Recurve v Longbow v Compound

[z-r-x]

Up till now I've only shot recurve but have recently been contemplating adding another style. I'm attracted by the simplicity of longbow but the accuracy of compound is also appealing.

What would you say are the differences is shooting these different types of bow?

Longbow - greater draw weight, lack of a sight. How do these change how you shoot compared to recurve?

Compound - lower draw weight, peep sight and release aid. Again, how does shooting compound differ to recurve?

Is shooting another type of bow likely to improve or degrade my recurve form?

Cheers!

[tel]

As far as Recurve/compound goes THIS thread may give you an idea

[cornish george]

Originally Posted by z-r-x

I'm attracted by the simplicity of longbow

I guess you have'nt actually shot a longbow yet?

[paulhuk]

Originally Posted by cornish george

I guess you have'nt actually shot a longbow yet?

I would say Longbow archery is one of those "quick to learn, a lifetime to master". I tried Longbow a few weeks ago so that I could shoot it at Scorton instead of my normal Recurve (a long story). In the fun sessions at the club it was OK, and with help from the club longbow stalwarts I was getting better. However, in competition I found that I was very disappointed at not hitting the target every time (in fact at Scorton I only hit the boss once all day ).

In terms of technique, and trying to make sure that it doesn't affect your recurve shooting, I would say that compound would be 'closer' to recurve style than longbow. I found that I was drawing the longbow, settling, sighting and releasing in a similar way to recurve. I was then told that the power of a longbow drops off within a few seconds of full draw. So the 'best' method is to come to full draw, sight and release very quickly. (I'm ready to be flamed for this ). To me, this goes against the grain for recurve and if I regularly switched between the two it could, possibly, induce a type of 'target panic' (see other threads on here about these symptoms).

So I won't be picking up a longbow again for a very long time. But I might try compound instead.

Which ever you choose, good luck.

[Flying Whale]

Been shooting Recurve for about 3 years. Just had about a year of slump in form, so decided to try compound. I really enjoy it. In fact it has brought the pleasure back in to my shooting. The recurve is starting to come back together too. I am sure that the enjoyment and diversion is part of it, but I also feel that I have learnt some things from shooting compound that are feeding back in to my recurve.

One day I will try longbow, but not yet. It has its own strenghts and weaknesses, joys and frustrations. I think 2 styles is enough for me at present.

I hope you enjoy whatever you decide to try.

[Little Miss Purple]

I think it depends what you want from your cosen discipline... I personally can't bring myself to shoot anything other than the bow I compete with, otherwise I feel I'm wasting valuable shooting time!! I got the wheelie bow to play with and look what happened!!

Enjoy

[Jerry Tee]

If limited compound goes then long bow won't be far behind, so shoot compound. Also the method of drawing and loose on a longbow is very different from a recurve.

[sambow]

Originally Posted by z-r-x

Is shooting another type of bow likely to improve or degrade my recurve form?

I shoot unlimited compound which I assume you are referring to and recurve and I find they compliment each other. I also shoot a one piece recurve barebow and barebow limited compound. I have not found any of them interfere with each other although when shooting limited compound I tend to have quite a dead loose which you can get away with on compound, but its a bad habit to get into for recurve.

I have not shot longbow, I sense this would be the most difficult to master (but I am only going on what I have heard).

[englishwarbow]

I would say if your interested in target archery stick to what you know and improve upon that. Target longobows are hard, my own field is that x10 but I would never chop and change between disicplines in hope of finding someway of improving my main interest, only shooting your prefered kit will improve that.

I know you haven't stated this but someone else will unless I post this but longobws are not for 'fun', that's usualy code for 'I''m crap and as such try to deride longbow shooting as inferior'. I do not shoot tartget longbows but one of the finest archers I have ever met does and believe me you can attain amazing scores on target archery scores using target longbow. They call him George and he shoots with the Waterside Archers and he's a good bloke.

[cloutman360]

Originally Posted by paulhuk

I would say Longbow archery is one of those "quick to learn, a lifetime to master". I tried Longbow a few weeks ago so that I could shoot it at Scorton instead of my normal Recurve (a long story). In the fun sessions at the club it was OK, and with help from the club longbow stalwarts I was getting better. However, in competition I found that I was very disappointed at not hitting the target every time (in fact at Scorton I only hit the boss once all day ).

In terms of technique, and trying to make sure that it doesn't affect your recurve shooting, I would say that compound would be 'closer' to recurve style than longbow. I found that I was drawing the longbow, settling, sighting and releasing in a similar way to recurve. I was then told that the power of a longbow drops off within a few seconds of full draw. So the 'best' method is to come to full draw, sight and release very quickly. (I'm ready to be flamed for this ). To me, this goes against the grain for recurve and if I regularly switched between the two it could, possibly, induce a type of 'target panic' (see other threads on here about these symptoms).

So I won't be picking up a longbow again for a very long time. But I might try compound instead.

Which ever you choose, good luck.

I've heard this repeated many times about you must release very quickly when shooting a longbow.
I've not found it to be the case but I wouldn't call releasing within a few seconds of full draw very quick.