It goes without a doubt that archery is a thrilling and exciting hobby. However, pursuing it professionally may be difficult for people who are new to this field.
Archery is a field consisting of such equipment as a bow, a crossbow (shortened as Xbow), arrows, and other related gear.
Today, we’re going to answer the question: Which type of bow has straight limbs that form an arch when strung?
But before we answer this question, let’s first explore how bows evolved throughout history into their current existence.
History of Bows
In ancient times, bows were made from a piece of wood and were equipped with sinew. In the modern days, however, bows have evolved and can be made with such materials as carbon fiber and fiberglass.
Today’s bows also come with many advanced features like scopes. There are seven types of bows existing today.
These include:
- Longbows
- Compound bows
- Recurve bows
- Yumi bows
- Reflex bows
- Takedown bows
- Crossbows
Choosing proper bow for your bowhunting is key to augmenting your accuracy and performance in the field. Enough of that, let’s answer our question: Which type of bow has straight limbs that form an arc when strung?
The answer is Long Bow or “traditional bow.”
Let’s discuss a few of these bows in detail below.
Longbows
The longbow is a traditional bow with long, nearly straight limbs that form an arch when strung. It befits people who are interested in traditional shooting with minimal additional gears.
The existence of the longbows dates back to 1298. It’s rare to miss this type of bow in movies with a battlefield scene from the mid-16th century going backward.
A longbow is made of a curved piece of wood whose length is almost equal to the archer’s height. It has no arrow rests or sights.
It is harder to aim and fire a longbow accurately. And, it doesn’t match a Compound or Recurve bow in velocity. Practice is necessary to master the art of using this bow, so it’s a good option for folks who enjoy a challenge.
Compound Bows
The first compound bow was introduced in the 1960s. Compound bows are mechanically operated by an innovative system of pulleys, eccentric cams, and cables that assist the archer in holding a heavy draw weight at full draw.
These bows are made from various materials, such as carbon, aluminum, fiberglass, and magnesium. Changes in humidity and temperature have little impact on these bows, allowing them to achieve increased distance, arrow velocity, and accuracy.
A compound bow’s limbs are stiffer than those of other bows. This allows them to be more energy-efficient and precise. Although it’s relatively easy to use a compound bow, it’s typically not recommended for beginners because of its inherent complexity.
Recurve Bows
A recurve bow derives its name from its distinct shape. It’s more or less identical to the longbow, but the central parts of its limbs curve towards the archer as the tips curve away from the archer.
This configuration allows it to provide more power than the longbow. It’s smooth, quiet, and requires the least strength from the shooter.
Historically, recurve bows were used by ancient horsemen, but modern bows are commonly seen in Olympic events. These bows are ideal for teaching archery.
When starting out, you’ll be using a barebow, which is made up of bow limbs, an arrow rest, a string, and a riser for balance. You can add extra features as you gain experience. More experienced and competitive archers can add components like clickers, stabilizers, pressure buttons, and sights.