Longbow vs Recurve: What’s The Difference

When it comes to archery, there’s an ongoing debate between longbow and recurve bows. Both bows have their unique qualities, and choosing the right one for your needs can make a significant difference in your shooting experience.

Longbows have a rich history, originating from medieval times, and are known for their use in wars and hunting. They are characterized by their straight limbs and simplicity, making them more forgiving to shoot.

Recurve bows are more modern and feature curved limbs that sweep away from the archer when unstrung. This design allows them to store more energy, resulting in faster arrow speeds. Recurve bows are known for their power, speed, and accuracy, and are often easier to handle due to their compact size and the availability of takedown options for easy storage and transport.

Structure and Design

Longbow Design

The longbow is a traditional bow design, characterized by its simplicity and elegance. It is usually made from a single piece of wood, resulting in its iconic D-shaped profile when strung. The majority of longbows have a straight limb design, although some may feature a slight curve towards the tips. Longbows are known for their smooth draw and release, as well as being relatively quiet when shooting.

One thing to keep in mind with longbows is that their length gives them a more forgiving shooting experience, which can be beneficial for beginners. The trade-off is that they tend to be larger and more cumbersome to transport.

Recurve Design

The recurve bow is named for its distinct shape, with limbs that curve away from the archer when unstrung. When strung, the recurve design stores more energy in the limbs, allowing for faster, more powerful shots compared to a longbow of the same draw weight.

Recurve bows can be made from various materials, including wood, fiberglass, or carbon composites. One of the major advantages of modern recurve bows is the International Limb Fitting (ILF) system, which allows archers to replace and upgrade limbs easily, making their bows more customizable and adaptable to their shooting preferences.

Recurve bows often feature a riser, which contains the arrow rest, handle, and other accessories. Due their modular nature, many recurve bows can be disassembled, making them more convenient to store and transport than longbows.

Functionality and Performance

Longbow Performance

Longbows are known for their forgiving nature, which makes them easier to shoot at longer distances for many, though this comes with a trade-off of requiring a higher draw weight. This can make longbows more challenging to use for extended periods, especially for those with limited physical strength.

The arrow speed of longbows is typically slower than that of recurve bows. The trade-off there, though, is that they tend to be quieter as well, making them a better option for stalking prey with minimal disturbance. Hand shock is also less pronounced in longbows compared to recurves.

One disadvantage of longbows is their larger size, which can make them more cumbersome to transport and store.

Recurve Performance

Recurve bows are designed to generate more power and speed than longbows. They are well-suited for shorter range shots, making them an ideal choice for hunters who prefer closer encounters with their prey. The greater arrow speed offered by recurve bows can also result in flatter arrow trajectories, which increases their effective range.

Though recurve bows are more powerful, they can produce more hand shock and noise during a shot’s release. This may lead to torquing or inconsistencies in shot placement, especially for those new to archery. It’s essential to practice and develop proper technique to minimize these effects.

Recurve bows have the advantage of portability, as they can be disassembled and packed away easily for transport. This is particularly convenient for traveling archers or those with limited storage space.

Hunting Applications

Longbow in Hunting

When it comes to hunting applications, the longbow offers some advantages. The simplistic design makes it a reliable option for hunters who appreciate tradition. Longbows are often quieter than recurve bows, thanks to their straight limbs, which can be essential when trying to maintain stealth during a hunt.

Longbows tend to be more forgiving as well. The grip design and straight limbs make torquing the bow more difficult, which can help maintain accuracy when you’re in the field. In terms of draw weight, longbows provide similar power and speed at heavier draw weights compared to recurves.

As a hunter, you might find the longbow is more suitable for still hunting or stalking, due to its quieter nature. However, the longbow is generally longer and bulkier, which might make it less maneuverable in dense woods or around trees.

Recurve in Hunting

Recurve bows offer several advantages in hunting, particularly if you’re hunting in a tree stand or taking aim at various distances. Recurves are known for their adaptability, which allows you to shoot accurately at different ranges. Their modern design allows you to change their limbs, increasing or decreasing draw weight as needed.

In terms of portability, recurve bows tend to be shorter and less bulky than longbows, making them much easier to carry and maneuver through various terrains. This is especially helpful when navigating dense woods or tight hunting spots, as well as when you’re stalking or scouting.

Modern recurve bows are also designed to be durable and maintain limb alignment. The curved-limb design inherently requires robust construction to handle the stresses placed on the limbs. This can help a recurve maintain proper limb alignment and string placement throughout a hunt better than a longbow counterpart, though the quality of the recurve comes into play.

Maintenance and Storage

Longbow Maintenance and Storage

To keep your longbow in top-notch condition, it’s essential to maintain it regularly. Start by checking the bow and string for any wear or damage before and after each use. If you spot any fraying or cracks, it’s time to repair or replace the affected part.

When it comes to storing your longbow, make sure it’s unstrung and kept in a cool, dry place. Avoid exposing your longbow to extreme heat or moisture, as this can cause the wood to warp or rot. A bow sock or case is a great investment to protect your longbow from dust and accidental damage during storage.

