Longbow or Recurve

[Mark70]

#5398

Hello everyone wanting to get some opinions on longbow and recurve. Wanting to get into traditional bow just like to know the pros and cons on both bows. Thanks in advance Mark

[Matt Steed]

#41475

Mark; congratulations on your traditional journey. You will have a blast with either choice. You will ask 10 different men about longbows versus recurves and get 10 different answers. I personally like longbows better. I enjoy shooting and hunting with the longbow more. I have heard that people who use to shoot compound bows seem to have an easier transition with a recurve. It would be really good if you could shoot both and figure out which one you like best. The most important advice I can give you; is don’t over bow yourself. Get a good comfortable draw weight starting off. Another very important thing is to HAVE FUN.

God Bless

[Stephen Graf]

#46059

Good advice Matt.

It’s like asking which are more beautiful, blonds or brunettes? The answer can only be yes.

That said, I too prefer longbows for their simple design, subtle beauty, and reliable nature.

[Mountain Man]

#46777

Buy both,try them out and see which you prefer

Thats what i did years ago

Im a longbow guy just for the record : )

[ssumner1]

#48151

I personally shoot recurve. I believe Byron Ferguson was asked why he chose longbow over recurve, and he said that they were more forgiving. The recurve design is great, and I feel traditionally they had more power, but in our modified versions of the longbow/better materials, I no longer think this is the case.

I will say that although my Java Man Helms Deep recurve is my favorite bow, I will be getting the Elk Heart longbow next and it may turn out to be my favorite.

One other thing… I agree with the others about not over doing the draw weight. I made that mistake early and created a lot of bad habits trying to pull it back that took quite a while to resolve.

[Jason Wesbrock]

#48272

It truly is a matter of personal preference. I’ve found that people coming from compound archery find recurves easier to use because of the grips and increased mass weight (especially aluminum risers like the TradTech Titan).

[Mark70]

#51755

Thanks for the reply everyone much appreciated. i use to shoot 60lb compounds and had surgery on both my elbows and after 8 months i ended up selling my bow. I’ve always been interested in traditional but never got into it. Here on craigslist a local has a Dan Pearson 58″ 50lb at 28″ recurve for a 100. Is this a bow i should look into or steer away from. Thanks in advance Mark.

[Col Mike]

#52378

Mark

There are a lot more folks on here that know more then I do —but I would strongly recommend that you start with a much lighter weight bow. Particularly since you have some issues with your arms or shoulders. My fall back is a 35# grizzly recurve (presently on loan to a good friend recovering from rotater cuff surgery)he used that for two weeks and know has my 49# shrew long bow. So he gets to try both before buying. I can tell you that he is in love with the longbow and I may not get it back. As you will discover in this forum weight of draw is insignificant to proper form and accuracy. And in Trad bow you don’t have any sights or let off devices its all you and the arrow.Don’t forget to check out T J’s book and Fred Asbell on the forums book list. Enjoy the journey.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

#52437

ssumner1 wrote: I personally shoot recurve. I believe Byron Ferguson was asked why he chose longbow over recurve, and he said that they were more forgiving. The recurve design is great, and I feel traditionally they had more power, but in our modified versions of the longbow/better materials, I no longer think this is the case.

I will say that although my Java Man Helms Deep recurve is my favorite bow, I will be getting the Elk Heart longbow next and it may turn out to be my favorite.

One other thing… I agree with the others about not over doing the draw weight. I made that mistake early and created a lot of bad habits trying to pull it back that took quite a while to resolve.

Summer1

Ha good post you will love your Elk Heart. Dave just told me that due to shoulder problems he has a Helm’s deep on order with Greg and can’t shoot his heavier Elk Heart any more or at least until the shoulder recovers.

So lesson learned, have a light bow to get you through the ageing times and hope for the best.:lol:

[Mark70]

#52455

Thanks Mike appreciate the input. Would a 35lb bow take a deer?

[Col Mike]

#52546

Mark

In Md that is the lightest weight bow legal to hunt deer. As to the ? will a 35# bow take a deer—I provide the following: If you have the correct arrows tuned to that bow and you are confident that you can put that arrow where it needs to go and you can get inside that deers sensory envelope, meaning you can hunt and stalk within the effective range of your abilities then of course. I killed my first deer in 64 with a Ben Pearson #35 recurve at a long range of 12yds.

