Let's see how this stirs the pot I have owned and shot recurves but they just don't hold a candle to a sleak longbow.I'm shooting a dwyer original and hands down best longbow I've shot.who wants to shoot a big blocky recurve lol longbows are better

Get a nice slim one-piece recurve and you'll never look at a tomato stake longbow again.

X2

Mmmm, buttery pop-corn and a coke. Just what I'll need for this thread...

When you say longbow, what are we talking about, American semi longbow, a reflex deflex longbow, an English longbow, are we calling a flat bow a longbow. I think most all longbows are nice looking bows, however recurves are a different animal altogether, all bent and ugly, some of them shoot ok but for the most part they are real dogs and really not pleasing to the eye, case in point the black widow, on the other hand a fine English longbow, now that is a feast for the eyes as is a well made American semi longbow. I'm not sure do they make recurves over 41#s? I know they make longbows much heavier than 41#s and they are pretty to. Longbows are the way for all archers to go in my humble opinion.

What's a recurve?

This debate is null and void if its between a Black Widow recurve or longbow. Both are so awesome the world explodes if they are shot within 50 yards of each other. Science.

Tomato stake... that got a chuckle

Wait! Wait! I gotta get a six pak and some nachos.

As long as there long there good. Cameron

Ya, you're just not using the right recurve.

It is true though. Recurves are not as good as longbows... they're BETTER! :^)

for walking sticks maybe,lol,lol....

Another tomato stake chuckle over here.

C'mon, guys, it's April Fool's Day and you fell for it! LOL

Neither , go with the crossbow.

I like 'em ALL!

Both are fine tools! Everone has an opinion that is subjective, which is what you posted, opinion with no facts. How about posts that are objective with facts to debate your findings.

Yeah you see a lot of Longbows shot in the Olympics lol

Hard to beat a Longbow for Fun factor.

shoot both.

Recurves rock.

Tomato stake,,,,,,,,,,,LOL !

As long as a recurve weighs less than 20 ounces, isn't over 1 3/8" wide, doesn't look like the limbs were run over by a steam roller, has a longbow/ selfbow style/shape handle dressed in leather, is as quiet as a self-backed straight standing longbow, feels like one at the shot, has no pins, bolts, plastic, metal, rubber, carbon or fiberglass, and draws over 60 lbs, I'll give it a fair shake. I try to stay open-minded :^)

Well said Jeff. I admire a guy that keeps an open mind. I'm sure glad April Fools day is over.

"A good painter can put paint on with a broom."

I shoot both. However my go to bow is a recurve. but when things get slow early season, I can catch trout off the long bow, by bringing extra line

I guess all those Olympic archers didn't do well in Science class.

I like to shoot them both, that said,it is easier for me to be accurate with my recurve.

You sure are throwin science around...lol... I think there are a hand full of great longbow shooters out there.. The rest of them shoot recurves..

Life is 2 short to only shoot one Got 3 of both

Cracks me up when guys take the recurve limbs off their recurve bow, but their "longbow" limbs on their recurve bow and say I shoot a longbow. As if straighter limbs means a hoot.

Killinstuff-

I agree 100%.

Just like my women. Who wants skinny, scrawny and light. Real girls have curves, plump in the right areas and a little extra poundage ain't bad either.

No tomato stake super model women! :)

LOL.....the fish aren't bite'n today.

I have to laugh at these kind of threads... (and yeas I knwo this was all in fun... so is my reply)

Traditional archery? All the while we drive our modern fuel injected vehicles, sit in high tech alum treestands, we shop from catalogs that have very few products in them that are over 10 years old, most of our bowstrings are modern synthetic materials, half shoot carbons, we wear synthetic and high tech camo and rain gear, modern-age rubber boots, we use modern backpacks and tents, water filters, tons of folks use GPS, most have smart phones with all kinds of apps and a camera, many use infrared trail cameras and scout using maps and photos taken by satellites, all the while debating (arguing) over an internet on a 21st centruy communication device (PC) trying to convince each other that our choice in bows is better or more traditional.

Love it all!!!! and just am grateful that each Fall I have a place to hunt my cherished Whitetail deer and enjoy the outdoors.... and I don't care if I am wearing wool or fleece, camo or plaid, wood or carbon, or if I am carrying a recurve or a longbow...... I am just glad I CAN :)

the best thing about recurves is most of them can be fitted with sights and an elevated rest ;-)

What DT said.