For added protection, consider applying bowstring wax to the string and a wood sealer or oil finish to the bow limbs. This not only enhances the bow’s appearance but also helps preserve its lifespan.

Recurve Maintenance and Storage

Recurve bows, similar to longbows, require regular maintenance to keep them in peak condition. Inspect the bow limbs, riser, and string for any signs of wear or damage before and after each use. If you find any issues, address them promptly to prevent further harm to the bow.

One of the benefits of a recurve bow is that it can be broken down into smaller parts, making storage and transportation easier. When disassembled, store your recurve bow components in a protective case in a cool, dry area, away from extreme temperatures and humidity.

To maintain your recurve bow’s string, apply bowstring wax periodically. For the limbs and riser, use a suitable cleaner and polish to keep them in top condition. By keeping your recurve bow properly maintained and stored, you’ll ensure its longevity for years to come.

Cost Considerations

When weighing the pros and cons of longbows versus recurve bows, one last important factor to consider is the initial cost of each type of bow and the potential long-term expenses that come with them.

Longbow vs Recurve Bows: Initial Costs

Generally speaking, longbows tend to have a higher price range than recurve bows. This is because many longbows are handcrafted, which drives the price up overall. That said, not all longbows are handcrafted, and you can find some affordable longbows on the market if you’re on a tight budget.

Recurve bows are usually mass-produced and can be found at lower price points because of it. Recurves come in various styles and materials, giving you more options to choose from based on your budget and preferences. 

Many recurve bows are also designed with replaceable limbs, allowing you to upgrade or change the draw weight as you progress in your archery journey. This feature can save you money in the long run as your skills improve.

Longbow vs Recurve Bows: Initial Costs

Along with initial costs, when comparing price, it’s essential to factor in the cost of arrows, targets, and other archery equipment you’ll use with your bows. Arrows for either type of bow can range in price depending on the material and quality, but you can generally expect to pay a similar amount for both longbow and recurve arrows. Targets can vary in price and design, but it’s worth investing in a quality target for practice.

Maintenance costs should also be considered. Longbows are relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal upkeep such as occasional string replacement and bow wax application to preserve the wood. Tecurve bows may need more frequent string replacements and limb upgrades, particularly if you use your bow extensively.

Longbow Pros and Cons

Pros

• Consistency: Longbows, due to their length, offer a forgiving nature that can aid in consistency for skilled archers.
• Smooth Power Delivery: Longbows provide a smooth power curve, allowing for a more gradual release of energy.
• Quiet: Longbows often produce less noise compared to some recurve bows, which is advantageous for stealth in hunting.

Cons

• Size: Longbows, due to their longer design, can be less portable than many recurve bows.
• Learning Curve: Longbows can be challenging for beginners, requiring a more consistent shooting form for optimal performance.

Recurve Pros and Cons

Pros

• Beginner-friendly: Recurve bows, especially take-down models, are frequently recommended for beginners due to their adjustability and user-friendly design.
• Versatility: Recurve bows are versatile, suitable for various archery disciplines, and often allow for adjustments in draw weight and length.
• Portability: Modern take-down recurve bows are designed to be disassembled, making them convenient for transport and storage.

Cons

• Noise: Recurve bows can produce more noise compared to longbows, potentially alerting game during hunts.
• Technique Sensitivity: Optimal accuracy, especially at longer distances, requires consistent form and technique.
• Power Variability: The power of recurve bows can vary based on design and materials. Some are designed for precision over raw power.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between longbows and recurve bows?

Longbows are traditional bows with a simple D-shaped design, typically made from wood.

Recurve bows have curved limbs that bend away from the archer, and may be made from a number of materials. Recurves also have an additional riser (the center section of the bow), providing more stability and accuracy.

How does draw weight compare between longbows and recurves?

While both bows can accommodate varying draw weights, recurve bows typically maintain higher levels of speed and power, even at lighter draw weights. If you’re using an ILF bow, you can easily swap the limbs to increase or decrease draw weight. Longbows, on the other hand, require a higher draw weight for effective bowhunting.

Which type of bow has a faster shooting speed: longbow or recurve?

Recurve bows tend to have faster shooting speeds compared to longbows. The curved limbs on a recurve provide extra power, allowing the arrow to leave the bow at higher speeds. This translates to better accuracy and efficiency, especially in hunting applications.

How do the ranges of longbows and recurve bows differ?

Both longbows and recurve bows can be used for similar ranges; however, recurves generally have a slight advantage in terms of accuracy and power at longer distances. While both designs are viable for archery and hunting, recurve bows can maintain their speed and power more effectively across a range of distances.

What are the benefits of using a hybrid longbow-recurve?

A hybrid longbow-recurve combines the best of both worlds, offering a compromise between the forgiving nature of a longbow and the power and accuracy of a recurve. These bows are designed to capture some of the ease of drawing of longbows, while providing an increased stability, accuracy, and range similar to recurve bows.

Which is easier to draw: a longbow or a recurve bow?

Longbows generally have a smoother and more forgiving draw curve, making them feel easier to draw for many archers. This quality often makes them a popular choice for those just starting out in archery.