As we have seen, before buying your bow and arrow, you need to analyze your objective, your level of practice, and your physical structure. With this, you must also consider the characteristics of each model available on the market today. Therefore, we have listed for you the main factors that must be considered before buying the bow and arrow:
- Dominant eye
- Bow type
- Weight
- Size
- Arrows
- Accessories
Next, we will explain each of these factors in detail so that you make the best decision and invest in the ideal bow and arrow.
What You Should Consider Before Choosing the Bow and Arrow
Dominant eye
This is a fundamental factor that you must take into account before purchasing your bow and arrow. Before choosing from the available models, you need to discover your determining eye. In archery, the bow type is usually chosen for right-handed or left-handed.
Manufacturers make this information available on the product packaging. But this choice is made based on the directing or dominant eye, which can guarantee a more accurate aim.
For you to identify your correct eye, follow the instructions below:
- Look at an object that is 5 or 10 meters away;
- Put your hands forward, joining them, and then leave a space between your thumbs and index fingers;
- Upon realizing that your hand will approach only one eye, it will be chosen as your dominant eye.
Types of Bows
There are a variety of arches, and each has its characteristics. As we have seen, the effective use of the equipment will depend on the technique and posture used. So you must get the right bow for yourself. We recommend that, before investing in this equipment, you consult your coach or coach.
This is because there are bows and arrows of various models, such as the Traditional Longbow Arch, Flatbows, Recurve Arch, Compound Arch, among others. Here, however, we will focus on the two main and most popular types: the recurve bow and the compound.
The recurve bow is the type used in the Olympics. This model has blades with double curvature, forming a smooth “S.” But, as it does not have pulleys, this type of bow and arrow requires a greater pull effort.
Also, the recurve bow can be found in two formats: one-piece and collapsible. It can be made of wood or high-strength material such as metal, carbon fiber, and fiberglass. The compound bow, on the other hand, is a more modern model, which has a system of pulleys (or pulleys) at its ends where the rope passes.
With the pulleys’ help, the rope is stretched with the help of the pulleys, which reduces the amount of force necessary to fully stretch the rope, thus facilitating the aim for shooting.
Also, the composite arc is less affected by changes in temperature and humidity compared to the recurve arc. It also offers the archer better accuracy, speed, and range. Still, both types of bow and arrow can be equipped with accessories that facilitate accurate shooting.
Weight
Another factor that you should note before investing in your bow and arrow is the weight. And, in this case, it is not the number of pounds that the instrument weighs. We are dealing here with the force you exert to pull the bowstring.
If you are a beginner, you recommend that you choose a recurve bow that weighs between 25 to 35 pounds (lbs), which is roughly equivalent to between 11 to 15 kg. For compound bows, 50 to 60 pounds are ideal. This is necessary so that the practitioner can perform the movements correctly.
Size
To choose the size of your bow, you need to know the size of your “pull.” The fact is that each person has a different “pull.” To discover this measurement, you must measure the distance between the two arms stretched out on the side. Then, multiply that value by 2.5, and you will have the pull in inches.
Arrows
Finally, you must consider the arrows when buying the bow. In many cases, the instrument is already accompanied by some arrows, in general, between two and 6. But this is not a rule, so stay tuned.
Like the bow, the arrow has several specificities and units of measurement. One of these measures is the length of the arrow, measured between the nock and the end of the tube, discarding the tip’s size.
It is the span of the archer that determines the size of the ideal arrow. So, again, consult your coach to make the best choice. That’s because an arrow that is too long can lead to unstable shots. A short arrow can lead to serious accidents since it is faster.
Another important measure is the spine. This unit measures the arrow’s flexibility: the larger the spine, the greater the contortion movement of the arrow during the flight to the target.
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