howard hill longbow vs recurve

[shade seeker]

I am currently shooting a 54# recurve at 29inch draw. I have been shooting for about a year and am starting to see real progress...YAY. But I am also starting to experience wrist and forarm problems. Just little bit of pain and the usual snapping and popping sounds.
What I'm wondering, from you more experienced archers, is if the classic D style HH long bow grip might be easier on the forarm and wrist joints. As you know the grip on the recurve puts all of the pressure between the thumb and forefinger on the bow arm, whereas with the longbow it seems to me the weight of the bow would be more evenly distributed around the palm and base of the hand...
What do you think, and thanks again for all the advice.

Rob

[Kevin L.]

It does for me. Picture your arm and wrist when you do bench presses. Now picture those same parts while shooting a Hill-style bow. For me, it's either a Hill type of longbow or a recurve with a longbow type of grip. Take a close look at JD's grip on the Whisperstik bows. It's my other favorite and shoots as well for me as Hills.

[Overspined]

agree w/ Kevin

[Bob Sarrels]

All of the bows I build,  longbows and recurves have a longbow style grip.  I don't like the high wristed grips so I don't build em.

[Dick in Seattle]

It makes sense to me, though I shoot both types without those physical problems... thank God.. I have enough other physical problems  :^)

I can actually shoot recurves better, but even though I have a nice selection of Super K' and Kodiak TD's, as well as RD's, the bows that get shot are all straight grip D longbows... Hills and my own Slowpoke.  I think if you try a real, straight grip longbow, you'll find that physical stuff aside, it has a different feel emotionally...like, OK - this is real basic archery.   I'm laying up a new one tomorrow, and I plan it to be not only straight grip, but no shelf, shoot off the hand.   As much as the grip, shooting with bent elbow, necessary for the straight grip D's, takes a lot of pressure off of the hand/wrist.  Try a D... hopefully it will help with the physical stuff, but you may just find you like it more.

[macbow]

You are definitely talking the two extremes in grips. I would suggest you find one of the longbows and shoot it a while and judge for yourself.

I'm one that can't get along with a HH style grip I like a bit of locater grip. The HH bows are hard on my elbow and shoulder.
Ron

[shade seeker]

That's all very helpful guys. Mac, the elbow and shoulder...are you speaking of the bow arm elbow and shoulder?