Archery Lexicon
1.
Unstringing
Unstringing means removing the string after using the bow. For this purpose, one should use a bow stringer.
Anchor point
Ideally, the draw hand is always in exactly the same position on the shooter's face when fully extended.
Armguard
It is attached to the inside of the forearm and serves to protect the bow arm from injuries caused by involuntary string touching. Especially beginners should always wear forearm and upper arm protection to minimize the risk of injury.
Placing on
To be able to execute a shot, the arrow must first be placed on the arrow rest or shelf, and the nock must be firmly secured to the bowstring below the nock point.
String
The string up of a bow should always be done with the bowstringer only. This costs less power and protects the limbs against twisting.
Drawing length
The drawing length is the distance between the riser and the bowstring when a bow is fully drawn. It has a major influence on the shooting behavior of the bow and can vary from person to person. Therefore, before buying a bow, the individual drawing length should be determined with the help of a measuring arrow.
2.
BEARPAW LIMB SYSTEM (BLS)
The "BLS" from BEARPAW means: BEARPAW LIMB SYSTEM (formerly: Mohawk). Behind this is a closed take down system, which allows you as a customer a high quality and variability. You can choose between many different handles and limbs and combine them. You can choose between 13, 17 and 19 inch handles. Our selection of limbs offers you: Recurve short or long and hybrid.
Find more informations here.
Fletching
The feathers on the shaft of an arrow are the fletching. These are available in the most different colours, forms and lengths. The size of a feather and the way it is glued (straight or diagonal) has a strong influence on the flight of an arrow.
Fletching Jig
The fletching of an arrow can only be done with this tool, because it is important to work with precision. Here, the feather is fixed in a clamp and thus it is always glued at the exact same place.
Bowarm
Is the arm that holds the bow. It is the left arm for a right-handed shooter.
Sightwindow
The section of the bow above the arrow rest (shelf) is the bow window. This is necessary to be able to see not only the bow but also the target.
Bowhand
Is the hand that holds the bow at full draw. For a right-handed shooter, it is the left hand.
Bow Quiver
A quiver that is attached directly to the bow so that the arrows are always ready to hand. Bow quivers have the advantage that they are quiet in the field and have a stabilizing effect when drawing the bow.
Bow Length
The total length of a bow is given in inches. The length of the bow depends on the required string. String length + 3" is the bow length. No matter if a long- or recurve bow. The backward calculation is also possible with our bows. Bow length -3" gives the required string length. In general, longer bows are more forgiving and good-natured, whereas short bows are more lively, faster and more demanding to shoot.
Our experts will be happy to advise you which bow is right for you. +49 (0) 9565 616 880 or info@bearpaw-products.com
Bow String
To achieve a perfect energy transfer between bow and arrow, the choice of the right string is elementary. Here there are differences in the material used and its properties, as well as in the different manufacturing methods.
Our experts will gladly advise you which string is the right one for you, because not every string is suitable for every bow.
Broadheads
Arrowheads used for hunting and equipped with wide, sharp blades. Shooting at discs or 3D targets is forbidden in archery.
Button
Aid in combination with an arrow rest in the sight window. The button is mainly found in Olympic recurves and very rarely in traditional archery.
3.
Center Cut
A Center Cut of +- 0mm is the exact center of the bow. However, since this violates the rules of most traditional competitions, our bows have a positive Center Cut of an additional 1-2 mm.
Bow Square
T-shaped aid to maintain the most varied measurements on your bow. This includes determining the height of the brace height , determining the exact position of the nocking point and measuring the tiller of the limbs.
Cloud-Shooting
Denotes a shot that is made vertically instead of horizontally. There are even special tournaments in this discipline.
Compound Bow
The compound bow is a modern version of the traditional bow. At the end of the limbs of a compound bow are rolls, called cams, which are connected by a cable and the string. When the string is extended during the shot, the cables hold the rest of the bow together. The cams reduce the draw weight when the bow is drawn.
Cresting
Is the painting or gluing with foil in the rear part of the shaft to embellish the arrow.
4.
