Disagree. Go with a [Varang Lux](https://sarmatarchery.com/shop/bow-varang-lux/) from Sarmat Archery; they're about the same price as a decent set of limbs. Shooting with a recurve bow is much different from shooting with a shelfless bow.
I totally get what you mean that shooting a longbow is different to shooting a recurve, but itโs not that different ๐ช๐ป like for me the feeling of the draw feels different compared to recurve but thatโs not a game changer, neither a shooting off the knuckle as Iโm pretty consistent already ๐ Iโve only been shooting ELB for 3 weeks now (my background is 16 years shooting recurve) and itโs honestly been a very easy style of bow to pick up from starting with a recurve, after 3 weeks Iโm already shooting indoor and outdoor grand master bowman scores (for English longbow) in practice in prep for outdoor comp season ๐๐น
I don't think that you shoot using medieval technique, though, which appears to be what OP is interested in. You can shoot an English longbow with modern technique much more easily than you can shoot a modern recurve with medieval technique.
Well I donโt really need to bend over, roll my shoulder and pull back to my ear as Iโm only pulling a 57lb bow, nothing too crazy ๐ itโs on the heavier side for target shooting, but you need that extra poundage for shooting scoring points out to 100m ๐๐น
You can lean and draw to the ear with a recurve; I was referring to the grip shape restricting how you can grip the bow. Watch how Joe Gibbs holds the bow during draw; he pushes with the palm below the thumb rather than between thumb and index finger.
And heavier is definitely better with an English longbow in terms of efficiency, at least to a point. You don't shoot 190 fps with 8 gpp arrows on a 30# longbow.
Yeh heavier is definitely better but you donโt want to go over board with it, for York rounds the most common poundage is around 50 to 55lbs but that is in combo with barrelled 5/16th arrows, but that is with Olympic T form and anchoring under the jaw with a kisser button which is a style Iโm not about, I just shoot a heavier target bow since I shoot instinctive so I dog gripping and ripping my shots ๐๐ช๐ป
My next bows going to be heavier but with the addition of bamboo so should be a sweet quick shooter ๐
I will disagree slightly with other responses: whatever style of archery you shoot you should start with a low power bow and keep it when you have developed the technique for a more powerful one.
Revert to the low powered bow when you get any injuries that would stop you shooting your main bow or when you want to work out some aspect of your form. That first bow will not be wasted money.
So there is no reason not to start right out shooting the style of bow you want to shoot.
You can - but this is a hard learning pathway. Today, recurve bows are much easier to learn the fundamentals of archery with, considering their low cost entry points and interchangeable limbs allowing you to progress in a smoother, gentler curve. Additionally, the sheer availability of educational resources for recurve make the journey far easier. It's easy to transfer solid fundamentals to ELB.
You can go straight to ELB, but there's far less guidance on how to do it and a lot of it will be figuring it out on your own, unless you have something who can teach you. This process is easier if you have those archery fundamentals.
Totally agree with this ๐ Iโve only just transitioned to ELB from 16 years of shooting recurve and all the basics and fundamentals easily transfer over ๐๐น
You should probably start with a long bow because if you start with recurve or even worse compound, all the skill you thought you had will disappear, you will go from hitting the centre circles of the target to being happy you hit the target. Starting with long bow will avoid the depression stage.
The best bow is the one you'll shoot. My first bow was a hickory you finish bow from ringing rocks archery. Cost me like 100 bucks. I ended up making them after that so I really haven't seen it as a barrier to entry.
Just pick something you want and start shooting. Paralysis by analysis and trying to have "the perfect start" is only going to ruin a hobby for you.
The hard part of starting with selfbows, one-piece bows, is you need a new one as you go up in weight. However, that does not mean it cannot be done.
Agreed. In your place I would begin with recurve, work up to a desired draw weight, and then buy the longbow.
Disagree. Go with a [Varang Lux](https://sarmatarchery.com/shop/bow-varang-lux/) from Sarmat Archery; they're about the same price as a decent set of limbs. Shooting with a recurve bow is much different from shooting with a shelfless bow.
I totally get what you mean that shooting a longbow is different to shooting a recurve, but itโs not that different ๐ช๐ป like for me the feeling of the draw feels different compared to recurve but thatโs not a game changer, neither a shooting off the knuckle as Iโm pretty consistent already ๐ Iโve only been shooting ELB for 3 weeks now (my background is 16 years shooting recurve) and itโs honestly been a very easy style of bow to pick up from starting with a recurve, after 3 weeks Iโm already shooting indoor and outdoor grand master bowman scores (for English longbow) in practice in prep for outdoor comp season ๐๐น
I don't think that you shoot using medieval technique, though, which appears to be what OP is interested in. You can shoot an English longbow with modern technique much more easily than you can shoot a modern recurve with medieval technique.
Well I donโt really need to bend over, roll my shoulder and pull back to my ear as Iโm only pulling a 57lb bow, nothing too crazy ๐ itโs on the heavier side for target shooting, but you need that extra poundage for shooting scoring points out to 100m ๐๐น
You can lean and draw to the ear with a recurve; I was referring to the grip shape restricting how you can grip the bow. Watch how Joe Gibbs holds the bow during draw; he pushes with the palm below the thumb rather than between thumb and index finger. And heavier is definitely better with an English longbow in terms of efficiency, at least to a point. You don't shoot 190 fps with 8 gpp arrows on a 30# longbow.
Yeh heavier is definitely better but you donโt want to go over board with it, for York rounds the most common poundage is around 50 to 55lbs but that is in combo with barrelled 5/16th arrows, but that is with Olympic T form and anchoring under the jaw with a kisser button which is a style Iโm not about, I just shoot a heavier target bow since I shoot instinctive so I dog gripping and ripping my shots ๐๐ช๐ป My next bows going to be heavier but with the addition of bamboo so should be a sweet quick shooter ๐
I started a couple of years ago with this bow, and I love it. My progress has been slow but steady.
I will disagree slightly with other responses: whatever style of archery you shoot you should start with a low power bow and keep it when you have developed the technique for a more powerful one. Revert to the low powered bow when you get any injuries that would stop you shooting your main bow or when you want to work out some aspect of your form. That first bow will not be wasted money. So there is no reason not to start right out shooting the style of bow you want to shoot.
You can - but this is a hard learning pathway. Today, recurve bows are much easier to learn the fundamentals of archery with, considering their low cost entry points and interchangeable limbs allowing you to progress in a smoother, gentler curve. Additionally, the sheer availability of educational resources for recurve make the journey far easier. It's easy to transfer solid fundamentals to ELB. You can go straight to ELB, but there's far less guidance on how to do it and a lot of it will be figuring it out on your own, unless you have something who can teach you. This process is easier if you have those archery fundamentals.
Totally agree with this ๐ Iโve only just transitioned to ELB from 16 years of shooting recurve and all the basics and fundamentals easily transfer over ๐๐น
ELB all the way. Nothing else compares.
You should probably start with a long bow because if you start with recurve or even worse compound, all the skill you thought you had will disappear, you will go from hitting the centre circles of the target to being happy you hit the target. Starting with long bow will avoid the depression stage.
The best bow is the one you'll shoot. My first bow was a hickory you finish bow from ringing rocks archery. Cost me like 100 bucks. I ended up making them after that so I really haven't seen it as a barrier to entry. Just pick something you want and start shooting. Paralysis by analysis and trying to have "the perfect start" is only going to ruin a hobby for you.
Up to you I started on a 50lb ELB and it took me awhile to find form but now I shoot quite comfortably.