I am curious why the most common reasons those who prefer longbows over recurves, are? Since I prefer a recurve, I don’t know the answer.

I enjoy and own both. But with that said I like the Longbow best. My draw is 29 1/2 inch. To me there is nothing smoother drawing than a Hill style Longbow . I also like a low wrist grip , I know some Recurves have Longbow type grips but to me just doesn’t feel the same. I have also had some quiet Recurves but none of them I have ever gotten as quiet as a longbow . So I guess for me the Longbow has the balance, draw feel , and quietness that I look for in a bow.

Longbows because they are quieter and lighter to carry. Re-curves because the added weight makes them more stable and has more room to display the beautiful exotic woods,I love so much. Hey I am fickle. What can I say? I love them all.>>>>------> Ken

Light, quiet, pretty dang fast & if you must- if you really have to, you can use a longbow for a walking stick to cross a river or balance on a very steep slope - you won't want to, but you could.

I shoot both, but the longbow just seems right. It's also more forgiving.

I like both, longbows and recurves. I shoot both about the same. My favorite type though is the hybrid. I love the way they look and how they shoot. Since I got my hybrid about a year ago that’s the only one I shoot now.

I do not know, so I ordered a Arcadian woods

I dont prefer one over the other really.I find many recurves very quiet and many are light in the hand just like a longbow if its a 50s style riser.

I admit I would not use a recurve as a walking stick.

I have shot all kinds of longbows and 50s style recuves mostly over the years and find they go well together.

Like all other posts, I have both. However, I love the simplicity, feel, toughness of a long bow. I shoot a Montana longbow. This is a super silent bow with great performance. I just enjoy basic things. Heck, just about every rifle I own is a lever action and I don't own a scope. Still shooting fine at a young 60 years old.

Mine probably aren't the most common reasons. It's not as simple as 'recurve or longbow' for me. I can like either if they meet my other criteria, it's just that recurves seldom do.

For a variety of reasons, I don't care for what most folks understand to be a recurve. But I could take one of my favorite longbow/selfbows, heat the outer limbs and make it a recurve I may like almost as well in just a few minutes. So, it's not simply that 'modern' style recurve bows 'are recurved', it's most everything else about them that leads me to prefer others.

I don't need recurved bows like I don't need wheels or so many other things to shoot and hunt, and I learned long ago that in most cases I'm better off, if even just practically and functionally speaking, without stuff I don't need. Longbows, especially straight standing selfbows, are about as simple as it gets. For me there's a little added 'draw' if you will, keeping it simple, basic. Those I prefer are also lighter, quieter, more durable, stable, and balanced to my liking.

I prefer how longbows(my type of longbows, because there are many I don't like) feel before, during, and after the shot, how they fit my hand, balance, carry, and slip through the woods on stillhunts. I prefer stringing and unstringing them, how they balance, lay, stand, hang, cant, point, follow moving targets, how they look and feel to the touch... all of it. The lighter and more balanced my bow the better. I want to forget it's even in my hand, and I have many times. Even a '50's recurve' feels big and clunky to me now. I'm spoiled I guess. I'm happy to pare away each unneeded fraction of an ounce and fraction of an inch and leave it on the shop floor where it belongs :^)

I don't care for flat, glass entombed limbs, even in what many consider a longbow, but 1 3/4 and 2" wide flat glass limbs are hideous imo. I've had the same 4 pieces of clear fiberglass on a shelf in the shop for over ten years. Lol. I'm drawn to petite organic unique wooden longbows, the more character the better, not one from the same bow press as so many others.

Since I make my own, I could go on about the many things I prefer in the crafting of longbows and selfbows over 'recurves' too, but that's over there, and we're here, so...

Like some others, I prefer them because of the lightness, smaller riser, thinner and lower grip. Just personal preference.

I guess the reason I prefer my longbow is likely because that is what I started with.

Honestly I shoot a recurve better but I don't shoot a longbow bad.

