Takedown bow
A bow assembled from a riser and two limbs for compact transport.
A takedown bow is made from a central riser and two separate limbs that attach to it, creating a functional bow once the string is in place. The riser is the part the archer grips, while the limbs are the flexible sections that bend when the string is pulled. The string is attached to the ends of the limbs, providing the force that launches the arrow. The main benefit of this design is that the bow can be taken apart for storage in a much shorter case. A second advantage is that the archer can swap out limbs to alter the bow’s performance. Stronger limbs increase the draw weight, giving the arrow more force, but they also require more effort to draw and hold steady. Using longer or shorter limbs changes the bow’s overall length, which can suit the archer’s preference for a smoother draw or better stability. In its simplest form—without sights, balance bars, or other accessories, and with a wooden or laminated wood riser—the takedown bow is used in the Traditional bow division. With a riser made from materials like aluminum, carbon, or a mix, and at least one balance bar, it fits the Barebow division. When fully equipped with stabilizers, a sight, and other accessories, it is used in the Recurve bow division. Nearly all bows used in Olympic Archery are takedown recurve bows.
- Primary advantage
- Can be transported in a much shorter case when disassembled
- Secondary advantage
- An archer can change bow configuration by changing limbs
- Limb variation effect
- Stronger limbs give greater draw weight, requiring more work to draw and hold steady; longer or shorter limbs change bow length for convenience or to match archer preference for smoothness and stabili
- Division usage
- Used in Traditional bow division (wooden or laminated wood riser, no accessories), Barebow division (riser of other materials, minimum balance bars), and Recurve bow division (complete with stabilizer
Lore & Background
The takedown bow consists of a riser and two limbs that attach to it, allowing the bow to be disassembled for storage or travel. The riser is the central handle section, while the limbs provide the bending action when the string is drawn. The string attaches at the ends of the limbs to give propelling force to the arrow. An archer can update their takedown bow with new limbs to take advantage of advancements in materials or design. Stronger limbs increase draw weight, imparting more force to the arrow but requiring greater effort from the archer to draw and hold steady. Longer or shorter limbs can be used to change the overall bow length for convenience or to match the archer's preference for smoothness in the draw cycle and stability.
Reader's Guide
The takedown bow holds significance as a versatile design used across multiple archery divisions. In its simplest form, without balance bars, sights, or other accessories and with a wooden or laminated wood riser, it is used in the Traditional bow division. With a riser made of other materials such as aluminium, carbon, or mixed materials, and a minimum of balance bars, it is used in the Barebow division. When fully equipped with stabilizers, balancers, a sight, and various accessories, it is used in the Recurve bow division. Almost all bows used for Olympic Archery are takedown recurve bows. The ability to change limbs allows archers to adapt their bow's performance—adjusting draw weight or bow length—without replacing the entire bow, making it a practical and enduring design in the sport.
Did You Know?
- A takedown bow is assembled from a riser and two limbs to make a working bow when strung.
- The primary advantage of the takedown design is that it can be transported in a much shorter case when disassembled.
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