At first look, a longbow may look like a very simple weapon. However, there is a lot more to a longbow than just wood and string. Each longbow is unique and has different features and characteristics from one another. Furthermore, there are several longbow brands out there. So, this makes it even more difficult for you to make a choice.
To learn about the top longbows that are available, check out our comprehensive guide to the 8 best longbows. You will be one step closer to finding a good longbow that suits you.
Reviews of the Best Longbows
1. SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow
Best Overall
High quality manufacturing
Affordable
Right and left handed options
Hand shock while shooting
Not ideal for smaller users
Southland Archery Supply (SAS) is a leading crossbow and archery bow supplier that is well-known for producing quality archery products. Their products also come at very affordable prices. This longbow by SAS is one of its bestselling models.
The SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow weighs 2.2 lbs and has a bow length of 68 inches. It comes with five different draw weights that range from 35 lbs to 55 lbs. This makes it easier for you to choose one that suits you best. This versatile longbow can be used for both target shooting and hunting and does both jobs rather well.
The riser of the SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow is made of a combination of Makore Wood and Cassia Siamea. This results in an excellently well-built bow that is durable, strong, and reliable. In addition, Makore Wood is rot-resistant, contributing to the lifespan of this longbow.
The limbs of this longbow are made of fiberglass laminated maple wood and are rather stable and highly durable. You can expect to use your bow for years without getting it damaged. The longbow is also fitted with a locator style grip. This grip allows the bow to comfortably accommodate users of varying hand sizes.
The arrow shelf of the SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow is also centred, which means that you are able to deliver accurate shots more easily.
Another unique characteristic of the SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow is that it is a one piece construction. This gives the SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow a very classy and beautiful aesthetic, on top of its quality construction. You also do not have to assemble it.
One drawback of this longbow is that some users felt that they faced a bit of hand shock while they were shooting. This bow is also designed to better suit larger users, considering its bow length of 68 inches. So, if you are smaller framed, this might not be the longbow for you.
At approximately $180, the SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow is an affordable option for both right-handed and left-handed users. It is a great option if you are in search of a high quality bow that can withstand abuse.
2. Longbowmaker Hungarian Style Handmade Longbow
Best Versatility
Versatile model
Left and right handed option
Ergonomically designed
Lack of warranty
Weak string provided
Longbowmaker, as its name suggests, is a professional maker of longbows. This particular model by Longbowmaker is designed to be an excellent longbow for beginner shooters as well as for more seasoned and professional shooters.
The Hungarian Handmade Longbow is a traditional longbow. Unlike many other longbows that are factory made, this longbow is handmade. This means that each one of them is constructed with care.
The body of this one piece longbow is made up of wood, cow leather, glass steel, and beech. These materials contribute to the overall durability and sturdiness of the Hungarian Handmade Longbow.
The longbow has a bow weight of 2.8 lbs and a bow length of 57 inches. The draw weight comes at a wide range of 20 lbs to 110 lbs. Because of its wide range of draw weights, the Hungarian Handmade Longbow can be used for a wide variety of purposes, be it target practice, or hunting. Many users expressed that they particularly enjoy the smooth draw of this bow.
The bow length and string length also makes it a great option for all users, even those who are not shorter in height. Its draw length is also specifically designed to improve accuracy, as well as to minimize hand shock and vibrations. In addition, the Hungarian Handmade Longbow is ergonomically designed for your comfort.
This longbow comes in both left and right handed options, so hand orientation will not be an issue. Your purchase will come with an instruction manual on how to string your longbow. You will also receive a cloth bag for you to transport and protect your longbow on your hunting trips.
A bowstring will also come along with your Hungarian Handmade Longbow. However, some users commented that the bow string gets loose after a few uses, so you may have to replace it. There is also a lack of warranty on this model.
3. SAS Robinhood LongBow
Best for Beginners
Great for beginners
Affordable
Lightweight
Not suitable for hunting
Vibrations felt
The SAS Robinhood Longbow is another longbow by SAS that has a league of fans. This longbow sports a rather simple design. It has a bow length of 60 inches, and its draw weight ranges from 30 lbs to 35 lbs.
