Recurve vs. Longbow

[Jakesnyder]

Will a recurve always out beat a longbow in speed? Or does design play the biggest part?

[Pat B]

With everything being equal, the recurve will probably give you more speed but it is more stressed than a longbow

[bradsmith2010]

good asnwer Pat,, I couldnt really figure how to put that in words,,,

[bownarra]

Wood can only take a given amount of strain.
Recurve, longbow,shortbow whatever the design is the wood doesn't know what bow it is in only the strain it is 'feeling'.
So the trick is either storing more energy for the same efficency or making the bow more efficient at delivering its stored energy - all within the given parameters of what the wood can take.

[Chuck.e.b]

The design plays that biggest part. There’s reflexed long bows with long thin rigid tips(sorta like a siyah of composite bows but all one piece) recently being made that shoot 200fps at 35#. Long bows are also more forgiving and don’t stack quite as hard.

[Mafort]

Would rather have the longbow personally. Also depends on the type of recurve. Static? Working? Contact?

[bradsmith2010]

200 fps ,, is that with a 350 grain arrow,, when no arrow weight is given,, its difficult to make a comparison,,also a longbow with recurved tips would not be a longbow,,

[Deerhunter21]

Long bows are also more forgiving and don’t stack quite as hard.

I would have to disagree because dont recurving the tips make it so the string angle is lower causing less stack?

[bownarra]

Long bows are also more forgiving and don’t stack quite as hard.

I would have to disagree because dont recurving the tips make it so the string angle is lower causing less stack?

Yes.

Design is key.

[Stick Bender]

I think the D/R bow has the best of both worlds performance & shoot ability wise  a hybrid between the two but it's hard to beat the forgiveness and low stress & durability of a long bow when properly maid !

[PEARL DRUMS]

Nope. Design and EXECUTION trump all profiles and styles.

[bjrogg]

Just my personal opinion. I think it makes a difference who is going to be shooting them. I have a pretty short draw. About 24" on a good day. I like the early string tension of a recurve yet it feels more like a longbow at fulldraw. I'm not up on all the science behind it, but to me I feel like I get the most out of my limited draw with a reflex bow and recurved tips. I like them as short as I can get them and still not be overstressed enough that they hold up well for me. I think for myself I've come up with something that works well and is very durable. My "Simply Orange " bow fits me very well and after two seasons of hunting and thousands of arrows flung it still almost fits snugly on the caul it was shaped on.
Bjrogg
PS I think it probably depends on the wood being used to. Not all staves are created equal

[bradsmith2010]

I have a short draw,,,and reflexed bows,,give me a bit more speed with shorter power stroke,..in a shorter bow...

[Chuck.e.b]

200 fps ,, is that with a 350 grain arrow,, when no arrow weight is given,, its difficult to make a comparison,,also a longbow with recurved tips would not be a longbow,,

350 and it’s a reflexed longbow. Tips are not recurved.