Instinctive Archery - Recurve Bow / Longbow differences explained. - revised

I just revised this video because I thought I had left a couple of things out of the original. I hope this works better for everyone.

[@davidreplogle3440]

that dog really wants to be pet

[@mojomoto3791]

Great googly moogly. I just started to learn to shoot a recurve traditionally..... Of all the videos that I scour to learn from, I find Mr. Kavanaugh's the most insperational and informative. The care and pride he has in his son and daughter shows in their joy of archery. Thank You for taking time and effort to share your skill, knowledge and videography. Hunken please expound on your great knowledge.

[@protofmaster]

Your videos and instruction are much appreciated, Jeff. This video is especially helpful. Thank you!

[@thedumbox984]

I'm so glad your videos are still on KZbin they are very helpful and inspiring to me. Thank you Jeff !!!

[@Raymasseyus]

This was the best primer on the differences I have seen. You explain clearly and well. Thanks.

[@Monsoon1030]

Man, that dog LOVES you!!!

[@nateplumley6821]

In the dogs defense this gentleman is technically just talking to himself in a room. That beautiful pooch probably thinks he's talking to him/her.

[@dennispedicone5125]

Thanks again Jeff, I learned so much watching you videos. Please keep them coming. Dennis .

[@jasonrc3976]

I'm just getting started with this type of hunting and your video was very helpful. Thank you for doing such a great video.

[@offroadexplorer304]

That was very informative! I've been looking into either a new long bow, or recurve, but have been having a hard time deciding which to go with. I was really looking into the long bow, but then heard what you said about hunting in the woods with the length, and realized a recurve would be the way to go. Thanks!!!

[@s3archery849]

Great video, Jeff! Always enjoy your vids, and great explanation of the two types of bows.

[@richharding9135]

Thanks for the explanation, think I'll go with a recurve for now! Love how your dog is just wandering around throughout

[@Yusuf1187]

Thank you for this video. You mention a lot of good factors to consider, and it's definitely made me lean in the opposite direction than I was thinking of going before (I'm leaning toward a longbow now, since it sounds like it will be easier to deal with for someone who hasn't done any archery since I was a teenager).

[@UncleDansVintageVinyl]

As always, a very fine and thoughtful discussion.

[@lukehereiam9188]

Thank you for sharing your great knowledge in archery.

[@boredwarlock5216]

What a great video, very insightful! I'm glad to learn that the longbow is the right choice for me as a beginner. Thanks for uploading

[@aimeenunez8992]

Thank you for yet another thoughtful, informative video!

[@robertoberbrunner7173]

thanks Jeff I'm new to Recurve shooting, (Browning wasp 40#) and your videos are a god send. I usually use a Bear lights out but like the pure feeling of the Recurve.

[@MrTastyZombie]

Here in 2020, this video is still incredibly informative. Thank you.

[@gregorymaxham5140]

Thanks Jeff! I enjoy listening to you!

[@jamesyarker2862]

Thanks Jeff- this video was great- it honestly felt like we were there with you chatting away like two old friends

[@Andreas0705]

Thanks! I leaned a bit more about recurves. I have a Falco Triumph vintage 55 pound longbow, it helped me understand it more knowing the differences.

[@Impulstronix]

I learn so much with your vids, thanks for your tips. Greetings from spain!

[@HardCorpsPredator]

I didn't know the difference between the two, so this was a LOT of help to me. The Recurve definitely sounds much better. And it's disadvantage of twisting shouldn't be a problem so long as you shoot right. I'm just getting more into archery now, and I'm looking at which type of bow to get. So yes, thank you very much. This was a BIG help to me. :)

[@reasonmattersmost]

Jeff, you are a good teacher...I think a good person too. Thanks for making the world a better place.

[@njgl2010]

Tanner Phillips I agree, this is the kinda guy I wanna surround myself with in Life. Full of knowledge and genuine! Iron sharpens Iron!

[@AHill350]

I like how the dog doesn't matter he's recording. Really nice info. Thanks.

