I can't remember the details exactly, but I believe there were cave paintings found (in Spain?) that pictured a deflex/reflex longbow. There are no really "new" designs, just variations of established designs and improved materials. Even when someone seems to have made a breakthough, I bet you a dollar against a doughnut that there has already been someone before them tinkering with it. The person that "discovers" it might have never heard of it, and it actually be an original idea to them, but it's not new.

Now, back to the original subject. I prefer a longbow, a particular style of deflex/reflex. I have shot and owened a lot of bows over the years, all different shapes and styles (not all of the different ones--what I mean is that I seldom had two of the same bow). As the folks that have been here for a while know, I prefer my Crusader. It is a deflex/reflex with a locator grip. It just fits me. I really like the speed, the smoothness, the lack of handshock, and the quiet shot. Although speed is not my #1 priority in a bow, I do like it. Faster means you have more lee-way when you misjudge distance, and more power behind your arrow. It is as fast as most any longbow on the market (the trick is to get the bow length matched to your draw length for the best performance), and as fast or faster than most recurves I have shot. I was getting in the mid to high 180's pulling [email protected], 64" bow, with full length cedar arrows and 125 grain points--they weighed around 640 grains. A friend of mine was pulling 62# or 63# @ 29 on a 66" bow and getting up to 235 fps with carbons (a 62" or 64" would have been faster). This was the only time I have ever shot that bow through a chronograph, and may never do it again (I even own one, but I have never used it). I don't worry much about actual fps--I know fast when I see it.

Anyhow, it boils down to whatever you like. I have shot and owned a lot of recurves, and still bowfish with one, but I like the longbows best. It doesn't matter if it's a custom job that cost $3,000 and shoots 300 fps or a homemade selfbow that cost you $5 for materials and shoots 140 fps--if it makes you happy, then run with it.

Chad

Long Bows Rule!