Longbow vs Recurve Bow: Which is Better?

When people first start thinking about getting into traditional archery…

Whether they’ve never shot a bow in their life, or they want to make the leap from a compound bow…

They always end up with the same question: “Should I get a longbow or a recurve bow?”

In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about both so you know which one is right for you.

When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.

What is the difference between recurves and longbows?

There are “modern” or “Olympic” recurves which are usually made with a metal riser, these are used in higher end competitive archery tournaments and differ drastically from the standard recurves made from wood.

For the sake of this article we’ll focus on standard recurves.

Both recurve and longbows are considered traditional bows.

They are usually made out of mainly wood with other materials mixed in.

With

The biggest difference is the shape of the bow limbs.

Recurve bows get their name because the end of the bow limb, when strung, curves back towards the archer and then curves again away from the archer…

Or it “re-curves”

A long bow on the other hand does not have this curve at the end of its bow limbs.

So why does that matter?

The “Re-curve” at the end of the limbs gives recurve bows more power allowing them to shoot arrows on a flatter trajectory and longer distances for the same draw weight and draw length.

Related: Best Recurves For Beginners

What are the advantages of a longbow?

One of the advantages of a longbow is that they are significantly simpler than a recurve bow…

Not only in how they function, but also in how they look.

Longbows have a much more traditional look than recurve bows do.

On top of that, longbows tend to be lighter and quieter than recurve bows…

For some people who are looking to enjoy more peace and quiet outdoors that can be a big advantage.

What are the disadvantages of a longbow?

In general, long bows are not as strong as recurves for the same draw weight.

This means they can’t shoot as far or as fast as a recurve bow.

If you’re just wanting a cool bow to shoot every once and a while and aren’t entering 3D Shoots or going hunting then this loss of power should matter too much.

Another disadvantage of long bows is that they usually are 1-piece bows, meaning they don’t come apart even when they’re unstrung.

This can make transporting them more difficult than if it were a takedown bow.

What are the advantages of a recurve bow?

The biggest advantage of a recurve bow over a longbow is the increased power to a relative draw weight.

This can be especially important for archers with a lower draw weight who need to get the most power they can out of their bows.

With that increase power comes another advantage…

Recurves are usually shorter than longbows, making them easier to maneuver.

This is more important for hunting scenarios than target archery, but it’s still worth noting.

Another big advantage is that most recurves these days are “take down” recurves, meaning they can be disassembled into 3 pieces….

That means easier transportation to and from wherever you’re shooting your bow.

What are the disadvantages of a recurve bow?

The biggest disadvantage is that recurve bows can be a little heavier than longbows.

After a little bit of practice, this tends to not be an issue for most archers.

Are recurve bows better than a longbow?

​The short answer: Yes

But here’s the long answer…

It really depends on who’s judging it and what is meant by “better”.

For most people who want to shoot traditional bows today, a recurve is the logical option, especially if they’re a beginner.

Are there going to be some people out there who prefer the more traditional looks of a longbow?

Of course!

If there weren’t, no one would be selling longbows any more.

But as far as performance per pound of draw weight is concerned, recurves are hands down better than longbows.