Longbow vs recurve???

[archer66]

I've never shot a longbow....what are some plusses and minuses of longbows and recurves?  I find recurves more pleasing to look at but looks don't kill deer....

[Terry Lightle]

I favor longbows for hunting,most longbows have less physical weight and seem to be more quiet when shot.Of course I am partial to longbows for many years.

[bulldog18]

For me they are lighter in physical weight and I shoot them better. I started out with a recurve by recommendation of the shop in my area. Since then I have sold my recurves and have longbow.

[Rob W.]

Most longbows are quieter and the majority of the ones I've shot set the arrow closer to the hand. I shoot both but prefer the longbow.

[JRY309]

It's a personal choice for me,I started out with longbows and just prefer them.I never really cared for a recurve type grip.

[ishoot4thrills]

I like the best of both worlds: the hybrid. Basically, a longbow on steroids!                :cool:      

[jtwalsh62]

They are great both  I shot longbows for 20years  and hung them up last year, now I shoot recurve going to shoot them for 20 years then I will be able to tell you

[R. Fletcher]

I shoot and enjoy both.  Usually I hunt with the recurve because it is handier in the thick brush here.

[cyred4d]

I prefer a recurve. I like more weight in the hand that you can get with the larger riser.

[Night Wing]

I started with recurves and they all had pistol grips. Shot them for 45 years. Then, on an urge, bought a hybrid longbow. I never shot the hybrid accurately. The longbow grip never felt comfortable to me. It always made me like I was fighting with the bow. Tried for 2 years to get used to the grip. Gave up and sold the hybrid. That was the first and last longbow for me.

[awbowman]

More riser weight, generally less hand shock also.

[thumper15]

Have both and can shoot both about the same. Figure out what you like, what's comfortable for you that's all that matters. Either can be just as accurate as the other. As far as + or - of each I'd say about 90% depends on the design and materials in the bow, the other 10% is how you shoot a bow. To just find out what a longbow feels like go to bass pro or cabelas and shoot what they have. Other option find someone that has one you can shoot. One thing you'll notice on here is no matter who it is everyone is still searching for THAT ONE BOW that has it all, it's a never ending search few have found.

[sawtoothscream]

i like my longbows more.  i like hybrids

[Lee Robinson .]

With a good r/d longbow can offer the benefits of both. You can get the speed, smooth draw, and lack of handshock of the recurve...AND...get the simplicity, stability, durability, and quietness of the longbow.

Just something to consider.

[Friend]

Many positives with regard to either.

The main difference may be individualy personal for a competent trad archer. Which ever becomes a greater part of you and provides the greater fulfillment can only be determined by you.

[Hud]

Started with a short longbow as a kid, and bought numerous recurves, and longbows since. I like both. Longbows are more stable, durable and easier to shoot. My recurves are modified with a low rest, to point easier, and the grips are low.

I believe two quotes are true, "it is difficult to shoot a recurve with one style [grip, etc] and a longbow with another", and "you have to decide whether you want to shoot targets [competition], or hunt, because the two do not go together". The first was in an article by Fred Asbell, as I remember it, and the other by Howard Hill.

[damascusdave]

Originally posted by thumper15:
Have both and can shoot both about the same. Figure out what you like, what's comfortable for you that's all that matters. Either can be just as accurate as the other. As far as + or - of each I'd say about 90% depends on the design and materials in the bow, the other 10% is how you shoot a bow. To just find out what a longbow feels like go to bass pro or cabelas and shoot what they have. Other option find someone that has one you can shoot. One thing you'll notice on here is no matter who it is everyone is still searching for THAT ONE BOW that has it all, it's a never ending search few have found.

Problem with the longbows that you will find most often in stock at Bass Pro or Cabelas is that they will be the lower priced and lower quality bows available from the larger bow companies. In general custom longbows are much nicer to shoot, and in many cases the same of even less in price.

See if you can find a club that caters to longbow shooters and you should have the opportunity to try some nice customs.

I have only one longbow at this time, actually a hybrid, but it is one of my favourites. Course it is also by far the most expensive bow that I own.

 

DDave

[GreyGoose]

Archer66 - I shot recurves all through my teens (the 1970s) , became reasonably skillful, and hunted small game and varmints (groundhogs) successfully.  I got back to shooting and bowhunting 10 years ago with compounds, and recently returned to traditional bows for the challenge - and the romance.  For the latter reason, I decided to try a longbow this time - I wanted a bow that looked like something Robin Hood would shoot, or at least Howard Hill.  I have long arms, and the one thing I notice with an off-the-rack bow is a bit of stacking in the longbow that I don't recall from my recurves (granted, that was a LONG time ago). I also have small hands, though, and the larger risers and grips of many recurves are uncomfortable to me. I DO wonder about how I'll hunt with this bow.  I like pop-up ground blinds, but I'll clearly need to make some serious adjustment to accommodate the longbow.  Would have to for even the shortest recurve, though, too.

Good luck with whatever you choose, hope you ahve as much fun as I am.

[George Vernon]

One thing to keep in mind is the type of grips can make a pronounced difference in draw length.  Most folks who shoot a straight (Howard Hill) longbow grip, do so with a low wrist.  Most recurve grips utilize a shape favoring a higher wrist.  For me, this results in a one and a half to two inch difference in draw length.  (long bow shorter than recurve).  Some of the 'hybrid' bows have grips that fall somewhere in between.

[stickbowmaniac]

I shot recurves for over 10 years.Been shooting longbows for 2 years.I rather the longbows because there lighter and whisper quiet.I also find them to be a little more forgiving.Just my 2 cents.hope this helps