What is a flatbow?

[BHTGdogs]

Just want to know.

[vermonster13]

Looks like a longbow but the limbs are wider and it is not as deep cored. Most Native American tribes actually shot flatbows and not longbows.

[BHTGdogs]

Can anybody post pix of a longbow next to a flat bow?

[CHO]

Pic 1. English Longbow
Pic 2. English Longbow
Notice the rounded belley of the bow and it has a flat back.

Pic 3. Flatbow (Longbow)
Pic 4. Flatbow (Longbow)
Notice flat on both sides with handle area
     
   
     
   

[BHTGdogs]

Thanks alot for the pix.

[WidowEater]

Some say the flatbow is a better design because the stresses of the draw are placed on a greater area of the bow as opposes to a longbow which has a rounded limb.  of course this is a subjective statement and really only applies to selfbows and doesnt really apply as diresctly to laminated bows