Specifically designed to be lightweight, the longbow weighs only 2 lbs. This makes it extremely easy to carry around for your hunting activities. It is also easy to store. The bow has a reinforced composite riser made up of high-quality materials and its bowstring is durable.
The SAS Robinhood Longbow is also easy to assemble and disassemble. It comes fitted with many basic components for you to hunt efficiently. This includes an armguard, two fiberglass arrows, and two arrow rests. Packed with these accessories, you do not have to spend extra time and money to look for them elsewhere.
Taken together, the SAS Robinhood Longbow is an excellent entry-level bow. It is also a great option for smaller users with smaller hands who find it hard to find a longbow that is comfortable for them.
Furthermore, the manageable draw weights of this longbow is excellent for those who are new to the sport. This longbow is thus often touted as the best longbow for beginners who are just starting out.
Because of its affordable price, this longbow is also good for you if you are on the hunt for a cheap longbow. It is available in both left and right handed orientations. However, do note that if you are looking for hunting longbows, the SAS Robinhood Longbow might not be ideal for you.
Some users also express that they felt some vibration during shooting, but this can be easily fixed with a finger tab.
4. IRQ Traditional Handmade Hunting Longbow
Best Handmade Bow
Affordable
Good for many purposes
Water resistant
Lack of accessories
Can be quite loud
IRQ is a professional manufacturer of archery products that is known to produce bows that are both functional and attractive. This particular bow by IRQ is a traditional handmade longbow.
The IRQ Traditional Handmade Hunting Longbow has a bow length of 53 inches. It features a 30 lb to 50 lb draw weight, and unlike your typical longbow by many American longbow makers, this bow is completely handmade.
The longbow is constructed out of acacia wood. Its limbs are made of epoxy resin fiberglass, contributing to the bow’s strength, durability, and quality. Leather is also used for the limb surface of the bow. The longbow is also water-resistant, which means it can withstand wet and harsh weather conditions when you are out hunting.
The IRQ Traditional Handmade Hunting Longbow also sports a unique oriental design. There are decorations that cover the limbs. This gives the longbow a very beautiful design. The longbow is designed for both left and right handed users. The well-thought out design includes features such as a comfortable grip, reduced hand shock, as well as excellent precision.
Furthermore, because of the wide range of draw weights that this longbow features, it makes it an ideal choice for not just beginner users but for professional archers. It can also be used for a variety of purposes, including hunting.
One downside of the IRQ Traditional Handmade Hunting Longbow is that the package comes with a lack of accessories. The longbow also lacks an arrow rest. It does, however, come with a tendon silencer with rabbit hair, which significantly reduces chord noise. This comes in handy because this bow can get a little loud during shots.
All in all, the IRQ Traditional Handmade Hunting Longbow is an extremely affordable longbow. It can be used by a wide range of users for a wide variety of purposes.
5. SinoArt Sparrow 54” Traditional Longbow
Best Convenience
Great for beginner archers
Lightweight
Affordable
Unable to hunt larger game
No left-handed option
The SinoArt Sparrow Traditional Longbow sports a one-piece reflexed design. It has excellent performance and quality. It has a bow length of 54 inches and is extremely lightweight, which makes it very comfortable in the hands. Despite its lightweight construction, the longbow is considerably durable.
The riser of the SinoArt Sparrow Traditional Longbow is made up of laminated ebony wood, which is known to be hardy. The limbs of the bow are constructed out of maple wood and reinforced with laminated fiberglass. These materials help to enhance the longbow’s durability while reducing the impact of the bow in the hand muscles so you will not feel discomfort.
The string that comes with your purchase of this bow is a Dacron string, which is known to last for years. The SinoArt Sparrow Traditional Longbow also comes with an arrow rest, which allows you to shoot accurately and smoothly. You can therefore shoot the SinoArt Sparrow right out of the box, without the need to purchase any additional equipment.