[@rosehep3301]

Thank you for the explanation! Gonna keep practicing with my skinny light longbow til I'm strong enough to pull a heavier recurve. Kinda (I mean, really really really) want to hunt a turkey!

[@cameronroot6915]

Hi Jeff I have watched all your videos several times very helpful thanks. Bought a patriot this week. All I can say is wow. Accurate bow not as smooth as my kodiak magnum. Just by shooting this bow it has improved my shooting results with the kodiak mag. Two bear bows in less than two months great products.

[@Seminex222]

Great Video Jeff! i think the pics at the end really showed the differences. you can see the grip of the kodiak is more pistol-like than the longbow......like you say a hybrid.....morphing into the design we know today. thanks again :)

[@Jedicake]

Was actually thinking about buying a bow and didn't know the difference between the two. Thank you.

[@mikamoilanen6685]

Hi Jeff, I have both of these awesome bows now because it wasn't easy to select even you have had gave a good credits in your video regarding a differences of bows.

[@TheLegend-gj6bw]

Love the video! I'd love a new video updated.

[@22smoore]

Thanks Jeff, i appreciate the quick reply!! it really helps me out. I think i will go for the 40# and just keep practicing till i get it down. Thanks again. your videos are very informative, keep up the good work!

[@creeperFIN123]

Well how are things going with your bow training now 6 years later?

[@stevenfouse4129]

Very helpful! Thanks for the explanation!

[@SallyDinyaGRILL]

Jeff, a great video. It is interesting seeing the bows up against each other as you really get a sense of how different they are in design. I was thinking to myself..which bow would be easier to carry, and avoid getting winded while in a full sprint across a grassy field to catch up to moving game. The considerations are immense.

[@lawrencemeadonia6061]

Nice video and informative. Thank you.

[@semco72057]

I just purchased a new recurved bow and is about to learn how to use it as it is my first bow purchase. I purchased a crossbow years ago when in the Philippines and gave it to my father and wish I had it now for my own use. I kept the blowgun which I purchased at the same time, but never used since first trying it out there.

[@michaelcolloton6971]

I followed the "typical" compound/recurve/longbow path. None of them is top shelf, but I love shooting all three of them. I just got my longbow a couple weeks ago and I'm amazed at how stable and quiet it is. Which do I like most? Which of your kids do you like most? All three bring something to the party.

[@AscendingBliss]

Awesome video! Thank you kindly!

[@knifesharpeningnorway]

Awesome video. I got ptsd and anxiety so for me archery is meditation and relaxation. Im in a bow club and loaning gear now. But am out of work so cant afford my own gear i dream of having a good recurve bow and target so i can shoot everyday would help me a lot both with the ptsd/anxiety and getting in better shape.

[@rossbrown9156]

Nice hat Jeff, and great video.

[@arthurrobey4945]

Now I know why the thumb release was evolved in the steppes with the recurve bow. Another thing the thumb release allows for faster loosing of arrows because a cluster of them can be held in the string hand.

[@DualFrontier]

Great video. Thank you!

[@theweswillard]

Great video Jeff!

[@Melonos]

That was really helpful. Thank you.

[@KingKass2929]

You're the man, Jeff. :)

[@Metaspace2]

What might be interesting: * The narrower the limbs, the less air resistance they have during the shot, translating into higher arrow velocity * A recurve bow of the same length and strength as a longbow will be able to store more energy when drawn (the limbs are acutally longer than the longbows, compacted into a smaller form factor), translating into higher arrow velocity. * Recurves are less likely (or almost never have) hand shock, as the limbs will move forward beyond the rest position after the shot. For longbows, this is not possible. However, longsbows exist which also have little hand shock.

[@JeffKavanagh]

Hi Thank-you for the kind words. No I have not had a chance to try out any of the Falco bows but from what I have seen they look like a very nice bow to shoot as well. Still. I will always be a Bear man.

[@gpk40]

No amount of forgiveness will help you if you don't have good form. I've learnt something about LIFE tonight, thanks!

[@johntsolakis7579]

Great video thank you, could you please tell me are your long bows and recurve bows wooden framed or fibreglass?

