Bows are made of nearly every inertial-mass energy-storing material known to humans…

"Traditional" bows, whether recurves or longbows, are made of wood, fibre-glass, carbon-fibre, plastic, horn (sheep’s horn, buffalo horn, etc) or bamboo (which is actually classified as a wood, but most don’t think of it as a wood) — or any combination thereof (laminated). I have even seen a longbow made of tubular steel (it was a Swiss-made bow, manufactured sometime in the 1940′s/1950′s). "Primitive", or "self" bows (made of one piece of wood, not laminated like most modern bows are now) often have sinew or some other "stretch resistant" material (such as linen) incorporated into their design to help make them stronger; many Primitive bows were/are made of laminated construction.

The strings for a Traditional bow can be made of any fibrous material which can be used as rope, such as linen; Dacron; tree bark (a specific part of the bark); sinew; even grass and the outer layer of nettles can be used to make a bowstring. Of course, the choice of material for the string depends on the strength of the bow, and how much force the string has to withstand.

Compound bows (the ones with the "wheels" on the ends) are mostly made of some type of metal now — mostly aluminum or some other light-weight metal, although in the "early days" of compound bows many were made of the same things "Traditional" bows are made of; a few rare examples are still made of wood and fibre-glass. The "wheels" (pulleys, actually) are either metal or plastic, while the "strings" are usually Dacron, but sometimes actually thin steel cable. Because of the greater amount of force of the average compound bow, sinew, bark, linen and other such materials can not normally be used to make a string for the compound bow.

So, basically, if it can be bent into an arc, and return to its original shape when released, it can be used to make a bow for archery.

If you can find the local SCA group, you can probably make a few sales.

Silly Gorbie – Ever heard of a hypothetical question?

The technology of modern bows has basically made a lighter, easier to operate, more powerful bow. Since a modern compound bow is quite a bit easier to draw it can be a lot easier to shoot, but it really doesn’t make it any more accurate, that is still up to the shooter. I know a couple of people who favor the traditional longbow over compund bow just because of their simplicity. I think if Robin Hood were real he would stick to his longbow because it is what he was used to and comfortable with.

I won a Hoyt Defiant compund bow a few weeks ago. The bow is used but is in perfect condition. I am not in to archery but am thinking about it now that I have this equipment. ( It also came with==
Hoyt 6 arrow 2 pcs quiver
Hoyt Stabalizer
Hoyt Sight
Whisker Biscuit Arrow Rest
Peep Sight
Wrist Sling
5 – 2413 easton superlite arrows)

So, I do not plan on hunting anytime but am not ruling it out completely. Is this a good bow for a beginner or should I try and sell it and buy a different one. What is this bow worth with or with out all the extras? What is this bow designed for? Thanks

that is a good bow for hunting and beginners, go to a pro shop and have your draw weight and length adjusted for you, whisker biscuit is great for beginner bow hunters, i would say you have a 500-600 dollar bow, which is good to start with, make sure u sight it in to your dominant eye.

i going to america soon and wish to buy a bow there does anyone know about the law of bringing into the uk.

They are treated like guns. They need to be in a locked cases, the bow in one the arrows in another. You can only take them in checked baggage and you have to declare them at check-in. They will give you a form to fill out.

Call your airline to confirm the procedures they use and the procedures at the airports. As for customs, a simple declaration on your form is required, and the customs people will most likely open the cases when you get to the UK.