Longbow "forgiveness" explanation?

[skychief]

When a release is botched (torqued string, plucking, creeping, etc, etc), a recurve seems to amplify the mistake, whereas a longbow puts the arrow closer to the point of aim.  Generally speaking.

Why is this?

Best regards, Skychief

[MnFn]

I have heard that as well. Can't answer it.
I just know as hard as I have practised with my longbows, I am still more accurate with my recurve.

And, I have been practising with my longbows a lot. I think I might go see Arne.

[longbow fanatic 1]

First of all, the term longbow encompasses many variations of bow styles, which technically fall into that category. Longbows like ASL, English LBs, R/D LBs and handle forward LBs like the Shrew, Java Man..., and they're not all created equal when it comes to forgeability.

That said, I will venture a guess at why some LB's may be more forgiving than other bows. My guess would be that LBs with a higher brace height, somewhere in the 8"-9" range, are more forgiving because the power stroke is shorter, and the arrow is on the string less time to be affected by shooting errors.

On a side note, I have always read, or have been told, that recurves are more forgiving than longbows. That is why many archers have trouble shooting LBs, myself included.I'm sure we will get some varying options on that here though.

[TGbow]

I think it is subjective. Each individual may find they shoot one or the other better.

[McDave]

Howard Hill felt that longbows were more forgiving.  One reason in support of his position would be that recurved tips are more prone to torquing.  You can bend them back and forth easily, but it is difficult to bend a longbow tip in a sideways direction.  So I would think that if you torque a recurve string, it will have more effect on the bow tips and POI than if you torque a longbow string.

OTOH, I shoot recurves better than I shoot longbows.  In the tournaments I shoot in, there are separate recurve and longbow divisions, and the recurve division usually turns in higher scores.  The bows are set up the same: off the shelf, no sights or stabilizers, etc.  I'm sure the top guys in each division all practice just as much, and shoot the best longbows or recurves they can find.  Of course, occasionally the best longbow shooter will turn in a higher score than the best recurve shooter, but not very often, and not on average.

Probably the answer is that the best shooters don't torque their strings, so that factor is out of the equation!

[MCNSC]

The way I see it, every time I try shooting a longbow I end up asking for forgiveness.
 Seriously, I love the way a longbow feels and how the shot feels, but can't shoot them as good as recurves. Always suspected that it was because of the lighter physical weight of the longbow. But, I have a 57 Kodiak that is as light as any bow . It is one of the best shooting bows I own.    

[Sirius Black]

Everyone's different, but for me, it's a longer BH that makes a bow more forgiving. Some find a longer bow more forgiving, but for me, it's a 8"+ brace height that does it. Love longbows, but I'll shoot more accurately with say, a 58" recurve w/ 8" BH, than a 68" longbow w/ 6 1/2" brace.

[Rock 'N Bow]

I can honestly shoot better with Hill style bows at 6" brace height than a D/R with a higher brace height. It might have something to do with how comfortable(repeatable)the grip is. I rarely shoot recurves, but when I do it doesn't take long to get back in to the groove.

The forgiveness of a longbow will show up when taking fast shots in varied circumstances.  If your shooting form is more a straight draw, straight armed, slower, static style, a recurve would be a better bow for you.

[Shadowhnter]

I can't tell the difference. Both put holes in my barn but never the bullseye.      

Honestly though, I don't notice any "forgivness" differences between the two. I prefer a longbow, but arrow flight and accuracy are very close for me. I do think that some longbows put the arrow closer down to the bow hand then some recurves.

At the end of the day if your poor form is affecting the arrow with a recurve its still going to affect the arrow with a longbow. There are no magical short cuts to proper form.

[Trenton G.]

I always assumed that by more forgiving it meant from awkward positions. I can shoot my straight end longbow way better from odd positions than my recurve. If I need to shoot from a laying down position, my recurve tips will often get torqued and throw the shot where as my longbow won't have that issue.
My recurves also seem more sensitive to a bad release. If I pluck with my recurve, my arrow may fly a foot wide at 15 yards, where as my longbow will still put it where it needs to go. That's just how I've always looked at it anyways. There are lots of people out there who know far more about this than I do.

[kat]

I am in the recurve camp for being more forgiving. I have tried a few longbows, but always shoot better with recurves. I always thought it had a lot to do with my recurves being cut beyond center.

[The Whittler]

A top ILF with a 25" or 27" riser and long limbs is probably the most forgiving bow you can shoot.

But the bow be it recurve or LB is only as forgiving as the guy shooting it.

[Orion]

As McDave pointed out, the biggest difference between a true longbow (ASL) and recurves and hybrids is the narrow, thick stacked limb of the longbow vs the wide thin limb of the recurve.  Just much more difficult to pull a longbow limb out of alignment through torquing (sideways or vertical).  Thus, it is more forgiving of torquing, plucking, uneven string pressure, etc., i.e., the effects of those actions aren't as great as they are on a recurve. The longer limbs also help to ameliorate those form errors as well, compared to a shorter limbed recurve.

That being said, newer materials and layups have come a long way toward making recurves more forgiving as well.  Most folks shoot a recurve more accurately on the target line where the extra mass and flatter trajectory is an advantage. The forgiving characteristics of a true longbow tend to give it the advantage in hunting situations where shooting conditions are more variable.

[Pine]

OK , this one time I was talking with Byron Ferguson and he explained to me that you can't shoot a longbow the same way you shoot a recurve .
But you can shoot a recurve the same way that you shoot a longbow .
He also said that the longbow is touching the string in only two points , thus having less influence on the string .
Recurve limbs can be pulled out of alignment during the draw and there will be a side to side movement in the limb tips when you release .
Don't know if that explains it enough , but that's what Mr. Ferguson told me .
It kinda makes sense .

[old_goat2]

I've never felt a Longbow was more forgiving, don't think I've heard it said by anybody else either. That being said, I don't find a recurve any more difficult than a Longbow with similar mass in the riser. Now you start getting into one piece super light mass longbows and they are the twitchyess of all the bows I've shot! I have a one piece Toelke Whip Longbow I shoot pretty real well but not as good or consistent as my three piece Toelke Lynx Longbow of similar specs!

[bucknut]

I've heard the same. Modern materials have taken a lot of the RC problems out of that equation though. The arrow still goes off target when I don't do my part regardless of bow type. For me grip and mass weight have the most influence on accuracy. I've had RCs that I can't shoot for crap same as I've had LBs. But when you find that perfect combo for you, you know it. It is a trade off for me. I love the feel of a light longbow, but if it takes 10% off my accuracy its not worth it.

[Chain2]

I don't know about forgiving ( I've been divorced twice) but for me I shoot a Hill style bow better than any I've ever shot. The longer the better. You just look, draw, release and the arrow goes where it's supposed to.

[M60gunner]

Everybody got to know their limitations. Mine is Hill style bow. I love the feel, nostalgia, etc. but never would have hunted with it seriously because I did not have the confidence in myself to make a killing shot. As for forgiving, I am still waiting on that one. Personally I think it's a heavier arrow that makes a "forgiving" shot.

[Tim Finley]

There is always higher scores at the shoots with  recurves than longbows so I don't know how a longbow could be more forgiving. I think opposite but the recurves, especially takedowns, have more physical weight and that makes them more stable and easier to shoot accurately . You make a bad shot its bad regardless what bow you are shooting.