Dacron
The string material for wooden bows is produced either from yarn fibre or polyester. The synthetic material absorbs the bowshock very effectively and thus not only protects the bow itself but also its shooters. However, they are also a little slower than strings made out of more modern materials.
String Silencer
In order to enable the quietest shot possible, tufts of the most varied materials are woven into the string. The noise level is clearly audibly reduced.
Deflex
You can speak of a deflexed bow form when the bow is either straight or bent in the direction of drawing, when unstrung.
DOA Collection
The DOA Collection is a product range from a cooperation between BEARPAW Products and Buckle & Seam, which was realized for the DOA Foundation. 3% of the proceeds from the purchase of a product from the DOA Collection goes to the DOA Foundation.
DOA Foundation
The DOA Foundation is a project close to the heart of Tim Beier, CEO of BEARPAW Products. The DOA was founded in 2019 and is committed to children and young people as well as students and collects donations for them. When you purchase a product from the DOA Collection or a Bodnik Bow, 3% of the purchase value goes to the DOA Foundation, which uses the money for various campaigns.
5.
Nocking
To make a shot, the arrow must first be placed on the arrow rest or shelf and clamped below the nockingpoint restricter.
Bow Tip Protector
An bow tip protector is a cap made of leather, rubber or plastic that safely protects the end of the limb against scratching and damage. It also prevents the string from slipping off.
Endless Loop String
In this type of string construction, the string is made from a single strand and, in addition to the middle serving, the ears are served as well.
Ethafoam
Especially light and weatherproof material from which slices can be cut. Arrow holes close easily and are hardly visible.
6.
Fast-Flight
With this extremely strong and modern string material, the stretching behaviour of the string can be virtually eliminated. However, this attribute is not suitable for every bow, because the energy of a shot is no longer weakened by the stretching of the string and thus partly affects the bow.
Feathers
To stabilize the arrow during the flight, either natural or plastic feathers are used. See Fletching.
Feather Cutter
With this tool a uniform cutting of full length feathers is possible. After storing the feather in the cutter, the desired shape is cut by hammering on top. In this way up to three feathers can be stamped from a single full length feather.
Feather Serving
Thread winding at the tip of the feather to prevent the feather from lifting off and damaging the bow hand. A feather serving also protects the feather from loosening if the arrow should ever go into the grass or soil.
Flemish Splice
Method of production of traditional strings. The ears (loops at the end of the string) are braided. Bow strings in the Flemish splice are used especially for traditional bows and can consist of up to three different colours.
Flu-Flu
Mostly 6-fold feathered shaft which should slow down the flight after a few metres by its voluminous feathers. So it is possible to shoot steeply into the air without risking the loss of an arrow or endangering someone.
Friends for Friends
The BEARPAW Friends for Friends system allows you to earn points by showing us to your friends! With every new friend who becomes a new customer through you, you will receive points. You can view your points at any time live in your customer account at "Friends for friends". You can either collect your points or redeem them at your next purchase (note that the minimum order value must be 50,00€).
Here you can invite your friends.
7.
Grain
The American unit of weight Grain is the equivalent of 0.0648 grams and is decisive in archery. The specification of arrowheads, for example, is therefore usually based on the weight in Grain (60-100 Grain).
Grip
The correct grip in full draw is shown by the fact that it is possible for the shooter to open the fingers when angering. -Open grip-
Grouping
The shot group is the distance the arrows have from one another once they have hit the target. A good grouping is when the arrows are close together, not necessarily in the middle of the target.
8.
Handshock
When shooting a bow, energy is transferred into the arrow and into the bow. Handshock is the impact from the bow after an arrow is shot and the vibration that follows. Depending on the overall construction and draw weight, the handshock caused by a bow will vary. However, this can also vary in sensation from person to person.
Hybrid Bow
A hybrid bow is a combination of recurve and longbow. The limbs have a slight recurve, which is not as pronounced as in recurve bows.
9.
IFAA
Is the largest international organization for traditional shooters.
Inch
The American measuring unit inches (inch) is the equivalent of 2.54 cm and is decisive in all archery.
