Long bow or recurve?

[Bisch]

I’m a longbow guy!!!!

Longbows go “thud”, while recurved go “twang”!!

I just like the thud better!!!!! And besides, I don’t have to keep up with a stringer for my longbow!!!!!

Seriously, it’s all personal preference. You just have to shoot some of both, and see which one you like the best.

Bisch

[wayne rollinson]

I am loving my R/D longbow it's really smooth and accurate which everyone also comments how quite she is and really it's everything I need but I do have a longing for a 50@s style recurve with a slim grip to see what that's like,regards wayne

[Captain*Kirk]

I have one custom R/D and the rest are all recurves. Been itching to try a longbow but haven't got around to it.
R/D seems to be the next 'thing' these days.

[zwickey2bl]

I was shooting recurves 30 years ago when my only hunting recurve delaminated on me in the middle of deer season. I sent the 'curve back for replacement and went looking for a temporary replacement to get me through deer season. Found a used Jerry Hill longbow for $125, bought it, and never went back to the recurve. When they returned my recurve with a new set of limbs, I traded it in on another longbow. Have probably owned 20 different long ows since; currently have only three. I just like them better, seems to suit my hunting and shooting style. I like the look, the utter simplicity, the forgiveness, and the tradition. Ive owned a couple more recurves since I went longbow, but found I didn't do well switching back and forth, so no more recurves for me. Just my preference, there are many, many recurve shooters who love them and are better shooters than I am. You just have to find your fit and go with it.

[Petrichor]

I have one custom R/D and the rest are all recurves. Been itching to try a longbow but haven't got around to it.
R/D seems to be the next 'thing' these days.

You need to get one.

[Captain*Kirk]

You need to get one.

You aren't helping me manage my budget any, Dave...

Just so happens I was fawning all over a Bear Montana tonight, but...nevermind.

[Petrichor]

What you need is a 52 incher.

[Captain*Kirk]

Gots me one o' dem...K-Mag. But it's a recurve. But you knew that.

[Petrichor]

Yes I did.

[pavan]

Landon, i see that you are not one of the tall guys, like me, just kidding, I don't want to know how short I am getting.  I use to be almost 5' 10".  I have about a 70" finger tip to finger tip wing span. Back in my younger taller target style years my draw was over 28", until I saw a picture of myself shooting.  I looked like I was trying to fall over backwards. I was drawing 27" with a longbow when i went Hill style and was told that was too far.  John was correct, 26&1/4" was way better.  Left hand 26" is the correct full draw for me, so I shortened the right hand down to 26" so everything points or aims the same when i switch back and forth.  with longbow form, you may find that you will get a better visual shooting split finger with a more relaxed and less jammed out reach.  Height is not  an accurate guide, measuring the wing span is a better one, even then there will be personal variations.  The longest possible draw is quite often not the best possible draw. 

[Vabowman]

pavan that's interesting...I have heard so much about extending draw length and the longer the better...I see what you mean, if you can't hit the side of the barn it makes no difference!

[pavan]

i remember from back in the 70s at Charlie Bledsoe's Sioux Falls archery shop, two guys going from bow to bow.  The one guy was shorter than me.  He pulled back a 30" draw bow, the other said, "Not that one, you are not quite stretched out yet."  I could just about imagine how awkward he would look trying to shoot down out of a tree stand. 'stretched out' is not a longbow term.

[pavan]

A good longbow for you would be something like a 62" or 60" Robertson, depending on what your final longbow draw length would be.  I would not be surprised if it settled into the 25" to 25.5" range, that is not a bad thing if it is what works the best for you.

[Vabowman]

yeh I would need the shortest  bow possible! im 5'6 on a good day!

[pavan]

i rebuilt my target stack and worked on my house yesterday.  Today I am less than 5'4", but the floor and my shoes are a very long ways down there.  thank god for slip ons.

[GCook]

I'm 5'7" and my DL is right at 26&3/4".   Short but I can handle just enough DW to feel like it doesn't handicap me too badly.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[pavan]

With my Wing recurve and my Groves Spitfire my draw is 27".  The difference is that with the pistol grip, the bow wrist and bow arm is straighter to gain a secure pivot on the grip without any squeeze. A straight grip bow likes to be heeled with a lower wrist, which naturally bends the bow arm.  If you try to jam the bow arm straight with a low heeled straight grip ASL, that will pull the shoulder high and into a more vulnerable position.  Shoulder position can have a a very real impact on draw length.  jammed back and down or jammed up and back will shorten one's draw.  i like the feeling of the shoulder being low and  keeping the shoulder in line with the target with a bit of bent arm push in reserve.

[GCook]

Yep the higher wrist grip of a recurve is more difficult for me as well.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[Pine]

I prefer a low grip of a longbow and the performance of a good RD longbow. 

[pavan]

Piner, sounds like you need a saddle grip Robertson as well.