What's the skinny on longbows with wide limbs?

[limbshaker]

I've shot a few different longbows over the years, and have owned a Kanati for several. My Kanati and all the others had narrow, thick limbs and all shot well.

What are some inherent shooting/performance characteristics of a wide limbed longbow?

I'm talking the ones with limbs that are wide and very thin like a recurve. Are these typically referred to as "flatbows"?

Just curious, and figured you fellas would know      

Examples I've noticed:
Two Tracks Ogemaw
Stewart Slammer

[Steelhead]

Yes,they are typically referred to as Flatbows.

I have had a few.The Bushbow by Great Northern along time ago.I also had a Dwyer Defiant and Northern Mist Huron.

All of these were mild reflex/deflex bows that strung into a D shape.They were all nice shooting bows that were stable and quiet.I would not say I liked them anymore than your typical narrow deep cored longbows personally.I like all types of bows

They were inspired by some of the authentic Indian designed bows that had the wider thinner limbs.

Great bows just like any other well designed bow of other styles.I find them to be stable,quiet and draw kinda like recurve in feel.So its a smooth feeling bow.Makes for a fine hunting weapon.

The G.N Bushbow has a lot of loyal fans.Its been around for a longtime.The Dwyer defiant is a real pretty one with its fine tipwork.The Huron is also nice.You don't see too many of the N.M Hurons and I believe it was discontinued.

I did have a few Slammers and they are not as wide as the ones I mentioned and I don't know if I would classify them as a flatbow?Probably not.Its kinda in between to me.The Slammer also has a more radical limb design than the flatbows I have mentioned above.So it shoots a bit different in my experience.

[T-Bowhunter]

I have been shooting a Great Northern Bush Bow for the past 10 years. I also have shot a multitude of other long bows, but I always come back to the Bush Bow.  They are quite and I shoot it better than any other bow.

[Chad R]

I must like flat bows :-) ! My first longbow was a Tim Meigs flatbow I bought at Ron LaClair's shop.  Wish I still had it.  

My 2 bows I have now are  a GN Busbow and St Joe River Torrent.  Both have flat limbs and shoot great.

[KeganM]

Just a different way to shape a stick for bending. Usually, wider/thinner limbs allow for a later stack point for a given limb length. This can allow for a shorter bow or a longer riser.

[limbshaker]

Thanks for the info guys. And for the explanation Kegan.

The finest example of a wide limbed longbow was the Stotler longbow, two inches wide. Had one years ago, great shooting bows, but a little cumbersome for handling compared to a Hill style bow.  The company has gone through various owners since then.