Just to end the debate, shoot a Black Widow. Life is to short to shoot anything less.

chevy VS Ford

Shoot what you like

I started with a longbow, so naturally I favor one. But nothing wrong with a curve.

I remember my first bow. My brother and I bent sticks with twine string Got reed shoots for arrows. Tiller was off, but we didnt care we were shooting.

Both are terrible. The only bow to use is a solid fiberglass bow from the 50s.

I find the "American semi long bow" i.e. Howard Hill style bows to be more of a challenge than a recurve. This is not to say that recurves are simple to master, they are not It's just that I find , to use the generic term, long bows more of a challenge as the type I shoot are not cut to or past center. However if it came to a choice between the long bow and given my level of accuracy with, the recurve, I'd have to as a matter of survival, choose the recurve. But IMO Long bows are more fun to shoot.

I had a Black Widow recurve at one time. Best boat anchor I ever had!

So you stir the pot already looking to rumble thats makes a lot of sence.

Out of hundreds of bows this post makes no sence at all if you have any knowledge of many other bows? LOL

I have recurves that are sleek like long bows and have long bows that are like recurves as well.

You hear me now?LOL

Can a Dwyer compair to a Jack Harrisson? or even a Big Jim for that matter or a Widow or hundreds of others?

I never shot a Dwyer so I just don't know? What say ye fellows? LOL

Is the lid on this pot yet and the golden goose cooked yet?LOL

Widow? You couldn't GIVE me one.

Widows are plywood....Therefore planer boards..

"""Let's see how this stirs the pot I have owned and shot recurves but they just don't hold a candle to a sleak longbow.I'm shooting a dwyer original and hands down best longbow I've shot.who wants to shoot a big blocky recurve lol longbows are better """

Let's see how this stirs the pot. I have owned and shot recurves, but they just don't hold a candle to a sleek longbow. I'm shooting a Dwyer original, and it's hands-down the best longbow I've shot. Who want's to shoot a big, blocky recurve...lol? Longbows are better.

" shoot a Black Widow. Life is to short to shoot anything less."

Less what, less ugly, less heavy, less expensive, less cult like, you gots to be more precise.

Cult like wow I never thought of it like that until now. Guess I have to burn my Blacktails and Big Jims and all my bows for that matter to get on the right side again.LOL

Never knew George to studder or did the site act up again and print it twice.

This is so much fun we should do it more often! I'll go with longbows this time. Next time I'll jump the fence and go with the recurve. Can't afford the Black Widow cult.

Wait a minnit!! What about all us dirt-poor Warf guys? Don't we get a rant, too?

TinHorn

If you do not like Black Widow bows, you clearly have a hatred for beauty and all that is good in the world. Bashing widows is akin to kicking puppies. Its just not right.

Sorry, I showed up late. Is there any popcorn left? Hey, thats the great thing about this country. you can get whatever you want if you got the Washingtons.

I never sit down at my computer unless I have my big spoon to stir the pot with. :)

I don't understand the "longbows are more forgiving" argument. Are recurves more "condemning?"

IE-- Longbow: "Oh, that's okay you missed that easy 15 yard shot." Recurve: "You idiot! I was pointed right where you were looking and you STILL missed!"

Ok guys in all fairness to black widow we must give them their due. One great plus the widow has over the longbow is winter survival, you can do things with a widow that can't be done with even the best of longbows for example in a serious winter snow storm they can be quickly disassembled and used as make shift snow skies aiding one in a quick exit from a potentially dangerous situation, this type of survival technique can not be performed with a long bow making the black widow quite handy to have around in a snow storm. however one needs to be sure to take a longbow just incase a shot on a nice buck is presented, one can make the shot then make his exit back to camp on his black widow skies. Just trying to be helpful.

Yes backcountry, that is exactly what it's like. I'm tired of my Grizzly giving me lip. Back to the hickory longbow O.O

Everybody knows the longbow is the superior hunting weapon...

Wait a minute, didn't Fred Bear shoot a recurve? Didn't the Mongols and ancient Turks use recurves?

I take that back..guess recurve or longbow will do the trick.

The learning curve is long on all bows.

