Soilarch

with this question.

What are the advantages to a recurve over a longbow. The shorter recurve is better in thick cover, and are they faster also. Is so, are there any general rules as to how much faster? Im asking because I'd REALLY like to get one or the other. I don't plan on hunting with one for awhile, but longbows seem to be cheaper. I'm 19 so thats a BIG plus.

Pros/Cons of Long Vs. Recurve:

IrishLad32

Soilarch, it kind of depends on what design you like. Some longbow designs can keep up with recurve designs due to their design while others may be a littler slower. A shorter recurve will have better cast at a particular draw because the limbs are flexed more. However, you can have too long a draw and get finger pinch or pull the limbs so far they start stacking. There isn't really a more expensive or cheaper as far as recurves and longbows that I'm aware of. Chek-Mate has some cheaper recurves, and there are other companies that have reasonably priced recurves and longbows. Some are just plain expensive. If you're just starting find a used bow that's cheaper so you can try it out. With sites like ebay and www.women-outdoors.com/traditional it makes it easy to find a used bow for cheap to try out. You can also look up a shoot in your area with a lot of bowyers and try out their bows. You may also have a club in your area where people may let you shoot their bows. Also, people generally prefer one type of bow over another, and it doesn't have anything to do with the bow, it's just the person's preference. So always take someone's critique on a particular design or particular bow with a grain of salt 'cause people have biases that have nothing to do with the bow, just a matter of preference. For me I'm rather fond of r/d longbows, however, I don't care too much for hill style bows. Others would rather shoot a hill style bow over an r/d longbow. Some rather shoot a recurve over a longbow, and some longbow shooters won't touch a recurve. So take critques for what they are-one person's opinion. Not that opinions can't be helpful, but don't let them trumph your own experience and preference. You'll also want to start with a light pound bow like forty or forty five pounds so you can build form and get into good shooting habits. So start light with used bows and build up to heavier weights as you find out which type of bows you like.

Brandan

Soilarch

thanks, i really hadn't considered used bows cause im left handed (and eyed), and there aren't any tradition clubs around my area.

I'll check around using your advice, and just outta curiosity whats a hill style or r/d style bow?

stealthycat

I'll put my ACS up equally against any recurve and expect very close to the same speeds.

LBR

Like Irish said, it's mainly personal preferance. In my experience, you can get a good recurve cheaper than a good longbow. I haven't seen any "cheap" longbows that I cared for.

A Hill style is a straight limbed or mildly reflexed limb, usually with a straight grip. This is generally the quietest design, but also the slowest and has the most handshock. Deflex/reflex, in simple terms, is similar to the curves in a recurve, just not as extreme.

There are several longbows on the market that will match most recurves in speed, or at least come very close. The Chek-Mate Crusader is one, Roy Hall's Navajo is another. Take note that this is when the bow is matched to the shooter--if you have a 27" draw and are shooting a 66" Crusader, it won't be nearly as fast compared to shooting a 62", or someone with a 31" draw shooting the 66".

Chad