Well as you could tell, the most obvious difference is limb design. What may be less obvious is that the limb design effects the shot. Longbow limbs are typically longer than recurves, therefore smoother. Also, the recurve in recuve limbs stores more power. In other words, more force is stored in the limbs when drawn. The higher amount of force could lead to more perceived handshock. A 12ga. kicks more than a 20ga, why? Because the 12ga applies more force. Newton's Law states that for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. There's more recoil to a 12ga because it's the equal and opposite reaction of the greater force applied. The difference in bows is that the handshock is the result of left over energy from propeling the arrow. Whatever energy isn't used to propel the arrow travels to the riser which is felt by the shooter. One way to get rid of handshock would be to shoot a heavier arrow. More mass equals more inertia so it would take more energy to propel the arrow. It is also the reason why heavier arrows penetrate better down range. The law of inertia states that the heavier an object is, the more inertia it has. Inertia is an objects resistance to change of motion. If a semi and a car are on the same mark and drag race, the car will obviously get there first because in weighing less it has less inertia and requires less force to overcome its inertia. Likewise, if the same semi and car are traveling at 60mph and are even, and both drivers apply the brake at the same time, the semi will take longer to stop because in weighing more it has more intertia, requiring more energy to overcome the inertia. Aside from the technical aspects, it matters more of what is aestheticly pleasing to you. Does a longbow look better than a recurve? To me they do. As Bodkin said, the recurve would be easier to start with because the lower poundage is easier to handle. That's essential because you need to have a good form, and if you can't handle your bow you won't have good form. Also, the recuve is probably center shot and will accept a wider range of arrows. Longbows aren't always cut to center, which requires proper spine so the arrow shaft will flex around the riser. 53# could be a lot to handle for starting, but that will also depend on how much you're shooting on your compound, and how burly you are. Also as Bodkin said, shoot both a see which you like more. However he was wrong about one thing, he was a help. The most important thing is that the bow is comfortable for you. You may like them both, and find yourself in a dilema of choosing betwixt, or you may not like either of them and opt for a third bow. Just go with the one you like best, and then we can talk arrows <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> Have fun.

God bless,
Brandan