Bowstring Eye

The bowstring eye is a small hole or "eye" located at the tips of the bow limbs of a traditional recurve bow or longbow. It is used to attach the bowstring to the bow.

Purpose of the Bowstring Eye

The bowstring eye serves several important purposes:

  • It anchors the bowstring to the bow, allowing the bow to be drawn and fired effectively.
  • It allows the bowstring to be looped around the bow tips, which helps to maintain the shape of the bow and prevent it from warping over time.
  • It provides a secure attachment point for accessories such as bow silencers or string dampeners.

Types of Bowstring Eyes

There are several types of bowstring eyes, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:

  • Grooved: 

A grooved bowstring eye has a shallow groove cut into the bow limb to guide the bowstring into position. This can help to reduce friction between the bowstring and the bow limbs, improving the efficiency of the bow.

  • Rounded:

A rounded bowstring eye is simply a small, circular hole drilled into the bow limb. This is a common type of bowstring eye and is relatively simple to manufacture.

  • Slotted: 

A slotted bowstring eye has a small slot cut into the bow limb to guide the bowstring into position. This type of bowstring eye is similar to the grooved variety but is typically shallower.

  • Rectangular: 

A rectangular bowstring eye is elongated and typically wider than other types of bowstring eyes. This can allow for a thicker bowstring, which can improve the durability and longevity of the bowstring.

Placement of the Bowstring Eye

The placement of the bowstring eye on the bow limbs can affect the performance of the bow in several ways:

Limb Flexibility

The closer the bowstring eye is to the tips of the limbs, the more flexible the limbs will be. This allows the limbs to store more energy when the bow is drawn, which can result in a faster and more powerful shot.

Draw Length

The placement of the bowstring eye also affects the overall length of the bowstring, which in turn can impact the draw weight and length of the bow. A bowstring that is too short can be difficult to draw, while a bowstring that is too long can result in a weak and inaccurate shot.

Brace Height

The distance between the bowstring and the grip of the bow is known as the brace height. The placement of the bowstring eye can affect the brace height, which in turn can impact the accuracy and speed of the shot.

Shape and Size of the Bowstring Eye

The shape and size of the bowstring eye can also affect the performance of the bow:

Friction

The shape of the bowstring eye can affect the amount of friction between the bowstring and the bow limbs. A rounded bowstring eye will typically create more friction than a grooved or slotted bowstring eye, which can reduce the efficiency of the bow.

Thickness of the Bowstring

The size of the bowstring eye can also affect the thickness of the bowstring that can be used with the bow. A larger bowstring eye can allow for a thicker bowstring, which can improve the durability and longevity of the bowstring.