Longbow has a long history. In reality, this is one of the first kinds of the bow, which is typical from then when humanity learned bow hunting. However, with the travel of time, there has been introduced a lot of modern bows like recurve bow, compound bow, crossbow, Yumi bow, Reflex bow, and more.
Those are decorated with ultramodern materials and accessorized with many types of equipment. Still, when coming to the question of pure archery, the first thing that comes in everyone’s mind is a traditional longbow or the best long bow.
It seems that despite the availability of so many modern bows, people tend to back-to-basics and choose longbows for entertainment, target shooting, and even for bow hunting. If you go, a little more profound, you might found two reasons behind this change: simplicity of equipment and historical background.
However, choose the best budget longbow is an intimidating task. Because, besides so many brands, there is a large variety of longbows available in the market too, such as horse bow, flat bow, Mongolian bow, Turkish horsebow, Hungarian longbow, Korean longbow, English Bow, etc.
We try to write an in-depth guide on how to choose the best longbow on the market by matching your level of experience and your objectives in traditional archery. We hope this will help you to navigate through the various brands and models available on the market.
Top 5 Best longbow Comparisons Table in 2021
| Image | Product Name | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| longbowmaker Hungarian Style Longbow | Draw Weight: 20-110 lbs Bow Weight: 2.8 lbs Bow Length: 57 Inch |
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| SAS Pioneer Wood Long Bow | Draw Weight: 35-55 lbs Bow Weight: 2.2 lbs Bow Length: 68 Inch |
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| Bear Archery Montana Longbow | Draw Weight: 30-60 lbs Bow Weight: 2.4 lbs Bow Length: 64 Inch |
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| OMP Ozark Hunter Longbow | Draw Weight: 35-55 lbs Bow Weight: 2.2 lbs Bow Length: 68 Inch |
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 |
Southwest Archery Scorpion Long Bow | Draw Weight: 25-60 lbs Bow Weight: 2.2 lbs Bow Length: 68 Inch |
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The Best longbow Reviews – Top 12 Models
#1.Hungarian Flagella Longbow HorseBow– Editor’s Choice
Nowadays, archers become more interested in traditional bows, and the Hungarian Handmade Longbow is one of them.
It is a one-piece bow, and the body of the bow is a combination of Wood, Cow Leather, Glass steel, and Beech.
The whole bow rapped by a Cow leather, which increases the durability of the bow. It is 57 inches long, and its maximum draw length is 33 inches.
It comes with both left and right-hand orientation at an affordable price. So, hand orientation won’t be an issue for this longbow.
By the way, this longbow is also considered as the best horse bow on the market. So, if you are a horsebow shooter, it could also be a wise option for you. Let’s see the specifications and some pros and cons of this bow.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
20-110 pounds |
2.8 pounds |
57 Inch |
#2.SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Long Bow
The SAS pioneer is one of the best traditional longbows with some unique features.
Its riser is the combination of Makore Wood and Cassia siamea. This combination increases the durability and reliability of the bow.
The 68 inches longbow comes with five different draw weights, and those are between 35 to 55 pounds. But the sad thing is, this amazing bow can only use the right-hand archers.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
35-55 Pounds |
2.2 pounds |
68 Inch. |
Let’s see what factors we liked and didn’t like this bow.
#3. Bear AFT2040145 Montana Longbow
Bear is a well-known brand to all archers and considered the best shooting longbow producer.
Among their other longbows, the Montana Longbow is particularly popular because of its attractive design and unique features.
It is 64 inches long and comes with 6-different draw weights. All of them are between 30 to 60 pounds.
Its riser and limbs are made of maple wood and fiberglass. So, they are much more durable and reliable than other bows.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
30-60 Pounds |
2.4 pounds |
64 Inch. |
Before selecting this bow, you must consider the following pros and cons that we found during research.
#4.OMP Mountain Man Sierra Longbow
OMP is a popular bow brand, and its fame increases day by day because of its quality products.
When it comes to the quality longbow, We must address the Man Sierra Longbow. It is 68 inches long, and its riser is made of hard maple.
Besides that, fiberglass limbs and reinforced tips increase the durability and reliability of the product.
Its maximum and minimum draw weights are between 40 to 60 pounds.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
40-60 Pounds |
2.4 pounds |
68 Inch. |
The pros and cons of the OMP Mountain Man are stated bellow.
