A Basic Guide to the Parts of a Bow

A bow is pretty recognizable on sight. Most people who see a bow will be able to say, "Hey, that's a bow." That's all well and good, but what if that person - who may be you - wants knowledge that is a bit deeper than 'I know what is and what is not a bow'? Well, wouldn't it just happen that I decided to revive this older topic and bring it a bit up to date for you, Mr. or Mrs. reader. 

I’ve got two basic diagrams here, where I’ve labeled some of the most common components of both compound and recurve bows. There are variations of bows of each type, but the parts I am going over are generally standard across the market. 

Each item has a corresponding number attached to it - red lines are physical parts, and blue lines are useful specifications and terms. Each will have an explanation below the diagram with its number next to it. 

Compound Bows: 

1. Riser: The main body of the bow. 
2. Top limb pocket: The area where the top limbs mount to the riser. 
3. Bottom limb pocket: The area where the bottom limbs mount to the riser. 
4. Bottom limb(s): The driving force of a bows energy. 
5. Top limb(s)
6. Top cam: Rotates to create a smooth draw, light hold, and more kinetic energy when compared to recurve bow systems. The top cam is sometimes replaced with a idler wheel on single cam systems. 
7. Bottom cam: Works the same as a top cam would, providing a smoother draw, lighter hold, and producing more kinetic energy over limb-only bows. 
8. Serving: Serving is found in multiple places throughout compound bow systems. Top, bottom, and center of the shoot string as well as top and bottom of the cables. Serving is thin material wound around the shoot strands that protect the string, keep it together, and allow for more consistent performance. It also protects your strings from damage from your nock. 
9. D-loop: Protects your string from potential release damage and ensures a consistent and precise release upon shooting. 
10. Peep sight: The first piece of a compound sight system, the peep sight connects your eye to the actual scope in order to achieve repeatable and accurate shooting. 
11. Speed nocks: Speed nocks are installed close to the cams of the bow and increase speed while allowing for tighter recall into the cam system when you release your shot. 
12. Grip: Where your off-hand connects to the bow. 
13. Cable split: Some bows incorporate these and some do not. They allow for a more even pull on the cam and limbs when compared to single points of cable contact. 
14. Shoot string: The string that contains speed nocks, peep sights, and d-loops, it is also the string that moves the most when the bow is drawn, and the string that launches your arrow. 
15. Cable: Uses the cams and limbs to generate power during the draw cycle and ensures that your bow stays together at various points of shooting. There a multiple variations of cables and cable layouts on modern compound bows. 
16. Cable: See above. 
17. Arrow rest: The accessory that connects your riser to your arrow, it provides a solid point of contact that ensures vane clearance and precise shooting. 
18. Bottom tiller/limb bolt: This connects the limbs to the bow and allows for draw weight adjustment and tiller tuning. 
19. Top tiller/limb bolt: See above. 
20. Bow-mounted quiver: Coming in many shapes, sizes, and mounting options, many hunters and TAC shooters use bow-mounted quivers for easy arrow transport and access. 
21. String stop: Absorbs string vibration, deadens sound, and kills the string movement at the end of the shot cycle. Can be used or taken off depending on preference and pursuit. 
22. Wrist sling: While going out of style slightly, wrist slings are classic pieces of compound bow kits and ensure the bow doesn't leave your hand when firing in high-pressure situations. 
23. Stabilizer: Comes in many lengths and diameters and acts both as a 'stabilizer' to slow down your pin and as a vibration absorber. Each of these are done to different degrees based on stabilizer length and style. These are mounted to stabilizer bushings which are located generally below the grip of your bow, but can also be found above the bottom cam and on the lower face of the bow for use with rear stabilizers. 
24. Cable slide: Keeps cables out of your arrow path and reduces friction and wear. 
25. Compound sight: Coming in many styles and forms, these are the other end of your sight system. The scope and the pins found within can be adjusted to accurately aim your arrows. 
26. Top axle: The bar that connects the cam to the limbs. 
27. Bottom axle: See above. 
28. Brace height: The distance between the grip point and the shoot string at rest. 
29. Axle-to-axle length: The distance between the two axles when the bow is at rest. 
30. Vibration damper: Comes in many variations and placements on compound bows, these small dampers help to reduce noise and vibration at the shot. 
31. Berger holes: Holes above the shelf of your riser that are used primarily for rest mounting but have other applications in some cases. 
32. Sight mount bushings: These holes are the traditional place where sights are mounted to you bow. In some cases, bows have integrated sight mounting systems or picatinny mount systems. 
33. Back of bow: The part of the bow that faces away from you when shooting. 
34. Face of bow: The part of the bow that faces towards you while shooting. 

Recurve Bows:

1. Riser: The main body of the bow. 
2. Serving: Serving is thin material wound around the shoot strands that protect the string, keep it together, and allow for more consistent performance. It also protects your strings from damage from your nock. This is found in the center of the string as well as at each end around the string loops. 
3. Shoot string: The string that attaches to your limbs, launches the arrow, and where you hold to draw the bow. 
4. Top limb tip: The end of the limb where the string groove is found. 
5. Top string groove: The groove on the end of the limbs where the string is attached. 
6. Bottom string groove: See above.
7. Bottom limb tip: See #4. 
8. Bottom limb: The piece where the recurve bow derives its name, the limbs are flexed when the bow is drawn and this generates power when the string is released. 
9. Top limb: See above. 
10. Bottom limb pocket: The area in which the limb attaches to the riser. 
11. Top limb pocket: See above. 
12. Top tiller bolt: Used to adjust draw weight, change tiller height, balance your bow, and tune arrow flight. 
13. Bottom tiller bolt: See above
14. Bottom lateral limb adjustment: Though the bow in our diagram does not include it, lateral limb adjustment is exactly what it sounds like. Small screws in the sides of the riser allow for incremental shifting of the limbs laterally for tuning. 
15. Top lateral limb adjustment: See above.
16. Grip: Where you hold the bow with your off hand. 
17. Shelf: On recurves, you can shoot the arrow directly off the shelf, or with assistance from traditional shelf-mounted rests. 
18. Rest: Berger hole and stick-on rests are options here. The stick-on is the easiest and simplest variety, and is the one shown here. 
19. Sight window: As the name suggests, this is the 'window' where the riser is cutout and allows for aiming and viewing of your target. 
20. Brace height: Same as on compounds, the distance between your grip point and the string. Used to tune recurve for optimal performance. 
21. AMO length: AMO length is the industry standard for measuring your bow, with the actual length of your string being a few inches shorter than the advertised AMO 'length.' 

As always, if you have any questions, need further explanation on things covered or not covered here, or wish to get advice and recommendations, our product expert team is available six days a week to help in any way we can.