Longbow versus Re curve

Michigan Mark · January 11, 2011, 10:47:00 PM

Being new to TRADGANG I thought I would see how much dust this will kick up. I started out going Traditional many years ago with a Rockey Mountain Re curve having a long draw had a hard time finding wooden arrows long enough (33"). Eventually found some Birch arrows which suited me well and back when Rouge River Archery was still around found some POC 33". I then got into Howard Hill Longbows 66" Bamboo and 70" Yew and have not turned back since. I seem to be taken with the Longbow Now and every now and then shoot the Re curve but when it comes to Hunting I always string one of the Longbows and never think twice about it. What are your preferences?

Stumpkiller · January 11, 2011, 10:50:00 PM

I like the recurve because my one lo ngbow hurt my wrist to shoot and I gave up after five or six years of suffering. I have girly wrists and that traditional L/B woodsplitter grip kills me.

I also do better with my first shot using a recurve. And the first shot matters most. To each his own.

Brently · January 11, 2011, 10:55:00 PM

I used to shoot only recurves but about 8 years ago I tried a longbow, have not hardly shot a recurve since. I like the HH style, there is just something about that longbow that if you like them there just isn't any other bow that compares to it.

January 11, 2011, 11:20:00 PM

Do you draw the longbows as far as the recurve? You must be really long in the sleeve. Most find that they draw a bit shorter with the straight grip. Over 30" draw would turn my longbows into slivers and shards, but then they are made to match my shorter draw.

Mike Schlegel · January 11, 2011, 11:40:00 PM

Same as Brently said - my recurves are collecting dust! For some reason, however, it took me longer to get 'into' the longbow than the recurve from an accuracy and consistency point of view. Nothing against recurves, just enjoy shooting a longbow more!

GWC · January 11, 2011, 11:44:00 PM

im pretty new to traditional too,but i love my longbow.gave my recurve to my buddy

Bob B. · January 12, 2011, 12:15:00 AM

I think this could turn into coke vs pepsi or ford vs chevy. It really is like stumpkiller said, to each his own. Stump killer is spot on, it is about what bow suits your style. That said, I am a longbow hunter. I have shot recurves. My first trad harvest came form a recurve. I totally dig them, especially their speed. However, I love the way my D bows look, shoot, behave ... I am a long bow hunter. I am a longbow junkie.

Bob.

January 12, 2011, 12:16:00 AM

Wow...33 inches is a lotta draw!

To answer your question first...I prefer a longbow because, for me, I am more consistent with it and, generally speaking, longbows are much quieter. I have had the opportunity to own and shoot many of each and I loved my 64" Big Horn recurve. Now I am a dihard LB guy since 2002 thanks to my friend OL Adcock.

Now, I am wondering if you may be having form issues because of your stated draw. I have always been the "long draw" of the guys I hunted with. I have consistently drawn 29" for many years. When I shot compounds I drew a tad over 32".

Just curious...

Glad to meet you! See you around....

Friends call me Pac · January 12, 2011, 12:46:00 AM

I started with a recurve 3 years ago. Two years ago I got my 1st longbow. I don't think I have even picked up my recurve in the last two years.

hunt it · January 12, 2011, 09:06:00 AM

To me the longbow is the true tool of traditional archery. Ishi nor any Indian's I'm aware of shot recurves.

That being said my longbows are all 110% foam/carbon/phenilic and I don't own a horse or a loin cloth. I just love longbows and recurves (especially widows) are best used for beating hogs over the head with in my book.

LONGSTYKES · January 12, 2011, 09:29:00 AM

I love them both, but I tend to lean more toward my longbows. I shoot both well. 27' draw helps me some. I find my long bows are more forgiving and quieter.

bobman · January 12, 2011, 09:45:00 AM

My recurves became backup bows for my longbow

just something about it I like better

Cool Arrow · January 12, 2011, 09:59:00 AM

Sounds like the consensus is that once you get a long bow that suits you you're stuck. I've owned lots of each. I never could enjoy longbows untill someone figured out that some of us need to shoot with a high wrist. Also the advent of r/d makes them even more pleasurable for me. Just my $.02
Larry

Stumpkiller · January 12, 2011, 10:04:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by hunt it:
To me the longbow is the true tool of traditional archery. Ishi nor any Indian's I'm aware of shot recurves.

Look harder. The Inuit use recurves, as did the Mongul.

Norse/Icelandic recurve

QuoteBows made in this manner store more energy for a given bow length. Thus a short recurve bow has a range nearly as great as that of a longbow, offering advantages to archers in situations where the longer bow would be troublesome, such as in dense forests or on horseback. Some historical recurve bows are asymmetric, with the upper limb longer than the lower, as shown in the sketch.

The Icelanders referred to these bows as húnbogi (Hunnish bows), although the only reference to them in the Icelandic saga literature appears to be as personal names (such as Húnbogi Þorgilsson, the father of a 12th century lawspeaker). The term does not appear in any of the Sagas of Icelanders.

PS - my ancestors weren't Native Americans and I use a Mediteranean release. ;-)

Mike/Columbia Basin · January 12, 2011, 10:18:00 AM

I've shot both, made both and have both. I just shoot my recurves better but I won't get rid of my longbows either.

Night Wing · January 12, 2011, 10:23:00 AM

I've always shot a recurve. I've very accurate with them as long as the recurves are 64" in length. After demoing a 66" recurve, I now prefer 66" recurves.

Three years ago, I purchased a hybrid longbow. A 68" Belcher hybrid Longhorn, but after two years of trying, I just couldn't shoot the longbow as accurately as my recurves. I think my mind just doesn't like the straight style longbow grip. It just never felt right. Anyhow, I sold the longbow to a member here on TG. That was the first and last longbow I'll ever purchase.

jonsimoneau · January 12, 2011, 11:40:00 AM

For the most part, I am a recurve guy. The only style of longbow that I can shoot accurately are the hybrid types, with the Habu Vyperkhan being my favorite. If I had to pick one to shoot with for the rest of my life, it would probably be a recurve.

maineac · January 12, 2011, 11:40:00 AM

I started with a recurve, and soot it well (in my opinion), just started shooting a hybrid Horne longbow bought from a fellow TGer, and another from the recent auction. I have been shooting the Horne really well and it is as fast as my recurve, and much quieter. I will string up the curve as soon as it gets back from a loan and compare groups.

Hermon · January 12, 2011, 11:51:00 AM

I started in Traditional archery shooting a recurve for several years. Then I started playing with a longbow some. I have became a longbow guy almost exclusivly. Something about them that I cannot put into words. I love recurves from the standpoint of they can have so much more wood in them and I love a pretty piece of wood. But if I had to choose one for the rest of my life (hope it never comes to that!) it would be a longbow.

hawk4570 · January 12, 2011, 12:42:00 PM

Like them both but love my longbows. I am thinking about selling al my recurves except my 68 Browning