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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Ulysseys on February 04, 2012, 07:56:00 PM

Title: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Ulysseys on February 04, 2012, 07:56:00 PM: Hey guys - wondering who made the switch from recurve to longbow successfully and how long the transition took - I'm loving the looks of my pl and the way it shoots but I have to admit the "dinky" longbow grip is making me mental; I just can't stay consistent with it. I feel like if I picked my curve back up I'd be right back on track.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Covey on February 04, 2012, 08:01:00 PM: I've been wantin a long bow but I'm gonna wait till Compton and shoot as many as I can get my hands on. Then hopefully...I can make a decision. :0)

Jason
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: elbow on February 04, 2012, 08:17:00 PM: I can switch back and forth between my Bear Kodiak Hunter and my Elburg longbow but I must say that I am more accurate with the longbow. But they are all fun.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Orion on February 04, 2012, 08:20:00 PM: Hmmm. I do on a daily basis. Then longbow back to recurve, then recurve to longbow. Makes no difference. Can shoot either equally well. Been doing it for about 50 years.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Mike Bolin on February 04, 2012, 08:33:00 PM: I think it depends on the particular bow. I received my MOAB on a Thursday and went to a 3D shoot on Saturday. Shot 20 points higher with my longbow than I had with my recurve 1 month prior on basically the same course layout.

I was more or less forced to switch to longbow. I have issues with my bow arm shoulder and the physical weight of the recurve was causing me pain. I also found that the low wrist hand position of the longbow grip tends to "roll" or slightly re-position my shoulder, further eliminating my shoulder pain. I had dropped my shooting weight from the mid 50# to low 60# range to right at 50# with my recurve. At that weight, I could shoot 20-30 arrows before the pain became intense. With my Thunder Stick MOAB, I am shooting 55# and have no pain when shooting. I got the idea to try the longbow from Fred Asbell. I spoke with him at last year's Compton gathering in MI and he had experienced the same issues and found the switching over helped him out.

I grip my longbow more firmly than my recurve. I just let my recurve rest in the web of my hand with my wrist straight. With the longbow, I maintain more of a firm grip with my entire hand making contact with the grip. Play around a bit with your hand position and grip firmness until you find what the bow prefers. Every bow and every shooter is different.

Good luck-Mike
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: ron w on February 04, 2012, 08:35:00 PM: I go back and forth and my shooting stays pretty consistent. That's not saying it's good .....lol!!!
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: slowbowjoe on February 04, 2012, 08:36:00 PM: I shot 'curves a few years, and then switched to a lonbgow...staying with it, unless someday I get a "50's style" recurve, with a longbow style grip. I, personally, grew uncomfortable with the "bulky" feel of the recurve, and the excessive mass.
First shot a nice Toelke (my wife's) with a locator grip: took some getting used to, and I did have a bit of a hard time getting consistent with hand placement. Took maybe a couple of weeks.
That bow didn't fit quite right ( though shot sweet as can be); I too wanted a better grip fit, as well a a little more poundage. Lucked out with a Selway Little Mag, which has a" palm swell" grip with a bit of a "thumb rest" - I was amazed, and continue to be, at how my hand automatically finds the right placement - more natural for me than even the recurves.
If you look at pics of the Shrews, Fox'es, Griffins, or Kohannah's, you'll see what the grip style looks like.
I've looked longingly at the PL's myself; if I could, I'd be mighty tempted to get one... shoot it a while, do some research on how to grip a longbow ( good stuff on the shooter's forum here), and practice consciously - you may find your style with it, and enjoy the light, smooth feel of the bow, and how quick you come to aim.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Doc Nock on February 04, 2012, 09:33:00 PM: William,

I'm with you. Love the looks of a LB, but those thing risers and low mass weight give me fits!

I've tried building up the grip with leather and then over wrapping with more leather...

Eventually, I just went and got some LB limbs for my Morrison Cheyenne!

Low grip makes the tendons in my forearm SCREAM in short order...
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: BOWMARKS on February 04, 2012, 09:51:00 PM: I am doing it at this time. Just picked up a Shrew Classic Hunter at the Kalamazoo show.

