How to choose a bow
WHAT TYPE OF BOW TO CHOOSE?
First you need to decide if you want a recurve or compound bow. Therefore, you need to know their features. We're going to take you through these
A. Recurve bows
If you are a beginner, you should start with a recurve bow. You don't need to look for any special features. The traditional design of a bowstring and flexible bow has been in use for thousands of years. Recurve bows have the ends of the arms bent forward towards the target, creating a simple pulley. They are suitable for sport, hunting and recreational shooting.
Our tip:
The Ragim Impala is one of the top recurve bows that are suitable for both experienced and novice archers. It consists of a layered laminate centre and black fibreglass arms. There are threads on the handle for attaching sights or a stabilizer if needed.
Popular recurve bows:
Ragim Taiga Custom 48" 45lb Right-Handed
In Stock, estimated delivery: June 18 - 20.
$ 139.4
Bow Beast Hunter Beetle 15-20lb
1x
In Stock, estimated delivery: June 18 - 20.
$ 67.7
B. compound bows
Compound bows got their name because of the asymmetrical pulleys at both ends of the bow. The pulley system distributes the tension force unevenly over the length of the draw. Thus, the archer develops the greatest force in the first phase of the draw and the resistance is not as strong at the end. This keeps the bowstring taut longer. This is especially important for the hunter waiting for the right moment to release the arrow.
Our tip:
The Beast Hunter Buster bow is designed mainly for junior shooters and beginners who prefer a compound bow. The biggest advantage is without a doubt the ability to adjust the draw weight from 15 to 29 pounds and the associated draw length from 17-26 inches. This model will only fit the hands of right-handed shooters.
Popular compound bows:
Mankung Fossil 50-70lbs Black
9 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 160.9
Barnett Vortex Mossy Oak 19-29lbs
8 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 135.1
Bow Beast Hunter REX 20-65lb Shadow Skull
1 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 200.3
M1 Steambow Fenris 17-70lb
1 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 250.4
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A BOW
What do you need to know?
- Bow design (for left-handed / right-handed shooters)
- Bow tension (in pounds)
- Length of draw (in inches)
- Length, bow size (in inches)
Unit transfers
- 1" (inch) = 2,54 mm
- 1 lb (pound) = 453,59
Bow design
The main thing is to choose the right design: a bow for a left-handed shooter and a bow for a right-handed shooter. It's simple. A right-handed person draws the bowstring with his right hand, aims with his right eye and holds the bow in his left hand. The arrow is guided along the left side of the grip in the direction of shooting, a left-handed person does the opposite. A right-handed bow is usually marked RH, a left-handed bow LH. There are also double-sided bows on the market.
draw weight
The draw weight is usually marked on the limbs and is given in pounds. 1 Lb = 0.45 kg. In general, a person should be able to draw the bow 11 times with seven seconds of tension and two seconds of relaxation. If you are unable to achieve this, choose a weaker bow. If you easily can; you can try a stronger one. There's no point in overestimating your strength as it might backfire.
suitability of a bow according to draw weight
- 10–20 lb – children up to 13 years old
- 20–28 lb – junior shooters
- 28–35 lb – women
- Above 35 lb – men
draw length
Determines what arrow length you need. To determine the draw length you'll need a folding tape measure. Place the end of the tape measure under your neck socket, holding it with your arms extended, and hold the tape measure with your fingers outstretched on both sides. Wherever your middle fingers reach, mark off the draw length. This should then be converted to a value in inches. 1 inch = 2.54 cm.
Length, bow size
Length is usually marked on one of the limbs of the bow, as well as the draw weight. The following values are approximate for an (Olympic) recurve bow. Of course, it is always best to consult a shop assistant or try the bow directly in the shop.
- A 66” bow is suitable for draw lengths up to 28”
- A 68” bow is suitable for draw lengths up to 30”
- A 70” bow is suitable for draw lengths above 29”
Then there are the traditional hunting bows, which are around 60" long. They can easily be used by people 160-190 cm tall. Again, these are approximate values.