I would offer that asking that question means you have not read all the info available on this site. One of the neat things about trad bow hunting is we are relearning all the skills our ancestors knew and that we have forgotten.

Enjoy the journey.

[Mark70]

#52738

Thanks Mike. Looks like i have some reading to do. A 35# bow will work for me. More than likely wont be in the timber till next year with a bow till i know i can put the arrow where it needs to be. Thanks again everyone much appreciated. Mark

[Stephen Graf]

#56911

Mark70 wrote: … Would a 35lb bow take a deer?

The next time you kill a deer (by whatever means) take a knife of 6 inches or more with a straight point or a drop point and press it into the rib cage. You will be surprised at how little force is required. In fact, when you consider your own rib cage, it’s a bit scary how easy it might be to stick something into it 😯 😯

Life is a delicate and precious thing…

[David Coulter]

#61466

Whatever you pick, enjoy it and learn to use it inside and out before you pick up anything different. A friend fills all his tags annually with a 41 lb longbow and has recently killed a huge buck with it. In PA 35lb is the minimum. That leaves some room for safety, so you gotta figure an even lighter bow would do the job. It’s more about us doing the job than the gear. Practice, set-up, sharpening, all the stuff you’ll be doing the rest of the year while waiting for deer season to open. All good, all fun. Enjoy! dwc

[handirifle]

#19906

If money is tight, make a board bow. There’s a ton of info on the net about them, and you can make one for under $20 depending on the type of wood. These are not self bows but just as fun to shoot. If you have some hand and some power tools it usually takes just a few hours.

I have made a dozen of them out of oak. Just get a 1×2 6 feet long, that has goot straight grain and no knots. I usually doubled up the handle section and cut the arrow shelf from it. Most of them turned out around #40 draw.

[Stephen Graf]

#23085

handirifle wrote: If money is tight, make a board bow…

Or a PVC bow…

[handirifle]

#24862

Never tried one of PVC, never even shot one. Would seem more of a survival bow than trad though.

[cyrille 1]

#39928

35#s is the minimum legal bow weight in Louisiana. However I use a 50# longbow but have a 35# one for target. 35#s is the lowest I would personally go but then I do not have any physical limitations in spite of being 75 years on this planet.

If you need to, because of your injuries, I would start at a lower weight than 35#s and work up to that weight for hunting. If, however you can start at 35#s then go for it and good luck in your endeavors.

[grumpy]

#51056

If it is 35# AT YOUR DRAW, than yes. The weight on the bow is for a 28″ draw, if you have a shorter draw your not shooting 35#. My BEAR is 55# @ 28″. At my draw of 23″ it is 47# (I have short arms). Before you buy a bow it is a good idea to ask the maker/dealer to test it at your draw length. That way you know just what you have. BTW That 2.5 lb per inch is wrong, depends on the bow. Here in MA the bow has to be 40# @ 28.

There is more to # than killing. The higher the # the flatter the trajectory. The killing power also depends on the mass/speed of the arrow. If you are planning to shoot a 800 grain arrow, you will need a bit more than 35#.

Having said all of that the Indians didn’t have super sharp arrows or high powered bows. They got real close, and were good trackers.

There is sooooo much luck involved in getting a shot at a deer that you want to control all of the variables you can. There are a LOT of variables, and if you make a mistake, there is no one to tell you. You just don’t see a deer. Did they smell you, hear you, did you move. Three weeks ago I heard antlers hitting branches, but never saw the bucks, what did I do wrong? I’m sure they peeked out from the swamp and saw me, heard me, or smelled me. After 3 years hunting deer, I have seen lots of bucks and does, I have yet to have a shot at a buck. When the shot presents itself, you better be ready. If you don’t put the arrow in the vitals, nothing else matters.

[David Coulter]

#27828

Good post Grumpy, i might add that sometimes you don’t do anything wrong and you still don’t see deer or you see them at 25 yards and need them inside of 15. But then, lots of times we get a chance to mess it up! I suppose that’s why it feels so good when the stars line up. Dwc

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