#5. OMP Ozark Hunter Longbow– Best longbow for hunting
The OMP Mountain Man Ozark Hunter Longbow mainly famous because of its durable construction.
The riser is made of a combination of Hard maple, Purple Heart, and walnut.
It improves the durability of the bow. Besides, the black fiberglass limbs also provide the necessary strength.
It is 68 inches long, and its Suggested Brace Height is 6.5″ – 7.5″. The limbs also come with reinforced tips, and because of that, the bow supports all types of advanced string.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
35-55 Pounds |
2.2 pounds |
68 Inch. |
Consider the following pros and cons before making a buying decision.
#6. Southwest Archery Scorpion Traditional Long Bow
Longbow is known for its accurate shooting, and if you don’t have any budget issue, then don’t forget to look into the Southwest Archery Scorpion Long Bow.
It is lightweight and comes with a variety of draw weights between 25 to 60 pounds.
It comes with a completing package including a string, pre-installed shelf pad, and a 68-inch longbow.
Besides, both left- and right-hand archers can operate the bow. Lastly, you won’t be disappointed buying the bow because of its durable construction as it’s a combination of four naturally sourced wood.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
25-60 Pounds (5 pounds increments) |
2.2 pounds |
68 Inch. |
We found the following Pros and cons of this longbow.
#7. SAS Robinhood LongBow Review– Best longbow for the money
SAS has many variants of longbows, but among all of them, this model is more suitable for the beginner level archers.
It comes with only two different draw weights, and those are 30 and 35 pounds.
It is only 2 pounds weight, and both left and right-hand archers can use the bow.
Besides, its length (59-1/4 inch) is also shorter than the other longbows in this list.
Moreover, because of its low price tag, it is considering as one of the best longbows for the money.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
30-35 pounds |
2 pounds |
60 Inch |
Factors that we liked and didn’t like of SAS Robinhood are stated below.
#8. SAS Maverick One Piece Traditional Long Bow
If you are searching for a traditional looking longbow, then it will be challenging to find a better bow than the SAS Maverick One Piece Traditional Wood Hunting Bow.
It is available in left- and right-hand orientation.
The riser is made of Makore Wood, Zebra, and Chulgam, and Limbs are manufactured from Makore Wood and High Strength Fiberglass.
Besides, the bow is manufactured from top quality material, which makes it a long-lasting longbow. It is available in a variety of draw weights, which makes it a perfect hunting bow.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
29, 35, 40, 45, 50 & 55 pounds |
2.8 pounds |
60 Inch |
Following the pros and cons of this bow we found during the research.
#9. AF Archery Laminated American Longbow
Those who have an interest in handmade bows they might like this one.
The AF Archery Handmade longbow comes with some unique features.
One of them is the riser and limbs are a combination of a bunch of materials, such as Glass fiber, bamboo, color wood, imported resin adhesive.
It also comes with a variety of draw weights, and all of them are between 30 to 55 pounds. Its maximum draw length is 32 inches.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
30-55 Pounds |
2.0 pounds |
60 Inch. |
See the pros and cons that we found during research.
#10. SAS Gravity Hunting Longbow Review
This one is another quality longbow of the SAS. It is made of Hard Maple and Black Fiberglass.
But the thing about the bow is its design. Its Deflexed Limb Refined Accuracy.
That’s it is count as one of the best longbows for hunting. The 64 inches longbow comes with both left and right-hand orientation.
Besides, its maximum draw length is 28 inches, and Recommended Brace Height is 6 ½- 7 ½ inches. It also comes with 25 to 55 pounds draw weight.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
25-55 Pounds |
1.9 pounds |
64 Inch. |
The significant pros and cons of this bow’s are:
#11. Buffalo Hunting Handmade Recurve Longbow
The Buffalo Hunting longbow is also a handmade bow, and its design attracts many archers.
It is made of wood and fiberglass, and the whole body is designed red cobra snakeskin.
It comes with a variety of draw weights between 30 to 65 pounds.
The bow length is relatively shorter, and it is only 2 pounds weight.
Its maximum draw weights are between 29.5 inches – 31.5 inches. Besides, it also comes at a reasonable price.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
30 – 65 Pounds |
2 pounds |
53 Inch. |
See the liking and disliking factors of this bow below that you must consider while buying.
