RECURVE

The recurve bow is perhaps the most and widely used bow in archery. The term “recurve” refers to the shape of the bow as seen from the side. When strung, the bow bends in the usual crescent shape but the end of each limb of the bow curve back in the other direction. So not only does the bow curve, it re-curves at the end; hence the name.

The advantage of this re-curve in the limbs is that as the bow is drawn to its full extent the recurve straightens out until the limbs are completely extended, so that in effect the limbs have become longer as the bow is drawn, generating more power. Modern recurve bows are often “take-down” bows, meaning that they can be taken apart for easy storage and transport, being comprised of a “riser” (the central portion held by the archer) and two “limbs” that detach.