Hybrid recurve or 1/2 curve VS longbow.

bowhnter7 · January 30, 2007, 08:06:00 AM

I was watching the Tred Barta show the other night and he was talking with Dale at 3 Rivers about the diff between longbows and recurves. He said something about a longbow being harder to shoot because of the less wide limbs. Something about a bad release will have some effect on the narrow limbs, not as much on a recurve. So I am waitng on a Habu Vyperkahn and have to decide on which limbs. I was leaning to the longbow limbs, if this true if I do is this bow going to be more difficult to shoot?

vermonster13 · January 30, 2007, 08:12:00 AM

It all depends on the shooter. You practice and you'll get to where you want to be. I prefer longbows personally but can shoot just fine with a recurve or any bow so long as I like the grip.

bowhnter7 · January 30, 2007, 08:33:00 AM

I have been shooting pretty good. I would just hate to wait a year and pay that much for a bow that is all of a sudden more difficult to shoot just because of the limbs. If so I will stay with the 1/2 curve limbs.

elk ninja · January 30, 2007, 08:53:00 AM

Its my understanding that it's not the width of the limbs so much as it is the mass (the weight) of the bow...wider limbs = more mass. More mass = a more stable bow. Think back to your high school physics, remember that an object at rest tends to stay at rest? The more mass an object has, the more effort it requires to move it, and this, I believe is what bow hunters, bowyers and archers refer to as "stability" in a bow. With all that said, narrower limbs have less mass than recurves and some hybrids...clear as mud? Don't let these minor details get to you bowhunter7, because even with less mass, or a different grip, you CAN learn to shoot just about any bow well, it just takes practice and dedication. You should check out G. Fred Asbell's article on stopping messing with equipment (a couple of issues back in Trad Bowhunter)
Sempe Fi

vermonster13 · January 30, 2007, 09:03:00 AM

Simple solution, buy or trade for a style longbow you'd like to try from the classifieds here. Give it an honest try and see if it works for you. If it does then order exactly what you want and sell the other bow to recoup your investment or you may just decide to keep what you pick up.

bowhnter7 · January 30, 2007, 09:11:00 AM

So Bob has his Shawnee, you can get it with recurve or longbow limbs, any of you guys with a Shawnee have any thoughts on this?

bowhnter7 · January 30, 2007, 09:12:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by vermonster13:
Simple solution, buy or trade for a style longbow you'd like to try from the classifieds here. Give it an honest try and see if it works for you. If it does then order exactly what you want and sell the other bow to recoup your investment or you may just decide to keep what you pick up.

Yes I did read the article, man I wish I could do that.

vermonster13 · January 30, 2007, 09:27:00 AM

Several different bows you can buy that way. Bob's Shawnee is a real good one. Bob Lee has risers that will take both limbs, Great Plains does and so does Black Swan. So that route is always a way to go also.

centaurshooter · January 30, 2007, 09:31:00 AM

don't worry, the longbow vyperkahn limbs are the quietest, easiest to shoot well limbs made. very nice, i have no idea what they were talking about. and that's not why anyone has a harder time with a traditional longbow, it generally has more to do with handshock and grip. fear not the viperkahn longbow limbs, i have them and they're great.

bowhnter7 · January 30, 2007, 09:48:00 AM

Thanks centaurshooter, exactly what I was looking for, I have only to wait till May, almost there. Originaly had the 1/2 curve on order until Chris talked to me about the new longbow limbs with carbon. Faster than any recurve and as quite as a longbow with a no handshock riser. Sound about right?

Jeff Strubberg · January 30, 2007, 10:00:00 AM

Can't say I agree with Dale as to why longbows are a bit harder to shoot than recurves, although I do agree that they are that way.

Longbows have so little mass in the handle and a relatively heavy limb. It's much, much more difficult to follow through well with a longbow. Myself, I think longbows are MORE forgiving of release problems. Recurve limbs are thinner and easier to torque by doing something wrong with your string hand.

If you can cultivate a rock solid bow arm, you won't have any problems at all shooting a longbow. If you have perfect mechanics, maybe a recurve is for you.

bowhnter7 · January 30, 2007, 10:04:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Jeff Strubberg:
Can't say I agree with Dale as to why longbows are a bit harder to shoot than recurves, although I do agree that they are that way.

Longbows have so little mass in the handle and a relatively heavy limb. It's much, much more difficult to follow through well with a longbow. Myself, I think longbows are MORE forgiving of release problems. Recurve limbs are thinner and easier to torque by doing something wrong with your string hand.

If you can cultivate a rock solid bow arm, you won't have any problems at all shooting a longbow. If you have perfect mechanics, maybe a recurve is for you.

Jeff, This is not your typical "longbow". Check it out. http://www.habubows.com/vk.htm

Chris Wilson · January 30, 2007, 10:52:00 AM

I don't believe you'll see any real difference in shootability/forgivenss between the habu recurve and longbow.

tpoof · January 30, 2007, 11:04:00 AM

With all that mass in the riser it'll shoot like a recurve, a straight limb recurve!

overbo · January 30, 2007, 06:52:00 PM

Got 2 Vyperkahns.Trust in what Chris tells you.Eveyone that has shot my bow shoot it better than any bow they have shot.