#12. Toparchery Traditional Hunting Longbow
It is quite similar to the previous one. The riser and limbs manufactured from Wood and fiberglass.
It is only 1.92 pounds weight, and both left and right-hand archers can use the bow.
Its shorter bow length and lightweight feature make it the best longbow for beginners.
The draw weight of the bow is between 20 to 50 pounds.
| Draw Weight | Bow Weight | Bow Length |
|---|---|---|
|
20-50 pounds |
1.92 pounds |
53 Inch |
Let’s see the pros and cons of the Toparchery traditional longbow.
What to Look for Buying the Best Long bows?
So, you set your mind to devote to a longbow. Well, it will proceed you go back to the true origins of archery. Now, the question is, are you a beginner archer or an old-hand in the compound or other shooting and want to enter into traditional archery?
Whatever it is, there have some challenges in longbow operation which need to know well as a newcomer archer. Otherwise, it may deprive someone at the very beginning of practicing. So, you have to careful to choose the right longbow for you regarding quality and draw weight.
It is a real challenge to choose a longbow brand. A good brand makes a difference in the performance of an archer either use for hunting or target shooting. To understand the quality of a longbow, you have to care about the following aspects.
- To know about Traditional Archery.
- Types of Longbow
- Purpose of the bow (target shooting or hunting)
- Brace height of longbow
- Draw weight and Draw length of the bow
- Quality and Brand
- Price or budget for longbow
To Know About Traditional Archery
As we said, there have some challenges in traditional archery; simultaneously, there has some art also which you may not found in other types of bows. In design, it looks simple, but in this simplicity, there are hidden centuries of high-quality wood craftsmanship.
So, don’t be confused by its simple design; a well-crafted longbow can provides you the ultimate pleasure of hunting or shooting. In our reviews, we analyzed 12 top quality longbows, which may help you to choose the right one.
To Know about Types of Longbow
The most common feature of a longbow is its length. It is tall as the height of an archer and relatively narrow limbs and D-shaped cross-section. However, based on materials, design, and style, there are several types of longbow found in the market.
It is essential to know about the characteristics of a different kind of bow to choose the right one. There are three main categories of the longbow, such as –
- English Longbow
- Hill-style longbow or American longbow
- Reflex-deflex longbow
Again, you may think that in the market, there are several styles and design bows available like Mongolian, Hungarian, Horsebow, and more. All other types are somehow similar to those three main categories. It will be clear if you go through the description below.
English Longbow
Narrow limb, deep core, and around 6ft/1.8m tall are the main features of English Longbow. Usually, it made of Yew wood and higher draw weights.
Hill-style Longbow or American Longbow
Wider limbs and a flat cross-section that usually has more taper towards the limb tips are the main features of the Hill-style longbow. It is similar to flat bows, which have a small cut-away to shoot the arrow from the shelf. To made American longbow used a variety of wood rather than a single one. Usually, the limbs are a bit shorter than the English bow, which makes it faster and durable.
Reflex/Deflex Longbow
This is an improved version of the longbow, similar to a modern flat bow constructed with deflexed riser (bending towards the archer) and reflexed limbs (turning away from the archer). This improvisation makes it more energetic and reduces hand shock for accurate shooting or hunting.
A longbow can be categories into a single piece and takedown longbow too. The original longbow usually made one-piece, which is a little tricky to transport during hunting or traveling a long distance.
Keep this on mind modern longbows are made takedown style. Archer can change limbs in takedown according to their draw weights too.
Set up Purpose of the bow
You can choose a longbow for hunting or target shooting, or both depends on your choice, you have to select your preferable longbow. Such as, if you like hunting, than OMP Ozark Hunter Traditional Longbow will be your perfect match.
Consider Brace Height of the Bow
Lower the brace height, the higher the speed of the arrow. You may know the brace height is the distance between the deep most of the handle and string. So, before selecting your longbow, check the brace height is perfect for you or not. Usually, standard brace height is 1/12th of bow heights.
Draw Weight and Draw Length
Draw weight and draw length are two interrelated and equally important aspects of any bow. Depends on folks’ body stature, experience, and purpose of use these two vary person to person. Before choosing your best weapon, you have to determine the correct draw length first.
Usually, for a longbow, an inch of increase or decrease of draw length – 2½ pounds of draw weight added or reduced.