Our tip:
A compound bow with an arrow speed of up to 320 fps, i.e. over 95 m/s. It has a composite centre with carbon and composite limbs. The draw weight is selectable from 50 to 60 lb, and the draw length is adjustable from 28.5" to 31.5". It is suitable for shooters from 185 to 205 cm tall.
When choosing a children's bow, keep in mind that the child is still growing. It is better to choose a bow that is a little bit bigger.
Our tip:
A classic Venox children's bow consisting of fiberglass arms and a polymer centre. The draw force is 10 lb, so even a real beginner can pull the bowstring. This bow can be shot by right and left handed children.
We have tested the Venox children's bow
WHAT ARROWS TO CHOOSE
It's not so easy for beginners to navigate the product range. There are arrows in different materials, wood, fibreglass, duralumin, carbon etc. The price difference between them is considerable. Therefore, we recommend the cheaper arrows for beginner archers. It is worth buying 10-20 ordinary arrows at a price of around 80 CZK/pc. Losing or breaking them won't hurt so much and you will gradually work your way up to better arrows.
One of the main parameters to know when buying arrows is the length. This is based on the already mentioned length of draw. Simply put, arrow length = length of draw. Another parameter that is less important for a beginner, but crucial for a professional, is the stiffness of the arrow (the spine). The lower the number, the harder the arrow. We could also mention the thickness of the arrow, but this doesn't play a major role when starting out as an archer and will only be addressed over time, especially if you are preparing for competitions.
Our tip:
Fiber Bandit arrows are among the most popular among recreational shooters. They can be used for both recurve and compound bows. They offer high accuracy and durability at the same price as wooden arrows. The broadheads are round and cannot be replaced with another piece.
Other popular arrows:
Beast Hunter 29" Wooden Arrow
5x
5 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 2.3
Carbon Wraith 30" Arrow
5x
> 100 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 6.1
Carbon Claw 30" Arrow
4x
> 50 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 5.4
Poe Lang 29“ Aluminium Arrow
1x
> 100 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 4.5
Fiber Bandit 30" arrow
10x
> 100 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 3.0
Carbon Claw 32" Arrow
1x
> 100 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 6.8
USEFUL ARCHERY ACCESSORIES
If you have decided to buy a bow, don't forget the necessary archery accessories. It can be a bit of a pain before you fully master your archery technique. A bowstring can hurt your fingers and forearms. This can be prevented with protective gear like forearm guards and archery gloves. After a little practice, you'll be shooting like Robin Hood. And in order to prevent the bowstring from being damaged, you need to lubricate it with a suitable lubricant. Last but not least, a quiver for arrows is a must.
Our tip:
Practical black arm guard from Buck Trail. It is 20 cm long and fastens with three plastic buckles. Thanks to its shape it fits every forearm. This protective device will be appreciated by every archer who wants to avoid unpleasant chafing from the bowstring.
Other useful accessories:
Beast Hunter Profi 80cm Straw Target
1x
In Stock, estimated delivery: June 18 - 20.
$ 35.1
Buck Trail Yarango tradiční RH black/brown quiver
3 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 21.1
Beast Hunter Light-Pro 5 Bow Sight
1x
3 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 28.6
Ragim 62" Bowstring 16 Strands
2x
3 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 8.2
Paper Target 60x60cm
9x
7 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 0.9
Beast Hunter Max-X Green String Release
In Stock, estimated delivery: June 18 - 20.
$ 57.0
Beast Hunter Black Finger Guard
3 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: June 17 - 18.
$ 2.8
Arrow base screw-in
1x
In Stock, estimated delivery: June 18 - 20.
$ 1.8
Complete range of archery accessories
If you're unsure about choosing a crossbow or just want to get an overview, we recommend reading our article How to choose a crossbow.
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