I have noticed some short longbows being used. 54-58". is there an advantage to such a short bow other than blind hunting or just maneuvering? how is the forgiveness? stability? etc.
Here is my all Osage Great Northern Critter Gitter Special. She is 58" and absolutely the finest bow I have ever shot. Absolutely no hand shock and points extremely well and puts it right where you look. In a fit of lunacy, I once sold her. Then a miracle happened and the new owner put her back up for sale so I snatched her back up. She's never leaving again. If you ever get a chance to get a Gitter, don't pass it by. They are tremendous bows with classic lines and shoot even better than they look. Plus Jerry is not making these any longer.
Steve
(http://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/t384/MeatCKR/Gitter1.jpg) (http://s1057.photobucket.com/user/MeatCKR/media/Gitter1.jpg.html)
They're not for me. Some folks love them, but I shoot a longer bow much better.
How about a 50"er? It's get drawn to 28 and shoots as well as a longer bow.
(http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k578/hunthold/5588ad59bf4799178af39111d1d2bdd5.jpg)
I HATE short bows, longbow or recurve! I have a 29.5" DL and I just can't seem to shoot bows shorter than 62" worth a flip!
Bisch
I think short bows are very cool until I shoot them. Then I get back to a bow that shoots well for me... a long one!
what about me being only 5'6 with 27" draw? think a short one would be for me?
Do you ever thought about a TimberGhost hybrid longbow?
I was pleased to shoot one of my friend's Timberghost longbow (from Hubi also a member)
The smoothness drawing, consistency and quietness was the best I ever had with a 58" bow.
Did I already mentioned that my draw length
is about 31" and I draw the 31" without any finger pinch.
She is fast,quiet and absolutely no handshock.
Also I think the design is outstanding but that's is only my fact.
Timberghost (http://www.timberghostarchery.com/td.html)
Landon, Im 5' 6" but I have a 25" draw. I had a 56" Thunderchild but I wasnt in the power stroke so BigJim built me a 54" . You can tell a differenc. I shoot the 54" a lot better.
I wouldn't go shorter than 60" on a longbow. I've had several that were 58" and it's just better to have more stability in my opinion. Of course, I also have a 29" draw so that makes a difference. I have a 58" TallTines recurve that I just love but then again it's a Talltines how could I not. If you are looking at shorter longbows I would give Dan Teolke a good look as well.
I have both and shoot both, also 5'6". I have a 58" Centaur that is smooth as glass, and plenty fast. Longer bows are more forgiving, but sometimes its sweet to shoot a shorter bow.
QuoteOriginally posted by VA Elite:
what about me being only 5'6 with 27" draw? think a short one would be for me?
I don't think the 5'6" really has any bearing, but having that shorter DL would be an advantage fo making short bows work for you well.
Bisch
I guess the fact that my draw is 27" is a direct result of being a 5'6 midget! :D
I love short longbows. Shoot 54" with a 27" draw. Mine are Shrew CHs made by Gregg.
With my short 26.5" draw I really like short bows. I have two 58" long bows that are fantastic. All depends on your draw length.
I have a 27" draw length and I shoot longbows anywhere from 56" to 64" but I prefer a 60"er for several reasons. More forgiving with an imperfect release, less finger pinch, more maneuverable in tight spaces, more clearance in a pop-up blind. I now shoot a Toelke Pika in 56" and it is a great shooter also, just wish it was 58".
27"
I only draw 26" but here is my observation.
A well designed short bow doesn't give up anything to a longer bow in our typical hunting ranges.
Out to say 40 Yds I can hit as well with my 56" cascade brush hawk as I can any of my longer bows. Also the short bow makes for a wonderful carry thru the thick woods, on a stand or in a blind.
I find a short forward riser bow to come to target quicker too
QuoteOriginally posted by Brianlocal3:
I only draw 26" but here is my observation.
A well designed short bow doesn't give up anything to a longer bow in our typical hunting ranges.
Out to say 40 Yds I can hit as well with my 56" cascade brush hawk as I can any of my longer bows. Also the short bow makes for a wonderful carry thru the thick woods, on a stand or in a blind.
I find a short forward riser bow to come to target quicker too
I think the key here is 26" DL! With long DL's, the finger pinch gets to be a problem (at least for me), and I can't shoot shorter bows nearly as well as I can my 62's and 64's.
The only real way for any particular guy to know if this or that will work for him, is to put it in his own hands and give it a try.
Bisch
Im not sure how long my super ghost is, I think it is 60", I would be looking at a 56-58" longbow, 2-4 inches would help me out a lot as far moving around with it.
Even though I have a short 25" draw length, I prefer the smoothness of longer bows. Mine are mostly all 68".
I have 3 Lost Creek longbow hybrids. Shortest is 53", 54", & 58". Shoot them all pretty well & love them. Chad makes a beautiful short bows that really shoots fast & smooth. My favorite is my 54" NAT. In the woods with it as I type.
I like the looks of those lost creek and Kanati bows
Never thought it was possible with my 30" draw until I picked up a 56" Elkheart with the perfect grip for me. Probably one of the most accurate, natural pointing bows I own.
