It's mainly personal choice. There are so many varieties and hybrids today that it's hard to characterize them into specifics any longer. Some longbows have recurve attributes; some recurves have longbow attributes.

If you compare a recurve to the straight limbed, Howard Hill type bows, then the recurve will shoot a faster arrow. It will have much less shock or vibration than the longbow. The recurve is more centershot than the longbow, making it easier to match arrow spines. The recurve would be more pleasant to shoot.

But with reflex/deflex designs, 3-piece takedowns and such, many longbows are every bit the equal of recurves in almost every way.

I feel like I must have both. Some days I shoot the recurve better. Some days I shoot the longbow better.

I know that sounds like a longwinded cop-out for an answer, but it's the truth.