I thought I shot it pretty good at the show but now that I am home and have stretched the yardage out to 20 I am having fits over it. :banghead:

Think it is going to take some time and hard work to get the hang of it. :dunno:
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Michigan Mark on February 04, 2012, 11:36:00 PM: I started with a RM Recurve then after switching to (or going to the Hills) longbow never looked back for me it works. The switch was as soon as shooting and no transition period for me. You might just be suited for the Recurve, Did not Ulysses shoot the Recurve?
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Bjorn on February 04, 2012, 11:45:00 PM: I shoot either depending on my mood. Hard to tell them apart sometimes.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: sticksnstones on February 05, 2012, 12:12:00 AM: I went from recurve to longbow to recurve this afternoon. I've got a pig hunt next weekend and I don't know if I'll take the 60" recurve or the 70" Hill on my first day out. I shoot both quite a bit and feel equally comfortable with each. I don't care what either of them looks like, neither of them are beautiful bows IMHO.

There were times I shot my recurve much better, but with time and practice I found the longbow more enjoyable. Now that I shoot them equally well, so I default to the longbow.
Thom
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Pat B on February 05, 2012, 12:52:00 AM: I went from a 58" Jeffreys to a 62" Treadway and never looked back. I never had a problem shooting the longbow and could go back to the recurve now and shoot it well. I haven't shot either in a few years. I shoot selfbows now.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Shakes.602 on February 05, 2012, 01:19:00 AM: ME! ME! ME! I grew up shooting Recurves, and as a Youngin' NOBODY was going to tell me any different! People do tend to Mellow with Age, Thank You Lord! :D Then I went to the "DARKSIDE" and tried the Wheelie Bows for several Months. I have since come to My Senses!! :campfire:
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Thumper Dunker on February 05, 2012, 03:08:00 AM: I shoot both. Will take both out hunting ,one in the morning and one in the after noon ect.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Sam McMichael on February 05, 2012, 09:08:00 AM: I went several years in my younger days without shooting the bow at all. When I started back, I thought it would be neat to try a longbow. I have been shooting it almost exclusively now for about 20 years.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: maineac on February 05, 2012, 09:37:00 AM: I stated back into trad with a recurve. Got the longbow bug and switched. I just started shooting the recurve again. I am already very consistent with it after just two rounds, but the grip feels so restrictive (probably what is helping the consistentcy). I even went to a short 58" longbow that I could not shoot to start, but after working on form and hand placement I came to love it.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Smithhammer on February 05, 2012, 09:45:00 AM: I went the other way. Started out with longbows and now I generally much prefer shooting my recurves. I prefer the meatier grip, shorter length and mass of the latter.

But I have a 58" Kanati on order which might change my mind!
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Knawbone on February 05, 2012, 09:47:00 AM: I only ever owned one R/C before picking up a LB.I still shoot my Grizzly once in a while.Shootimg LB's has improved my shooting no matter what bender I use.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: kwc on February 05, 2012, 09:48:00 AM: started shooting a martin warthog when my bother and cousin wanted to try bow hunting, i was the only one to shoot a deer that year. then my cousin wanted to try recurves, so we brought black widow gray bark recurves. then he wanted to try long bows so i got a woodland longbow that was 25yrs ago, still have the woodland. my friends call it the broom stick(all bamboo) Just got a big jim buff this year. just seem to like longbows, its been alot of fun
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: straitera on February 05, 2012, 09:53:00 AM: Started at 11 w/35# longbow, to recurves, to compounds, to longbows exclusively 35 years ago. No trouble shooting recurves. Just do not like locked in hand position of locator &/or pistol grips. Prefer my heavier straight handled lb's at 70" ntn also.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: kat on February 05, 2012, 10:18:00 AM: I have always shot recurves with one exception. I bought a Mikuta long bow and couldn't get used to it. Good bow but not for me.
Time has passed, and I still want to hunt with a longbow, so I am trying a Silvertip L/B. It has a heavier locator riser, so I am hoping this will do it for me. Wish me luck.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: on February 05, 2012, 10:27:00 AM: I shoot both but my go-to bow is a Sarrels Blueridge takedown longbow. This longbow is the only bow I practice and hunt with. The only reason I own the recurve is to shoot more classes at the 3D shoots. I started with a recurve a LONG time ago. One of my best friends (Bob Sarrels of Sarrels Archery) started building longbows so I tried one of his original one piece models. I was hooked on the longbow then and have been primarily a longbow shooter ever since.

The dinky longbow grips is part of what I like about longbows.......along with not having to use a stringer!