Insert
This thread, which is glued into the shaft, is used to hold every kind of screw tips in arrow shafts.
Instinctive Archery
Shooting style in which the shooter does without technical and other aids. The shooter only keeps the target in sight and keeps both eyes open at all times.
International Limb Fitting (ILF)
The ILF System (International Limb Fitting System) is a system which offers the possibility to combine all ILF risers with different ILF limbs. It does not matter from which brand both parts are, because all ILF risers can be combined with all ILF limbs. So you can put together your bow perfectly according to your needs.
10.
Hunting Bow
Particularly short, fast bows with mostly high draw weight. Required for the acceleration of especially heavy arrows.
Broadheads
Arrowheads used for hunting and equipped with wide, sharp blades. Shooting at discs or 3D targets is forbidden in archery.
11.
Kill zone
Area in which an animal would be ethically and lethally shot. Divided into different scoring zones on 3D targets and animal image targets.
Kill tournament
The name Kill Tournament stands for a special competition of Henry Bodnik. All shots are at a distance of 28 meters or less and are created from Henry Bodnik's bowhunting experience. Every single shooting position is designed and set up by him. The BEARPAW KILL tournament "tours" through many different countries and is always a highlight for traditional archers.
Quiver
A bag for storing one's own arrows. It is available in versions to be worn on the hip, the back, or directly attached to the bow.
12.
Long Bow
The longbow is a traditional bow that is mostly shot without aids. In the unstrung state, the longbow is nearly straight. English longbows have a D-shaped cross-section and are 66" and longer. American longbows have a flat cross-section and are significantly shorter.
LBS
English pound. 1 lbs = 0.4536 kg. The draw weight of a bow is given in this measurement unit.
Leather Tab
The leather tab is worn on the index, middle and ring finger. The thick and smooth leather of our Leather Tab offers the best protection for your fingers against the string.
Dry Fire
The release of the string without shooting an arrow. Dry firing a bow can demolish it or cause injury to yourself.
Guide Feather
The guide feather is the feather that is attached to the arrow at a right angle to the nock groove. It usually points horizontally away from the bow when shooting and is usually identified by a different color.
Left-wing feather
Feathers whose quill lies on the left side when viewed from the front. The required feather orientation does not depend on the archer's dominant hand.
Left-handed archer
If you draw the bowstring with your left hand and hold the bow with your right hand, you are a left-handed archer.
Release
Release of the string when shooting a bow.
13.
Measurement arrow
The measurement arrow has no tip and is used to measure the draw length. To do this, you have to nock the measurement arrow on your bow, draw the bow, and the markings on the arrow will indicate the draw length you have.
Mediterranean draw
For the mediterranean draw, place the index finger above and the middle and ring finger below the arrow on the string. The string lies comfortably in the front finger grooves.
Riser
The riser (for one-piece bows) or middle piece (for take-down bows) is the part to which the limbs are attached, and in which the handle is located.
Center cut
A Center Cut of +- 0mm is the exact center of the bow. Since this violates the guidelines of most traditional competitions, our bows are equipped with a positive Center Cut of an additional 1-2 mm.
Center serving
For protection against wear and for a better fit of the nock, the middle part of the bowstring is wrapped.
14.
Natural feathers
Feathers mostly used from turkey or goose, of which one side is smooth. The other side has higher air resistance, which causes the arrow to experience longitudinal rotation (spin or 'Drall') when shot.
Nightfire Nocks
The Nightfire Nock is an important companion for bowhunting, because it lights up after the arrow is shot. When shooting at dusk or at night, the Nightfire Nock should not be missing!
Nock
A notch or groove at the end of the arrow, onto which the arrow is placed on the bowstring. Nocks for carbon shafts are simply inserted. Never glued! For wooden arrows, either the shaft is notched alone (self-nock), a plastic nock is placed and glued, or a piece of hardwood or horn is spliced and then notched. Plastic nocks are often designed as snap-on nocks. A broken nock can lead to a dry-fire (firing without an arrow), which should be avoided.