[@Simonov-hn8ip]

Very good info.!! Im new to bows and appreciate the vidoes

[@knygathin669]

Thank you for your instructive videos. What draw weight do you use when hunting bird, rabbit, and deer?

[@Hoodrat_rari]

this was very nice!

[@kiwisdad1]

Mr. Kavanagh... if you're leaving the house and you can only take one bow with you ~ shooting destination unknown, what would you grab?

[@JeffKavanagh]

Nuttn Much My Kodiak Takedown

[@BearUkulele]

Thanks for taking the effort to improve what was already a very helpful video. I was wondering if you could comment on the pros and cons of the grips of the Grizzly vs the Montana? Do you hold the Montana more firmly because of the more slender grip?

[@binaryvip]

Great Video. Thank you.

[@oneoctavelow]

Thanks for a great video :-)

[@davidhallson9632]

I would like to thank you for this video. I'm looking at either the montana, grizzly or supermag 48 as my first bow. I'm right handed and looking at a #40 due to possible hunting later on a couple of years down the road. Any suggestions from your personal preference? I have seen your other videos on all three bows and you have wonderful things to say about all three, but if you could only afford one which would be the best for this situation?

[@binaryvip]

Great vid.

[@MarkMphonoman]

I have a Grizzly and Montana. Love them both.

[@Framefunk]

Great video and informative! I found out that I have been shooting right handed but left eye dominant. Should I try to re-train myself to shoot left handed?

[@milspek]

Hey Jeff, great video, and the rest are very informative. I was thinking about getting into traditional archery this year. Specifically I really only want to hunt grouse. I'm thinking of getting a long bow at 45-50# but was wondering if you had any advice or tips for grouse hunting with a traditional bow, as well as fletching, points, etc. Thank you.

[@igors2383]

thankyou for this download of information

[@kag5394]

Nice dog

[@JeffKavanagh]

Hi. I think it comes down to personal preferences. The different grips will put your wrist in a different position thouigh. When gripping a bow I never have a stangle hold on it, it is just a light grip so that it doesn't let loose. I tend to heel the bow more in the palm of my hand, and not hold it as much in the webbing joint between my thumb and my index finger. I know that this is contrary to shooting a compound bow or shooting tournamnet style.

[@JeffKavanagh]

Sal you really were the class clown growing up. lol I really want to get a Bear 48" Super Mag for some of the deer hunting I do here. Be a really sweet bow for those tight, close shots.

[@elarchery]

thank a lot for this interessting video! Mostly I shoot a longbow and I love it...

[@scotthawkes6329]

Hello Jeff, great video. I was just wondering what would your opinion be on getting a Martin Jaguar re-curve take down?

[@matthewpickett871]

I am thinking about geting a bow and you hav swayed me to a long bow thanks

[@leoruffeil7692]

Hi Jeff! Do you make your own strings? What is the difference between a Classic bow string and a Flemish bow string for the shot? And thanks a lot for your videos!

[@noonster55]

Hi Jeff, I first have to say love your videos, just started bowing after 40 plus years absence. Decided to start shooting again so I looked on You Tube for guidance. After a few days of watching your channel, I am much better, thanks. Now I want a better bow. Since my 1st bow was a Bear bow I'm sticking with bear. Looking @ the Grizzly, or the Montana Long bow. I see the Montana can use the more modern fast flight strings, and the Grizzly does not. In your opinion is that a big deal?

[@JeffKavanagh]

Con't... What heeling the bow insures though is that my bow won't cast when I shoot. This important for follow through and keeping my bow and bow arm on target at all times. Remember that I shoot for hunting situations and more often than not for moving targets. I hope this helps.

[@JeffKavanagh]

If you like Martin the x-200 is a decent starter recurve and the Vision is a decent longbow. Of course there is the Bear Montana longbow and Bear Grizzly recurve as well. Not too familiar with the Hoyt line.

[@bwhite890]

I always recommend the longbow because if you are going to hunt they are tougher and you wont have issues out in the bush with a limb twisting. You will drop your bow at some point as you move through the brush, fall on your butt or drop it from a tree stand; you get the idea.