Bisch
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on February 05, 2012, 10:51:00 AM: How I switch was by accident I want to go to the North American Longbow Safari and I had been shoot with couple of Trad Gang bud's Roadkill and Traxx both shot Pronghorn Longbows. They told me that Rick's House arrows had a new Pronghorn Longbow I went down to shoot it and I bought two Pronghorn's in one year fell in Love with them one is call Red the other LG. Rick call me late last year said he had a New Pronghorn in I should come down and shoot it I did but left it there three Longbows in a year would been a little too much for the Boss if you know what I mean.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Bob Abeln on February 05, 2012, 11:59:00 AM: I shoot the hybrids and get the best of both worlds. Recurves do seem kinda heavy now. You have to still have good form to shoot any kind of bow.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Dimondback on February 05, 2012, 12:10:00 PM: I had primarily shot recurves growing up and after I split a limb on my grizzly I decided to go the longbow route. I don't forsee me going back as I love the feel, lightweight and general shootability of a R/D longbow.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Bill Turner on February 05, 2012, 12:48:00 PM: Started out shooting a recurve. Picked up a friends long bow and fell in love with the feel. Have shot long bows since that day. Just sold the only recurve I own, which hadn't been shot a hand full of times the last 5 years. To nice a bow to be sitting on the rack unused. Just something about long bows that I can't resist.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: sswv on February 05, 2012, 12:54:00 PM: when I switched over to trad only some years back I tried them all but now I only hunt with longbows. I just like them better all around. I recently swapped my son's recurve for him a longbow and he is VERY pleased. I'll pick up a RC every now and then but always let it go. just something about a longbow.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: fling on February 05, 2012, 01:02:00 PM: Love my recuves but right now I'm in a longbow phase.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: joe ashton on February 05, 2012, 01:25:00 PM: I personally think you should shoot one or the other. Going back a forth can be done but I feel it screws with ones confidence. Archery is mostly a mental game and I have limited RAM in my brain so... JMO.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: on February 05, 2012, 02:21:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by joe ashton:
I personally think you should shoot one or the other. Going back a forth can be done but I feel it screws with ones confidence. Archery is mostly a mental game and I have limited RAM in my brain so... JMO.
X2 My feelings exactly.

Thinking this would be especially true when you are in a situation that requires a quick instinctive shot....no thinking/aiming - just killing with the engrained/embedded ROM.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on February 05, 2012, 02:22:00 PM: I started shooting longbow several years ago and found my true love of archery. I started archery with a recurve, moved to compound, back to recurve and then long bow. Compound bored me to death. Any way, my hunting buddy had been shooting some longbows, and I tried them out once he bought one. The first few times I struggled with the grip, finally got hold of it and now I just enjoy it so much! I too felt the grip was small, but I had a custom bow made with a beefy grip and it worked out great. Give it some time and enjoy.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: awbowman on February 05, 2012, 03:28:00 PM: I shoot my Custom Bighorn recurve well, but there is something about a short LB that I am determined to use. I'm currently shooting a Thunderstick Mag right now and as long as I watch my grip it shoots deer MOA for sure!

You really have to watch how you grip the LB and also your release .... much less forgiving than a recurve.

BTW, VERY impressed with the mag and thinking of getting me one a little heavier in a 2-piece. Time will tell.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: riverrat 2 on February 05, 2012, 03:44:00 PM: I started with a recurve. Then went ILF recurve and longbow profiles. I liked the longbow limbs better. Then I went to a Centaur Longbow....and just got a Shrew Classic Hunter. It is the grip of a longbow,and something about the way they draw and shoot that I love. I don't plan on getting a recurve any time soon. In fact the only curve I own is my bowfishing set-up.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: BRITTMAN on February 05, 2012, 04:26:00 PM: I did and it didnt take long at all , maybe a few weeks or a month or 2 . If you switch to a longbow get a takedown like a Hummingbird , Firefly , or Crow Creek . You my find you like them better for quietness and light weight .
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Ulysseys on February 05, 2012, 04:33:00 PM: Thanks for the input guys - never thought of a RC being more forgiving - because its what I shot - do they tend to be more forgiving than the LB?
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Two Dogs on February 05, 2012, 04:45:00 PM: Started w/ a LB when I was a young boy, shot a curve for a few yrs, then returned to the LB. I should never have strayed! [sob]
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: frassettor on February 05, 2012, 05:31:00 PM: The BIGGEST thing when I go from my recurve to PLX'S is how I grip the bow. With my longbows, I have to use the heel of my hand, unlike my recurve. As soon as I figured out the grip, my shooting improved almost immediately.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Dave Bowers on February 05, 2012, 05:45:00 PM: Like others I can switch back and forth. I have no problems with longbows and enjoy shooting them. There's some about a recurve I just prefer?
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: stujay on February 05, 2012, 08:12:00 PM: I shoot both, can't really tell the difference as I enjoy them both and am about equal with either one.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: sticksnstones on February 05, 2012, 08:13:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by joe ashton:
I personally think you should shoot one or the other. Going back a forth can be done but I feel it screws with ones confidence. Archery is mostly a mental game and I have limited RAM in my brain so... JMO.
Although I'm currently switching bows frequently, I agree with you 100%. As soon as my hybrid is done I hope to go to a single bow myself.
Thom
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Wayne the Baptist on February 05, 2012, 08:28:00 PM: I shoot Black widow longbow, love it
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: donnyjack on February 05, 2012, 09:52:00 PM: Another option would be to go with a bow that can be fitted with both longbow and recurve limbs like a Bob Lee. Then you will have the same handle for both. That would make the switch much easier.

