

How to Install an Arrow Rest on a Recurve Bow Many archers and hunters have both installed on their bows. In the simplest terms, arrow rests and shelf rests are both small pieces of protection that you add to your bow, but arrow rests are installed on the vertical portion of the riser while shelf rests are installed on top of the shelf horizontally. What is the difference between an arrow rest and a shelf rest? Most shelf rests are made from felt, but you may also find animal hair and polished metal shelf rests.

You can purchase a raised shelf rest that will provide you with an elevated point of contact for your arrows. Some shelf rests are more than just shelf protectors. The shelf rest, at a minimum, will protect your bow’s shelf from wear and tear over time. If you do not want to use an arrow rest, you can install a shelf rest instead. All of these factors are considerable advantages to using an arrow rest. Arrow rests also make it much easier to keep the arrow steady while drawing your bow and they create a consistent point of contact for your arrows. Besides increased accuracy, why else do people use an arrow rest on their recurve bow?Īrrow rests do not only improve your accuracy, but they also protect your bow and arrows from damage over time. Or, through repetition and practice, they will get used to the bump that occurs and adjust their aim when taking their shots. Traditionalists who choose to shoot directly off the shelf of their recurve bows will adjust their sights on the bow to compensate for this bump. Over great distances, this can cause significant inaccuracies. When an arrow crosses the shelf, the vanes and feathers will hit the shelf and a small but sometimes significant little bump will cause the arrow to fly off the bow at a slight angle. The arrow is damaged overtime when it slides across the shelf and causes the vanes and feathers to begin to fall off the shaft of the arrow.Īside from the damage to your bow and arrows, shooting directly off the shelf also can decrease your accuracy. Eventually, those marks will become even more worn and turn into grooves. The bow is damaged when the arrow slides across the shelf over and over again and marks will begin to develop. Shooting without an arrow rest, and directly off the shelf, can cause damage to both the bow and your arrows. The main purpose of an arrow rest is to protect the bow and the arrows from wear over time. We will get into shelf rests in a moment. However, some hunters and archers who want to be as traditional as possible might opt for a shelf rest made from animal hair. The more equipment you add to your recurve bow, the less traditional it is. If you are already shooting a recurve bow, you may be interested in the traditional aspect of archery and bowhunting. The biggest reason many archers do not use an arrow rest is so that they can remain as traditional as possible.

Many archers and hunters choose not to use an arrow rest for a variety of reasons. Technically, a recurve bow does not need an arrow rest. Little Green Change Stick on Arrow Rest.Do Olympic Recurve Archers Use an Arrow Rest?.How to Install an Arrow Rest on a Recurve Bow.Recurve Bow Arrow Rests – Our Top Picks.In this article, we will explore all the different types of arrow rests as well as breakdown our top six favorite arrow rests currently on the market. These questions will help you determine which arrow rest is best for you. When choosing an arrow rest to install on your recurve bow, consider if you will be hunting or target shooting, what weight arrows you will be shooting, and whether you want to shoot off-the-shelf or have a raised arrow. This tiny accessory may seem insignificant, but make sure you do not overlook the importance of the arrow rest when assembling your recurve bow setup.Īrrow rests can be constructed with all different kinds of materials, they can be bolted-on or stuck-on, and they come in different thicknesses to accommodate different arrow weights. The arrow rest is where your arrow sits before and during your draw and it has a big effect on the accuracy and consistency of your shot. One important feature of the recurve bow that you will need to decide upon is the arrow rest. Choosing from all different styles of bowstrings, limbs, and other features can be fun, but it also allows you the freedom to create a custom feel that is perfect for you, and you alone. If you are a recurve bow enthusiast or traditionalist, you understand part of the fun of owning a recurve bow is the setup.
