The old traditional longbows when unstrung were straight, some of the newer longbows are reflex/deflex and when unstrung the tips sweep forward. When the recurve first came out it was a major improvement in arrow speed over the old traditional longbow. A good reflex/deflex longbow will hang right with a recurve as far as speed is concerned. Most longbows are held with the wrist not broken, like holding a stick parallel with your body. Most recurves are held with a broken wrist, that same stick would now be hitting your knee or waist line. I gain about 3/4" of draw with my recurve because of the broken wrist grip, compared to the more straight grip of my longbow. Longbows are almost always quieter than a recurve, there is no string contact with the limbs on a longbow but a recurve has several inches of string contact with the limbs and this causes the string to slap the limbs when fired. Recurves are heavier than longbows and this helps to reduce hand shock and vibrations and to some makes for a more stable platform to launch an arrow from. Alot of recurves can be had with sight/quiver mounting bushings and stablizer/fishing reel bushings, most longbows won't give you these options.
I can shoot the same arrows out of both of my bows but the recurve takes 125 grain points while the longbow takes 175 grainers. My point on distance with the recurve is 47 yards while the longbow is 30 yards.
The best thing to do is get yourself a good longbow and decide for yourself which you prefer. I've always prefered the recurve but after taking a deer yesterday with my longbow I'm really liking it right now!
GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot
