What are the advantages and disadvantages of a forward-handled bow?

The ones I have shot seemed to shoot very well for me and I have no idea why!!!! Brace height is usually a bit higher, I like that.

Yea! What Ron said...  

... mike ...

A forward handle design, whether in a recurve or longbow, creates a deflexed riser. One of the main advantages is increased stability by torque resistance. This is why deflexed risers are the norm on target bows.

They are alittle more forgiving and less prone to torquing the handle.I have a few forward handle bows.

Adds forgiveness, costs a bit of performance.  I don't recall ever seeing a short bow (56" or shorter)that didn't have a somewhat forward (deflexed) riser.  Really short bows generally have very deflexed risers.

Can't explain it. But, they shoot real good.

My 56" Super Shrew's string has yet to slab me on my forearm. ALL my other bows, and some of ArkyBob's, slab me from time to time.

I don't know why.

I like not getting slapped!!    

Hard to explain but the feeling is like pushing the bow toward the mark rather than just holding the bow during the aiming phase. The more I consciencely push the bow the better the shot result.

At Baltimore Bowmen I shot almost every bow from the Northern Mist booth. When I finally got to Steve's forward handle longbow I was amazed at the instant accuracy, even without a nocking point on the string!

I really like my forward handle Thunderhorn.

I have had more than a few they have all had the same trait they point to the target well and shoot where you look.

They all also seemed to be easy to shoot from the get go. Just felt like I had been shooting that bow for ever and it had only been a few dozen arrows.

There will always be one or 2 on the bow rack.

What they said...I have owned a few Shrews in the past and they seem to be very forgiving also.  I recently bought a new Bob Sarrels Black Hills 58" longbow 50# @ 28" but feared the 58"er would be too short for me and not very forgiving.  To my pleasure this little beauty is totally forgiving and seems to hit with authority.  I've only shot it a few times but really enjoy the performance.  It will be a great tree stand bow for sure.