Consider Quality and Brand
To get a perfect longbow on the market, you have to check the variety of materials used to construct a bow. Usually, Yew wood used for made a longbow.
However, nowadays, various types of timber except yew and modern materials such as fiberglasses are seen to be used for it. Whatever it is, you should check that the bow will not be easily breakable.
In our longbow reviews, we recommended 12 top brands with in-depth research, which may help you to choose the best longbow brands for you.
Price and Budget
You may find so many longbows in the market at a low cost, and you may be getting a self-complacency by thinking that you win. Still, when you start using that bow, you will identify the real situation.
There is nothing good at a lower price. Though we never suggest you spend your hard-earned money unnecessary. Hence, to get a suitable longbow for the money you have to pay a bit extra than cheaper options.We hope the above ideas will help you to select the right longbow by avoiding misleading information, and you can enjoy your shooting without hassle.
Why is the Longbow Better?
A longbow is a forgiving bow. It has a ‘D’ shape or half-moon shape curve with a straight grip that allows more energy stored in the wooden part of the bow. This shape makes it different from other bows like a recurve bow or compound bow.
It is thin in width but thicker in-depth which makes it harder to twist the limbs when pulling the string by an archer. However, the thin shape allows the arrows to fly straighter.
Furthermore, the length of the longbow sanction less grasping on the fingers when the string pulled back, and it also has less contact on the fingers when the line is released, which makes it an excellent learning bow for a beginner.
However, to understand the longbow in a better way let discuss us the pros and cons below –
Long Draw length
As a longbow offers sufficient space to pull back the arrow allows you to draw the shaft up to your cheekbone, which will give you incredible benefit, which is unwatchable.
Store-More Energy
How much you can draw your string is determinate of the force and speed of an arrow. Thus the draw length allows the bow to store more energy for shooting the shafts at a higher rate, and you can able to hit the target accurately.
Versatile bow
Because of the large design, a longbow can accommodate any arrows to shoot. Like in stronger wind velocity, you can use the heavier arrow to get accurate shooting.
Still, it also allows lighter shafts in case of steady wind. A longbow will impeccably accommodate projectiles of different weights.
Yet, if the basis of your purchase is only for shooting from the horseback, then the longbow will not serve your purpose because of its high length. In that case, the Buffalo Hunting Handmade Longbow will be your good alternative.
What is a longbow used for?
In the new age of fashion, we have lots of ways to use many astonishing instruments to make our adventures whatever we want them to be.
However, tradition is something that means many things to us. It’s one of those things that people have a hard time understanding if they didn’t grow up around it.
The English longbow was a dominant medieval type of longbow (an excellent bow for archery) about 6 ft. (1.8 m) Long used by the English and Welsh for hunting and as a weapon in medieval warfare. When we touch it, it will back to me at that age.
Today’s cutting edge of technology; there is available so many modern hunting equipments like a compound bow, rifle, and short gun — however, those who love to uphold tradition, like to use a longbow for hunting too.
Longbow is challenging to master. If anyone captures the technique of longbow archery, It also can operate other weapons smoothly. So, the longbow is an excellent device for the learner.
How to make a longbow?
There is a long process involved from cut a tree and turn a Stave into the best custom longbow. Usually, longbows are made by gluing different types of wood together or a combination of wood and bamboo for the backing. This blend will permit to use of various properties of different woods.
Some timbers are better at enduring tension, while other woods are better at resisting compression. Utilizing them together will yield the best of both.
Examples of woods that used together are bamboo and yew, and hickory, and lemonwood. Bamboo or hickory used on the part of the bow that is facing away from the shooter, which is known as the back. The slice of the bow facing the shooter, also called the belly, is typically made from yew or lemonwood.
Today other materials are used to make longbows, like carbon and fiberglass. Although there is some advantage to this, many archers still prefer traditional longbows.During writing this part, We took the help of Mr. Tom Turgeon, one of the best longbow maker and his visual instruction on Woodworkers Guild to America.
Step by Step Longbow Making Process:
Step 1: Crafting of a custom handmade longbow starts with a kit. The kit from Boise Bows and Arrows use the yellow heart for the belly wood and riser, and bamboo for the backing. Packages include a stave, bowstring, and complete instructions.
