Why choose LB limbs over recurve limbs, on the same riser?

[PaulDeadringer29]

Why do some of you guys choose LB limbs over recurve limbs on a t/d bow that uses the same riser? (Stalker, TT, Schafer, Timberghost). I'm sure there are some good reasons, but I don't have a lot of experience with LB's, so enlighten me. Just seems to me, the main attraction of LB's is the physical lightweight of the bow, so I'm not sure why one would want a heavy risered LB. What are your reasons?

[McDave]

I got longbow limbs on my Toelke Lynx takedown bow because I wanted a super accurate longbow to shoot in the longbow division of tournaments.  I believe the extra weight improves accuracy, as well as the 66" length, compared with my one-piece longbows, which are 64".

Aside from the reasons I got the Lynx, a hunter might get a takedown reflex deflex longbow for the convenience of being able to pack it, and because many people believe a reflex deflex longbow is the best compromise there is between the advantages of a recurve and a longbow.  It has almost the speed of a recurve, doesn't have much if any handshock, and has little or no risk of limb twist that a recurve might have.

[Joe2Crow]

There are other advantages to longbows: they are usually much quieter, often smoother drawing and more forgiving (stable). Did I mention they are quieter? A longbow with R/D limbs that approaches the cast of a recurve without all the noise is a beautiful thing. I find them to be more enjoyable to shoot - not as "violent" upon release as the high performance recurves.

[overbo]

Recurve limbs usually have less finger pinch w/ the same length limbs. Like any design some are touchier to shoot than others in both regards.

[ChuckC]

I just prefer a longbow over a recurve.  I have both limbs for my RER so that settles that !
CHuckC

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I can slide the Longbow limb into my boot and have the bow at ready at all times. Recurve, not so much.

[PaulDeadringer29]

I have a t/d bow being built soon, and really want to go with the LB limbs just to have something a little different. Help me solidify my choice :-)

[nineworlds9]

Honestly a recurve has to be pretty special now (like the double carbon Schafer I just reviewed not long ago, or the Cari-bow Tuktu, or Toelke SS) for me to take any interest in it vs. hybrid longbow limbs.  R/D limbs may give up a few fps in speed depending on the design/make/model but they nearly always make up for it in reduced noise level, more linear draw feel, and more stable shooting.  That to me is why the hybrid longbow is the ultimate hunting bow.  That and if you forget your stringer its still pretty easy to string most of them with a push-pull.  Can't beat it.

I still like a few recurves.  Its mostly about looks with them.  Love a handsomely designed recurve bow, the curves are just sexy.  I'm a big fan of statics too.  For me they bridge the gap for guys who are on the fence.  

Honestly, you need to shoot both styles and see what you like.  Two different flavors.  You should go with the one that feels the best and yields the best shooting results for you and the one that when you look at the strung shape it just calls out to you.  For me that is r/d and hybrid longbows.

[stujay]

Quieter...according to my ears.

[bigbadjon]

I would say the main reason is torsional stability.

[ron w]

Originally posted by stujay:
Quieter...according to my ears.

With out a doubt........

[Orion]

Most risers that accept both longbow and recurve limbs are better suited for one or the other.  If the riser and thus usually the limbs are wide, and the limb pad angle is rather large, recurve limbs are usually better.  If the riser is narrow, and accordingly the limbs are narrower, and the limb pad angle isn't as great, longbow limbs work better, IMO.  

For example, I have a Morrison Shawnee.  IMO, the riser is much better designed to accept and get better performance out of longbow rather than recurve limbs. On the other hand, the Morrison   Cheyenne riser gets more out of recurve limbs than longbow limbs.  In the looks department, too, longbow limbs on a Shawnee riser and recurve limbs on a Cheyenne riser just look better than their counterparts.  That's my experience and perception.  I'm sure some would disagree with me.

Cause longhbows are just sexy!!!!!!

Bisch

[Red Beastmaster]

I have often wondered the same thing. I want my longbows to be slender, light, wands of death.

Putting longbow limbs on a big heavy clunky riser is like petting a dog backwards. It gets the job done but it just ain't right.

[JDunlap]

My RER XR [recurve] limbs are actually quieter than my longbow limbs...but the longbow limbs are more forgiving to shoot; I get a little more consistent arrow flight with them. I think that is the greatest advantage. But...I still like my XR better!

[Wannabe1]

Cause longhbows are just sexy!!!!!!

While I will not argue this point, my new Bighorn from BigJim gets my juices flowning.   :D

[BigJim]

I can't seem to decide what bow I shoot the best...seems I shoot them all the same.

Once I pick up a bow and get ready to shoot, I quit thinking about the bow.

Bigjim

[Piratkey]

No matters for me, I think if you have a good form and a good release you can shoot them both accuratly,in other way i never see a olympic target shooter shooting a hybrid bow !!!!

[damascusdave]

Have to agree with Big Jim...I could never tell the difference between my RER LXR with the recurve or longbow limbs...that is probably the most consistent bow I have ever owned which of course means I traded it away...so many bows and so little time

DDave

[**DONOTDELETE**]

There are a bunch of generalizations being posted here that i completely disagree with.  Recurve limbs can be just as quiet as long bow limbs if they are designed correctly and you use decent hunting weight arrows.

The statements being made that recurve bows are faster than long bows is an old school way of thinking. There are many R/D long bows being made  today that are just as fast or faster than the average recurve bows.....

The hybrid long bow limbs are my favorite for hunting because they slide through the brush easier, can be push/pull strung in the field easily, and torsional stability is much higher with no worries of ever popping a string off if you were to get tangled up in the brush.