[@gvan4730]

Hi Jeff, I am considering buying a "longbow" hybrid (with reflex-deflex limbs) which, as a matter of fact, is rather short. I have the choice between 60" and 62" bow lengths. Because of my 29" draw length, I tend to think that 62" would be preferable. However, the bowyer commends that I choose the 60", which I find counter intuitive and confusing. I know for a fact that the bow is smooth and does not stack before 31 inches. However, I am not concerned with stacking, but with comfort and enjoyment of shooting, as well as with quality of release. It would be great if you could share your views on this issue (I know that you have a rather long draw length), as most bows are designed for 28" archers. What do you think is the best bow length for archers with a 29" draw length?

[@bowtech340]

Your dog really loves you....

[@bullrambler]

Great info Jeff. Does the pull of a 45lb recurve feel the same as a 45lb long bow when the bows are drawn back...? Also, if an archer has a longer draw length like 30", would it be more beneficial to use a recurve with 64" set-up.

[@MrWizardjr9]

yes and a longer bow is better for longer draw lengths

[@HarleyQuinn_93]

If you could take a large amount of arrows, no matter the type, and only ONE type of bow.... would you take a longbow, recurve bow, flatbow, or a compound bow with a stabilizer, sights, and the bowstring stopper, which also silences the bow.

[@usernamemykel]

After I retired, I joined an archery club in 2009, and I brought with me my old (1974) 58" 45# AMF Red Wing Hunter to my first time at the club's range. Everybody else on the firing line was using a compound bow. I figured that my bow and I must still be in the dinosaur age, so I bought a compound bow. It didn't take long to find out that most compound shooters were busy tinkering with their various settings and attempting to shoot better by buying the latest greatest bow hardware. The common phrase heard on the shooting line was "May I borrow your Allen wrenches?" I soon realized that I wasn't enjoying archery shooting such an involved machine, that I needed to go back to a simpler machine - a stick and a string. I did that, bought a couple of takedowns, then finally a longbow (Prairie Predator by Mike Mercredy of Maddogarchery dotcom). I'm very much in love with archery again!

[@dylangreen9819]

usernamemykel How are Mike's bows? I was looking into them and might just settle on a bodnik slick stick.

[@usernamemykel]

MIke's bows are great - verify that if you wish by visiting the forums. Not only are they great, they are very attractively priced, compared to others. Also this - you send Mike a question and you'll get a response very quickly - he's a great guy.

[@dylangreen9819]

usernamemykel Yeah for a custom bow, very affordable prices.

[@LVSHELP]

thank you top man

[@onlyashadow1121]

Not sure if you bought a bow yet, but all the info i've seen says to buy a starter bow at around 20-30 in order to work on your form. I went with 30 and a few months later have no problem with a 50. But I definitely would agree to get a lighter bow first, form is everything.

[@Andathil117]

I can personally attest to the sage's quality. I own one with 50 and 55# limbs and it is a great bow. The best part of it is its value.

[@elizabethnelson6787]

Hi Jeff! What breed of dog is that? Beautiful!

[@JeffKavanagh]

Hi Rodrigo My hoinest opinion? They both draw well. Generally speaking it can be said that longer bows (not necessarily longbows) will have a smoother draw to them. That's just the physics behind the angles. The shorter the bow, the sharper the angle and greater resistance from the limbs. That is why some shorter bows will "stack" more easily when drawn past the standard design of 28". Both the Montana and the Grizzly draw very smoothly though. The Montana is much lighter.

[@kellytrosper2020]

thank you

[@CentreTWSP]

Hi Jeff. I know that you really love your Grizzly and you look like you're a fairly tall man. What is your draw length ? I was considering buying a Grizzly or a Kodiak but I have a draw length just over 30" and since the Grizzly is only 58" long I was thinking it might be too short for my draw length. Thanks for all that I have learned from your videos.

