Image Text: Archery targets and display of results
Alt-Text: Archery targets on a range
Image Description: Archery targets and electronic display of results in an archery competition
Are you getting started with archery and can’t decide which type of bow would be right for you? Should you choose a recurve bow or settle for a longbow? Well, you have come to the right place because we are going to discuss both the recurve bow and longbow in detail. By the end, you will know how to determine which one is right for you.
Recurve Bows
As the name suggests, recurve bows have a curve shape. Because of their unique shape, they are able to dedicate more power to the arrow. As such, recurve bows shoot faster and with more power than a longbow. If you shoot an arrow with a longbow and a recurve bow of the same draw weight, the latter will shoot faster than the former. Recurve bows are also more accurate than longbows. This is one of the reasons why they are used in the Olympics.
Recurve bows are a good choice if you are serious about archery and can put in a lot of time into shooting properly. Over time you will develop good form and shoot with greater accuracy. Recurve bows are good for 3D archery, field archery, target archery, and bowhunting. They are also easier to store and pack up than longbows.
Pros of Recurve Bows
- Recurve bows offer more speed and power than longbows
- They are more accurate than their alternative longbows
- You can use a recurve bow with a lighter draw weight and then buy new limbs to increase the draw weight
- They are easier to transport and store
- Recurve bows can be used for hunting
Cons of Recurve Bows
- Recurve bows are harder to shoot with
- They shoot louder than their alternative longbows
Longbows
Longbows are more forgiving to beginners than recurve bows. They are easier to shoot with, especially for novice archers. The reason is that the longbow’s body is thick, which makes it harder for the archer to twist the bow’s limbs (referred to as torquing). When you are new to archery, thin limbs of the recurve bow may torque because of your bad form, affecting your accuracy. Longbows prevent this for new archers who haven’t yet developed proper form. Since the limbs of the longbows don’t torque, the arrows would fly straighter to target.
Another benefit of using a longbow is that its long length causes less tension on the archer’s finger when the bow is drawn and held near the end of the lips. This also means that the bow puts less force on the fingers when the arrow is released. Overall longbows are gentler on the fingers and joints than all other types of bows. This makes it easier for a novice archer to learn to shoot with them.
The downside of longbows is that they tend to have more hand shock. Hand shock is an uncomfortable shock that the bow sends to the body when the string of the bow is released. Some longbows have a strong hand shock, which can be very annoying. There are a few longbows with very little hand shock that can be ignored.
Longbows are ideal for beginners who want to learn how to shoot. However, they aren’t a good option for those who want to aim better and hit the targets with better accuracy. They are also a poor choice for hunting.
Pros of Longbows
- Longbows are more forgiving
- They are easier to use for beginners
- Shoot more quietly than their alternative recurve bows
- Are easier on the hands and joints
Cons of Longbows
- Longbows have a greater hand shock
- They aren’t good for hunting
- Longbows are larger, which makes them harder to store
Recurve Vs Longbow for Beginners
Now that we have provided a general description of recurve bows and longbows, let’s compare them in specific departments including draw weight, travel and storage, and ease of use.
· Draw Weight
A longbows’ draw weight cannot be changed. If you want to increase or decrease the draw weight, you will have no option but to buy another bow. This isn’t the case with recurve bows. Most companies are making take-down recurve bows these days and offer limbs of various draw weights that you can attach to your recurve bow.
If you find that the draw weight of your recurve bow is too heavy or too light, you can buy new limbs to adjust it to suit your needs. This means that a beginner archer can learn to shoot with a low draw weight and once they get the hang of shooting, increase the draw weight by buying new limbs.
· Travel and Storage
Longbows are typically very long – about five to six ft. This makes it harder to store and transport them. On the other hand, recurve bows can be taken down for easier storage and transportation.
· Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, longbows take the lead over recurve bows. It is much easier to aim and shoot with a longbow than it is to hit the target with a recurve bow. This makes longbows a better option for beginners.
Final Thoughts
Both longbows and recurve bows have their own perks and caveats. Longbows are more forgiving and easier to use for beginners. They are also easier on the hands and joints of the archer. On the other hand, recurve bows offer more speed and power than longbows and are also more accurate. Another good thing about recurve bows is that their draw weight can be adjusted by changing the limbs. If you are a beginner, we recommend you go with longbows. You would find them much easier to use and you will learn archery quickly with a longbow. Once you have learned the basics, you can switch to a recurve