Step 2: After filing the edges of the stave to remove the bandsaw mark, file a chamfer onto the bamboo, just enough 1/8″ to relieve the sharp edge. It is a crucial step. If you don’t do this, the fiber in the bamboo may blow out the first time you bend the stave.
Step 3: Shaping the stave is next. To do so, you can use a spokeshave. It is an exercise in finesse. You don’t want to take too much wood off, or you’ll lower the draw weight of the longbow.
Step 4: In this step, you have to work in a way down to two lines. One centered on the belly wood (the side that will face the archer), the other is 1/8″ down from the face of the belly wood.
We create four of these facets on the stave. (It’s not a “bow” until it shoots an arrow.) The spokeshave works excellent, but you could also use a rasp. Surface finish isn’t critical at this point.
Step 5: Shaping results in a ridge on the belly wood is the side of the longbow.
Step 6: With basic shaping done, use floor tiller the stave. Carefully check the uniformity of curvature from top to bottom, and also determining which part of the stave will be the upper limb.
Floor tillering shows, where you need to remove more material from the belly wood. It is an important step when you’re learning how to make a longbow.
Step 7: For this stave to tiller correctly, you need to remove a little material from what will be the upper limb. I’m now using the spokeshave horizontally and taking the high point off the ridge on the belly wood. Light even passes, and frequent checks with floor tillering are critical.
It is apparent that you will want to get a string on the stave, but it’s a big mistake to ask too much of the stave too quickly. You’ve got to teach the wood to bend. It takes patience and a gradual approach.
Step 8: Once the bow floor tillers correctly did, you have to file the nocks for the string. A 3/16″ chainsaw file does short work of this. You can (finally) string the bow and exercise it.
That means gentle pulls, not coming to full draw. At this point, when you are learning how to make a longbow, you have to measure, at straight points, from the string to the bow.
The upper and lower limb measurements must be within 3/4″ or less of each other If they are not, its back to the spokeshave or rasp to take off a little more material.
The payoff:
Once everything looks good, and the bow has gently exercised, you can come to full draw and shoot a few arrows.You will take that as the first round at 25 yards!Finishing doesn’t happen until the longbow is tillered and shooting well. If you like you can use aniline dyes, which blend into a variety of colors and patterns. A top coat seals the aniline dye in, and the bow is ready to use.
These longbows are capable of producing a draw weight suitable for hunting or being pared down to a lighter draw weight ideal for young shooters.You can also follow the YouTube link for a custom-made traditional longbow without any lamination –
What kind of wood do you use to make a longbow?
Undoubtedly, Yew is the best timber for manufacturing custom longbow as it is the most popular European timber that will make good self-longbows.
Also, the first wooden longbow was made from Yew. However, nowadays, many types of wood and modern fiberglass are used to construct a bow.
Among that, Hickory, Mulberry, Walnut, Ash, Cherry and Hickory combine with exotic woods such as Basswood, Yucca, Osage Orange, Lemonwood, Blackwood, and Ironwood are some popular options.
What is the best tree to make a longbow out of?
To make a good quality Longbow less powerful, longer or of more elastic wood will be best, because of their narrow limbs and rounded cross-section.
Yew has treated as the best tree to prepare a fantastic longbow, as it has high compressive strength, lightweight, and elasticity. You can also Elm timber to make a longbow, but it required a heat treatment at the belly.
Today artisans also use some common and cheaper hardwood like oak, hickory, ash, hazel, osage orange, and maple. From these trees, you can make a thin longbow with high draw-weight, but there is a chance to permanently bend which known as “set” or “following the string” and would probably be outshot by an equivalent made of yew.
Final Verdict
Longbow keeps a significant contribution to change the nature of war as well as history. With the invention of the longbow, people learn to hunt animals from a distance to collect their food, protect them from fierce animals, and ill motive peoples, which help them to travel to today’s modern edge. As touches a longbow, it flows those images in front of our eyes.
Though there are limitations of using a longbow and Olympic doesn’t allow it as a competition bow, people who love heritage can use longbow for their mental satisfaction and enjoyment. Because of its forgiving nature and straightforward way of arrows, a longbow is an excellent weapon for hunting too.
Regarding budget, a longbow is cheaper than many other bows in the market. For a traditional look, it holds its popularity among old and young archers too. So, you can keep a longbow at your collection without any hesitation.