-Din. Saladin. Conqueror of the Crusaders: [trans. from Arabic] from archery shots.
Another thing is that thin armor made of metal up to 1 millimeter thick, as well as chain mail of not very high quality weaving, arrows completely pierced GF Asbell. The Traditional Bowyer's Bible. And no king would have had enough finances to equip the entire army with armor. So volleys from bows quite effectively destroyed manpower and horses, which is also important.
Compound Bows
For hunting large animals, it is recommended to buy special designs equipped with vibration dampers, stabilizers, sighting and other devices. All of these accessories are included with the compound bow. Such models usually consist of a handle, two roller blocks located at the ends of the arms, and a bowstring stretched between them.
The complex design allows you to create maximum kinetic energy with a minimum of effort. An arrow fired from a block weapon flies at a speed of 90-105 m/s and hits a target at a distance of 80-100 meters. Bows with a draw weight of up to 27 kgf / 60 lbs can be purchased without a hunting license or permit.
Mathews VXR 31.5
The new 2022 model from the American company Mathews has two blocks. Suitable for hunting deer and wild boar. Crosscentric Cam technology allows the boom to reach speeds of over 100 m/s. Engage Grip handle reduces vibration after shooting.
Characteristics:
- metal alloy, carbon;
- 1.9 kg (total weight);
- 60 lbs (pulling force);
- 104.5 m/s (initial boom speed);
- 80 cm (distance from axle to axle);
- 6 inches (base);
- $1,300.
Advantages:
- reliable and easy-to-use design;
- a fired arrow can kill an animal.
Flaws:
- bulkiness;
- high price.
Man Kung MK-CBA5 Thorns
A compound bow from the Taiwanese company Man Kung is suitable for hunting medium and large animals. The shot fired can even kill a bear.
Description:
- carbon fiber reinforced plastic, aluminum alloy, rubberized film;
- 1.4 kg;
- 95 m/s (initial speed);
- 7 inches (base);
- 76 cm (length between the axes of the blocks);
- 60 lbs;
- $363.
Advantages:
- suitable for professional hunting;
- relatively light weight.
Flaws:
- bulkiness;
- high price.
PSE Vision
A bow for professional hunting is distinguished by its ease of use and the power of the shot fired. Even a beginner can shoot from a block model.
Characteristics:
- composite, aluminum alloy;
- 1.9 kg;
- 93 m/s (initial boom speed);
- 83.8 cm (distance between the axes of the blocks);
- 7 inches (base);
- 50-60 lbs (tension);
- $480.
Advantages:
- high shooting accuracy;
- minimum effort on the part of the shooter.
Flaws:
- bulkiness;
- can't be made out.
Bear Archery Marshal
The American compound bow from Bear is suitable for bear hunting. The model can be safely purchased by both experienced and novice hunters.
Characteristics:
- Aluminium alloy;
- 1.8 kg;
- 97.5 m/s (initial boom speed);
- 6.75 inches (base);
- 60 lbs;
- 76 cm (distance between the axes of the blocks);
- $549.
Advantages:
- easy-to-use model;
- high shot power.
Flaws:
- the structure cannot be disassembled;
- high price.
Yarrow Gamma
The compound bow from the Taiwanese company Yarrow has an original, sophisticated design and compactness, although the model cannot be disassembled. But the purchase of such weapons does not require permission.
Characteristics:
- metal alloy, plastic;
- 1.8 kg;
- 55 lbs;
- 105 cm (span of arcs);
- $157.
Advantages:
- powerful shot;
- relatively low price.
Flaws:
- the structure cannot be disassembled;
- uncomfortable to wear.
Classification
There are different types of bows, which mainly differ in their purpose of use. They differ in type (simple, complex), in shape, in material, in design, in the placement of the arrow relative to the axis, etc. Bows can be solid (the limbs and handle form a single unit) or collapsible. The first ones are most often used for shooting training, and they often buy bows of the second type for themselves. The collapsible bow makes it easy to replace limbs or eliminate design flaws if present. In addition, they are easier to store and transport.
Conclusion
This article discussed all the features of bows for hunting and sports. Their features and characteristics are described and their advantages and disadvantages are shown. Despite the fact that the bow was popular for quite a long time and was withdrawn from service, interest in this weapon was revived literally 50 years ago.
