Types of Bow

There are many types of bow in use but to be used in a shoot organised under the N.F.A.S they must meet certain criteria. This article deals with the construction of the bows. If you wish to see what qualifies please visit: http://www.nfas.net

The Longbow is the traditional style of bow used for hundreds of years in Britain. Although once made of only yew they are now mainly constructed from lemonwood and hickory laminates, occasionally with purpleheart added. The bow normally stands at six foot when braced. A web page describing the bow in detail is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longbow

A longbow at a clout shoot

The Recurve Bow is perhaps the most popular bow but comes in many different varieties from the ancient Mongolian bows made of hide and sinew to modern recurves made from carbon and glass fibre. The recurve takes its name from the shape it assumes when braced with convexly curved limbs. The recurve bow is much shorter than the longbow and suited to use from horseback. A web page describing the bows in detail is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recurve_bow

A typical recurve

The American Flatbow is what most boys of a certain age think of as a bow due to watching ‘Cowboy' films of the past. They are similar to the longbow in that they do not recurve but are again shorter so can be shot from horseback. The cross section is more rectangular in shape than the rounded longbow. A web page describing the bow in detail is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatbow

The Compound Bow is a very modern variant invented in the early 1960s. It uses the principles of physics and engineering to allow for a much shorter, stiffer bow. The normal height of a compound bow is 36 inches. In addition the archer has less ‘holding weight’ when the bow is at full draw, making it more comfortable to shoot. A web page describing the bow in detail is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compound_bow

A compound at full draw