short longbow ?

[M Beach]

I keep going back and forth between a new recurve or longbow. I think I want to give a longbow a try. I do not want to sacrifice performance so I am still on that fence. If I do decide to get a new long bow I think I have decided on one of 3 the Osprey, Whip, or Thunderchild. My concern is as a 5'9" person who primarily hunts from a stand. I want to keep my bow 60" or shorter. Will I lose anything from the shorter bow or should I go back to looking a recurves at those lengths?

[GRAYBEARD]

My Leon Stewart 56" Little Slammer gives up nothing in performance. I also shoot a Heartland Surge t/d 58" that is as smooth as glass. I am 5'8" and draw 26.5".

I do not know anything about the Osprey, or what recurve you have, but you will likely not lose much, if anything, performance-wise with a Whip or Thunderchild!

Bisch

[Jim Wright]

You have mentioned Dan Toelke's Whip, take a look at his new Pika in 54" & 56" lengths. I shot a 56" bow at Dan's place lst July while out on a fly fishing trip and like all Dan's bows, it's a gem! I draw 29"s and the 56" bow will accommodate a longer draw than that easily. The 54" Pika would probably work well for you, call Dan he will know.

[Biathlonman]

I second the Pika over the short whip.

[elkken]

Thunderchild            

[Bladepeek]

Look at Gregg Coffee's short longbows too. I am totally pleased with my 54" Elk Heart.

[jt85]

I've shot the thunder child and osprey, never shot a whip. My choice would be the Osprey it is a great bow that is smooth, quite,and pretty darn quick. Anything built by Chad Holm is a winner.

[M Beach]

I currently am shooting my dads super grizzly. I am a recent (less than a year) convert back to traditional archery. I love hunting with my compounds but have only been shooting the recurve for the last year. It has rekindled my addiction as my wife says. Just looking for a longbow that has great performance.

[Archie]

I'd be after a Shrew or a Java Man bow if I were looking for what you're describing.

[slowbowjoe]

Of those you mentioned, I've only shot the Whip, both a 58" and 62". I draw 28", or pretty close to it. The 58" didn't stack, but I felt the string angle was more than I liked. I don't think I'd go less than 62" on one, for me.  The Toelke's make a fine bow, and I trust the folks here who speak highly of the Pika for a shorter bow.

[V I Archer]

Not to confuse the issue further, but have you looked at the offerings from Cari-bow.  I'm 5'9 as well and love my Featherhorn.  Abe offers several shorter, more radically reflexed bow designs as well.

[scienceguy]

I have both a 56" Pika and a 62" Whip. Both bows are 45# at 28". I shoot them both equally well. The Pika is really handy up in a treestand, the Whip is just slightly smoother in the draw.....but not by much in my hands. I wouldn't part with either of them. Both bows are quiet and dead in the hand.

[NEB]

You will love a short longbow.  I have not tried a long shortbow, but I bet it is fun too.  My personal favorites are a JK Kanati for 1 piece and Morrison Shawnee for 3 piece.

[stonewall]

Maddog makes a good short longbow

[awbowman]

Whip, Pika or Elkheart would be my choice.

[tradlab]

I  too am 5'9'' and have both a 54'' Javaman elk heart and a 54'toelke pika. Both are smooth drawing great shooters it will be a toss up as to which one goes afield first.

[Whitetailarcher]

Elkheart would be really hard to beat, but all three are great. Slammer is really nice too!

[charles m]

Lost Creek, Shrew, preferably used as the wait is long, Javaman, Big Jim, lots to choose from.

[Gil]

Jack Kempf makes a Lil' Grizzly short longbow.  Mine isnin the works, 58" on my 29" draw. I am 6' tall.