LongBow or Recurve?

[Wazukie]

Ok, I used to bow hunt exclusively a few years back with a compound.  I got into target competitions (Vegas 5 spot).  But these days I am getting into this whole bushcraft traditional thing and would like to gt either a recurve or a longbow.  Any suggestions for a beginner on a bow purchase?

[Smossy]

Ok, I used to bow hunt exclusively a few years back with a compound.  I got into target competitions (Vegas 5 spot).  But these days I am getting into this whole bushcraft traditional thing and would like to gt either a recurve or a longbow.  Any suggestions for a beginner on a bow purchase?

Recurve, All it is...Is a redesign of the long bow to make it come into a more compact package, At full draw it turns back into a long bow. It was sculpted into a lower profile for combat.

[12Gauge]

Samick Sage recurve is one for a low price at Cabelas $149.99 or 3Rivers.com.

Bear Montana Long bow 64" is not looking too bad either, $339 at 3Rivers

[Special T]

I mostly have shot a compound 60lb switchback, and bought a 45lb Samick Sage I bought mine at Riverside archery in Mt Vernon. I shoot left handed and wanted to shoot several different poundage bows before i bought one. I was able to do that in the shop, and paid the same amount i would have online some where. I found my anchor point for my compound and re-curve were in similar spots, and i "Could" shoot a deer with it.

[washelkhunter]

I shoot a martin x200 55# at 28 in. Moderately priced but a very nice bow. Whisper quiet when tuned sporting a Flemish string. Outfitted it maybe weighs 2.5# max. I can place six points into a paper plate at 25 yds. Love shooting the wood.

[Old Dog]

PM sent.

[12Gauge]

I mostly have shot a compound 60lb switchback, and bought a 45lb Samick Sage I bought mine at Riverside archery in Mt Vernon. I shoot left handed and wanted to shoot several different poundage bows before i bought one. I was able to do that in the shop, and paid the same amount i would have online some where. I found my anchor point for my compound and re-curve were in similar spots, and i "Could" shoot a deer with it.

Makes sense with the Samick due to the limbs can be change to a higher #.  I shoot a 55#

[BetaBendyStick]

IMHO
Try both. Getting into bushcrafting and wanting to go "traditional" is a lot of work but very rewarding. Most all my friends hunt with training wheels (compound) and have to rely on sights. Try going primitive and make your own long bow and recurve. I've made four bows and one kid recurve. They all shoot well and it costs very little. There is much knowledge and information out there on doing it. The four volumes of the Traditional Bowyers Bible are a great step by step "Chiltons" of the bowyer world. If you are less patient then there are many build along available on youtube. Making and hunting or just bushcrafting with a bow you made yourself is vastly rewarding.

[RadSav]

I really enjoy shooting recurves.  And I have had some of my best hunting seasons ever shooting recurves.  But, I rarely ever shoot longbows.  Never liked them.  Not the feel, the way they carry or the way they shoot.  I've killed one elk, one bear, I think three deer, a javalina and numerous small game with the longbow and I have spent a fair amount of time building and shooting them.  But I never found the enjoyment I experience in other bows.  You don't often hear guys say the words "Smooth" and "Vibration Free" when shooting longbows.  These flat bows that guys are trying to pass off as longbows these days are a little better.   The Sapphire Bone shoots or something similar are much nicer to shoot (at least to me) But I'll still take a quality recurve any day over an Indian flat bow or traditional English longbow.

Of course, before I start getting hate mail, that is just my personal opinion

[Hornseeker]

Hate mail? Awe, RadSav... its ok to give your opinion... people dont just blast others for their opinion do they? hehehe

So, as Rad Sav says, there is a big difference between recurves and "real" longbows... Like the Hill style bows and such... the ones Pacific Yew makes here... The bows I make/made... like Bones... are hybrid bows for sure, but technically... since the string doesn't touch the limbs, we can call them longbows. They generally have a little more mass in the riser, a little LESS mass in the limbs... are easier for the bowyer to tune perfectly and get that quiet, shock free shooter... The reflex in the limbs allow for a nice smooth draw even on a shorter bow, like 60 or 62 inches...

Anyhow... your best bet is to take a little time and shoot a few bows. I was dead set on a recurve about 12 yrs ago... this old bowyer told me to take this hybrid longbow out the shop door and shoot a few arrows... The very first shot I fell completley in love. Quieter than any recurve EVER... no string/limb slap. Lighter weight... and fast... I just fell in love with these deflex/reflex longbows...

overall though, I LOVE all traditional bows... traditional style LB's, hybrids and recurves alike... Go shoot some bows!!! and dont spend too much unless you have shot a bunch and "fell in love" with one... get a starter bow... these ILF recurves that they sell all over now are the bomb... easily interchange limbs to change weight and length... check out Lancaster or Trad Tech Archery websites for a huge selection.

Good LUck, keep us posted!!

[Chesapeake]

I shoot a reflex/deflex Checkmate crusader "longbow". Its smooth, quiet, and hand shock free, but.... not the type of longbow RadSav speaks of.

I agree, I don't care for the broom handle club type longbows either. I like my longbow to be more like a recurve.

I'd love to have a nice recurve like a Stalker, Blacktail, Robertson, Morrison, Wallace, or Fox.

I'd look on Tradgang, or Stickbow in the classifieds and get a 40-45 pound recurve to learn on.

 

[Hornseeker]

http://www.tradtecharchery.com/tradtech-pinnacle-ii-traditional-bow-package.html

That is a great bow... $400... and the greatest part is how adaptable it is. You can get it as a 64inch bow with 40 pound limbs and start shooting and build your form/technique without any muscle strain... then for another $200 (new) or less (used from archery talk classifieds) you can get another set of limbs at say 55#... longer, or shorter... or same length. You can buy and sell limbs and end up coming out pretty close to even... and be able to try out different lengths and weights of bows...

if you decide after a year or two you love shooting a recurve... you can then save your pennies and get something bad ass like a Schaefer Silvertip, Blacktail, Bigfoot, Whippenstic... whatever. By the way, I'd take one of hte last two I mentioned... they are sleepers in the trad world... both super high quality and performance... and built for shooters... and hunters.

Have Fun!

[Sandberm]

For what its worth and i dont have a ton of experience but I shoot an old 56" 55# Bill Stewart( I think its a Bill Stewart as there are no markings but I have two guys who told me it looks like a Bill Stewart) recurve but my bro-in-law shoots a 60" 50# longbow which he purchased last year from someone in Michigan U.P. who made it for him. I'll ask him next time I see him who made it.

Anyways, his long bow is great. Its sooooooooo light and shoots really smooth. Consistent arrow placing. Nice bow.