Another vote for a longbow is because I can get by without a stringer if I absolutely have to.

I'll echo what others have said. It isnt so much that I dislike recurves - I have owned several over the years and have fond memories of them - it's just that longbows have more of what I'm looking for. The low wrist grip feels more natural to me, the lighter weight is nice, they're counterintuitively easier to get through the brush, the shallow shelf is closer to shooting off the knuckle which I prefer (one reason I prefer HHA bows as they tend to have shallower shelves than the others), and the performance is good enough at the ranges I actually shoot that I dont really pine for more. I shot recurves for several years, but once I got my own longbow and got a week or so under my belt the recurves just didnt get shot anymore.

I suspect I might really like the Bear k4 reissue though, it seems to be fairly longbow like, and some of the semi recurve hybrids might also have enough longbow feature set to work for me, the same is likely true for the fiberglass asiatic style bows which use a low wrist grip and make you shoot off the knuckle.

Along this train of thought I recently got a bow from HHA with the carbon fiber under the back glass and may never got another non-cf longbow again, it dramatically reduces the weight and size of the bow while improving performance, in terms of weight and size this thing is a 30# bow, but the cf boosts the draw weight to 53#, and speed is better than my 62# bow shooting the same cedars.

I shoot both but I always wine up shooting the Longbow it just feels right

Simple for me. When I walk the woods and see a snake, with a long bow I can only push him away, but with a recurve I can lift the snake up...

Because. That's my technical answer. I am a tad biased Longbows are everything a recurve is not. Centre shot,pistol gripped, denser risers, larger sight window and not as accurate so there lies the challenge.

Ohhhh yeah longbows are awesome and rule..

Moosehunter , I don’t love one over another, may be some bows, I love both if they shoot great..

No need for bow stringer. No need for string silencers. Measure BH w/ fistmele. More forgiving. Carry through woods elegantly like a needle through the grass. Simplicity of design very satisfying.

I think they're both swell

Life is too short to be choosy. If you're talking classic longbows, and not three piece hybrids, then it's generally lighter than an average recurve. I push pull all my bows so stringing is not an issue nor complicated.

I'm sorry - did someone suggest that stringing bows is "complicated"?

Longbows are lighter, nothing is as quiet, and with a low sraight grip, a longbow points naturally for me. When gripping a Longbow if I extend my index finger it is pointing exactly where I am looking. I shot all of my recurves with a higher wrist grip and if I extend my inex finger with that grip, it is pointing off at a 45 degree angle from where I am looking. I do lose some draw length with a longbow compared to a high wrist gripped recurve, but it is a trade off that I can afford to accept and I can always shoot a bow with 3-5# more draw weight if it matters. But it doesn't.

ASL's are just my Fit Handle and shoot best for me

Recurves are sexy...

I have shot both as many thru the years,,,, I love the look of a recurve, but its the smoothness of the long bow, that makes it easier for me to shoot

Like both but I can shoot recurves without an arm guard. For some reason, the longbow slaps my arm to pieces w/o a guard.

Because Howard Hill used one.

I just had to say that....Ha!Ha!

Jeff Durnell put it pretty accurately for me and I could add a bunch more reasons, I owned several re-curves over the years and they are alright, but they will never suit my taste like a long bow. Most companies that make longbows today have them shooting arrows as fast as any re-curve, so why carry a heavy awkward re-curve. I really like the self made bows, but I have my eye on a laminated longbow, I just have to have at least one. Border longbows from Ireland actually out perform most re- curves and they don't use any glass on them, just wood and carbon.

Just try to string a re-curve without a stringer compared to a long bow. I know I will get a lot of rebuffs from re-curve folks. It doesn't matter I have been there and done that.

If you need a bow stringer, than it's more complicated than just push pull, more so if you forget your stringer.

Forget stringer, than push/pull if necessary. Still not "complicated." Perhaps "need" was the wrong word for me to use. Personally, I'd 'rather' string heavier recurves w/ a stringer. And no worries [for me] with my longbows. Neither method is complicated. Agreed.