Now there are 3 main types of bows: Traditional (not mass produced), classic (the most popular) and compound (intended primarily for hunting or sports competitions). The review describes classic and block ones. Among them there is one traditional bow, but it is classified as a classic one.
Thanks to the compiled rating, the buyer will be able to determine which bow to buy for him!
Myth 3. In order to incapacitate a fighter, you need several arrows
Still from the film “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
Usually in films, heroes wounded by archery continue to fight for a long time. And in order to finally finish them off, you need to stab the unfortunate ones with arrows, like hedgehogs - just remember how Boromir died from The Lord of the Rings.
In reality, the bow is a much more dangerous weapon than you think. The wounds it inflicts are more painful than gunshot wounds because the arrow is larger than the bullet. It has a stronger effect on the wound if the person affected by it moves.
According to research by R. Shereen, RJ Oskouian. Treatment of Arrow Wounds: A Review / Cureus Journal of Medical Science in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science, such wounds were fatal in 72% of cases. Bows have killed more people than any other weapon in history. So one arrow would have been enough for Boromir.
Myth 5. To shoot a bow, a woman will have to cut off her breasts.
Still from the movie "Tomb Raider: Lara Croft"
Right or left - depending on which hand you have stronger. At least, according to Hippocrates and Mark Junian Justin, this is exactly what A.V. Kotin did. The myth of the Amazons and its development in the ancient Amazon tradition - so that the magnificent bust does not interfere with shooting and throwing a spear.
But this, of course, is stupidity. You don't have to cut off and burn your breasts to shoot a bow, even if you're a size 6. After all, the bowstring is pulled to the ear or cheek.
In addition, in ancient times, a mastectomy without normal painkillers and antiseptics would most likely end in failure.
Myth 10. Archers shoot on the command “Fire!”
Still from Game of Thrones
In many films, such as The Lord of the Rings, Frozen, Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven, military commanders order their soldiers to “Take aim!” and “Fire!” Moreover, this is not a quirk of our translators - often in the original movies, archers are given the command “Fire!” This is, of course, stupid, because bows are not firearms. Before the invention of muskets, the command "Fire!" didn't exist.
In fact, medieval lords, ordering preparations, shouted Another Historical Pet Peeve - Archery and Hollywood / Mass Historia to the shooters “Knock!” or “Stretch!”, that is, “Pull!” It is logical, because the bowstring is pulled. And when you need to fire a salvo, the command “Loose” sounded, that is, “Let it go!”
This, by the way, was demonstrated in “Game of Thrones” when, during the Battle of the Bastards, Ramsay Bolton commanded his archers to attack Jon Snow’s troops. Realism, yes.
Myth 11. When aiming, hold the arrow with your finger
Still from Game of Thrones
Ygritte from Game of Thrones does just that 8 Archery Mistakes In 'Game Of Thrones' Season 4 / Business Insider. And in vain, because it will disrupt the flight path of the arrow. In addition, her fingers will hurt when the feathers pass over them.
Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games prudently holds the shaft
, and puts it somewhere in his palm. This way, the arrow won’t really hit your fingers—it’ll just fly away anywhere other than the target.
Normal archers do not hold the arrows between their fingers, but place them on the crook of their index finger so that they can freely come off the bowstring.
Myth 6. Archers can aim for a long time
A still from the series “Arrow”
Usually in movies we are shown how shooters pull the bowstring, then take long and careful aim and only then shoot the arrow. Some manage to hold the enemy at gunpoint, have a heart-to-heart talk with him, and only after a minute or two finally finish off the adversary.
Carla Companion, a professional archer and shooting coach, once mentioned Arrow: An Archery Instructor Evaluates Oliver Queen's Form / Comic Book about this when reviewing the 2012 Arrow series.
The only thing I think is wrong is how easily the hero keeps his bow always drawn, especially when facing an enemy at gunpoint. To hold the bowstring for so long, you need to have incredible strength.
As we already mentioned, in order to keep the bowstring taut the GF Asbell. The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, you need to hold 35 to 70 kilograms in one hand, pulled back, which is quite difficult. Therefore, shooters aim quickly and do not pull the bowstring for several minutes - there is not enough strength for this.