[@JeffKavanagh]

Hi. My draw length is around 29 1/2". I don;t have any problems shooting any of my Bear bows from the 48" super mag up to my 70" takedown. All good for me. Also though I shoot split finger, not three under which might make a difference for some people. Oh and also I shot with a glove. shooting with a tab, because of its stiffness could limit things too.

[@danieljames626]

I have heard that the long bow is harder to learn on. Also, it is the bow which might be more realistically home made. Perhaps if one wanted to have the option of making their own bow then learning the hard way would be better. What do you think of these assumptions?

[@shuumai]

I use a 68" recurve which is just about as tall as I am. No finger pinch! If you use an ILF bow target, you can change the limbs or riser to make the bow between 64 and 70". I guess a take-down hunting bow would be shorter.

[@Ziyad-13]

Hi. What about vibration Sir? Those one have the advantage over the other when it comes to vibration?

[@JayJay-hu6ds]

What is your job man? I wanna know because you are perfect :D

[@JeffKavanagh]

I work the midnight shift in a factory assembling shock absorbers in the auto industry. It's a pay check.

[@mitchecful]

just saw this video. Do you prefer a tab or a glove and why?

[@yoyinpiyin]

Hi Jeff, i have a question since a long time... I own a Bear Grizzly rucurve bow and i am thinking to get a Montana longbow. I have read a lot about this longbow and it is a constant opinion that it has a really smooth draw. I want to know, since you have both bows, if you have tried them at same poundage and if there is a real difference on how easily you can draw Montana v/s Grizzly. I hope you the idea, Thanks a lot and keep on those wonderful and helpfull videos. Greetings from Chile

[@meangreen99]

i've got that supermag and i've been dying to get it out in a stand somewhere, i've just taken it to the range so far and it's a real peach. some say it's unforgiving to shoot but i usually end up with decent results (not trying to brag)

[@cgnclk]

Cute dog.

[@spectre9065]

Does the recurve bow deliver more penetration per draw weight as a non-recurve bow?

[@Vccine]

Technically yes. Recurves are designed to produce the same velocity as a longer bow with straight limbs.

[@Kitehappiness]

Thanks for your video. I want o start practicing archery and I have a question: - When you see bow for left hand or right hand, what exactly does that mean, that you grab the bow with a specific hand or that you grab the arrow with specific hand? I grab a bow with my left hand, so that means I have to get a left hand bow, or a right hand bow? Thanks again, and sorry for posting such an ignorant question.

[@KageApolloBiff]

You would be a right handed shooter. I hold the bow in left hand, string in right and I am a righty :)

[@Kitehappiness]

KageApolloBiff Thanks you for your help bud!

[@KageApolloBiff]

NP my man

[@onlyashadow1121]

Can I quote this as an example of "being the bigger man"?

[@HarleyQuinn_93]

I like the simplicity of longbows and recurves but I’m short at 5’6” which is exactly 66”. So how would that affect hunting if I wanted to bow hunt with a traditional bow?

[@joshuawilliams194]

Get a Bear Super Mag 48 inch or Bear Kodiak Magnum 52 inch. I shoot a Bear Cheyenne 55 inch

[@scotthawkes6329]

So what would you recommend, what type of bow should i get? what about the Hoyt Ruckus?

[@jasonemmerson2098]

have u ever heard of fred bearcat 58" i can find any info on it my grandfather left it to me i just want to find some facts on it !

[@jorgeroman6377]

Any recommendation for a first time buyers, in terms of brand and draw weight?

[@JeffKavanagh]

If you are just getting started I would say 35lbs is a great place to start. First off you want to start off with a bow you can draw and hold very easily. Learning form is the most important thing you will ever do and it is tough to do if you are over bowed. Even if you can draw more weight comfortably there is more advantage to getting a lighter bow than just that. Learning with a lighter poundage bow will force you to develop a soft release. Ob a heavier bow the string will "rip" away from your fingers anyway. On a lighter bow if your release is not good it will show so it forced you to learn a proper release. As far as what kind of bow, try some out first. Every bow will feel differently in your hand.

[@jorgeroman6377]

Thanks for the advice.