I've done the push-pull on recurves and longbows countless times, and up to 90 lbs, never slipped completely but had a few close calls. At that point it's a little more awkward and scary with a heavy recurve ;^)

George, some might say life's too short NOT to be choosy.

As a longtime Longbow shooter i echo what mostly everyone has been saying. I like my bow to be short with a smaller riser and a grip that seats my hand securely and comfortably. Right now the recurve is my go to bow. Only drawback is the limbs can be snagged in the thick brush. Other than that doesn’t matter really Longbow or Recurve.

De-railing Bryce's thread into how you prefer to string bows folks, nobody is dumber than you for how they do it, unless maybe they are using their toes and teeth.

Don't think anyone said one way is dumber than another. It was an innocent statement regarding stringing bows that's all. Some of us are just thick headed and maybe a bit lucky for not using a stringer on a recurve. It may be a smart thing for me to get one out of the drawer and use it. No harm no foul. Thanks Zonic for answering without being snotty. Appreciate that.

No worries George. I appreciate the wisdom you share here daily. But back to the OP's request for preferences, in regard to stringing, I give this example from my own personal experience. Bought a Wes Wallace recurve. Came with stringer and bowyer recommended it's usage. Bought a JD Berry, and James advised me that he had NEVER used a stringer (and has the back to prove it). It's just my understanding that longbows, especially thick-cored trapezoidal longbows, are more resistant to limb twist. Unfortunately, unlike recurves, the thick cored longbows are susceptible to set. So, here is one pro and one con. Steve

I like both!

I like both, used to own 10-1 recurves, now I probably own 10-1 longbows, and mostly just shoot the one.

On a technical level:

1) lighter

2) better grip. Every recurve I have ever shot had a bad grip except my TAC, or maybe the BW, never exactly sure what they were up to with that grip). You can find all the discussions about high wrist and just touching the throat of the grip. The main evidence being that in the last 10 years both the compound and ILF guys have improved their game on the factory grips, but up till then they were awful, and the existence of a flourishing aftermarket proves it. If you can shoot an LB low wrist, you can shoot a compound with the prevailing grip, and a primitive bow.

3) Some jurisdictions have/had a string them only in shooting hours rule. Howard would jump out of the jeep, say, immediately push that string into place effortlessly, along with George and his recurves, I suppose. But I have some recurves you can barely string with a stringer. Not to mention some of the extreme ILFs with those cape buffalo recurve hooks on them.

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Challenge wise, they are perceived as being harder to shoot. The flip side to that is that they are easier to shoot if you can shoot them. So say you can actually make that 15 yard chip shot with an LB that your stand is set up for. I think Hill was right o suggest they could be more stable and forgiving, and there is the grip, and so forth. But nobody is going to try to shoot them at 90 M for a FITA crown. I think a mostly straight limbed bow might have a chance at Vegas, assuming it had all the other gear.

Overall, shooting and LB is picking up more challenge than a recurve, and the next step would be shooting a self bow of some kind. It is too bad all the cheaters waded in with their R/D cheater bows to try and shoot against LBs, or make claims that they were the first longbow slam or whatever. That seems to have calmed down, maybe they mostly shoot ILFs these days.

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Romance, not all that interested in this. Hill was dead by the time I got into adult archery. My first serious bow was a lemonwood LB in the 60s, but most of my early archery was with recurves. Robin Hood and military archery was not a draw for me. Early bowhunting was still under the influence of British traditions, for quite a while. To me the only romance was the perceived greater challenge.

Quieter.

Well I read that if the string doesn't touch the limb it is a longbow. I guess some try to convince the rule keepers at shoots that their limb are not touching the string.

