What are compound bows?
What are compound bows?
First developed in 1966 by Holles Wilbur Allen in Missouri, the compound bow uses a levering system involving cables and pulleys or “cams” to bend the limbs or ends of the bow. The compound bow’s system of cams and cables provide a mechanical advantage that allows the archer to exert much less physical effort (poundage) when the bow is at full draw.
By requiring less effort to keep the bow fully drawn, the archer achieves better aim and increased accuracy. The system also allows you to store more energy into the highly rigid bow which translates into higher velocity upon release. Compound bows represent distinct design improvements over traditional longbows
and recurve bows.
Generally acknowledged to provide superior accuracy, velocity, and distance in comparison to other types of bows, compound bows have several other advantages which have made them the dominant form of bow in the United States, used in tournaments as well as for hunting. The ability to maintain the bow at full draw for extended periods without relying on brute strength makes it especially suitable for women and even small children for recreational purposes. For much the same reason, compound bows are also attractive to hunters stalking game.
Chances are, you’ve already seen compound bows in action. Different types of compound bows have found their way into several blockbuster movies like Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rambo III, Charlie’s Angels and Blade Trinity.
