What happens to the draw weight of a recurve bow as the bowstring is pulled back?

As the bowstring of a recurve bow is pulled back, the draw weight increases. This occurs because the design of a recurve bow incorporates a specific limb construction that allows for progressive energy storage. As the archer draws the string, they are effectively bending the limbs of the bow. The further the bowstring is drawn back, the more the limbs flex, leading to an increase in the amount of energy that is stored in the limbs. This results in a higher draw weight, meaning that more force is required to continue pulling the string back.

The increase in draw weight is an essential characteristic of recurve bows, allowing for greater energy transfer to the arrow upon release. This aspect is vital for archers to understand, as it impacts the overall draw process and shooting technique. The increase in draw weight is relatively linear, meaning that as the archer continues to draw the bowstring, the resistance they feel increases in a predictable manner until reaching the bow's peak draw weight. This feature allows archers to gauge their draw weight effectively during practice and competition.