I had the opportunity to shoot 4 different recurves this last weekend. From the shortest to the longes recurve, they all seemed much smoother to draw than my longbow. It also seemed that I was somewhat more accurate.
Several questions;
1. Was I just imagining recurves being easier/smoother to draw?
2. Is this the case with all longbows vs. recurves?
3. Are there longbows out there that have a bit of a recurve feel? Especially the recuve type grip.
I know the Cari-Bow Silverfox and the Bob Lee takedown longbow both have recurve type grips, but I still don't remember tham being as smooth drawing as the recurves I was able to shoot. I thought maybe a Shrew might fit the bill?
I will be interested to hear your input. This is not meant to be a recurve vs. longbow type post. Just looking for info.
Thanks,
-Charlie
there is a million longbows that are super smooth to draw for me it is a highly reflex/deflex bows that do the trick you can call almost any bowmaker and they have longbows that are r/d jmo
In my somewhat limited experience, I think that recurves draw more smoothly than longbows, also.
I have also discovered that defining "smooth draw" is very difficult. Smooth to one person may not mean smooth to another.
To me, "smooth draw" means there is less friction in the way the bow feels when being drawn. My best analogy is like sliding your hand across a smooth surface and then sliding it across sandpaper. This is an extreme example, but that is the way it seems to me. I have heard some talk about stacking, but to me, this has nothing to do with smoothness of draw.
I have a R/D longbow curently. When I pulled those other bows, it just felt so much easier. Even though they were in a comperable draw weight.
-Charlie
I would try shooting a lighter poundage bow,I shoot Howard Hill long bows and the lighter weight bows seem to shoot smoother than the heavier bow I hunt with.If I don't shoot a couple days for some reason (usually work) I find it necessary to build up the strength to shoot it comfortably again. I prefer the long bow although it's harder to get used to can see a definite advantage over the recurve for hunting. Mike
The R/D bows seem the smoothest; but it is what happens once the string is released that is a lot more interesting.
Smoothness is in the eye of the bowholder.
I think the appearance of smoothness in a recurve is in the extra length and weight of the riser which helps your bow arm remain steady during the draw.
Smoothness, to me, is directly related to how the limbs gain weight and change string angle as you draw.
It depends on which longbow and which recurve you're comparing. I've drawn 62" recurves that stacked like a bucket of rocks at 28". And in comparison, my 64" Thunerstick MOAB draws nice and smooth all the way out to 32".
Depends on the bow.
I have three recurves and two longbows.
The two smoothest drawing are my Old Hoyt pro Medalist recurve and my Samick SLB69 longbow.
The Hoyt with long limbs is 68",the Samick 69".
My three shorter bows,58",,60" all draw smoothly with no stack at my 28" draw,but they load up an stay loaded up from start to finish.
The longer bows seem to drop into full draw and settle at a wheight that feels less than it really is.
Just a length thing for me,as long as the bow is well made to begin with.