The terms 'reflex' and 'recurve' are pretty intimately related. Recurve is just a more extreme form of reflex. You can have a static recurve which does not work (or bend) at full draw, and a working recurve which does. You generally need a static recurve to be more sharply curved to prevent it from bending. Not always, but generally. Also, the recurved tips are at the distal end of the limb. Reflex can be induced throughout the length of the entire limb.
Reflex is defined as any bend towards the back, or away from the belly. Deflex is any bend or curvature towards the belly or away from the back of the bow.
Reflex or recurve does NOT have to be induced with heat! It can, but not always. I just finished a static recurve laminate bow to prove that. Reflex or recurve can be induced during glue up. Perry reflex I believe it's called.
In my understanding of the terms, a longbow is a longbow only because the string only touches the bow at the nocks. What happens between those points is open to interpretation, and various shapes will store more or less energy.
A recurve is a recurve because the string lays on, or touches, the tip before in reaches the nock.
Many permeations exist. Reflexed static recurves, static recurves, working recurves, reflex/deflex static recurves, reflexed working recurves, reflexed longbows, reflex/deflex longbows... I'm sure I've missed a few. Just remember, the more reflex or recurve the limb has, the more energy it will store, all else being equal. Recurves and reflex also reduce full draw string angle and make the bow smoother and more pleasant to shoot.