With a draw weight of 20 to 25 lbs, the longbow is extremely easy to shoot. It is designed to be used by beginner archers or those who are smaller in size. These users may experience difficulties in shooting with bows with higher draw weights.
This also means that the SinoArt Sparrow Traditional Longbow will not be ideal for hunting large games. It can be used for outdoor archery training, or for hunting medium games or smaller games such as turkey, though. Do note also, that this model can only be used by right-handed persons.
At its inexpensive price, you get a budget longbow that is durable, lightweight, and overall a value-for-money purchase. It is therefore the best longbow for the money.
6. KAINOKAI Traditional Handmade Longbow
Best for Hunting
Many accessories included
Great for hunting
Durable construction
Not suitable for children
Cannot be dismantled
KAINOKAI is a professional seller of outdoor goods. The KAINOKAI Traditional Handmade Longbow sports a sleek, simple, and sturdy design. It is a single piece traditional longbow. The bow length is about 50 to 57 inches, and the lightweight bow weighs a mere 1.1 lbs.
This longbow comes in a wide range of draw weights that range from 25 lbs to 55 lbs. This means that if you are a beginner archer, you can choose a smaller draw weight. On the other hand, if you are a seasoned hunter, you can opt for a larger one. The KAINOKAI Traditional Handmade Longbow can also be used by both right-handed and left-handed archers.
The KAINOKAI Traditional Handmade Longbow has a bow arm made of transparent epoxy and is wrapped in leather. The handle of the bow is made of locust wood that is both polished and painted. This works to reduce the wear and tear of the bowstring. On top of that, it helps to waterproof the bow so that it can withstand wet and harsh weather conditions.
These choices that the manufacturer makes in the construction of the bow results in a longbow that is durable, powerful, and long-lasting. So, if you are looking for a hunting bow, this bow by KAINOKAI may be the best longbow for hunting. Furthermore, you can also shoot this longbow at a more extended range. This is a very important feature to have for a hunting bow.
On top of that, because it is a one piece construction. So, there is no need to go through the hassle of assembling and disassembling.
The package that comes with the KAINOKAI Traditional Handmade Longbow also comes well-stocked with a bunch of accessories. This includes a hand guard, finger guard, three paper arrow targets, three wood hunting arrows, a bow bag, bow string wax, and the bowstring. These will obviously save you a lot of money!
7. Bear Archery Titan Bow
Best for Children
Great for children
Lightweight
Durable construction
Can be quite loud
Not good for hunting
The Titan Bow from Bear Archery is specially designed for children from the age of 12 who are beginner or intermediate shooters. Therefore, this bow is extremely lightweight so that it is easy to manage, maneuver, and shoot. Despite its light frame, the Bear Archery Titan Bow is considerably durable.
The bow comes at a length of 60 inches and its draw length ranges from 22 to 28 inches. It has a draw weight of 30 lbs to 35 lbs, making it ideal for younger archers.
The Bear Archery Titan Bow comes fitted with a plastic and rubber gripped riser and it has composite limbs. The grip of the longbow is designed to be very comfortable. Users expressed that coupled with its lightweight and comfortable grip, they did not experience any fatigue even after using the longbow for many hours.
Even though this longbow is designed for children and for recreational activities, it has enough power for small game hunting. This means that when your child is ready and has enough experience, he or she can use it to hunt their first game!
For this longbow, Bear Archery gives its customers the option to choose between purchasing only the longbow, or purchasing a full set. The set comes with an armguard, two Safetyglass arrows, a sight pin, finger rollers, and an arrow quiver.
This bow is designed for both left and right handed users. Do note that some users complained that the bow is a little loud for its size. However, because it is designed for recreational use, this is an understandable drawback.
All in all, this is a highly affordable and effective longbow that you can consider for younger archers.
8. Toparchery Traditional Hunting Longbow
Best Lightweight
Extremely lightweight
Durable construction
Comes with rubber grip
Can be quite loud
No accessories included
The Toparchery Traditional Hunting Longbow weighs a mere 1.92 lbs and can be used by both left and right handed archers. It has a bow length of about 60 inches and it has draw weights that range from 25 lbs to 50 lbs.