Nocking point
The point on the bowstring marked by the nock point locator, where the arrow nock is positioned. The nocking point is usually marked with metal clips (clamp-on nocking points) or traditionally indicated by a serving wrap. The nocking point must always remain at the same location on the bowstring and should not change. The Checker is used for measuring the nocking point
Nock Point Pliers
The small nockpoint restrictors made from brass are the best solution to adjust the nock point to the string. With a Nock Point Plier, the small brassen ring can easily be removed and clamped on again.
15.
Overlay reinforcement
Reinforcement of the limb tips in the area of the string nocks. Made from hardwood, horn, bone, or composite material. Special form 'natural growth overlay': One or more rings of the wood layers located above the bow's back are left standing in the area of the string nocks.
16.
Parabolic
The second most popular feather shape after Shield in the traditional archery.
Parcours
A place where you can shoot on targets/3D targets with your bow.
Penthalon
We firmly believe that there is no second chance for the first impression. For this reason, we have selected the most reliable partners for our brand Penthalon among the many manufacturers in the field of bow making. Whether big or small, young or old, the Penthalon brand offers the perfect selection of high-performance bows for every archer or for anyone who wants to become one. One thing we can guarantee you: With our Penthalon bows you have the perfect partner in your hand to start archery!
Backstop net
A net that you usually put behind the target you are shooting at. The backstop net is intended to catch the arrows that are accidentally shot next to it, so that they do not get lost. It also serves as protection for everything that is behind the net.
Arrow Cleaner
A bundle with strips of leather, wool or fabric that can be used to clean dirty arrows. It is usually worn on the belt.
Arrow Point
Arrow point is the name given to the tip of various types of arrows. There are many different types of arrowheads that can be used for different purposes. For example, there are arrowheads specially designed for hunting, tips specially for children and tips for shooting on a target.
Arrow puller
Grip aid, usually made of rubber, that allows for easier pulling of arrows from a solid material.
Pound
In archery, calculations are done using English pounds (lbs)! One English pound is equivalent to 453.59 grams.
17.
Right-wing feather
Feathers whose quill lies on the right side when viewed from the front. The required feather orientation does not depend on the archer's dominant hand.
Right-handed archer
Decisive for whether someone is referred to as a right-handed or left-handed archer is which hand they use to draw the bowstring. If you draw the bowstring with your right hand, you are a right-handed archer (in most cases, you will also be naturally right-handed).
Recurve bow
High-performance bow with curved limbs.
Reflex
A bow is said to have a 'reflex' shape when it bends away from the archer in its relaxed or unstrung state. The opposite of this is the 'deflex' bow, which bends towards the archer when unstrung.
Reflex/Deflex
Combination of reflex and deflex in a bow shape. The limb ends are reflexed (or even recurved), while the handle or riser is deflexed, meaning it curves away from the archer. When viewed from the side, the bow has a double S-shape.
Riding
Refers to the phenomenon of a arrow 'riding up' or 'riding down' during its flight. This is often an indication of an improperly positioned nock point on the bowstring.
Horsebows
A very short, traditional bow that is well-suited for shooting from horseback. Originating from the Asian region. In a classic right-handed (RH) horsebow, the arrow is also placed on the right side of the bow. Additionally, these are mostly shot with thumb technique.
Bare shaft test
In this test, several unfletched arrows are shot to reveal possible weak points in the arrow spine through unstable flight. If the spine value is correct, the arrow will stick straight into the target even without fletching.
18.
Shaft
Arrow without accessories such as nock, point, and fletching. Measurements are predominantly in American units (Inch, Grain). Wooden shafts are available in 5/16 and 11/32 diameters and made from various types of wood. Carbon shafts come with inner diameters of .166 and .245. The thicker the material of the shaft, the stiffer it is, and the lower the spine value.
Shaft weight
The shaft weight is indicated in Grain per Inch. Arrows with higher weight fly slower but carry more momentum and deliver more energy to their target. Lighter shafts fly faster but lose energy quickly, resulting in significant drop-off at longer distances.
