Composite bow

A composite bow is made from different materials laminated together, usually applied under tension. Different materials are used so that different material properties can be taken advantage. Materials particularly resistant to compression, such as horn, antler, or compression resistant woods like yew, are used on the belly of the bow (the part facing the archer when shooting) while materials that are very strong under tension, such as sinew, silk or tendon cables, or tough wood like hickory, are used on the back of the bow (the part facing away from the archer when shooting).

Related Topics:
Bow - Yew - Hickory

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The Hun and Hungarian bows use horn on the belly and sinew on the back. As with most other composite bows made before the 20th century the layers were glued on using glue made from hide, or fish bladders. They are recurve bows as the shape curves back on itself and it is this design that gives the bows tremendous power compared with their size.

Related Topics:
Hun - Hungarian bow - Glue - Recurve bow

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The composite bow was frequently used by the cavalry archers of the Mongols and other Asiatic nomads. In fact, most of the Mongol horde consisted of light cavalry archers mounted on fast Mongolian horses.

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The English longbow has a natural composite of yew sap wood and heart wood. The heart wood is on the inside of the bow and resists compression and the outer sapwood stretches. This makes a powerful natural spring.

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Modern composite bows such as compound bows, longbows, or recurves use laminated wood, plastic, and fibreglass. These are little affected by changes of temperature and humidity.

Related Topics:
Compound bows - Longbows - Recurves

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