Guide to different types of bows

A bow consists at minimum of a string, a grip, and two limbs.

Bow types are grouped into three categories: the recurve bow also called classic, the longbow also called straight bow and the compound bow which is a pulley bow. The other bows listed in this mini-guide are subcategories of classic or compound bows.

Technical characteristics: The recurve bow is recognizable by the curves of its limbs and its more massive grip. It is used for instinctive shooting without a sighting device, but can be equipped with accessories optimizing its use, such as a stabilizer, a sight, vibration dampeners... It comes in different sizes and different strengths, up to 40 pounds for adult recreational shooting.

Hattila.com offers for children and beginners 15-pound recurve bows with prices ranging from €39.90 to €64.90.

Advantages: This bow offers the widest range of practices with leisure, competition, hunting, target shooting indoors or outdoors.

Disadvantages: Slightly less suitable for hunting than the compound.

Technical characteristics: Simple and essential, it is ideal for beginners in traditional archery. More stable, the one-piece recurve bow is made in a single piece, often in wood and is reserved for traditional bow enthusiasts. The arrows can be made of wood, carbon, aluminum or fiberglass.

One-piece bows are available in several sizes and strengths. Prices range from 150 euros for an item from China to over 1000 euros for more sophisticated equipment.

Advantages: Light, less expensive, beauty of the bow.

Disadvantages: Reduced performance, fixed grip, non-upgradable.

Technical characteristics: The limbs attached to the riser are detachable for transport or to modify the bow's performance. The materials used are carbon, fiberglass or aluminum, but the grip can be wooden. Ideal for progressing archers, it is not necessary to buy a new bow to modify its properties.

Prices fluctuate greatly depending on the materials and the power of the equipment. You should expect a minimum of 300 euros for a handle and 400 euros for a pair of limbs.

Advantages: More rigid, more refined, it offers different adjustment possibilities, better performance and the grip is interchangeable.

Disadvantages: Heavier and more expensive.

Technical characteristics: The Compound or cheap pulley bow is a bow allowing faster arrow propulsion through a system of pulleys that multiplies power. The selection criteria are numerous (size, draw length, power). For leisure, the power ranges from 12-pound bows (for children) to 75 pounds for hunting bows. Higher powers will be reserved for hunting.

Hattila, online bow shop, offers a concentrated selection and prices, with a starting price of €39.90 for a 12-pound compound bow for children. The maximum price for the recreational compound bow is €124.50.

Of American design, it is mainly used for hunting, field archery and target shooting.

Advantages: High power, accurate shots.

Disadvantages: Difficult adjustments.

Technical characteristics: The longbow is also a traditional bow of large size (2 meters), straight, D-shaped. It is now possible to find straight bows of different sizes, depending on your body type. Made of a single piece, it is manufactured from yew, boxwood or laminated wood. It's a medieval bow of English origin with instinctive shooting reserved for experienced archers practicing field archery.

The strengths of the longbow generally range from 25 to 60 pounds. Arrows must be wooden for competition.

Prices vary ranging from 100 euros to over 1000 euros.

Advantages: Flexibility, lightness, aesthetics.

Disadvantages: Without aiming aid, it is difficult to master and has low efficiency.

Technical characteristics: Wooden bows are either one-piece recurves or longbows. They maintain the authenticity of field and instinctive shooting, and their lightness allows them to be held for hours.

Many sizes and strengths are offered and wooden arrows are preferred.

Robin Hood and Game of Thrones fans will appreciate this equipment.

Advantages: Flexibility, lightness, beauty of the bow.

Disadvantages: Difficult to master, a bow for one use.

Technical characteristics: Used in certain field archery competitions, the barebow is a traditional bow, recurve or longbow, which is shot without adding equipment such as a sight, stabilizer, draw length indicator or aiming mark. The bow is stripped of its accessories, except possibly the plunger button.

The characteristics of sizes and strengths, as well as adjustments, correspond to classic bows.

Advantages: Good way to learn all aspects of shooting, strong feel of the bow for instinctive shooting.

Disadvantages: Needs time to master the technique and gestures.

Technical characteristics: All bows, recurve, longbow or compound can become hunting bows. It all depends on the game to be reached and the archer's will. The main difference will be in the arrows which must be equipped with sharp steel tips. The essential accessory for any bow hunter is the knife or rather knives to take care of the caught game.

Purists will keep traditional longbow or recurve bows, favoring instinctive shooting.

The compound bow was created in North America for hunting and some very powerful equipment allows for catching big game, like wild boar. The position can be held for a long time and patience is the hallmark of a good hunter.

Hattila.com offers compound hunting bows from 50 to 75 pounds at €189.00.

Technical characteristics: Each type of bow has its competition, but the official Olympic bow remains the recurve. Competition is done on indoor targets or outdoors (FITA). Field archery is done on animal-shaped targets, while 3D archery is done on painted foam targets imitating animals. Hattila.com offers competition bows starting at €989.00.

Here are the different types of competitions according to federations and types of bows used:

• Line shooting: indoor shooting (25 m maximum), outdoor shooting (70 m maximum).
• Field archery: field shooting (24 known and unknown targets, distance of 5 to 60 m), nature shooting (21 animal image targets, distance 5 to 40m), 3D shooting (on 3D animal replicas), ski-archery (archery equivalent of biathlon).

Advantage: Ideal minimal equipment, lightweight.

Disadvantages: Incompatible with hunting.

Technical characteristics: The Yumi is a traditional Japanese bow used to practice a martial art called Kyudo, a legacy of the Samurai. Originally made of bamboo, fiber or carbon are now tolerated. The bow is exclusively held in the left hand and its asymmetrical grip is located in the lower third. The very large bow exceeds two meters and is devoid of any equipment. The Japanese arrow is called the Ya. It can be made of bamboo, aluminum or carbon fiber.

Advantage: The quality of posture and gestures is prioritized, allowing for a perfect shot.

Disadvantages: Spiritual practice, requires specific attire.