Cable-backed bow

A cable-backed bow is a bow reinforced with a cable on the back. The cable is made from either animal, vegetable or synthetic fibers and is tightened to increase the strength of the bow. A cable will relieve tension stress from the back of the bow by raising its neutral plane: the border between the back of the bow that stretches and the belly of the bow that compresses when bent.

The Inuit of the Arctic used sinew cables on their short bows of driftwood, baleen, horn or antler to make them tension safe and to increase their power. The cables are attached to the bow at several points on each limb with a series of half-hitches and then tightened by inserting a small toggle in the bundle of strings and twisting. These bows could either be reflexed, deflexed, decurved or straight.

The material, the diameter and the level of stress (tightness) of the cable determines how much it relieves tension stress from the back of the bow and increases the power of the shot.

See also

• Flatbow
• Longbow
• Composite bow

References

• (1992) The Traditional Bowyers Bible Volume 1. The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-58574-085-3.
• (1992) The Traditional Bowyers Bible Volume 2. The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-58574-086-1.
• (1994) The Traditional Bowyers Bible Volume 3. The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-58574-087-X.