Longbow or Recurve for a newbie???

[inthebox30lbs]

What would be best for someone starting out a longbow or recurve.  What would be easier to shoot and more forgiving.  I would Appreciate any opinions.  Thanks alot
scott

[cvarcher]

Im afraid that is all your going to get --opinions.I would reccommend you try both out for a time and figure out what works best for you.If you are interested in hunting I know Howard Hill would say the longbow for its forgiving nature (stable/accurate).

[seany916]

Go with what you WANT to shoot. Which makes you happier? Then you'll shoot more and you'll be better with that one.

It's not the bow, it's the archer. (And how much he enjoys shooting his bow).

Just another opinion.

[reddogge]

It won't matter much but stick with a very manageble weight to start.

[Curveman]

Starting out I honestly don't think it matters as you won't likely have picked up any preferences or bad habits. I shot a longbow better in the begining but quickly switched to the recurve because I liked the lines and reports I had read about their superior performance characteristics. I recommend that you try both and ignore the debate about which is better. One will likely grab you over the other or you may switch-it's all FUN!

[john fletch]

If you are talking training a person that has never shot before, as I have with hundreds of youth, I cannot reccommend strongly enough that a good fitting recurve, as long as they can comfortably hold.

The grip with a shelf will be easier for them to hold.  The longer the bow the smoother the draw.  I like to use a rubber arrow rest that has the little 'hook' in it to help keep the arrow on the rest.

Once you have taught them the basics of stance, hold, nocking, aiming, release and follow through - then you can move onto other styles of bow.

Even if they are bound to go on to training wheels, the techniques learned in traditional shooting form will help them from developing bad habits with other bows.

I love shooting the longbow without a rest more than any other - but I also believe that is a harder technique to master.