I just got some arrows tuned to my longbow

Re: Mr.Stout's recent editing

Apostrophes are used:

To show possession (e.g., one dog's kennel , two dogs' kennel ) In time expressions (e.g., a day's pay , two weeks' holiday ) In contractions (e.g., can't , isn't , don't )

Apostrophes are not used:

Randomly before the letter s (e.g., who want's to shoot a big, blocky recurve)

I accidently read one if Ryman's posts, again. When will I learn?

Good eye Mr. Ross. Guilty of not paying attention..proof reading my own submission. Just trying to make it readable, actually.

Has anyone tried to recurve one limb and leave the other straight?

THEN WHAT WOULD THE ARGUMENT BE? ;-)

No argument jaz...just discussion. I think the thread was started to get response.

And as far as my editing, I have said before that I make errors just like anyone else; however, when posts are almost unintelligible, they need fixed so the average person can understand them. I let most go by without much notice, and some you can't fix. But capitals, commas and periods are not that hard.

Some day all of the Widow owners, members of the "Widow's-Gate" cult will go to their big house with darkened windows, drink the liquid in the paper cup, lie down in their bunk beds with their Widows beside them and be taken by space ship to follow the comet Hale-Bopp.

Recurves are the Kate Upton of bows.

Longbows? Twiggy

I will Ditto that last statement. It's courtesy we're talking about with that one.

Who needs a recurve, when you have a lot of ASLs and Duo-Flex longbows....James

Georges, that is. A few posts snuck in between us.

To Woodsman757: I did shoot a black widow once, only I didn't hit it right between the eyes, and it came after me, wounded and hoppin' mad! Luckily for me I had my Smith & Wesson 629 with me and two shots in the boiler later, she collapsed, legs akimbo. It whar a close'un.

George's ?

Haters gunna hate.

I was surprised when I shot through a chrono that my Martin Vision longbow which is 56# at at my draw was slightly quicker than my Martin Hunter recurve which is 61# at my draw.Shot a 478 grn arrows both times. Go figure. I like both only have the one longbow and have used it exclusively for the last 7-8 years and have just started playing with the recurves again.

I hear there's a new deprogramming network for Cult of the Widow. Concerned family and friends can call them and set up an intervention. For after care, once the reeducation is complete, there is Widows Anonymous ;)

Now back to the "forgivenss" fallacy/non issue of longbows. A friend makes some nice ones. He shoots them well...very, very well.

And he told me that shooting a longbow will show you what you're doing wrong when it comes to form--anchor, grip, release, follow- through, etc.

That doesn't seem to be very Christian of longbows...more Baptist- like, I'd say.

Oh boy let me get another cup of coffee, sit back & watch the sparks fly!!!

Jaz, isn't the Japanese Yumi bow sold by 3R half-a-longbow, half-a-recurve? Kinda goofy looking to me. Of course, if Black Widow made one, it could be used to point the way to the Hale-Bopp comet, yes? And could be yours for the paltry sum of $999.99 and comes with the paper cup of jungle juice, too ;-)

TinHorn

As I have gathered, through the writings and tales of various Longbow enthusiasts, the Longbow is more stable. The thicker stacked limbs are less apt to twist due to torque imparted upon the bow by the archer. I believe this is what is referred to as forgiveness. This would only apply to the Hill style or English type Longbows, not modern R/D flatbows, which to my eye are more like a Recurve, with wide limbs and thinner laminations.

I actually bought a greybark widow (still own it) because one of my earliest bow hunting heroes was Myles Keller. That bow still graces my bow rack...... but seldom leaves it. It’s pretty, nostalgic, etc., but I just don't shoot it as well as my longbows or my Bruin and Marriah Recurves (and its too noisy for me personally)...... But I plan on keeping just because.

I agree with the OP.

I see this thread began on April Fools Day..:)

IF the archer can shoot well and consistently..and the bow fits him( her) ergonomically for the bow hand..Either type bow will send the arrow to the mark consistently.. Recurves do NOT make good walking sticks for fording fast rivers..:(..but neither do longbows..:)

I enjoy shooting and hunting with either type..but I am picky when it comes to the bow..:)Jim

One shoots a longbow and watches the arrow flight at the longer distances, 3 or 4 seconds of hang time at the longer yardages. This little fact reveals one of the many pluses attributed to the famed black widow bow, a person can watch the arrow flight from their widow for 3 or 4 seconds at only 20 yards, which is considered a longer shot by widow owners. For hunting purposes, a bow need not be shot more than 14 yards, and needs not to be heavier than 41 pounds, and this my friends is what makes the famed black widow so popular with the hardened archer, plus they have the best looking advertisements going, these are the things making the widow one of the best and most sought after bows on the market today.

