New to archery? Wondering about the jargon we use? Look no further than our Archer’s Lexicon for easy to understand definitions!
Arrow
The word Arrow comes from the old norse arwe. An arrow is the projectile created to be shot from a bow. Arrows have four main components: a nock, fletchings, a shaft, and a head. Arrows can can be very simply built from a stick and leaves or very elaborate with many different components and materials.
Arrow Shelf
The arrow shelf or shelf is a cut away portion of the handle or riser that allows the arrow to sit closer to the middle of the bow and not on the hand of the shooter. this can increase accuracy as well as shoot-ability and ease of use.
Back
The back of the bow is the side of the bow that faces the target when the archer is shooting.
Belly
The belly of the bow is the side of the bow that faces the archer when they are shooting
Bow
A bow is an implement that uses tension provided by an operator (i.e. the archer) to propel arrows.
Bow Sling
A bow sling is a strap on the riser of the bow that holds the bow to the shooters wrist in the event that the bow slips from their grip. The true goal of a bow sling is to promote a looser grip that can create a better follow through after the shot.
Bow String
A bow string is a length of cordage of some variety that when attached to the string nocks on the bow, causes the limbs to flex. Many different materials have been used in the past to create strings for our bows.
Brace Height
Brace height refers to the distance between the riser and the string of a strung bow. Adjusting your string to the proper brace height is essential to avoid injury to yourself or your bow. A widely accepted measurement of brace height for an individual is the width of ones hand when in the “thumbs up” position. One can also purchase a measuring tool called a “bow square” to measure their brace height, and decide where to place the nocking point on the string.
Broadhead
A broadhead is an arrow head that is at least wider than the arrow shaft and is designed to create a larger wound on impact with a living target.
Compound Bow
The modern compound bow consists of a levering system which utilizes cables and cams(like a pulley) to bend the bow limbs and transfer energy during the shot.
Draw Weight
Draw weight is the amount of force required to bring the bow to full draw (typically measured in pounds). 45#@28″ = 45 pounds at 28 inches draw
Field Point
A field point is a type of arrow head that is the same width as the shaft of the arrow with no barbs making it ideal for training as it is easier to remove from targets.
Fletchings
Fletchings refer to the feathers affixed to the rear of the arrow to provide stability during flight. Many natural properties of the feather make it ideal for this purpose. The ability for the feather to fold as it moves past the bow and still maintain its shape is the main reason historically feathers are a favorite. The term fletching usually refers specifically to feathers however many natural materials such as leather or foliage have been used in place of feathers. In modern archery equipment the plastic fletchings used are called Vanes.
FOC
FOC or Front of Center is a measurement displayed in a percentage that tells how far the balancing point of an arrow is forward of the center point.
FPS
FPS stands for “Feet per Second” and is the unit used to measure flight speed for arrows.
Grains
Grains is the unit of measurement used to measure weight of the different parts of the arrow from the nock to the head. A shafts weight is measured in “Grains Per Square Inch” or GPI.
Insert
An insert is a threaded piece of metal, typically aluminium, that fits into the front of an arrow shaft and allows different arrow heads to be installed and removed with ease and speed.
Limbs
Limbs refer to the flexing portions of the bow, between the riser and the string nocks.
Nock
The nock is the part of the arrow that fits onto the bowstring
Nocking Point
The nocking point is the position on the bowstring where the arrow affixes. This location roughly forms a 90 degree angle between the string and the arrow.
Quiver
A quiver is any arrow container, typically designed to be attached to the shooter or shooters mount so that arrows can be removed with ease during hunting or battle.
Recurve Bow
A recurve bow is any bow that has had the limbs permanently flexed toward the back of the bow, away from the shooter. this creates more tension, with shorter limbs.
Riser
The riser is the portion of the bow that the shooter holds and from where the arrow flies.
Silencer/Suppressor
A silencer/suppressor is any device that affixes to some part of the bow with the purpose of reducing vibration and therefore noise.
Stabilizer
A stabilizer is a device added to the lower limb under the riser to absorb shock from the energy released due to firing an arrow.
Tiller
Tiller refers to the variance in space between the upper limb and lower limb’s distance from the bowstring to the belly at the ends of the riser.
Dry-Fire
To dry-fire a bow is to draw back the string and release without an arrow nocked on the string. When you draw back the string, the bow is filled with kinetic energy, which is the energy that carries the arrow from your bow to the target. If there is not an arrow on the string at the time you release, the energy vibrates up and down the bow without leaving and can cause layers of wood and fiberglass to splinter and crack, and ultimately break the bow.