I can shoot recurves okay as long as I am using a can't pinch tab, but I find needing to shoot with a straighter bow arm and wrist not ergonomic for me. I always wished that i could hunt with a 48" recurve, but I am terrible with those things. Need ASLs because they do not penalize me for my chunky hard release that i have when I am shooting at small game. Pheasants and rabbits make just a bit nuts. Just like this past season, a deer coming down the hill and three cock pheasants landed in a weed patch out in the picked corn. No choice, I went after the pheasants and hammered one at close range with the 'hammer' blunt. I could almost see my finger dents on the bow grip after the shot, only an ASL will forgive me of that shooting flaw.

Define "longbow" first, and then maybe you'll get some meaningful answers. I have my opinion about the definition.

And longbows aren't inherently more forgiving then recurves, that's a popular wives tale. If they were more forgiving when shot quickly and out of position they would be even more forgiving when shot slowly and methodically.

They’re lighter. I find they’re more forgivable it seems. But to tell you the truth there’s something I hate bout recurves n never knew it til I started again w longbows. I’ve got a bunch of recurves n shot lots more. They all share one thing. You can feel em vibrate at the shot a little. It drives me nuts. A longbow is a straight thump.

I'm not sure why folks think longbows are inherently lighter than recurves. One piece recurves can be fairly light - especially 56" or 58" lengths. And since any proper longbow is 72" or longer that brings them about equal.

I've owned and shot both . . . I shoot better with recurves. All but one of mine (13) are one piece and hunting quiet.

Longbows are often lighter cause they have less mass. A similar sized recurve or longbow and the longbow even if the recurve is one piece is often lighter

Actually nothing say a longbow has to be 72" or longer. Don't know where that came from except it was the standard for Yew, narrow profile longbows that shot 28" arrows.

longbows have sleek,smooth feel as a rule.

I prefer the recurve. I just can not get used to a longbow grip.

I enjoy the connection to the ancient tradition. There is cave art dated to 60,000 years ago that unmistakably show the long arc. That arc is the defining characteristic of the longbow. It is the arc in the work archery. The simple pleasure of carrying and shooting one is unmatched by any weapon.

The forgiveness is in the simplicity of getting off a shot from an awkward position or in a hurry, as on movers or fliers. They can be shot very accurately, but it is hard. In competition I generally scored about 10% higher with a target recurve than with a longbow. The recurves generally weigh about 3 to 5 times as much in the hand which gives stable forgiveness, when shot carefully. I

If I want great easy accuracy and stability, well, I have a custom Mauser rife for that. "We do this not because it is easy, but because it is hard." - John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Guys -

Why to people like vintage cars, or do historical reenactments?

Viper out.

"We do this not because it is easy, but because it is hard." that is certainly 1 theory, but it is really counter intuitive to what it should be. Shooting a bow, any bow, should be done using a the minimum number of movements, and the minimum amount of thinking required. That's what sets great shooters apart from good shooters. This entire conversation when it comes up typically becomes completely convoluted just as it has here.

If a bow is easier to shoot, more forgiving, easier to get off a shot from awkward psoitions, etc., that bow ISN'T harder to shoot. It's easier to shoot.

It's fine for foks to try and make themselves feel somewhat superior to others based on the equipment that they choose, but that doesn't mean that everybody else has to beleive it.

I can put a bit of pressure on straight grip and not affect the arrow flight. I cannot do that with any recurve that I own or have ever owned. That does not always mean longbow. I could do the same with my old 70" Kodiak Special. Put a little grip pressure on a 48" Bear recurve and then yank off a panic shot at a bunny, When I do that with a short recurve the arrows can end up anywhere, except in the bunny. My normal grip with a longbow is so light that i have had them fly out of my hand, but in the heat of the action, stuff happens. With straight grip ASLs I have wondered if a bit of grip pressure, as long as it is not torquing, can tame down a chunked release a bit. With my two remaining recurves excess grip pressure is a major no no. Now for forgiving recurves, my wife had a serious arm break, I went against my feelings about buying foreign stuff and got her a 68" 30 pound unmarked looks like a Samic thing. new $52 to my door. Measured it and checked for tiller and flaws, other than sharp edges and barely any finish, it is a good hard shooting bow for being a target bow, but it does fine as long as things are done in line and a bit gently, it does not like being squeezed and yanked on, not much different than my old rosewood target bows. Even if I took this bow small game hunting, the shots taken with the 68" target bow would be very limited compare to the shots that I would take with a 68" ASL. Forgiving or not, it would be the difference between the hunting shot possibilities of one bow versus another. When my wife gets her strength back, I will be turning the target bow into a full dressed target bow. A completely different game, but still fun.