and then there's the older static bows..A interesting mix of longbow and recurve..:)

and then there's the 'shorter' longbows..This one is 72#@30" and 62" long..Jim

I like my longbows. They have all shot well. But, they are kinda off in my eye. I like form, I love function, and I like it combined to equal the perfect package. Easy on the eyes and even better on the performance side. Like Tom pointed out, a properly built recurve is like a well built women. Skinny in the right places, plumb in the others. Not over built mind you, just right. With curves and such that ups the performance factor. Yep, I'll take my properly built recurve anyday over a tomatoe stake pole longbow. We are talking bows right. :^)

God Bless

You are getting the max out of that last one,Jim.

Jawge, Yep..It's an osage glas longbow made by Louie Armbruster's succesor..Very well done..Osage is as dark as walnut.. At 30"draw....just a tad short of pulling the bowstring off the limb ends..But that old Zebra Safari sure shoots well)..

Hope you and Joni and family are all well and smiling..:)Jim

Yawn...to much time on your hands, go build a bow...or shoot one, or make a string, or pick a little..now there's a good idea pick a bow, but not to pieces.

Ithink there is a steeper learning curve with a longbow .the heavier riser with a recurve makes it a bit easier to master plus hand placement is or can be better,Someone correct me if im wrong mho

Longbow shooters are just poor trout fishermen, and they can not fly fish, worth a tick bite, but for those who shoot a recurve, well those people, are centered, and live in the center of the universe...............................

I got me a window also, bow that is one piece 2.LOL

Its ok does that make me a window man or am I a man without a flag? LOL

She sit on the rack needs some skins I think.LOL

RC or LB its great to shoot them all its like having a big harem and they don't fight over each other and you can't get arrested for bowgamy.LOL

lol

I almost replied after voodoo this morning but didn't.

The tomato stake comment was too funny, but I shoot both.

Cat, you're a pip!;^) Wyatt

So, if I'm popping nocks off at 35 yards with my recurve, plugging vitals at half that distance, I should put down my curve, pick up a longbow and wound animals and scatter arrows on the bale? Bows are like diets, they all work they just don't work for everyone. That is why I frown when someone scolds a compound shooter for his decision. I would rather see a compound shooter plug his quarry, with accuracy, at whatever distance, than to see the same shooter wound one at any distance with traditional equipment because of badgering from one of us. To each his own. I love the sleek beauty of the longbow but cannot tolerate the hand shock. Until I find one that'll keep me from morse coding with my molars, I'm sticking with my recurve. AIM SMALL MISS SMALL.

Come on now, a long bow is just a recurve that has not been finished on the ends. I have both and as long as I can see the arrow fly, could care less what is pushing it. Doesn't matter what you use, just enjoy shooting arrows as I have these last 65 years.

He he George... once a teacher...

Redheads, blondes, brunettes..all good. Some like em thick, some thin. Whatever does it for you is all that matters.

Cool April fools!

Tomato stake, that's a classic with some truth in it.

More coffee!

the weird town of Texas is Austin and when they have any trad shoots they have a spear chunker class as well as guys that have longbows made of tomato. stakes spliced together and filleted seriously its sucks going behind the spear chunkers they always take toke breaks and talk about what if......

You can shoot a longbow out of a recurve if the spine is correct.

I've noticed if the winds from the west and I lean a little east I can shot my longbow better. If there's no wind and am using carbon arrows than my recurve gets the call unless its below 50 degrees than all bets are off. I hope that clears things up.

I will keep shooting my Schafer recurve while you guys that shoot the Howard Hill longbows are having your shoulders repaired.LOL

I see people post all the time about what to expect when shooting a Hill Long bow. I tell them "Go slam a car door on your elbow a few times and you'll have a good idea".

After considering the question, "whats better?" For me it's not what is, but when is it better. If and when I am ever in a survival situation, I'm going to have to have a HH Big 5 longbow. It's built to last, you could use it for many things besides a bow, seriously, and I don't mean firewood. A recurve has thinner limbs which could be a liability. A Osage or Hickory selfbow/longbow could work too. I do like recurves, waiting impatiently right now for a Herter's I bought 2 days ago.

