Why a longbow or recurve?

[Savate]

What would make one choose one over the other?

I'm currently shooting a longbow and hope to do some hunting next year (when I'm accurate enough and get my tackle together).

[Shawn Leonard]

It all depends on how the bow feels to the shooter, for me it is in the grip. I love a high wrist or med.-high. I shoot that type better than any other. I can shoot an LB as well as a recurve if it has a high wrist grip. Shawn

[Mulybux]

I just started back into trad. archery last spring, then ended up tearing my rotator. I just had it repaired in January and am looking forward to being able to shoot again! I bought an old Ben Pearson Colt and have enjoyed shooting it, but am looking forward to trying out longbows as well as some other recurves. I plan to purchase a new/used bow when I find out how many pounds I can handle and when I decide on a recurve or a longbow.

What are the advantages to each?

[Flinttim]

I just do  both. BUT, John Nail says I look good with a recurve     What more reason does one need ?

[NY Yankee]

Totally a personal preference with me. The look of the recurved limbs and an attached bow quiver full of arrows is very pleasing to me. The raised grip is more comfortable to me. The first trad bow I was shown was a recurve.

[robtattoo]

Just something about a recurve that looks wrong to my eyes. Couldn't tell you why. I actually shoot a recurve slightly better, all things being equal, I just prefer a longbow!

[R H Clark]

I've had both and like both though some longbows are easier to like than others.I shoot a recurve now because I am more accurate with it than anything I've tried.

[varmint]

I personally can't give any specific reasons.

My first trad bow,actually first 2 trad bows,were recurves.I decided I wanted to try a longbow,and now only have 1 recurve left,which I very rarely shoot,but own 5 longbows with another on order.I just seem to enjoy shooting a longbow more,and really like the lines and style of longbows over recurves.

To each his own I guess,whatever makes you happy is what you should be shooting.

[brettlandon]

Shhhhhhhhhhhh!  A selfbow is being shot.  Try to hear it.    
Guess you know my preference.

-Brett

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Started with a recurve, riser cracked tried a long bow and it felt better... That one blow on me at full draw... Got My Shrew 54" (Original, Used) Something about a long bow....I think it's what I think is more Traditional... This is just My feelings.

[huntnmuleys]

gotta say i prefer my recurve, but tote em both on occasion.

[String Cutter]

Shoot a recurve a little better than a longbow... But I keep selling my recurves and my longbows never go anywhere...

[Jedimaster]

I started with recurves because folks said they were easier to learn to shoot well.  Also I like a short bow and there's more to choose from with recurves.  Gradually I went to longbows for a while, well at least "short" longbows.  Now I'm back to recurves mostly.

Personally, and it's just me, I shoot recurves more consistently.  Actually, I shoot better with some riser mass for stability and more of a medium or high grip.  Again, there are more recurves that fit this description and still stay relatively short.  

I feel that longbows are more beautiful generally and have alot of romance.  Also I like a quiet bow and there's nothing like a longbow for that.  Bottom line is you have to shoot what produces for you, not necessarily what you like to look at the most. IMHO.

[2Knives]

I prefer recurves because I shoot them better.
I have 1 longbow and I like to shoot it on occasion...I just suck with it.

[kennym]

Like the recurve grip and riser mass on a recurve,like the quiet of string not contacting the limbs on a longbow,sooo I shoot hybrids.

[Kingstaken]

Gonna make a movie called Romancing the Longbow. Something about it.

[longbowben]

Thiers something about a longbow in your hands.

[laddy]

The straight or dished Howard Hill grip is the most hunter friendly
grip that I have ever found.  If you shoot it like Hill shot with that grip, you will find that it is the easiest to handle for quick shots, shots that some one with slower form would not even begin to be able to take.  watch the Hill DVDs to see what I am saying.  If you try to use recurve form they will not be so much fun.

[Savate]

What about those of you that bowhunt....which do you prefer?

[varmint]

For hunting it's the longbow also.........