Target Face
Either with animal silhouettes or scoring circles (rings). The classic Olympic target face has 10 scoring rings. The field target face has 5.
Target material
The target material should be designed in a way that reliably stops the arrow and allows for easy retrieval. Suitable materials include Ethafoam, compressed straw, or the special foam used for 3D animal targets.
Archery gloves
Glove for the string-pulling hand to protect the fingers.
Screw-in point
Point that is screwed into an insert glued inside the carbon shaft. Points for wooden arrows are usually screwed on without glue, using a self-tapping thread (available for conical or parallel shaft ends).
String board
Tool or aid used for making traditionally Flemish spliced strings.
Bowstring wax
Wax for maintaining the bowstring. Significantly extends the lifespan of a bowstring.
Selfnock
Nock for wooden arrows where a notch is directly cut into the shaft to hold the bowstring.
Tensioning strap
One should always use a tensioning strap or bowstringer when stringing their bow to avoid damaging the bow. The BEARPAW tensioning strap is made of high-quality and robust nylon. To prevent slipping on the limb, the contact surface of the strap is coated with a rubberized material. The tensioning strap is more stable in use due to its material and the fact that it is slightly wider than the bowstringer.
Bowstringer
The bowstringer is an aid for stringing the bowstring onto the bow.
Spine
The Spine indicates how much a shaft can bend. The correct Spine is important because the arrow compresses and bends upon release. To prevent it from hitting the bow window during this process, a different Spine is necessary in relation to the draw length and draw weight. A lower Spine value suggests a stiffer shaft, which is necessary for higher draw weights. Flexible shafts have a higher Spine value and are suitable for lower draw weights. Our experts will be happy to advise you on the Spine value that is right for you.
Brace height
It refers to the distance from the string to the deepest part of the grip on the bow. Each bow has a recommended brace height provided by the manufacturer. However, the archer can adjust this brace height up or down according to their personal preference.
Starter Kit
To enable even beginners of archery a quick and successful start, there are starter sets for you to buy in our online store, which we have put together! Starting with a recurve bow with string and set nocking point, accessories such as armguard and shooting glove up to a quiver filled with perfectly fitting arrows, everything is included.
You can order them here.
19.
Tab
A piece of leather for the protection of the fingers of the drawing hand.
Take down bow
A bow that consists of three parts (limbs, riser) and can be disassembled for transport.
Animal Target
Pictures of animals on paper that you can hang on your foam target. They are available in many different variations and are used for practicing archery.
Tiller
Distance from the limb to the string measured in the same proportion. The upper limb should have a slightly higher distance compared to the lower limb to ensure that both limbs are evenly stressed during full draw.
Tips
The end of the limbs where the string is hooked. Often reinforced by overlays, allowing the use of modern string materials.
Traditional archery
Traditional archery with finger release, without the assistance of technical devices. The aiming technique is predominantly instinctive.
Dry Fire
The release of the string without shooting an arrow. Dry firing a bow can demolish it or cause injury to yourself.
20.
String serving tool
Tool for incorporating center and ear wraps on the bowstring.
World Archery Federation (WA)
Largest international umbrella organization of archers. Archers who want to compete in the Olympics must join and qualify through this federation. In the past, this organization was called FITA - Fédération Internationale de Tir à l'Arc.
Limb
In the limb, potential energy is stored which is transferred to the arrow during the shot.
21.
Draw weight
The force required to bring the bow to full draw. To make draw weights of different bows comparable, this weight is always specified at a draw length of 28 inches. At a longer draw length, the bow's draw weight increases. At a shorter draw length, the specified draw weight on the bow decreases.
Draw weight scale
Waage mit der der Bogen gezogen wird und Auskunft über das Zuggewicht in Zoll gibt" translates to "Scale with which the bow is drawn and provides information about the draw weight in pounds.
Draw hand
The hand that pulls the string.
0-9
3D Animals
3D Animals are animal dummies with a near real look, which are made of a special foam.
3D Archery
Discipline in archery where shots are taken at animal replicas made of plastic foam.