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Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter and Outdoorsman. In an experienced archer's hands, both recurve bows and longbows make for a useful hunting tool. Even a novice archer can use both bows as great tools for target practice, refining accuracy, and improving shooting form. Choosing between the two comes down to preferences. If you want sheer raw power, go with the recurve bow. Their ‘recurved’ limbs are designed to store and provide more energy to an arrow than a longbow of comparable size. A recurve bow is more efficient at giving power to each shot than the simple D curve of the longbow. If you cannot decide between a longbow and a recurve, we’ll give you the lowdown on all the differences between each type of bow in different areas. What are the Differences between Recurve Bows and Longbows? Bestseller No. 1 KAINOKAI 54" Traditional Laminated Recurve Bow/Archery Amercian Hunting&Target Horse Bow/Longbow Most Arrows fits,15-55 lbs for Kids Teens & Adults FEATURES:Not Only aesthetical, lighter & more handy,Fires great, with reinforced limb tips allow bow to be Fast Flight. Perfect for hunting , or target practice. Laminated limbs provides high pressure bearing, won't easily splitTECH & MATERIAL:Made of Naturally sourced woods,bamboo core,pretty edges more rounded& refined.14 strand Dyneema stringFUNCTION:Both right & left hand designed, with arrow rest, draw weights of 15-55lbs,a rich range pounds for all novice archer,teens,kid &adults. Check Latest Price Bestseller No. 2 Sanlida Archery 68” Royal X8 Longbow Traditional Wooden Hunting Bow Handmade Hunting Bow and Arrows kit for Adults & Traditional Archers, RH Only (45lbs, Right Hand) 【World’s NO.1 Archery Kit Brand】 Sanlida's mission is to Build a Perfect World of Archery Recreation for All Mankind.【Complete Full Kit Design; Matched Suitably; More Accurate】This can guarantee that the archers will get the proper level and quality of accessories easily, and the bow kit will be more matched and accurate, the archer will get the better records!【Crafted Hunting Longbow Kit】 Sanlida Royal X8 Longbow is 68" AMO length traditional wood hunting bow, crafted from American solid wood, excellent central line, micro vibration and smooth arrow flight, great performance is suited for traditional Hunters. Check Latest Price Bestseller No. 3 KAINOKAI 58" Laminated Recurve Bow,Amercian Hunting Bow Archery Bow 20-60lbs (40LBS, Right Hand) Manufacturing process: Using modern lamination technology, limbs are laminated with multi-layer composite fiberglass and high-strength maple, riser is laminated with composite high-strength and high-density technology color woodDesign language: This product is named after the velociraptor, and the overall design takes the dragon as our theme. The wood grain of the riser is like the glasses of the dragon, and the overall appearance is very beautiful and cool.Specification：Offers Left Hand and Right Hand with draw weights of 20lb – 60lb 5lb increments . Perfect for hunting deer bowfishing or target practice. Check Latest Price Last update on 2024-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Quietness Recurve bows tend to be much louder than longbows. This makes ‘covert’ operations more difficult. All those limbs and ILF fittings rattle with each movement, and the magnetic rests make a loud noise when you release the arrow. On the other hand, there is less contact between the limbs and strings on a longbow. Some archers prefer to shoot with quiet bows. If you prefer not to make any noise, consider choosing a longbow. They’re soft enough even without string silencers, which are used by professionals to minimize the bowstring twang further. Muffling recurve bows is a different task because they require string silencers and precise tuning. Portability Longbows can be extremely big and typically range from five to over 6 feet long. This makes it incredibly difficult to store longbows, even if you’re going for a quick trip or shooting. A modern longbow with a draw weight of 60 lbs clocks in at 64” in length, whereas a 60 lbs recurve bow will measure only 58” long. If you don’t have storage capabilities or don’t like carrying big and bulky items with you, choose recurve bows. The Nostalgia Factor History buffs are aware of the documented evidence that confirms the vital role that longbows have played in various wars waged centuries ago. Many people crave that classic, historic appeal of longbows. This isn’t to say that recurve bows are a ‘new-age’ invention. They have a fascinating history of their own that will captivate many historians. For example, many empires in Asia used the devastating effect of recurve bows to good use. And, of course, recurve bows are the choice of many Olympians, much to longbow fans' chagrin. Speed Did you know that speed is directly proportional to power? This means that more power equals more speed. And we already know that recurve bows pack a ton of power. So if you want a bow that shoots fast, no questions