Holmegaard bow

The shape of the Holmegaard bows is their distinctive feature, having wide, parallel limbs and a biconvex midsection with the tips ending in a point.

The compression strain on the belly is evenly distributed on the flat surface which reduces string follow.

[2] The Holmegaard design, under the previous interpretation of a bow that bends only in the broad inner part of the limbs, may be able to shoot an arrow faster and farther due to the light, long and stiff outer limbs that act as levers when propelling the arrow.

There is even doubt as to whether the biconvex shape of the mid-limbs is due to poor preservation in the bogs.

[8] Because of the wide working limbs, Holmegaard bows can be made from more common, lower density woods such as maple, ash, and oak, as well as elm.