The riser and limbs of the Toparchery Traditional Hunting Longbow is made out of wood and fiberglass. Significantly, the riser also sports a high strength aluminum casting, giving the longbow a nice polished finish. On top of that, it enhances the durability of the longbow.
The Toparchery Traditional Hunting Longbow is also an ideal bow to use for a variety of purposes. It can be used for target shooting all year round, or for hunting purposes. Users also like that it comes with a low hand shock. It also shoots very smoothly, and comes with a rubber grip so that you can securely hold your bow for better aim and accuracy.
Do note that many archers recommend that you separately buy a string silencer. This is because this bow can get quite loud, which is something that you would obviously want to avoid when you are hunting.
Your purchase of the Toparchery Traditional Hunting Longbow also does not come with any accessories. Strings, bow stringer, rest, and other tools are to be purchased separately. At a reasonable price, you get a lightweight and reliable longbow with durable construction.
Different Types of Longbows
For you to choose a longbow for yourself, you need to understand the characteristics of the types of longbows that are on the market. Based on materials, design, and style, there are three main categories of longbows. Namely, English longbow, Hillstyle or American longbow, as well as Reflex-deflex longbow.
English Longbow
The English longbow is the most common type of longbow. It typically has a narrow limb, a deep core, and is usually over 66 inches long. Usually, it is made of wood and has higher draw weights.
Hillstyle or American Longbow
The Hillstyle longbow is also known as the American longbow. It is usually a bit wider and flatter in cross-section. It also comes with a stacked handle. They are usually constructed using 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 more durable.
Reflex-deflex Longbow
Reflex-deflex longbows are also known as hybrid longbows. They are a modern style of flatbow with deflexed riser (curving towards the archer) and reflexed limbs (curving away from the archer).
These longbows have been developed to maximize the bow’s energy efficiency. It is also designed to reduce hand shock to keep it to a minimum. A reflex/deflex longbow will have performance similar to a recurve bow while maintaining the low weight and aesthetic of a longbow.
How to Choose a Longbow
On top of understanding the different categories of longbows there are on the market, there are several other aspects to consider before buying a longbow. Generally, you should consider the purpose of the bow, the draw weight and draw length of the bow, the brace height of the bow, the bow length, the bow’s weight, as well as its affordability.
Purpose of the bow
The type of longbow that you purchase depends heavily on the purpose of your longbow. For example, if you need a longbow for hunting, you need to avoid a bow that is too heavy for you to carry around. On the other hand, if you are looking for a recreational bow, you should look for one that is easy to manage, such as the Titan Bow from Bear Archery.
Draw weight and draw length
The draw weight and draw length of a longbow depends on your body frame, experience, and purpose of use. It varies from person to person. Therefore, before choosing your longbow, you have to determine the correct draw weight and draw length that suit you first.
Brace height
The brace height is the distance between the deepest end of the handle and string. The rule of thumb is, the lower the brace height, the higher the speed of the arrow.
Bow length
Generally, when talking about longbows, longer bows are better than shorter ones because they are more stable, shoot more smoothly, and are more forgiving. However, you have to take into consideration a user’s height and stature. Smaller-framed archers can consider longbows such as the SAS Robinhood longbow.
Weight
Generally, you would want your longbow to be as light as possible, without compromising on its power and durability. This is especially so if you are to be hunting for hours. You would want your longbow to be comfortable to hold to minimize fatigue. The Toparchery Traditional Hunting Longbow is an extremely lightweight bow that you can consider.
Affordability
When choosing a longbow, you definitely want to get your money’s worth. However, you do not want to settle with a cheap but low-quality longbow. Many bows that are in this review, such as the SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow, give you the best of both worlds: affordability with quality.
FAQs
Conclusion
The SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow has got to be the overall winner for the best longbow. It is an excellent longbow for all skill levels and is lightweight, durable, as well as versatile. The well-thought-out design is also comfortable for long hours of use.
If you are looking for a handmade bow, consider the IRQ Traditional Handmade Hunting Longbow. It is good for many purposes and does not come with a hefty price tag.