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Best Bow for Beginners in Archery? Everything You Need To Know.

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From the stone age to the 21st century, Archery has been used widely. From hunting in the earlier times with just a handmade wooden bow with a fiber string and an arrow to getting introduced as Sports at a Global level, Archery has come a long way. In a 2015 survey in the U.S, it came out that 21.6 million people participate in Archery. So undoubtedly, it’s one of the upcoming and growing sports in modern times. Also, the academic fee for Archery is low as compared to other ones like wrestling or football. Many have been pursuing it as their career, with a dream of representing their country in Global events and winning the moments they ever dreamed of. But there are many things to be known before making your way in Archery. Most important of all them is choosing the perfect bow. But which one to choose? Let’s see!

Archery arrow training

Different types of Bows

There have been a variety of bows manufactured in the Market, each serving different needs. There have been different kinds of bows, each with a different shape. The four main categories in these are the Straight, recurve, Compound, and Crossbow. Let’s take a clear look at each of them.

1. Straight Curve

Straight Curve bow archer

These Bows are approximately straight in side-view, despite their minor curves or the curvature it takes after using for some time. Due to the lack of technological advancements and modifications, these are the toughest ones to handle or master to shoot accurately. Basically, it’s a long wooden pole with strings on both ends. With no sights or other additional attachments, drawing back and aiming becomes much tougher, making it one for the masters. During the older times, where there used to be warfare, no advanced or modified bows were available, leaving only these straight ones for the Archers. These bows were immensely tough for the Archers to handle, thus requiring the one using them to be strong and be skillful.

2. Recurve

Two archers with hoodies

These bows are made from several layers of fiberglass, carbon, or wood, with a composite riser. A recurve bow has its tips curled away from the archer. These bows store more energy and deliver it more efficiently, compared to a straight limbed bow, providing an arrow greater amount of speed and energy. These were generally meant for some short-range combats rather than the longer ones. But this means no disadvantage was used by the soldiers in the older times in the bushes or on a horseback, where the bows meant for long-range fights could be cumbersome. In today’s time. Recurve bows are the only ones used in the Olympics or other sporting main events. 

3. Compound

Compound Bow

In modern Archery, Compound bows are the ones making use of the levering system, consisting of cable and pulleys to bend the limbs. It was probably the greatest technological advancement in the field of archery, back in the 1960s. Its mechanism enabled the archer to hold and draw heavyweights with little effort compared to others. This means the archer can take more time in aiming and shooting accurately without applying so much power. The composite materials in its manufacturing are much long-lasting and durable, making them useful for long-term use. These bows were generally meant for long-range, with sights. And not to be surprised, these were a delight for hunters, having fun in involving in wild games.

4. Crossbow

Warrior with Cross bow

This is where technological advancements make it move. It took the traditional style of the archery, turned on its side, and added the triggers, just like the Bolt-action Rifles. Its simple to-point and shoot mechanism allow them to shoot at their targets much easier than any other bow existing today. Because of its style of shooting, it’s generally made for the ones who love bow hunting, but lacking time to practice it. Once set up the arrow, it’s easier to shoot by just holding the crossbow and releasing the trigger, unlike the other bows which require one to hold the string till shooting. Also, additional sights (scopes) are fitted, making it a long-range beast with almost perfect accuracy.

Few related questions below:

If Crossbow is the most superior one among all and is also easier to shoot, why is it not used in any sporting events? 

This is one of the most common questions among beginners. So, as mentioned above the Olympics doesn’t allow one to use any other bows except The Recurve ones. Also, the Crossbow is not meant to be used in sports or other events, but rather for some serious hunting or even in some cases, these are used in military operations, whether it be training or some drills.

Are the straight curved bows still used today? 

Well, certainly NO! Straight curved bows were used in ancient times, if not then in medieval times. Archers in that time were heavily trained for using such bows. In today’s time, with many advancements, the straight ones are almost useless. But still, in the tribal areas, where the light of technology hasn’t touched their lands yet, they just use the straight curved bows, whether it be for hunting or for other reasons such as Warfare (many rarities).

Which is The Best Bow For The Beginners?

This is where the majority are stuck, choosing between different bows. Some have the mindset to go for extremely advanced bows such as Crossbow, which may help them to get improve faster, while some have the thinking to start from the basics, the straight curved or other similar ones, as it may enable them to learn the basic concepts of Archery. 

The main motive of providing all of the above information is to make one aware of different types of bows, each serving its own purpose. But as mentioned above, Olympics or any other major sports events consider only Recurved Bows and nothing else. So, for someone aiming to be the best archer in Sporting events, shooting through all the given targets at a distance, the Recurved bow is the only choice. 

But it’s everything a beginner needs! It will make one learn and experience the basic concepts of Shooting with its versatility. Also, it’s cost-effective, so one doesn’t need to wander somewhere else for another expensive bow.

Consider it as an extra suggestion, but if a person enters this field with no experience of bows or anything about it, he/she must give Samick Sage Takedown, as it is highly recommended for beginners and has a wide variety of options for draw weight (how hard is it to pull the string) and size, fitting perfectly in one’s hands.