What's a longbow here.

[John Carter]

Seeing as how I live in NZ,most of our archery is influinced by the USA.
This means that "almost" every bow you see at local shoots is American,,and this applies to longbows and recurves as much as compounds.
This also means that to most kiwi's a longbow is an American flat bow of about 68'' or less,often with a very formed grip "much like any recurve,and more often than not 'reflex deflexed limbs.
This has been a point of interest to me for a while because I compeat with my longbow,and often find myself alongside other archers carrying bows that I would politely describe as being recurves with almost straight limbs.
Like I say,it's really only a point of interest because few of these guys are competitive and I do own all three types of bow that I personaly call a longbow anyway.
In NZ nobody really wants to talk about this as we have few enough people involed in archery as it is,,,,IE,when you only have 3 guys shooting the one class it's not to smart to tell two of them (or even all of them) they can't compeat because their bows don't meet a certain standard.

So what is the English take on this??
Do you folks have more than one LB class ,or are you shooting classic ELB alongside the American style R/D flatbow ??
Where do the R/D style flat bows fit into your scene?
Thanks,
John.

[JohnK]

Under GNAS and NFAS rules, a longbow is an "English" longbow - D cross section, no cut away etc. I think the IFAA organisations have different rules, but I can't say for sure.

NFAS (National Field Archery Society) actually has an American flatbow category. It's quite popular, but then again, so is the Longbow category

And I agree that it's daft to compare the performance of a longbow to an American flatbow. Apples and oranges.

[Macbow]

As John said IFAA classes ELB and AFB as longbows. There are a few shooting ELB in the longbow category but if you want to be seriously competitive you'll need an AFB -ie a modern longbow.
I don't believe that ELB should have sole ownership of the term "longbow" and certainly in the UK there are surely enough ELB organisations to keep classic longbow enthusiasts happy.
As far as R/D goes the rules allow as much reflex deflex as you want providing the bow maintains a continuous D-shaped curve when it is braced. Basically you end up with "stealth" bows - R/D bows skilfully built to just meet the rules and no more. Got no problem with that as I own a couple and I enjoy seeing just how far performance can be pushed within the limits.
Personally I'd like to see the longbow rules relaxed regarding carbon & ally arrows as I don't understand the logic behind the wooden arrows only rule when my AFBs are constructed of carbon and high tech laminates. JMHO

[bkupris]

There is an interesting discussion at this link which is somewhat related to this topic:

Trad Gang.com (tm): Flatbows?

[Artemis]

Hactaully....to be pedantic, a longbow is any bow which is not a crossbow (ducks and waits for flack)

There are however different styles; and those which most folk know about are 1) the english warbow - lumpy great thing which works in the handle and flings heavy arrows a very long way. Nowadays used by the "heavy bow" merchants for distance shooting. 2) Traditional English/Scottish recreational longbow - lighter poundage, "prettier", used for target and clout by ladies and gentlemen (!) Modern descendant of those used in Georgian and Victorian times. 3) Re-enactment longbow - made to look evil but necessarily of a low poundage. Used by those engaging in mock battles and demos for the general public.

There have been others variations, but only the three above are in current use and referred to in the UK as longbows. (Unless you are American. They have been known to call our traditional longbow a "stick" bow, I understand)

Happy to expand if required.

Vee