Longbows or recurves

[Badwinds]

Here is a question for all, what is more forgiving, accurate and over all easier to shoot a longbow or recurve,

 

[McDave]

I've read a lot of posts about this, and own and shoot both recurves and longbows.  I've come to the conclusion that it's a matter of personal preference.  The distinction between longbows and recurves is blurred by the proliferation of reflex-deflex longbows that tie the two together.

There is no question that all other things being equal, a recurve will shoot a faster arrow than a longbow, since it stores more energy during the draw.  However, this comes at a price, as recurves have a greater tendency to get limb twist than longbows do.

However, all things are never equal, so you will find some longbows that will shoot a faster arrow than some recurves of the same draw weight.

You will probably find much more difference between arrows than between bows.  There is a reason that there is a different class in tournaments between longbows shooting wooden arrows and recurves shooting carbon arrows.  Wooden arrows are heavy and so have a high trajectory, weights and spines are not consistent, and they can get a bend in them even while you're shooting them in a tournament.  Carbon arrows are straight, consistently spined, and can be whatever weight you want within a close tolerance.

So why shoot a straight-limbed longbow with wooden arrows when you could be shooting a recurve with carbon arrows?  More fun?  More challenging?  More traditional?  Just like it better?  All of the above?  Like I say, personal preference.

[LostNation_Larry]

I'm convinced the grip makes more of a difference than the limb type.  Try them both and your mileage may vary.

[Doug in MN]

Originally posted by LostNation_Larry:
I'm convinced the grip makes more of a difference than the limb type.  Try them both and your mileage may vary.

Exactly !!

I prefer longbows but that is just me.

[Mike Vines]

Originally posted by Doug in MN:
 

Originally posted by LostNation_Larry:
I'm convinced the grip makes more of a difference than the limb type.  Try them both and your mileage may vary.

Exactly !!

I prefer longbows but that is just me. [/b]

I will agree with both of those

[Rob DiStefano]

subjective stuff, and i quote ...

Longbow or recurve? Doesn't matter. Pick one that makes you happiest.

What is the difference between a recurve and a longbow? Here's the general consensus - if only the bowstring loops touch the limb nocks, it's a longbow - anything else is a recurve.

Recurves are very efficient stick bows that typically promote faster arrow speeds than longbows.

There are essentially two types of longbows - straight and hybrid.

"Straight" longbows have limbs that are basically straight or perhaps with a bit of overall tapered reflex. These are "classic" longbows that form a "D" shape when braced. Think: English longbow, Howard Hill longbow.

"Hybrid" longbows have both reflexed limb ends and deflexed risers. This improves the overall efficiency of the bow, for faster arrow speeds, while still imparting a large measure of bow "stability" during the shot. Mild r/d longbows typically have that "D" braced classic longbow limb look when braced. Aggressive r/d longbows will typically show some reflex near the limb tips when braced, and allow even faster arrow speeds. The milder r/d longbows are typically somewhat more stable than the more aggressive variety (aggressive hybrids are closer in performance and aesthetics to recurves).

Stick bows have a number of measured qualities, such as "stability" during and after the shot, "energy/speed" imparted to the arrow via the limbs, "noise" created during the shot, and "hand shock" after the arrow clears the riser.

Stability - the ability of the bow to remain as neutral as possible in the bow hand after the string is released.

Energy/speed - how much energy is imparted to the arrow as transmitted via the bowstring and bow limbs.

Noise - the decibel noise level after the string is released and as the arrow clears the riser; recurves typically have limb *slap*, since the bowstring makes contact with the reflexed ends of the limbs, longbows don't have that issue.

Hand shock - any amount of energy that is not transmitted to the arrow is absorbed by the bow limbs and riser, and is transmitted to the bow hand.

[Ric O'Shay]

What Rob said!    

[Thunderhorn25]

Hybred longbow, best of both worlds!

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Thunderhorn25:
Hybred longbow, best of both worlds!

heheheh - yes, "high bred" indeed!  

[Night Wing]

Even though I like the looks of a longbow for a hybrid longbow, I just can't get used to the straight grip of a longbow. The grip feels uncomfortable to me and since the grip feels uncomfortable, I don't shoot longbows well. But, I love the grip of a recurve and this is why I think I shoot recurves so very well.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Night Wing:
Even though I like the looks of a longbow for a hybrid longbow, I just can't get used to the straight grip of a longbow. The grip feels uncomfortable to me and since the grip feels uncomfortable, I don't shoot longbows well. But, I love the grip of a recurve and this is why I think I shoot recurves so very well.

there's a glut of hybrid longbows available with recurve handles.  couple your love of that handle with those quiet, forgiving longbow limbs and you might change yer mind.  then again, like lots of things in this world, it could just be a mental perception fixation.

[Bowwild]

I never get to the mechanics, efficiency, grip, forgiveness, smooth, quiet, etc.

For me it is 100% personal and therefore a very simple choice. I just prefer the look of curved limbs and meaty risers.   The Bear Super K I couldn't afford back in the late 1960's and early 70's got burned into my brain. The curved limbs and relatively woody riser are very nostalgic to me.

Some folks are obviously the exact opposite. They like light weight, stable limbs, straight grips, ease of silencing, and the even more retro look and feel of longbows.

I'm glad there is a diversity of desires otherwise wait times for my favorite bows would be even longer.

[bowkevin]

I love the look of a longbow and that is what initially drew me back to traditional archery but I'm leaning now to a hybrid.

[JRY309]

Personal choice for me,I started out shooting longbows and prefer them over recurves.Never really liked a recurve type grip.I do like 50's style recurves because they have more of a longbow type grip.

[reddust]

For years I used recurves because I thought longbows were harder to shoot but finally I tried a longbow and found I like and shoot them better than recurves.

[sam barrett]

I pretty much suck equally with both.    I too prefer hybrid longbows.  I like the recurve grip with the narrow elegant limbs of the longbow.