after shooting recurves for over 30 years i finally bought a longbow.the first thing i noticed is how close my arrow sits to my hand.when i put my glove on my arrow clears my finger by about an 1/8". is this normal for most longbows?

Yup!

That is one of the main advantages of a longbow. It puts the arrow close to your hand, so it is easier to point at your target. Makes the arrow go where you look, IMHO.

does anybody's feather hit their hand? it didn't happen but it looks like it could.

It can, but doesn't on a well tuned set up.   Be sure your nock is set so that there is no porpoising... paper tuning is good for this.  Also, be real sure that you razor taper the end of the feather spine and put a drop of glue on it.  You're going to enjoy the longbow.  i actually shoot a recurve better (some folks do and some don't) but there is something special about the absolute simplicity and lightness of a the traditional longbow, and I keep going back to them.

Don't worry about the arrow being close, alot of self bow guys have no shelf or rest, but shoot right off their own hand. A proper spined arrow will leave like magic with no contact. Have fun.

This is how close my arrow sits. Anybodys arrow sit this close?

Bucky, my longbows have no shelf. The arrow rides on my hand. If it worries you there is a shooting glove for the bow hand.I never use one.
As said before if tuned well and the leading edge of the feather is sealed  you'l be fine. Be Brave!!

it doesn't hit my hand it just looks like it might. i guess i'll have to get used to longbows. i don't think i'll ever go back to recurves after shooting this bow,i love it!

Bucky,
That is where my hand is on a longbow also.  The drop of glue on the end of the feather is a good idea.

RonP

sure don't worry about it. Ron La Clair of "shrew bows" who is a real well respected bowyer, archery champion, and regular around here specifically makes his arrow rests that close to the shelf. Believing it makes for better accuracy.

You can build the shelf up a little with some pieces of leather to get the arrow up a little.I don't care for having an arrow that low myself.jmo

QuoteOriginally posted by Dick in Seattle:
...but there is something special about the absolute simplicity and lightness of a the traditional longbow, and I keep going back to them.

Ditto

George, happy to see those yellow feathers again Bud! I just checked  my bows with a heavy cotton  glove on. The two Mohawks,Vince crowns the shelf. Top of hand with glove it tapers from around 1/4" on the shelf ends to around 1/2" in the middle. The Lewis Hollow is practically exactly the same. The Hornes  has a  crowned shelf as well .That bow is the closest  it's still around1/8"s on the ends to around  1/4" in the middle. Your shelf looks flatter. It  really puts that arrow on top of your hand.  By the way, is that a Army Surplus wool glove?    

I can feel the shaft with my index finger, I also feel the back of my target point touch also, if you are shooting the proper arrows you shouldn,t feel anything after the release, it has to be really cold before I wear any gloves, after you get use to it you will love it.

dan, i already love it.yep army wool.

HEY, Bucky, those are my gloves! work well without finger tips also.