Feathers, now that explains a lot!

I used to be a Baptist--was raised one. That's how I know so much about 'em and learned the meaning of legalism and unforgiveness which I understand applies to either recurves or longbows, depending on who you talk to.

Unlike some, being raised a Baptist didn't keep me from becoming a Christian, though... Eventually.

Don't know about Frisky. Being from Minnesota, I suspect he's Norwegian, an altogether different religion, I believe. They are noted for being overly opinionated and for their fondness of pickled rotten baitfish fish which sort of diminishes their credibility in other matters, if you ask me.

The story of David and Jonathan out shooting bows and arrows is one of the more interesting Bible stories. I'm pretty sure Jonathan was using a longbow. His helper boy kept running after the arrows and thereby warned David that King Saul was still after him. If Jonathon was using a recurve, his helper would have had a harder time chasing after the arrows! Simple deduction...Except and unless, Jonathan was using a Black Widow!

Shoot the longbow from within, Grasshopper, from within....... And build your strength from carrying the Black Widow up and down the mountains, Grasshopper!! 8^)

Tinhorn

"Become the arrow." No wait, somebody already used that saying.

And if I'M ever in a survival situation, I want the bow that Katniss uses, and Katniss there to shoot it! I hope I'm forgiven for saying that.

This has been very educational, and the conclusion of the whole matter is that hands down the longbow is by far the more superior of the two, in this debate we've learned the downside of the recurve, and all the finer points of the longbow, the thoughts and personal insights brought forth in this debate brings us to the undeniable fact, the longbow is far superior to any recurve, in all honesty the recurve should have to bow down and pay homage to the longbow. I personally believe every archer should have a recurve hanging on the wall, and I believe in should remain on the wall when one goes out to practice or hunt, recurves are to look at, not to be shot.

Must be my upbringing, Feathers! Not having a choice in the matter, kinda like not getting to pick your own relatives. For the most part, that is.

But danged if there weren't some Drakes on my dad's side! So I wonder... Nah, I'm not a good enough arrow-flinger to claim Harry's influence... Wait a minute, my dad's name was Harry!

Wasn't he one of your camping companions? An unpleasant one, as I recall. At least we'd have that much in common, me an' him!

I honestly didn't think this would last this long. Duh me! This is the Leatherwall... of course its going long!

But seriously, I shoot and love both my long and recurve bows. But something that's always bugged me is the oft repeated misconception about the molar jarring attributes of the longbow. I've experienced this with both types and frankly, only once so far have I not been able to tune down to a mild, and pleasant to me, thud; and usually less than that with a good string. I would suggest that those who've only experienced an elbow shattering wack have done so with poorly tuned equipment. My Bear Montana, which is hardly a high end piece, provides me a barely perceptible yet satisfying little thud when properly braced and the right arrow combination used. Food for thought.

Now to really get things going.....

Say it with me, nice and slow:

"R O T A T I O N A L C L E A V A G E"

I just love saying it!

-lol Gorbin

Obviously the longbows win. Either they are better along the lines that Hill, etc... advocate, so more moral; or they are worse, in which case they are more sporting.

About the only way a recurve is better is that it helps a weaker, call it girlie if you must, archer shoot arrows faster than his spindly arms would otherwise allow. Or it is shorter which apparently also makes hunting easier, etc... It's basically like a compound. It changes the leverage of the string on the limb through the draw, and also allows more energy to be stored under the F/D curve. The compound is just a more advanced design.

It does bother me when people call recurve shooters cheaters though. As long as they shoot within the appropriate class, it's fine.

I don't expect recurve shooters to get these points right of the bat. It takes practice and dedication to understand the subtle point of longbow shooting.

I couldn't have said it any better that Bowlim, you are 100% correct in your observations. I concur with your analogy and applaud your keen insight.

lol..

I mean if we're gonna split hairs, Bowlim why not kick it up a notch and go exclusively primitive. If recurves are for the feeble arms what does that make a longbow compared to a primitive bow. Your insight was short noticed by Robert. As long as one is proficient and accurate with his/her set up, that's the bow that wins.

Nope,,Recurves are best !

another pointless thread......

Mr Coach Kline: Gatorade

Bobby Boucher: H2O

Hey George, I guess everyone is allowed to change their mind? Sorry if I stir the pot with a bag stick.

