Stabilizer

Since archery is a sport where you need to both balance forces and aim, target stability is essential.

This is why both traditional and compound bow archers use stabilizers, these essential accessory set-ups that not only help them gain accuracy but also act as vibration dampeners.

The different types of stabilizers

There are 3 types of stabilizers:

- central stabilizers: fixed to the front of the bow handle, these are the longest carbon, fiberglass, or aluminum rods that generally measure between 26" and 32" in length.

- side stabilizers: mounted on an accessory called V-Bar (or one-bar for compounds), they are shorter than the central one. You often find 1 for compound bows (fixed on the opposite side of the scope) and 2 for traditional bows that come on either side of your bow, with the weight on the back.

- hunting stabilizers: much shorter and thicker than those used for target shooting, hunting stabilizers generally measure between 4 and 10" and are fixed to the front of hunting compound bows.

They allow you to balance your bow while aiming and absorb vibrations produced during your shot. Adjustment is done through positions, angles given to them, and also by adding and/or removing weights at the ends.

The different stabilization accessories

Whether for compound bows or traditional bows, Hattila offers all stabilization accessories to complete your bow stabilization:

STABILIZERS

Stabilizers come in various sizes and configurations, but they all serve the same function. They reduce vibrations when the archer releases an arrow, and stabilize the bow by increasing its inertia. Without stabilizers, bows can be unstable while the archer aims, making it difficult to keep the bow still. They may also experience significant bow vibrations after the arrow's release.

V-BAR or ONE-BAR

This piece attached to the handle or stabilizer extension allows you to adjust the side stabilizers to achieve proper bow stability when shooting the arrow.

Some are fixed and the angles must be chosen at the start, while others are adjustable and allow the side stabilizers to be positioned anywhere. 

There are:

- the V-Bar: which is mainly used by traditional archers to balance their bow at the back with 2 side stabilizers.

- the One-Bar: which is used on compound bows that generally only have one central stabilizer and one side stabilizer (the side stabilizer opposite to the scope for balance)

THE EXTENSION

This piece is designed to extend the bow stabilizer and allow for a V-type setup further from the handle. Without an extension, the V Bar will be fixed directly to the handle, which is of course entirely possible.

Extensions allow you to shift the bow's balance forward. The longer the extension, the faster the bow will tip forward. This also allows the bow to leave the hand more aggressively at release for a more dynamic shot. 

Extensions generally come in 3, 4 and 5" lengths.

THE DAMPENER

Transform any stabilizer into a dynamic stabilizer with the dampener. It improves comfort and performance by minimizing vibrations in the stabilizer.

The dampener eliminates a large portion of the bow's shock and noise for a smoother shot.

It also reduces stabilizer oscillation to decrease tension on the archer. It is designed to be positioned on most stabilizers to maximize performance adjustment.

However, you must be careful about the threading used: either American or metric threads. Stabilizers and dampeners must be compatible, we recommend using the same brand for these 2 products.

WEIGHTS / MASSES

These are additions that will allow you to fine-tune your bow's balance. Depending on their arrangement, the bow will react completely differently when the arrow is released! Testing is therefore essential to find the configuration that best suits you.

Like dampeners, weights/masses must be compatible with everything else in terms of threading. Here too, we recommend using products from the same brand.