Longbows with recurve style grip compared to recurve?

[RedShaft]

Those that say they shoot better or more consistently with the recurve.
Is it because of the grip?
 Do you feel if you had a longbow with a heavier riser and say a recurve style grip would you shoot it just as well as your recurve?

What’s your thoughts? I read the other thread on recurve vs longbow and I just wondering if this is what does it. Or is really the limb design?

Those that love the longbow but shoot better with the curve, couldn’t you just get one that has a recurve type riser/grip and shoot just as well?

[McDave]

It stands to reason that a person who normally shoots a recurve, like me, would prefer a longbow with a recurve grip, and I do.  Other than the grip, I prefer a rest cut past center, and reflex deflex limbs, both of which make it more like my recurve.  However, this is just my preference.  I have friends who wouldn't shoot anything but a straight limbed Hill style longbow, and they ain't going to change their minds.

Personal preferences aside, I have to assume that various features of a recurve make it easier to shoot accurately than a longbow.  Otherwise, they wouldn't need separate classifications for longbows and recurves in competitions.

[Orion]

Nomenclature is always a part of this discussion.  What you're calling a longbow with a recurve style grip, really isn't a longbow.  It's a hybrid, with relatively short, wide, radically reflexed/deflexed limbs that behave more like recurve limbs than longbow limbs.  Pair the pistol grip and more substantial/heavier riser needed to accommodate it with the heavily reflex/deflex limbs (and almost always shorter and wider limbs vis-a-vis an ASL long bow, for example), and you have a bow that's much closer to a recurve than a longbow and shoots similarly. They typically range from 56-60 inches in length

A Hill style longbow, on the other hand, has a small riser and straight grip and narrower usually straight or slightly set back or string follow limbs. Typical length is 66-70 inches. Most mild r/d longbows still maintain relatively small risers and a fair amount of limb length.  They typically range from 62-66 inches in length. 

The greater riser and limb mass of the recurves/hybrids makes them easier to hold on target.  They're also higher performance than an ASL/Hill style bow.  Those two features primarily account for their higher scores on the range.  However, there are always trade-offs.  They're heavier to carry in the woods, and for me and a lot of other folks, they're not as quick to put into action, nor do they point as well/get on target as fast as an ASL. I much prefer an ASL for hunting, particularly moving small game. 

Putting a big recurve grip on an ASL would ruin it's nimbleness and shooting characteristics. I've seen a few examples of those, usually home made versions.  It's never caught on commercially. Though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, such concoctions are ugly in my view.

All this being said, the Timberpoint bow probably comes closest to the idea you envision.  It's a hybrid in my view, with fairly radical r/d limbs, but it does tend to have longer limbs, and, of course, a large pistol grip riser. It's making waves in target shooting circles in this country and others.   

Luckily, we don't have to choose one or the other.  I shoot recurves, hybrids, longbows and self bows, matching them to where and what i'm hunting and how I feel the particular day.   

[muth]

Luckily, we don't have to choose one or the other.  I shoot recurves, hybrids, longbows and self bows, matching them to where and what i'm hunting and how I feel the particular day.

Agree.  My goal was to shoot and hunt with an ASL bow a couple of years ago and ended up having shoulder surgery.  (Not due to the ASL bow)

As I recovered I shot ILF bows with different weight limbs.  Right now I am shooting a "Big River" longbow and a Fox "Triple Crown".  I like them both.  The Fox is heavier and has more of a recurve grip than the Big River.  The Big River does have a locator grip.  The Fox Triple Crown, with the big recurve style grip, sure helps cover my mistakes.

Just from casual observation, the Triple Crown seems quieter.

[Crittergetter]

This is one reason I designed my 3 piece longbow and recurve to utilize the same riser. A person can switch back and forth easily without any real adjustment to your shooting. However it is more of a hybrid as previously stated but can accommodate both the longbow or the recurve fanatic!! 

[Crittergetter]

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[rraming]

I can read recurve is easier to shoot vs longbow is easier to shoot, almost daily. No one knows but I know I love longbows and the only one I could shoot well was a Martin Savannah, which makes no sense. Sold it, go figure. Thought the only other option was a Bob Lee longbow, recurve like grip but have not tried it, so I shoot recurves since they are more forgiving, ha!

[RedShaft]

Great posts. Thanks guys.