From: George D. Stout Date: 04-May-01 Pre-L2 Unregistered Post

Made my first bow from Mom's lilac tree when I was about 8 years old (1954). Really didn't get serious until after girls...1965...when I started bow hunting with a Bear Alaskan recurve. Took my first doe in 1968 and my first buck in 1972. Had an affair with compound bows from 1976 through 1979 but sold all of them I had left in 1980 and bought a Bear takedown. Haven't shot a compound bow since the spring of 1980. If I have one particular ailment it's that I can't get away from the old classic recurves. Some kind of crazy siren-song I suppose that will doom me to extinction eventually. I've owned enough bows to stave-off a fair size army of Normans but have frittered most away. At present I'm back to just a few bows and it looks like the Super Kodiak (a 1972 beauty) has won first place in my heart once more. Now I've got my eye on a genuine Borsalino Traveler from noggintops.com. Ahhhh, the temptation never ends. George

That is "Big stick"

Just having some fun.

The best of both worlds IMO is a hybrid longbow. Unfortunately, few bowyers are making the type of hybrid longbow I'd like to see (eg. substantially larger risers except in takedowns). There are a few notable exceptions.

If your want to shoot a black widow,go to the lumber store and buy a 2x4 put a string on it and you will have one.

Do you know what long bow stands for ?? Long butt

Do you know what long bow stands for ?? Long butt Actually it doesn't really matter how you bloody and arrow

You obviously never shot a TOELKE .....

what's a recurve?

If you live long enough and shoot enough different styles of bow you will find that particular bow that fits perfectly into your world. Justification or debate about your chioce, while perhaps entertaining, and of interest to some, will be largely irrelevant.

I had a friend in Ohio who was a recurve shooter. His buddy who made longbows gave him a nice 66" bow with clear glass and zebra wood lams. He picked up the bow shot it a few times and said there is no weight to it, it feels like a FAIRY WAND. Well I have shot and owned both but I much prefer A recurve over a fairy wand.

TOELKE's the name of the bow & bowyer ,, ding dong !!!!

Widow must be doin somethin right, they've been around a whole lot longer than most .... hale to the Haters ........

I embrace all styles with equal enthusiasm and enjoy them all, but saying that one is superior to the other is up to the interpretation of the individual shooter. Personally my choice of bows are my 65-80 lb Fairy Wands but my recurves, hybrids and self bows never lack for any attention. It all boils down to personal choice.

Solid Gold right there,,,LOL.

Hey, somebody start an instinctive shooting thread.

Oh yeah,,,,,sorry.

:^)

How interesting this forum is. So much good and so much.....whatever. Why does anyone even respond to a thread that offers nothing of substance.

I think the 30 years of shooting a hill style bow is what caused my stroke. LOL I will stick to my recurves.

Lol, blue Monday.

Who needs a pacemaker, just shoot a Hill bow.

Longbows have big medicine, and handshift Harleys do, too. I like 'em both. Got one of each, and a Warf recurve that lives in the bow rack where it belongs.

TinHorn

years ago, I attended an outdoor shoot at Rochester Mn. One of the guys wanted me to try his longbow, When I drew back and released, my hand hit me in the face, the bow flew 20 feet, and never did find the arrow. Never shot one since.

Try a 7 Lakes Recurve. They are built like a longbow with recurve tips. The recurves have narrow, deep cored limbs they almost eliminate limb twist. They are even built in a U-finish form. I love my 60" one and just ordered a 54" curve for my canoe.

" I mean if we're gonna split hairs, Bowlim why not kick it up a notch and go exclusively primitive. If recurves are for the feeble arms what does that make a longbow compared to a primitive bow. Your insight was short noticed by Robert. As long as one is proficient and accurate with his/her set up, that's the bow that wins. "

Slitting hairs, how did you know I shot that well! I guess I must be more famous than I thought.

As far as the primitive thing is concerned, who says I don't? The question didn't involve the materials, but I can go there if someone starts the thread. Funny in the primitive field, longbows are a lot more dominant.

I don't have skinny arms, but I do think those fake pumped up arms all the players have (not if you came by them honestly) are not very becoming to a traditional archer.

"We all know that Longbows are soo much better than Recurves-is why the Olympic Archers all use Longbows???"