asked, then go with the recurve bow. Its speed comes from the curved tips, which can store far more energy than straight limbs. This isn’t to say that longbows are slow. Some of the higher-end longbows will rival the fastest recurve. Their limbs are designed to generate similar arrow speeds. But even then, the recurve bow takes the cake in the speed department. It is worth mentioning that slower arrows are more prone to veering off course against huge gusts of wind. Faster bows can easily handle the wind as long as they have the right weight. Draw Weight Most manufacturers offer recurve bows with adjustable draw weights that can be attached to the bow. This means you can choose the most appropriate draw weight depending on the type of target, distance, and the arrow. If you find that the bow’s draw weight is either too light or too heavy, you can always buy new limbs for your bow, which is much cheaper. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about longbows because you’ll be stuck with the default draw weight. You'll have to buy a brand new bow if the longbow's draw weight is too high or low for you. Of course, this confusion can be avoided by doing test runs with each bow before buying it or having more knowledge about draw weights that you find more comfortable. That being said, we always recommend starting with a lighter draw weight before working your way up to higher draw weights. Ease of Aim When Shooting Their deeper and thicker limbs make longbows easier to control than recurve bows. While the downside is their heavier weight, there is less chance of sideways movement or torquing in the string when released. It is imperative to stay still when throwing off an arrow; otherwise, it will not reach its target in the intended line. Longbows are easier to use straight out of the box since you won’t have to worry about buying supplemental accessories. This makes longbows the tool for beginners if they’re new to archery. The same cannot be said about recurve bows, some of which may require assembly upon purchasing them. Many beginners often spend too much time choosing the right accessories, which leads to poor technique. Between the simplicity and ease of use of longbows, removing accessories promotes better technique, which can be further refined later. Longbows are excellent tools to build a solid archery foundation before moving on to more advanced bows and learning how to use their accessories. Customization Since most longbows don’t have room for attaching accessories, there isn’t room for customization. This makes recurve bows the preferred choice for users deep into bow customization. Thousands of attachment options are available for recurve bows in different varieties other than wood. Common Accessories for Recurve Bows Sight There are three different types of recurve bow sights, each with its specific set of pros and cons. These are open ring sights, pin sights, and target sights. Open ring sights are generally suited to beginners and often have a smaller price tag. Pin sights are an upgrade over open ring sights and allow the user to make shot adjustments to cover large distances without directly interacting with the sights. Target sights are a bit more advanced and used by veteran archers competing at a high level. They also feature high price tags. Professional archers often use a combination of target sights with pin sights to improve performance. Stabilizer Stabilizers serve two important functions; they improve the bows' forward and backward balance when drawn and absorb the vibration from the string when it is released. Arrow rest Arrow rests are invaluable tools that are ideal for archers facing difficulty in shooting off the shelf. They make it easier to hold the arrow in position. The result is improved accuracy and consistency with performance. Clicker Put simply, a clicker aims to reduce inconsistencies in the shooting. Every time an archer shoots their arrow, they pass it through the clicker. When the arrow’s tip passes beyond the clicker’s magnetized arm, the arm promptly snaps back into place with a satisfying ‘click’ sound. Advanced archers train to release the arrow just as soon as they’ve heard the click. This improves consistency in performance. Clickers are used by advanced archers who are competing at high levels. To properly use the clicker, the archer must first master the correct technique during the beginner and intermediate growth stages. Materials Another significant factor we will analyze in this showdown between recurve bows and longbows is the choice of material. The construction material of choice for recurve bows include carbon fiber, metal, fiberglass, and wood. These are differences between various types of recurve bows as well. For instance, traditional recurve bows are typically made of limited timber. In contrast, others choose a combo of carbon laminations, metal, fiberglass, and laminated wood. These materials make the recurve bow look more modern and can improve its accuracy as well as performance. On the other hand, longbows are made from layered fiberglass ore laminated wood. Moreover, those made from wood often have a carbon center to strengthen their structure. Care and Maintenance It is relatively straightforward to clean and maintain both these types of bows. For the most part, you won’t have to worry too much about them or buy individual machines, tools, or devices to clean them. But things become a little different when repairing damage between both bow types. You can always buy a new limb in recurve bows and reuse your bow again. This is true in the case of takedown models. