Compound
The modern compound bow was first developed in 1966 by Holless Wilbur Allen in North Kansas City, Missouri (USA). Today, it is mainly used for modern archery or hunting. The build of the compound bow is characteristic and quickly recognizable. It has roller-like constructions at the ends of the limbs, the so-called cams. These enable a lever mechanism that is primarily responsible for transferring much more energy to the arrow than other types of bows, without the archers having to hold the maximum draw force at full draw. This effect is called "let-off" (read more about it here). A compound bow is usually not a takedown bow and is never unstrung under normal circumstances. See an overview of the terminology below.
What you should know about the BSS store structure:
For curious beginners who would like to approach the subject more cautiously, the category of the compound bow packages will certainly be interesting. Here, all the essential components that it takes to shoot right away are already included in the package (a sight, arrow rest, quiver (often a bow quiver), D-loop, stabilizer with bow sling and peep). Read more about this here.
If you already have some experience and you want to assemble your own bow, then you are in the right place in "Bows". There are compound bows with a length of about 27" to 40" or even just above. The short bows up to ca. 34" are mainly used for shooting in the forest (e.g. 3D and hunting), while the longer bows are used for target archery.
More interesting information about the world of compound bows is available here.
For curious beginners who would like to approach the subject more cautiously, the category of the compound bow packages will certainly be interesting. Here, all the essential components that it takes to shoot right away are already included in the package (a sight, arrow rest, quiver (often a bow quiver), D-loop, stabilizer with bow sling and peep). Read more about this here.
If you already have some experience and you want to assemble your own bow, then you are in the right place in "Bows". There are compound bows with a length of about 27" to 40" or even just above. The short bows up to ca. 34" are mainly used for shooting in the forest (e.g. 3D and hunting), while the longer bows are used for target archery.
More interesting information about the world of compound bows is available here.
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Terminology of a Compound bow:
How does the Let-Off Work:
The „Let-off“ is the reduction in draw weight, expressed in %, of a compound bow at full draw, which is made possible by a lever mechanism of the cams. Modern compound bows achieve a let-off of up to 90%, i.e. the archer holds only 10% of the peak draw weight in anchor position. When the string is drawn, the cams rotate accordingly. Because of them the ratio of draw length to draw force changes. The shape of the cams determines the behavior of the exerted force when the string is drawn. Whereas a recurve requires a rather evenly increasing exertion of force when drawing the string, the draw curve of a compound generally features more ups and downs. The archer pulls the peak draw weight very quickly at first and only reaches the "valley" of the curve, i.e., the let-off, shortly before full draw. The "wall" refers to the feature of the compound bow that it cannot be extended further than the set maximum draw length. A "hard" wall is usually seen as a quality feature of a compound bow. If the bow has a hard wall, there is no room to draw further than the set draw length at full draw.Example: Draw Force Curve Profiles - Recurve and Compound
The use of different cams or modules can also cause different ups/downs and early or delayed peaks of the force curve. Depending on the manufacturer and model, it is still possible to influence the character of this curve and adapt it to personal preferences.
Cams and Draw Length:
Especially for beginners, or children, the question of changeable draw length is often given with the compound bow. How do you measure the draw length in the first place, or what can you do if you now need a different draw length later on? First of all: Don't worry, none of this is witchcraft! For the first question there is a detailed and well illustrated article in the BSS blog. For compounders we recommend to use the first method "The span and some mathematics".
The second question is the reason why we already have referred to compound bow packages at the very top of the page. Usually a compound bow setup can't be changed fundamentally, once you have bought it in a certain way. But there are a few bow models, such as those in the packages, that allow easy adjustments of the draw length. If the draw length changes due to growth or a different shooting technique, it can be adjusted in a few simple steps.
Anyone who has ever bought size changeable inline or ice skates for children will probably recognize similarities in the mechanism here. The so-called "modules" can be loosened with a screw, set to the required draw length and then tighten again. In archery clubs, such adjustable compound bows are usually standard repertoire, so that beginners can try compound archery with the required draw length, without greater first investments. If you are interested in such an option, here is a compound presentation, in which Tilman Bremer demonstrates the adjustability of the modules.
The second question is the reason why we already have referred to compound bow packages at the very top of the page. Usually a compound bow setup can't be changed fundamentally, once you have bought it in a certain way. But there are a few bow models, such as those in the packages, that allow easy adjustments of the draw length. If the draw length changes due to growth or a different shooting technique, it can be adjusted in a few simple steps.
Anyone who has ever bought size changeable inline or ice skates for children will probably recognize similarities in the mechanism here. The so-called "modules" can be loosened with a screw, set to the required draw length and then tighten again. In archery clubs, such adjustable compound bows are usually standard repertoire, so that beginners can try compound archery with the required draw length, without greater first investments. If you are interested in such an option, here is a compound presentation, in which Tilman Bremer demonstrates the adjustability of the modules.
Note: However, before buying such a bow it is never wrong to first perform one of the measurement methods without a bow, so that you have at least a rough reference point. Because these adjustable compound bows have a limit, which is always specified in the BSS shop. That means you don't even need to consider bows that don't allow a longer draw length than 30″ for example with a determined draw length of 32″.
The BSS YouTube channel is always up with content all about reviews and product introductions. If you are curious about the previous compound videos, feel free to check out our playlist. Don't forget to use the English sub-title function, in case you don't understand German!