I’ve honestly not shot longbows enough to be fair but so far I haven’t found one that I can get along with. Probably my least favorite thing about them is how light they are. I just shoot better with heavy mass weight bows. I always try to shoot the heaviest mass weight recurve that I can.

Just do, that’s all.

I have one Big River recurve and three longbows; MOAB, Big River and Kota. Enjoy them both but the longbows get hunted the most.

I’ve got about 10-12 longbows and 20 recurves. Some of the recurved I’ve had for 45 years. Couple Red wing and bear bows. Lots of lightweight recurves for the kids, grandkids and anybody else to shoot. Myself , I prefer the longbows. I’ve only shot longbows since about 1980. I like the feel and look of the longbow and the light weight also.

To me there is nothing with the pure efficiency, simplicity and elegance to propel an arrow to the target as a long bow!

Shoot both , the recurve since 1967 but picked up a Bob Lee Stick 15 yrs ago and find myself grabbing more and more as a go to bow .

Lighter, quieter and just as fast. Big plus here, I build my own :-) JF

Eh, when I put on a flannel shirt, my wool duckbill flatcap and shoot my longbow...the chicks take notice! ;)

I like both. But lately I've been enjoying longbows. Especially ones light in the hand without any hand shock. Some are definitely different than others.

I prefer hunting with longbows because they are faster. Hunting on the ground for small game or even deer, things can run at a different tempo than what most blind and tree stand hunters are accustomed to. If you have a secure 3 second window when shooting a game animal and it takes five seconds to get off an accurate shot with a cumbersome recurve, you don't have a shot. Although I have made a few incredible shots with recurves, I find those same types of shots come easier with an ASL, but it takes very specific practice.

I perfer brunetts. Sometimes there is nothing like a blond.

I shoot a recurve because it's harder than a compound.

I shoot a longbow because it's harder than a recurve.

There's no fun doing something easy.

^^^^^recurves harder than longbows? ...maybe so with those 3 PC big blocky risers, they can be a bit ...what's the word..?..persnickety perhaps. But those slim risered little '50s style recurve bows such as my GN ghost don't mind a bit if I shoot 'em like my longbows.;))

Mainly recurves because the riser is usually larger and you can obtain higher mass if you so choose. Mass is very helpful for accuracy...all the tournament archers know this, so it's a bit ironic many hunters brag on how light their bows are...

Quieter, look cooler, limbs are more stable, look cooler! Did I say they look cooler? Well they do!

I doubt hunters mind, bullseyes dont make good eating anyway

Well to be honest, I shoot both just as well or as poor depending upon the day. My reasons for prefering the one piece longbow are rather simple. First, I personally prefer the looks of a longbow be it an ASL or a short hybrid. Second, I find them easier to throw a coat of wax on the string or furniture wax on the bow. Finally, we travel a lot for 3d shoots and hunting as a family. I find the longbows travel with more ease when it comes to packing. After having some issues with a couple of takedown bows, I will pass on those even if packing might be easier. However, my wife is not giving up her Super Ghost recurve in any case.

Nothing I own is as light and balanced as my HH longbow. My Dwyer and Howatt Stealth are terrific bows and so deflex/reflex is great too. Time and again these are my "go to" bows.

I have shot very weighty target recurves for years, I even used mercury loaded stabilizers, heft plus balance is the target shooter's friend. An ASL if handled properly does not need all of that heft, that concept is lost on those who do not understand or utilize the difference.

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