The compound bow was designed about 35 years ago, as a result of the interest in bow hunting in America. The bow is a little more technical than the recurve, using a cam and pulley system to store more energy than a traditional bow.
The cam, as it rotates, also cuts the holding weight by up to 80% as full draw is reached. The effect of the cam system results in faster arrow velocity and at longer distance a flatter trajectory, also the arrow will not be affected as much by wind and rain as it would with the slower recurve and traditional bows.
Today, compound bows are at the forefront of innovation and technology, using aircraft-grade alloys for the riser (handle) also carbon fibres and synthetic foam core for the limbs. The strings are made using the same materials as used in the yachting world and, not least, the American armed forces.
Because the bows are so powerful the peak draw weight (for target archery) has been governed to a maximum of 60lbs.
The bow can be shot like a recurve, using fingers and tab to pull the string and this is known as “limited” style. The bow can also be shot using mechanical devices known as release aids, “unlimited” style, which are hand-held or strapped to the wrist. These have a trigger release making for a faster and more consistent shot but can reduce the draw weight by 3 – 5lbs.
You are allowed a magnified ‘scope-sight with this type of bow which must be used in conjunction with a rear peep-sight built into the string to bring the lens into focus. This also allows you to align front and rear sights like a rifle.
Other devices such as stabilisers can be used as is the case with the recurve type of bow.
Phil Adams, compound archer