I am 5'6 but have a dwarf 26 inch draw...... Well I need to get a long bow.....
QuoteOriginally posted by Yellow Dog:
Never thought it was possible with my 30" draw until I picked up a 56" Elkheart with the perfect grip for me. Probably one of the most accurate, natural pointing bows I own.
Ditto this.
I have a 28" draw and shoot a 54" JavaMan Elkheart that I absolutely love!! :thumbsup:
A lot of 54" and 56" pikas being bought right now
I have had a 48", a 56" and a 58" bow. For whatever reason I have settled on 60" as optimal for me. I just have more confidence with that length in a recurve.
I posted on this before, but measure your bows tip to tip when strung. You might be surprised about the actual length.
I think there ought to be an established length that defines what a longbow is. Logically, a bow that is short can not be a long bow, regardless of the overall design. My opinion, and it is only my opinion, is that no bow shorter than 66" is actually a longbow.
Been there,done that. More is more. 66" for this kid. rat'
I have a 30" DL and have tried all shapes and sizes but have settled on a 56" Elk Heart by Gregg Coffey. I shoot it as well as any 64" bows i've had. No finger pinch, quick to target and amazingly smooth. I think it's plenty long especially after seeing some of the bows our native ancestors were shooting. The design of the bow is more important than lenghth IMHO.
This my opinion,I have a 58" Bear Grizzly, a 52" Shakspear and my DL is around 29". I dont really feel any finger pinch shooting either one.
Everyone shoots different so not everyone can shoot short bows without feeling finger pinch. I also feel a lot has to do with how much poundage your pulling.
I have several longbows 66", a 62" RER longbow and a 62" Blacktail recurve. Love 'em all!
Having said that, I have a shorty on order with Greg Coffee (Java Man). Currently signed up for a 54" Helms Deep recurve, but seriously thinking about calling Greg and asking him to switch me to an Elk Heart longbow. I shot both at the Kalamazoo Trad Expo and shot both of them as well as any of my longer bows.
One of the things that intrigues me about a short Elk Heart, is the way I could order it as a 2-piece. I'd then make a new back quiver with a separate pocket for the bow which would not stick up above my arrows. At 74, I don't anticipate climbing any mountains chasing goats, but I just think it's a really cool option.
I have a Shrew Classic Hunter at 58" and even at my short draw it has excellent performance. The grip is very repeatable and it is just very consistant...
I would like to try his 64" version though...
Alex
Been shooting 54-56" Shrew Classic Hunters and Java Elkhearts for years. For me it's a perfect fit. 5'10 28". I still have some longs of 62" and better but for hunting I seem to always feel the most comfortable with a shorty.
Had a 60" Selway /Centaur, a 58" Elkheart. and sometimes shoot a 62" stock Whip. All have been excellent bows. My current 58" T-Mag,I have to say, equals or exceeds all these in overall smoothness,forgiveness and pointability.
Among well made bows, my impression is a whole, whole lot depends on the design.
I shoot a 56" Leon Stewart, 60#@28" I only draw about 26.5" but this Li'l Slammer has remarkable cast and shoots where I look.
A Short....Long..... bow, is that the definition of an oxymoron?
QuoteOriginally posted by Walt Francis:
A Short....Long..... bow, is that the definition of an oxymoron?
I dunno, Walt. I've always liked long shortbows, but hey, YMMV.
A short longbow is just that ; its more the design that makes it a longbow ; than the length . No different than a 66in recurve or one thats 48in ; still a recurve . just my opion
Don't let anyone tease you into thinking a particular bow isn't a bow ( well, 'cept a crossbow).
Bows are tools, designed to do something. If you need a 1/4" nut turned, you don't grab a 1/2" wrench, and if you grab an adjustable wrench, you get something that does OK at a lot of things, but not really great at anything.
If you are 5'6" tall, you will by default have a smaller draw than a much taller person. Getting the most out of that shorter draw needs a bow that is made FOR that smaller draw.
Sounds like a shorter bow, be it "long" or "recurved" might just be the tool that works its best for you. An established and accomplished bowyer can make a bow that works in your parameters.
Give one a try and report back on how it works.
ChuckC
The biggest factor to take into consideration on a short long bow is the string angle at full draw. The limb design makes a huge difference.
Take a look at this Sasquatch hybrid long bow. The limb is designed very much like a semi static tip recurve, only it has deep core narrow limbs.
The amount of limb travel getting to full draw makes a huge difference on the string angle where your fingers are on the string..... This 60" bow can draw to 32" with a better string angle than many 64" bows do.
I've built these down to 56" for guys with shorter draw lengths and got some serious performance gains too.
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Drawings/SasLblimbmovement.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Drawings/SasLblimbmovement.jpg.html)
I've read the reviews of those short draw/short bow guys Kirk bows.
While i seldom can fully appreciate all that he shares of the science behind things, over the years, I've come to recognize it's not "theory" but he builds it into his design and bows and the performance is incredible.
I have a couple bows that collect dust and just shoot my SAS lb now with a custom built handle that finally, finally, I have a bow that fits me and how I shoot.