Well actually that is a pretty small market that for decades was almost owned by the guys with the Hoyt mojo.

Also, while Olympic gear does change a lot, it was not always regarded as such a good thing if you just used your gear to cheat your way to the gold. FITA is probably at it's best when it is a stock class. The only problem is consumers like to buy stuff, and sellers like to sell it, so there is demand for change, and that has to be managed.

Olympic archery, or FITA archery is a fairly limited form of archery. Think of a position air pistol, looks unlike any pistol a regular person owns. Now think of a pistol for 3 gun competition, totally different animal. FITA is static, hunting is not, so in the recurve vs longbow for bowhunting deal what could it possibly tell us.

The most eminent bowyer we had on this place and I, discussed whether a FITA bow would be better if it was a Hill longbow (adjusted for materials and riser style, etc...). We both agreed it probably would be better. But the modern FITA form fell into place when longbows were out of favour, and to boot, I think the argument for a Hill bow is only really convincing at shorter ranges than FITA or Olympic currently use (but that hunters do). Indoor ranges. However, like anything of that sort, one would have to have either a significant difference in performance, which is unlikely, or a lot of money to get some top shooters to shoot the bow. Very little modern longbow shooting has been done in modern FITA, and maybe never will.

Of course when we talk about hunting, or nostalgia, there are different measures of "best". In some common areas, such as challenge, people wanting to challenge, or expand their abilities as hunters. Is there any reason to believe the FITA bow would be the right vehicle?. FITA is a game where we take something that is limited/stock and try to shoot the best, unlimited score. In hunting you start with the same target as 50K years ago, and vary your method to get the level of challenge you want. In FITA the bow doesn't actually mater, just as long as your fellow competitors are interested in shooting it. But in hunting the method is totally key.

Curves are superior in every way

iI have one static recurve and 4 longbows I don't think longbows are superior to recurves if anything they are harder to shoot well.mho

I've never shot a longbow. I think they have real beauty, especially the D style bows. The day will come when I buy one.

Joe

After watching this thread finally coulnt resist. I started as a recurve shooter but switched to the Hill style longbow after 15 years and stayed with them for another 20+ years. When I could handle 60-70# pull longbows I found them easier to shoot fast and accurately at moving game. For deliberate shots at game out to 40 yards I found little difference between the recurve and longbow. When I had to back off my draw weight( (50#), my hunting accuracy with a longbow was cut back by 10-15 yards due to the slower speed. A good recurve will be flatter shooting(faster), and will compensate for this loss of speed at lighter draw weight longbows. I personally don't care for the appearance and feel of the R/D longbows and consider them a compromise. I prefer a good 58- 60"recurve over them given I was going to go for shooting/hunting performance a longer range. I have never been one to limit my range for hunting shots and practice to be proficient out to 40 yards or so. While I love the fell and looks of the longbow, I find myself using my recurves more for hunting these days. Just my personal viewpoint and preference.

LMAO! "IF SPINE IS CORRECT YOU CAN SHOOT A LONGBOW OUT OF A RECURVE". LMAO! Here's the verdict, hang together or get hung alone. Last week at the range, Me, Rare breed, and another buddy were shooting at random distances. He had his Bill Price, which I'm trying to convince him to sell to me, the rest were Predator recurves. We were all quite close to the mark at 53 yards. His longbow cast his 2114's with a exaggerated arch. My Predator was impressively "flat". Now, we wouldn't take such shots at live game but if a shot had to be made where limbs or other obstacles need be cleared to avoid deflection then the recurve would win. There is no better bow only a better archer. The bow is only as good as the hands that hold and draw it. I love all traditional bows and am planning on purchasing a longbow and it will be just as good as my Predator when I shoot it. AIM SMALL MISS SMALL.

First bow I ever had was a longbow..back about 1955. Never owned or shot another one since. Just not enough to love for me.

"and it will rattle your teeth loose...just like what you're used to, and seem to like so much."

If they are that loose just keep them in a jar.

"Very little modern longbow shooting has been done in modern FITA, and maybe never will."

Bowlim

Fita or WA as it's known now have an official div for Modern Longbow in WA3D and shoot World/Euro tourneys, close to 40 countries at last years WA3D world champs in Sardinia last year.

Oh heck, depending on what pipedream a guy is on,,lol

I like those recurve longbows that are always for sale on the big auction site.

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