I use both and don't have any issues, it just takes a few arrows and I can ajust but I have been doing it for a number of years and I know folks who have problems doing it.

Hay their both fun to shoot and you can never have enough bows.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Angus on February 05, 2012, 10:33:00 PM: I'm finding real difficulties hitting anything-including my feet-with my longbow, so I'm getting a new Kodiak tomorrow. Curves are definitely easier to get accurate than that skinny longbow grip, but I'm not done with them yet, just won't hunt with one this season.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: David Yukon on February 05, 2012, 10:49:00 PM: So, for the one that switch back and forth, do you use a low wrist on both grip??
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: GREATBROWNKNOCKEMDOWN on February 05, 2012, 11:50:00 PM: Love my longbows and the small grips, have been shooting a recurve lately , but one that has a slim riser with more of a longbow grip. I don't care for big blocky recurve risers. I can switch back and forth with no problems.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: sticksnstones on February 06, 2012, 12:32:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by David Yukon:
So, for the one that switch back and forth, do you use a low wrist on both grip??
That's a great question, I wonder what other folks do, so I look forward to reading the repsonses. For me it's medium-high on the recurve with forefinger to thumb tip, Asbell style. As for the dish on my D, I just barely touch my palm to the grip. I don't know what style this is but with my straight arm/wrist I know it's not HH's.

As for Bob Lee's bows, you'll need to pick your riser and your limbs. I spent some time talking to Rob Lee at Kalamazoo and he seemed to prefer the idea of putting recurve limbs on a longbow riser before doing the opposite. I shot a few of the bows and the longbow riser/longbow limbs were a killer combo for me. If I didn't already have a custom on order I would have brought one of these home with me that night. Bob, Rob, and JJ were all top notch fellas!
Thom
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: DLM on February 06, 2012, 10:59:00 AM: Shoot both recurve's & longbow's. With longbows, I have a preference for recurve style grip on the Treadways I have.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: two4hooking on February 06, 2012, 11:26:00 AM: I am on the other side of the boat. I recently found my 69" longbow is way more forgiving and accurate then my 60 inch recurve....but we are all different!
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: rraming on February 06, 2012, 12:30:00 PM: I went recurve to longbow and then back to recurve!
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Smithhammer on February 06, 2012, 12:44:00 PM: Regardless of whether I'm shooting my longbows or recurves, I hold them the same way - with just my thumb and forefinger, open grip, straight wrist.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Orion on February 06, 2012, 06:42:00 PM: My longbows are low wrist or straight grips. My recurves tend to be medium and/or what some might call high wrist. Switching wrist style/position shouldn't be a big issue. You might prefer one over the other, but both are easy to adjust to. Some folks convince themselves they can't shoot one style or the other, and that's usually what happens as a result. :dunno:
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: rjackson on February 06, 2012, 08:35:00 PM: Have tried a bunch of longbows,but love recurves.

Randy
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: 3arrows on February 07, 2012, 07:47:00 AM: I know its not a longbow but a shore do like it.Bob Lee with short 60" longbow and recurve limbs.
Title: Re: Who here went recurve to longbow?
Post by: Rick Richard on February 07, 2012, 08:00:00 AM: I started with a BW Recurve, went to a Hoots Recurve and now have a Toelke Whip HS Longbow. I enjoy shooting the Hoots and the Toelke equally as much. I tend to shoot the Toelke Whip more for target/3D because it is lighter in poundage and I can shoot a bunch of more arrows in a shooting session. If I had to choose between the two...I could not make that choice.