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about longbows. Once they are broken, there isn’t much you can do. Even if you do manage to repair them, your performance won’t be the same anymore. It is simpler and better to buy a new longbow. Two Types of Recurve Bows Bestseller No. 1 Sanlida Eagle X9 New 58” RTH Standard Hunting Recurve Bow and Arrow Set for Adults and Hunters, Wooden Takedown Hunting Recurve Bows Package for Outdoor, Hunting and Practice (30 Lbs, Right Hand) 【World’s NO.1 Archery Kit Brand】 Sanlida's mission is to Build a Perfect World of Archery Recreation for All Mankind.【Complete Full Kit Design; Matched Suitably; More Accurate】This can guarantee that the archers will get the proper level and quality of accessories easily, and the bow kit will be more matched and accurate!【Standard Intermediate Hunting Recurve Bow Kit】Sanlida Eagle X9 is a standard hunting recurve bow kit. If you need the standard beginner recurve bow kit, please choose our Noble recurve bow kit (B0C1SDB6KW) for training practice and competition. Check Latest Price Bestseller No. 2 Sanlida Archery 60" Royal X8 One-Piece Bow Traditional Wooden Hunting Bow Handmade Hunting Bow and Arrows Kit for Adults & Traditional Archers, RH Only (40lbs, Right Hand) 【World’s NO.1 Archery Kit Brand】 Sanlida's mission is to Build a Perfect World of Archery Recreation for All Mankind.【Complete Full Kit Design; Matched Suitably; More Accurate】This can guarantee that the archers will get the proper level and quality of accessories easily, and the bow kit will be more matched and accurate, the archer will get the better records!【Crafted Hunting One-piece Bow Kit】 Sanlida Royal X8 One-piece Bow is 60" AMO length traditional wood hunting bow, crafted from American solid wood, excellent central line, micro vibration and smooth arrow flight, great performance is suited for traditional Hunters. Check Latest Price Bestseller No. 3 Samick Sage Archery Takedown Recurve Bow 62-inch - Right & Left Handed - 25-60lb - Archery Recurve Bows for Teens & Adults - Beginners to Advanced, Hunting & Target Practice 【Size & Strength】 The Samick Sage Recurve Bow has a length of 62" and a draw length of 28". Choose a draw weight between 25 and 60 pounds based on your strength and skill level to personalize your striking experience.【Complete Archery Set】 The set comes with an assembly manual, a stick-on arrow rest for recurve, two fiberglass-laminated bow limbs recurve, and a 14-strand Dacron bowstring. The bow limbs can be bought separately and are interchangeable.【Hand Orientation】 Use your left hand to hold the bow and your right to draw the string. Using your left hand, pull the string while holding the bow with your right. Check Latest Price Last update on 2024-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Because recurve bows are more complex than longbows, you will find many variants when you shop for them. The two most common that you will find are traditional recurves and Olympic recurves. An Olympic recurve bow is mostly used by archers competing in events. You may also run into archers who would bring their Olympic recurve bows for hunting, but this is relatively rare. An Olympic recurve bow uses accessories to improve accuracy, consistency, and power. The most common fixtures include things like stabilizers, clickers, and sights. These have been discussed in our comparisons above. As the name suggests, traditional recurves are more old school and have been in use for thousands of years. While traditional recurves have the same shape as other recurve bows, they are mostly made from a solid piece of wood and do not have any equipment attached. In many ways, they share the same similarities with the longbow. We've created a helpful box below to summarize the primary differences between longbows and recurve bows. Comparison Table LongbowTraditional recurveOlympic recurveQuietnessQuietLoudSlightly loudPortabilityHeavyLightLightNostalgia FactorHistoricLess historicModernSpeedMediumFastUltrafastDraw WeightVery highHighMediumUsabilityEasyMediumHardCustomizationNoneNoneEndless optionsMaintenanceMediumMediumHigh Wrapping Up The differences between longbows and recurve are not easy to understand. But understanding them can be the difference in competitions and sports events. If you want to go with raw power, choose the recurve bow. But if you prefer stealth and tradition, go with the longbow.

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