Just got my R/D Lostcreek longbow from Chad Francis yesterday. I ordered a 58" bow, 47# @ 28". It came in, according to my scale 47# @28". The bow is beautiful. Osage belly 3/8' stripe of hardrock maple and walnut back. The limbs are bamboo stained to a carmel color. The bow shoots fast, draws smooth and has no hand shock. Seems to shoot a variety of arrow weights well. I have been a recurve shooter for over 20 years. About that time I tried to go from compound to a longbow. I couldn't believe the hand shock! Gave up on that idea, until now. I wish I could show pictures but probably won't be able to figure it out.
I did shoot the bow through a chronograph today and here are some interesting results.
400 grn carbon arrow (399.6). The same arrow was used in both bows.
Graybark recurve 57#@ 28". Speed 199 fps
Lostcreek longbow 47#@ 28". Speed 185 fps
Graybark 3.49 fps per lb of pull weight
Lostcreek 3.93 fps per lb of pull weight
My experiment would indicate the r/d longbow is more efficient than a recurve with this particular weight of arrow. At least this is my finding. You folks may already know that, but this is my first longbow.
Thanks again Chad for a great job, listening to my requests and calling with your suggestions.
Emmett