Flatbow: Design, History & How It Shoots

A flatbow is a bow with non-recurved, wide, flat limbs that are approximately rectangular in cross-section. Unlike a longbow — whose limbs are rounded or D-shaped — the flat bow narrows and deepens at the handle to form a rounded, non-bending grip. Most flatbows are made from a single piece of wood, fiberglass, or carbon fiber, and the limbs taper toward the tips.

Flatbow vs Longbow: Key Structural Differences

The rectangular cross-section is what defines a flatbow and separates it from a longbow. In any flexed beam, material farther from the neutral axis bears greater stress; rounding the limb (as in a longbow) pushes some material farther out. A flat limb keeps all heavily stressed material at a uniform distance from the neutral axis, spreading the load across a wider surface. This means weaker woods are less likely to fail, the bow tolerates slight variations in draw length, and well-constructed flat bows tend to produce lower hand shock than D-shaped longbows. In competition, any recurve at the limb tips disqualifies a bow from the flatbow class.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Simplicity and affordability: Flat bows are straightforward to build from a variety of materials, keeping costs accessible.
• Accuracy: Stiff limbs transfer energy directly to the arrow, supporting consistent, accurate shots.
• Durability: Even stress distribution reduces the likelihood of limb failure over time.
• Lower power: Without significant limb curvature, flatbows are generally less powerful than recurve or compound designs — which can limit effectiveness for bowhunting and long-range shooting.
• Shorter draw length: The relatively short draw may not suit taller or larger archers.

History of the Flatbow

The flatbow is one of the oldest bow types in the world, used across many cultures before composite bows became widespread. The modern American flatbow emerged in the 1930s from scientific research into optimal limb cross-sections, drawing on Native American bow designs. Today, flatbows remain popular for target shooting, traditional archery, and historical reenactments.

Setup and Tuning

Once built, a flat bow must be strung and tuned. Brace height — the distance from the deepest part of the grip to the string — is the primary tuning variable, adjusted by adding or removing twists in the bowstring. A starting tiller of around 5 mm positive and a nocking point height of 4 mm above square provides a reliable baseline for most finger shooters.