Bows and How they are Defined.

       How are bows defined.  Now there has been more written on this by more people than you could shake a tensioned stick at, But it always concentrates on the type of bow, or the intent of the archer.  So the classifications are things like, recurve, (really, not in the online dictionary?), compound, etc.  (One way)(Another way).

       The question that was posed was: "What do people mean by traditional archery?"  I have seen more definitions for this than I can understand.  To me traditional has always meant a bent stick, a string, and a straight stick with feathers.  I have seen someone using a take-down, all fiberglass and aluminum bow, with a sight and stabilizer say they were shooting traditional.  Which I deduce means that to them, traditional means "Not a compound bow."

       So I am going to attempt to clarify, calcify, and define, to the best of my limited ability, the types of bow based on broad category, based on materials and equipment, rather than the shape of the bow, the intent of the archer, or the will of the marketing team.  At best we will have a common language.  At worst, something to discuss/argue about.  I will revise this, if it becomes necessary, to maintain accuracy.

       Starting at the simplest:

Neolithic Self bow:  Made with stone tools, natural glues, and natural fibers, single piece of wood.  Obviously hand made.  No sight, no stabilizer, no release aid no rest.  Note that for all that, they are still amazingly accurate in the right hands.

Self Bow:  Tillered from of a single piece of wood.  The handle may be built up, and it may or may not have a riser or arrow rest.  This term usually applies to modern, self-made, bows.

Ancient Composite:  Made of layered material.  Wood and sinew and fabric are sandwiched and glued to create a lighter, stronger bow.  Otherwise, as above.

These first three are what I consider Primitive.

Composite:  as above, but made of modern materials, and usually not hand made.  Modern materials include: aluminum, fiberglass, etc.  Most recurve bows are Composite,

This, coupled with the first three, are what I consider Traditional, if used without sights, stabilizers, or release aids.

Hunting: Basically the same as below, but with a short stabilizer.  Most archers that claim to shoot hunting style do not use a release aid, but this is far from universal.

Competition:  Any of the entrants above, but typically composite, with rests, stabilizers and release aids, and every possible combination.  May also include:

Compound:  Pulleys, eccentric cams, 4 foot stabilizers, release aids, etc.

Compound Recurve or Lever Action:  An abomination that is halfway between a recurve and a compound bow.  Imagine a recurve that looks like you broke it.  Or don't imagine it, this is the internet.  (Next to a compound bow & Drawn)  This is the bow I currently shoot.

These last five represent Modern archery.  You will note that there is some overlap.  That is because a composite bow used without a sight, stabilizer and release aid is traditional, with any of these it is modern.

       These together are the types of bow, as arranged by material.  Note that I left out any discussion of string types, arrow types, protective gear, etc.  Those would be whole other posts.  Also, different clubs, ranges, associations, and parks will have broadly defined categories, just to divide the shooters into competitive groups.  Typically they are Traditional, Hunting, (or modified), competition recurve, and competition compound.  But again, this is not a universal thing.