My standard advice in this instance has remained unchanged for years: You are FAR better off buying a used custom bow than a new factory bow, as it will be both cheaper and a better-made tool.
Others will have more specific questions. Also, to expand your choices don’t neglect to check out the new species of deflex/reflex longbows, which pretty much offer all the same advantages of a recurve–smooth draw, no hand shock, good speed, no stacking, etc. The two designs are so equivalent in performance these days that it mostly comes down to the shooter’s preference in how a bow looks.
