How do you hold your longbow?

[ProAlpine]

I've been shooting recurves for the past 3 years or so and have settled on a specific way I hold my bow. It's like many others do, in that I don't grip the bow so much as let the throat of the grip settle into the web of my palm and relax my fingers to the point the pinky, ring and middle finger are not touching the riser at all. They are slightly canted outwards as well.

Now I'm begining to dabble in longbows and the grips of these very tremendously. I have a Robertson Raven Styk that is a hybrid longbow and the grip feels right at home to my developed recurve form. I've since licked up a used Centaur and the grip is a little more neutral (as opposed to high) with finger grooves. I'm curious how others hold their longbows? This Centaur wasn't built for me and the finger grooves feel bigger than what I would desire, but if I continue to hold the bow much like I do a recurve, then the grooves are obsolete. Is that how others grip a longbow? And if so, why is Jim making finger grooves?

[Orion]

You don't really have to change the way you do things.  The bow's you're shooting have "recurve " grips, even though their limbs are more hybrid r/d.  Should feel pretty much the same as your recurve, though perhaps a bit larger, smaller, etc.

If you pick up a longbow with a straight grip, you can still do pretty much the same thing, but you'll need to lower your wrist, i.e., be sure to get the balm of your bow hand down on the grip.  I let the longbow find its proper place in the web of my hand and palm,and then draw the bow with a grip that cradles, but doesn't squeeze the riser. I do wrap all four fingers (loosely) around the riser though.

[moebow]

Check here and see if this helps.  I agree with Orion, your hand should not change too much other than to set into the grip as provided on your bow.
   

Arne