Recurve Bow Holes: Why The Need?

If you've noticed holes at the end of your recurve bow, you may be wondering about their purpose. These holes are typically used for adding accessories such as a sight or bow mount quiver. While some older bows may not have these holes, drilling small holes to mount a sight is possible and is not expected to cause any issues. However, it is important to carefully drill the holes using the appropriate tools and methods to avoid any potential damage to your bow.

To attach accessories like a sight or bow mount quiver

The holes at the end of a recurve bow are for attaching accessories such as a sight or a bow mount quiver. These holes are usually used to attach a sight, which acts as a point of reference and most do not offer magnification. Recurve sights typically consist of two metal bars with markings on them or a hole with multiple pins for shooting at different distances.

If you want to attach a sight, place your bow on its side and align your sight with the hole in the riser. You can then install the screws using either a screwdriver or an Allen wrench, depending on what you're provided with. Sights have different methods of changing elevation. Some use micro-adjustable wheels, while others require you to loosen screws by hand.

It is important to note that drilling holes into your bow can be risky. If you have an old bow, it is recommended to avoid drilling holes as it could break the bow. Instead, you could make marks on the riser or use adhesive methods such as two-sided tape or glue to attach accessories. If you do decide to drill holes, use a drill press and properly sized bits to create holes for small brass inserts. Seal the raw wood with a penetrating CA glue, and consider using shims and clamps to get the riser square and aligned before drilling.

To attach a blade clicker

A blade clicker is a type of accessory for a recurve bow that makes an audible "click" to let the archer know they have drawn the bow back to the correct length. It is usually made of tensile spring steel, or sometimes a magnetic wire arm or carbon. The clicker is attached to the riser by a screw, with the top of the clicker screwed to the riser and the bottom hanging downward, just in front of the arrow rest. The arrow is placed under the clicker, and when the arrow point is pulled from underneath it, the clicker snaps back against the riser, making a clicking sound.

• Determine the correct placement for your clicker by pulling your bow to full draw with the help of a friend or coach. Note the arrow point's distance to the clicker, then adjust the clicker until it is close to the arrow point's position at full draw.
• Place your arrow under the clicker and come to full draw again. Adjust the clicker so that when you reach your anchor point, you have about a 1/4-inch remaining in the draw to activate the clicker.
• Clean the top bow limb with denatured alcohol and a clean rag, a few inches below where the string separates from the bow limb. This is to ensure the best adhesion for the clicker.
• Attach the clicker to the centre of the top bow limb, with the string positioned down. Many clickers use double-sided adhesive tape for this purpose.
• Mark the bowstring at the point where you would like the clicker string to be located. Unstring your bow and insert the end of the clicker cord through the mark, then string your bow again.
• Adjust the length of the clicker cord so that it clicks at the desired draw length. Cut off any excess cord, leaving about 3/4" of cord, and carefully burn the end to prevent fraying.

By following these steps, you can effectively attach a blade clicker to your recurve bow, ensuring consistent and accurate shots.

To attach a sight for better aim

If you want to attach a sight to your recurve bow for better aim, you'll need to check if your bow has holes or tapped holes to attach it. If it does, you can simply align your sight with the hole in the riser and install the screws.

If your bow doesn't have holes, it's not recommended to drill holes and install inserts, especially if your bow is old, as this could reduce its integrity and strength, or even break it. Instead, you could try using two-sided tape to attach the sight to the front or back of the riser. You could also try making your own sight out of some aluminium stock and some threaded sight pins.

Another option is to use a stick-on reference point, such as a wooden matchstick or a pencil with a dot on it. You could also just use a mark or piece of tape on the riser as a sight point, or use the arrow tip as a point of reference.

To attach a stabiliser to balance the bow

A stabiliser is essentially a weight that helps to keep your bow balanced and reduces vibration. This accessory can be screwed into a hole at the front of the riser on most bows. The length of the stabiliser you use will depend on your purpose: a shorter stabiliser (around 6 inches) is better for hunting, while a longer one (30 inches) will help Olympic archers to shoot steadier over greater distances.

You don't need a stabiliser for backyard shooting or hunting, but competitive archers use them to improve their groupings and reduce bow torque. If you're going to be hunting, it's better to have a shorter stabiliser.

The hole at the front of the riser can also be used to attach a bowfishing reel.

To attach a plunger to absorb shock

The holes at the end of a recurve bow are used to attach accessories such as a sight or a plunger. A plunger is a necessary attachment for recurve bows and is also known as a cushion plunger or a cushion button. It is a small device that looks similar to a spark plug and is mounted onto the riser of the bow.

The plunger has two main functions: setting the centre shot and absorbing the flex of the arrow as it is released. The centre shot of the bow is the arrow's lateral position, which should be in line with the centre of the bow. The plunger tip can be adjusted to push the arrow left or right so that it is in line with the centre of the bow when it is sitting on the arrow rest. This improves the accuracy of the shot.

The plunger also helps to absorb the flex of the arrow as it is released from the bow. Arrows are designed to flex, and when released with fingers, they flex laterally. The plunger has a spring with adjustable tension that acts as a shock absorber, absorbing some of the flex from the arrow and helping it to fly straight. This can be adjusted to make the plunger stiffer or weaker, depending on the archer's preference and the type of arrow being used.

To attach a plunger to your recurve bow, you will need to screw it into the threaded hole in the riser above the arrow rest. The outside of the plunger barrel is threaded, allowing it to be attached to the riser. Make sure to use the hole that is closest to you when you are in the shooting position. The second hole in the riser is usually for a screw-on arrow rest. All manufacturers use the same threading for plungers, so you don't have to worry about compatibility. Once the plunger is attached, you can adjust the tension and positioning to suit your needs.

Frequently asked questions