Be patient with me folks, this is my first post. I am considering buying a longbow but have only shot recurves. What are the differences in shooting a longbow vs. a recurve.  I have heard many stories, but have left it up to the experts for advice. Great site, great people. Proud to be a new member

for most Traditional style longbows the difference would be the grip, riser leagnth, and center shot.  Alot of that is changing with companies like St. Joe River bows offering a high wristed grip on their longbows as well as their recurves, and shelf cut more to center.  I love shooting both and prefur the higher wrist grips.  I would check these guys out to get a grip like you prefure.

Welcome to Tradgang!
I'm sure you'll get some expert advice but I'll give you my opinion anyway, no expert here.

I started with recurves and then went through a longbow phase, and now back to recurves.

The biggest difference for me was the grips. Longbows for the most part have a low-wrist grip that has to be placed a certain way in the hand for consistence and absence of bow torque. I just couldn't get used to it and the wrist position (bent) bothered an old injury I have.

For me, a recurve grip is just way more comfy.

From my experience (wouldn't consider myself an expert), the major differences are grip, noise, speed, and length.

I shoot hybrid longbows with deflex/reflex that I feel offer the best of both worlds.  Shorter length, higher speed, quiet, you can get a grip however you want, and most can be cut to center.

Typically, standard longbows are quieter, slower, longer, and have lower wrist grips.  Recurves are shorter, louder, faster, and higher wrist grips.  Not all bows are created equal and results may vary.  I would shoot a few of both and see what you like.

Welcome to TG!

The previous replies are spot on with the their description of the characteristics between a Recurve and a Longbow.  I find it much more difficult to shoot the 'Hill' style longbows than the more hybrid style longbows. To me it is all in the grip and the bow being 'dead in the hand' after the shot.  So, the only way to figure out which one works for you is to shoot several different bows by differenr bowyers.

It is much easier for me to shoot a recurve more accurately. I love the meatiness of a hefty recurve too.
Always wanted to be as good with a longbow as a recurve...but alas....I'm not. I envy all the really good longbow shooters out there.

You should try a longbow if possible,can be a personal preference.For me when I started shooting traditional I wanted to shoot a longbow and started out shooting a longbow.I just prefer them,I just never really cared for a recurve type grip,but thats me.

I started with A recurve with a high wrist grip and am now shooting Hill style and R/D longbows with low wrist grip.
You really wont know what you like until you try them. I feel if you were at one time a compound shooter a recurve might feel a little more familiar to you.
I am no expert just my opinion.

I would try to find someone that has a low wrist longbow and shoot it before buying. I shot recurves for years. Started with a Bear Kodiak. I switched to longbows about two years ago and do not plan to look back. I find the low wrist grip just feel's more natural to me and they still hit where I look.

I have I shot both and now shoot mostly longbows. The main reason is I don't need a bow stringer with a longbow!!!  

I second Yornoc's reply.

The mass weight of a recurve is important to my shooting abilities.

I think it depends on the bow....IMHO....I was a better recurve shooter until I bought my first pronghorn....now I don't own a recurve.... :^)


things I like about a longbow - one actually is how quiet they can be....just a thump...

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Glenn

I started with longbows and thats all I hunt and shoot, I have shot a few curves(my brother just lent me one) and they are easier to handle and I would suggest them for a new guy for shore. Longbows take a little more to get used to and can be discouraging for a new shooter.

ATA but another issue to consider is weight in the hand. Personally I really like the light weight nature of the longbow. I ground/still hunt solely and can use either.

Shootem both likem both! What part of the state you from if close to me you can try mine out. Welcome to the GANG. Oh and I highly recommend you attend the shoot in Mccalla AL. at the end of Febuary. You can try out bows til your wore out. Great people and fun! If interested reply back and I'll pm you with the info. Kirk

I like longbows best because...

You don't need a stringer (probably my biggest reason)

I think that the lower brace heights feel smoother in draw (most longbow brace heights are between 6 and 8in inches, while I think most recurves are between 9 and 11in)

Longbows are on average quieter

and I think they just look cooler    

I shoot both. What ever mood I'm in determines what bow I use. Under 20yrds the accurcy is about the same for me. Beyound 20 I tend to shoot the recurve better.For me the more the physical weight of the bow the less trouble I have with my wrist and elbows.Being some older now thats important.Everyones different, and like whats already been mentioned, shooting alot of different styles would be your best bet. Good luck and glad you can join us.

Thanks so much for the great info. I will definitely shoot several longbows before making a commitment. I shoot with a great bunch of guys from our church. We actually have an archery team and travel around the state shooting 3-d and having a blast. Alas, I am the only traditional shooter in the group, but you should see the look on the boys faces when the feathered shaft hits the 10 ring, over and over. This is what bow shooting is about, wood, feathers, and a lot of fun.

While it might be easy to define a recurve, these days longbows have a great deal of variety so the comparison isn't fair. It's hard enough to choose between longbows. There are D bows, hybrids, longbows with recurve style risers, reverse handle longbows and more than I could name off the top of my head. So your real issue becomes what type of longbow are you interested in.

I think that we as humans are very adaptable, and if we put in the work we can shoot any type of bow well. I also think another factor is to look at what type of bow interests you. For instance, the first time I saw/shot a R/D type longbow I fell in love, I loved the slight curve of the limbs, so those types of bows really drew my interests. The same could be said for guys that are drawn to recurves, self bows etc.

So, if you are drawn to a type of bow shoot it, learn it, and you will be able to shoot it well if you put in the effort.