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Archery Equipment: Bow String
By:
Published: June 5, 2007
Archery has a rich history. The bow and arrow evolved from spears and was first used to hunt prey. Since then, it has been used by virtually every culture and society around the world. It has grown into a recreational and competitive sport as well as an Olympic sport. Archery has even seeped into the mythology of our culture through the Robin Hood legend and movies.
Whether used for hunting or leisure, archery equipment takes on the same form with a few variations. Choice of bow string is one of the most important decisions to launch an arrow swiftly and far. There are a lot of options of bow string on the market today. While some of the variations may seem subtle, the impact is on bow performance and accuracy is significant.
To launch an arrow far, it should be shot from the middle of the bow string. The bow string is attached at both ends of the bow stave. Some popular materials for bow string include linen, hemp, silk, sinew, or even rawhide fiber. There are generally 3 popular string forms for a bow: simple, reverse twisted, and looped.
Simple bow string can be made of any fiber. It is twisted into a single cord and secured with a knot at each end. Sometimes, simple bow string is weaker than other types and can fall apart if not kept under constant tension. Reverse twisted bow string can be made of linen, hemp, or modern fibers. It tends to be stronger than simple bow string and holds together better. This is because it is made from individual bundles twisted in one direction, then as a whole, twisted in the opposite direction. Looped bow string consists of continuous loops of fiber. A single, unbroken loop is common.
Modern bow string is measured by its strength per second (sps) and stretch. The materials used to make bow string affect the thickness of the string, stress on the bow, and speed of the arrow. There are 3 types of materials commonly used for bow string: Dacron B50, Kevlar 7-11, and Fastlight.
Dacron B50 (sps=22.5 kg, stretch=2.6%) is a long-lasting string made of polyester. It is relatively easy to maintain. Kevlar 7-11 (sps=31.8 kg, stretch=0.8%) is denser and thinner than Dacron B50. Although the Aramid material allows for a faster arrow, Kevlar 7-11 isn't very stretchy. This can hurt the bow itself and the bow string snaps soon and easily. Fastflight (sps=45.5 kg, stretch=1.0%) is also less stretchy than Dacron. The Spectra material is plastic-y and slippery. Fastflight S4 (sps=45.5 kg, stretch=>1.0%) consists of half as many strands as Fastflight. This is because it is a 50-50 blend of Fastflight and Vectran (a material similar to Kevlar). This blend makes the Fastflight S4 strands thicker.
With all the options out there, it is important for the archer to choose the right pieces of archery equipment. The length and size of the bow (and arrows) should be individual and match that of the archer. For the beginner archer, it is best to start with a light bow in order to learn all the necessary skills. After he or she has mastered the techniques in archery, they can move onto heavier, more powerful bows. Archery has been around for thousands of years and although it is no longer necessary to hunt our food, the bow and arrow will live on as a hunting sport and as a recreational hobby.
Sources:
"Bow string." Wikipedia. 26 May 2007. 3 June 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_string
Modern Archery Equipment and Terms. Archery: Sport of Champions. 1999. 3 June 2007. http://library.thinkquest.org/27344/modern.htm
Jeffrey, Graeme. "A Shot in Time." Centenary Archers Club. 26 April 2007. 3 June 2007. http://www.centenaryarchers.gil.com.au/history.htm
To launch an arrow far, it should be shot from the middle of the bow string. The bow string is attached at both ends of the bow stave. Some popular materials for bow string include linen, hemp, silk, sinew, or even rawhide fiber. There are generally 3 popular string forms for a bow: simple, reverse twisted, and looped.
Simple bow string can be made of any fiber. It is twisted into a single cord and secured with a knot at each end. Sometimes, simple bow string is weaker than other types and can fall apart if not kept under constant tension. Reverse twisted bow string can be made of linen, hemp, or modern fibers. It tends to be stronger than simple bow string and holds together better. This is because it is made from individual bundles twisted in one direction, then as a whole, twisted in the opposite direction. Looped bow string consists of continuous loops of fiber. A single, unbroken loop is common.
Modern bow string is measured by its strength per second (sps) and stretch. The materials used to make bow string affect the thickness of the string, stress on the bow, and speed of the arrow. There are 3 types of materials commonly used for bow string: Dacron B50, Kevlar 7-11, and Fastlight.
Dacron B50 (sps=22.5 kg, stretch=2.6%) is a long-lasting string made of polyester. It is relatively easy to maintain. Kevlar 7-11 (sps=31.8 kg, stretch=0.8%) is denser and thinner than Dacron B50. Although the Aramid material allows for a faster arrow, Kevlar 7-11 isn't very stretchy. This can hurt the bow itself and the bow string snaps soon and easily. Fastflight (sps=45.5 kg, stretch=1.0%) is also less stretchy than Dacron. The Spectra material is plastic-y and slippery. Fastflight S4 (sps=45.5 kg, stretch=>1.0%) consists of half as many strands as Fastflight. This is because it is a 50-50 blend of Fastflight and Vectran (a material similar to Kevlar). This blend makes the Fastflight S4 strands thicker.
With all the options out there, it is important for the archer to choose the right pieces of archery equipment. The length and size of the bow (and arrows) should be individual and match that of the archer. For the beginner archer, it is best to start with a light bow in order to learn all the necessary skills. After he or she has mastered the techniques in archery, they can move onto heavier, more powerful bows. Archery has been around for thousands of years and although it is no longer necessary to hunt our food, the bow and arrow will live on as a hunting sport and as a recreational hobby.
Sources:
"Bow string." Wikipedia. 26 May 2007. 3 June 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_string
Modern Archery Equipment and Terms. Archery: Sport of Champions. 1999. 3 June 2007. http://library.thinkquest.org/27344/modern.htm
Jeffrey, Graeme. "A Shot in Time." Centenary Archers Club. 26 April 2007. 3 June 2007. http://www.centenaryarchers.gil.com.au/history.htm
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