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Differences between Longbow and Recurve Bow

Release time:2025-02-10 14:43:34Clicks:author:SPG ArcheryMain categories:Bows, Arrows, Archery Accessories


Archery is a sport that uses various types of bows and arrows, the purpose of which is to assist in aiming and shooting. Bows have been around since 50,000 years ago. While traditional bows were not so easy to learn, the advent of modern machinery has made these difficult tasks a breeze, and as a result, bows and arrows have become an unusual sight. Despite these changes, archery remains an interesting outdoor hobby and a subject of Olympic competition. Here, we will provide a guide for those who are about to learn archery but don't know how to choose a bow. Shape: The shape of a longbow is very simple. It has only one large arc from the beginning to the end. It can be likened to a large semicircle or the letter "D", and there is nothing complicated in designing the frame. When the bow is drawn, it forms an even curve facing the archer.

Size: Recurve bows are usually smaller than longbows. A typical longbow can be up to 6 feet long. Its length can be adjusted according to the height and body of the archer. Modern recurve bows are between 48 and 70 inches in length. Design: Recurve bows have a cutout in the bow itself to facilitate the arrow to take a straight path and not deviate from its target. Longbows do not have such a gap. Longbows are relatively easy to make, and a person without extensive woodworking experience can also make one with a small fee. Modern recurve bows come with various accessories to improve the chances of hitting the target.

Power: Longbows are designed to be powerful enough to shoot arrows at fifty yards because they are usually about three inches taller than the archer. But recurve bows are better in power and stability. Materials: Beech wood was originally used to make longbows, and they had to be handmade to ensure that there were no defects or dents or any kind of defects in the wood. Recurve bows were originally made of laminated wood and animal skins. Currently, both types of bows are made of laminated fiberglass, wood, and other synthetic materials. Longbows have a long history and require a little manpower to operate.

Remains of longbows have been found in the British Isles, dating back three thousand years. This is enough to prove that it has been in use for a long time. However, the recurve bow is a derivative version of the longbow. It was designed to correct some of the disadvantages of the longbow. Due to its smaller size, the recurve bow is convenient to use on horseback. Shooting from the top of a tree or hiding under a bush is impossible when a longbow is your weapon. Hence, this is the main reason why the recurve bow is so popular. In order to shoot with a longbow, you must be steady, otherwise you will not get the desired result.