Best Archery Longbows
Archers use longbows as a traditional escape from modern technology. They are simply constructed tools that have been proven to be effective. Many archers also prefer longbows because of their durability and how easy it is to make adjustments.
What are longbows?
Longbows are weapons originally made for hunting and warfare. However, some archers enjoy using them for more modern target shooting. A longbow makes the shape of the letter “D” when not drawn, and the wooden limbs are narrow without being significantly recurved. A longbow is a particularly tall bow, often the same height as the shooter.
History of Longbows
The oldest longbow ever discovered is dated back to 3,300 BC. Early versions of the longbows were made out of yew or wych elm. Longbows were a popular weapon in the Hundred Years’ War during the Middle Ages. The French finally began to combat the longbow by utilizing the cannon. Longbows are now exclusive to hunting due to the advancement of warfare technology, especially firearms.
Draw Length and Bow Size
Longbows vary in size from 6 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 11 inches, and the average draw length of a longbow is 30 inches. These specifications are based on the design of recovered old English bows from the sites of historic wars. Most of the measurements come from bows found on the Mary Rose, a boat from King Henry VIII’s Navy.
What are the best longbows?
- SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow
- Longbowmaker Hungarian Style Handmade Longbow
- Bear Archery Traditional
- Deerseeker Traditional Hunting Longbow
- KAINOKAI Traditional Hunting Longbow
- SinoArt 60" Takedown Longbow
- Fleetwood New Frontier Longbow
- SAS Gravity Hunting Longbow
- Southwest Archery Ghost Takedown Longbow
- PSE Archery Oryx Longbow
1. SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow
Specifications:
- Price: $189.99
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Brand: Southland Archery Supply
- Draw Length: n/a
- Draw Weight: n/a
This traditional longbow by SAS consists of makore and maple wood. The bow is 68 inches long and is known for its sleek shape and stability. The featured grip accommodates varying hand sizes. Customers rave about the quality of the bow at this price point.
2. Longbowmaker Hungarian Style Handmade Longbow
Specifications:
- Price: $109.99
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Brand: Longbowmaker
- Draw Length: 28-33in
- Draw Weight: 30-110lbs
This wooden and cow leather longbow is unique compared to other options. The bow is produced in a Hungarian style, which means the limbs are a different shape. This bow is curved, yet is similar to a flat bow because the limbs are straight on the ends. The bow is 54 inches in length and is handmade in China.
3. Bear Archery Traditional
Specifications:
- Price: $399.99
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Brand: Bear Archery
- Draw Length: 28in
- Draw Weight: 35-60lbs
Bear Archery offers a high-quality longbow option for serious archers. It is more expensive than most because of the material used and the durability provided. The bow is made from white maple and fiberglass supported by a black leather grip. The bow is 64 inches long and weighs around 35 pounds.
4. Deerseeker Traditional Hunting Longbow
Specifications:
- Price: $123.90
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Brand: Deerseeker
- Draw Length: 30in
- Draw Weight: 20-70lbs
The Deerseeker longbow has an appealing design as well as a quality build. The bow is mainly made of very durable ebony hardwoods. The bow is 54 inches in length. Unlike other bows on the list, Deerseeker includes four accessories with the bow. These include a stringer tool, finger tab, arm guard, and leather arrow rest.
5. KAINOKAI Traditional Hunting Longbow
Specifications:
- Price: $79.99
- Rating: 4.4/5
- Brand: KAINOKAI
- Draw Length: 22in
- Draw Weight: 20-50lbs
This traditional bow by KAINOKAI is an affordable option for archers of all skill levels. This bow is constructed with high-density technology wood and bamboo, which helps make the bow efficient and lightweight. It can be used by both left and right-handed archers and features little to no vibration while shooting. The bow is 60 inches in length with a draw weight ranging from 20 to 50 pounds.
6. SinoArt 60" Takedown Longbow
Specifications:
- Price: $109.99-$119.99
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Brand: SinoArt
- Draw Length: n/a
- Draw Weight: 30-60lbs
The longbow offered by SinoArt comes in a unique charcoal finish and can be used by both left and right-handed shooters. This specific bow is 60 inches in length and made of bamboo. It comes with additional equipment pieces, including a riser, fur rest pad, and strong nocks. If you’re looking for a stylish, durable bow at an affordable price, this is a solid option.
7. Fleetwood New Frontier Longbow
Specifications:
- Price: $249.99
- Rating: 5/5
- Brand: Fleetwood
- Draw Length: n/a
- Draw Weight: n/a
The Fleetwood New Frontier Longbow is perfect for those who enjoy a sleek and simple bow. It is made of maple, rosewood, walnut, and white ash. The limbs are 68 inches long and include a string and rug rest in the box. Fleetwood has been in the archery business for many years, and this bow is a steal for the price.
8. SAS Gravity Hunting Longbow
Specifications:
- Price: $112.78-$209.99
- Rating: 4/5
- Brand: SAS
- Draw Length: 28in
- Draw Weight: 25-55lbs
The Southland Archery Supply gravity hunting longbow features high-quality maple wood and fiberglass, which provides enhanced durability for archers. The bow is 64 inches in length and is recommended for shooters 6’2” and under. The total weight of the bow is 1.3 pounds. This bow does not come with a bow string like other options, but remains a top choice due to its quality.
9. Southwest Archery Ghost Takedown Longbow
Specifications:
- Price: $169.00-$174.00
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Brand: Southwest Archery
- Draw Length: 22-30in
- Draw Weight: 20-50lbs
Southwest Archery’s Ghost Takedown longbow consists of 4 naturally sourced woods. The limbs of the bow are a black and tan color. Southwest Archery sells two versions of the bow, one for left-handed shooters and one for right-handers. All of the bows distributed by Southwest Archery also come with a 1-year warranty.
10. PSE Archery Oryx Longbow
Specifications:
- Price: $199.99
- Rating: 4.4/5
- Brand: PSE Archery
- Draw Length: 28in
- Draw Weight: 30-50lbs
This longbow by PSE is made for all skill levels. It is 68 inches in length and manufactured in the USA with a focus on great accuracy and arrow speed. It is also not limited to just right or left-handed archers, so everyone can easily use this bow. PSE delivers quality and easy-to-set-up products, including the Oryx longbow.
FAQ
What are the differences between a longbow and a recurve bow?
The main difference between a longbow and a recurve bow is their shape. A longbow features one singular curved piece of wood, whose ends are connected by a string. A recurve bow is characterized by the three curves seen in the wood, with both tips being curved towards the target along with the main curve. Archers will also typically have an easier time drawing the string on a recurve bow compared to a longbow. Recurve bows also generally shoot arrows at a higher velocity than longbows.
What are the benefits of using a longbow?
Longbows are much more traditional than modern recurve and compound bows, offering a nostalgic and natural archery experience that many archers prefer. In addition to their authenticity, longbows offer other benefits including a lighter weight, quicker preparation for shooting, and a quieter shot. Longbows are known for their quietness, even without string silencers. While longbows may not offer as much speed or power compared to their modern counterparts, their simplicity can be perfect for beginner archers or those who prefer the simple design.
Do Olympic archers ever use longbows?
Although some people enjoy using longbows for target shooting and bowhunting, Olympic target archers do not use longbows. The only type of bow you’ll find amongst Olympic target archers is the recurve bow, a model of bow far more modern in design. This is in large part due to rules requiring these Olympic athletes to use recurve bows, used in an attempt to provide a level playing field in which competitors must triumph while still using the same kind of equipment.