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Recurve Bow Terminology
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Modern Recurve Bow Terminology
Arrow Rest - Where the arrow rests during draw. These may be simple fixed rests or may be spring-loaded or magnetic flip rests.
Back (of bow) - The face of the bow on the opposite side to the string
Belly (of bow) - The face of the bow on the same side as the string
Bow sight - An aiming aid attached to the riser
Sling - A strap attached to the bow handle, wrist or fingers to stop the bow falling from the hand
Brace height - The distance between the deepest part of the grip and the string
Grip - The part of the bow held by the bow hand
Limbs - The upper and lower working parts of the bow, which come in a variety of different poundages
Nocking point - The place on the bowstring where the nock (end) of an arrow is fitted
Riser - The rigid centre section of a bow to which the limbs are attached
String - The cord that attaches to both limb tips and transforms stored energy from the limbs into kinetic energy in the arrow
Tab or Thumb ring - A protection for the digits that draw the string. Usually made of leather.
Tiller - The difference between the limb-string distances measured where the limbs are attached to the riser. Usually the upper distance is slightly more than the bottom one, resulting in a positive tiller. Reflects the power-balance between both limbs.
Other equipment
Recurve archers often have many other pieces of equipment attached to their recurve bows, such as:
Clicker - a blade or wire device fitted to the riser, positioned to drop off the arrow when the archer has reached optimum draw length. Used correctly, this ensures the same cast-force each time. Many archers train themselves to shoot automatically when the clicker drops off the arrow.
Kisser - a button or nodule attached to the bowstring. The archer touches the kisser to the same spot on the face each time (usually the mouth) to give a consistent vertical reference.
Plunger Button - a fine-tuning device consisting of a spring-cushioned tip inside a housing. The plunger button screws through the riser so that the tip emerges above the rest. The side of the arrow is in contact with the tip when the arrow is on the rest. The spring is tuned so that it allows a certain amount of movement of the arrow towards the riser on release, bringing the arrow to the ideal "centre shot" location. The plunger button is used to compensate for the arrow's flex, since the arrow flexes as the string pushes onto it with a very high acceleration, creating what is known as the archer's paradox. The device is also known as a pressure button or Berger button (after its inventor, Vic Berger).
Stabilizers - weight-bearing rods attached to a recurve bow to balance the bow to the archer's liking, dampen the effect of torque and dissipate vibration.
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