As mentioned I've gotten picky about setup. I have an ILF LB and recurve with elevated rests, low grips (30ish), and 1/16" tiller. I shoot split with a middle finger pull, so standard 1/8 or zero tiller feels just a little vibey.  I'm root'n fer ya buddy. Go ILF and have your bow by the end of the week.  Tinker and be able to tell your bowyer exactly what you want when you have time to wait.

Quote from: Zacpierre on Today at 03:43:26 PMNever had the opportunity to shoot another trad bow other than board bows I made 10 years ago. Any WV trad groups you all know of? Or shoots? Would love to try something else out before I blindly buy a new bow. Current bow hasn't let me down but it's a 200$ Cabela's special...nothing wrong with that would just like a more high performance bow.

I think yer current longbow has straight limbs?  Or maybe very very slightly reflexed?

I just edited this ... I had one of those Internature longbows about 3 decades ago and wrote a magazine review of it.  If that's the bow you have, yep, it's a slow poke with slightly reflexed limbs. 

A mild or aggressive R/D longbow that accepts modern HMPE bowstrings will be a performance "boost" over a straight or slightly reflexed limb longbow.

Other than visiting a bowyer or archery shop or maybe bowyer or vendor at some archery event, try-b4-u-buy ain't gonna be all that easy.

Never had the opportunity to shoot another trad bow other than board bows I made 10 years ago. Any WV trad groups you all know of? Or shoots? Would love to try something else out before I blindly buy a new bow. Current bow hasn't let me down but it's a 200$ Cabela's special...nothing wrong with that would just like a more high performance bow.

Quote from: Zacpierre on Today at 03:20:50 PMIt was my understanding that the purpose of this forum was to inform about traditional archery. I simply asked a question about custom bow makers and was lambasted by an "admin" on my shooting form etc. I am simply trying to get a gauge on who makes reliable trusted custom bows and where one may find them, possibly with firsthand user reviews. I can use google as well as the next but sought out this specific forum because of the information and knowledge the users here possess. If I am in the wrong please let me know how to correct my action.

Yer in the right place, but yer question about what bow to get is quite broad and encompasses hundreds of different brand and model bows, and look at all the answers you've gotten already in such a short period of time.  Better you go out on yer own, as most do, and select some that tickle yer fancy, then if need be come back, list 'em out, and see what others say.  Their advice may be far more helpful about the time factor and overall bow quality.  As mentioned before, in the short run it's really not about the bow, so literally ANY bow might bond well with you and make meat (as yer current longbow has done for you, for decades).  Enjoy the bow buying journey!     

Quote from: BAbassangler on Today at 03:19:11 PMY'all are cra-cra    Maybe his bow is slow, or has hand shock, or not fast-flight compatible, or have a leather grip?  Better is subjective.

Absolutely right on. 

Try Ole' Battle, or Diruzza's.  Both make longbows and have great YT reviews.  They might only have FB pages.  Another guy in Florida, Bushmen Bows, Cody D'acquisto from LWCG has reviews also.

It was my understanding that the purpose of this forum was to inform about traditional archery. I simply asked a question about custom bow makers and was lambasted by an "admin" on my shooting form etc. I am simply trying to get a gauge on who makes reliable trusted custom bows and where one may find them, possibly with firsthand user reviews. I can use google as well as the next but sought out this specific forum because of the information and knowledge the users here possess. If I am in the wrong please let me know how to correct my action.

Y'all are cra-cra     Maybe his bow is slow, or has hand shock, or not fast-flight compatible, or have a leather grip?  Better is subjective.

I hate them! Luckily, I think, I have astigmatism and just don't wear to shoot. But unfortunately bifocals are good at ranges. And my last eye doctor is being replaced, because I asked for the "fiddle with something on my chest" distance and got jacked with the same old computer distance...I digress. I'm taking a look at my Dentist's setup, and a friend with a gunsmith business. Time to get used to either handheld, visor, or bench mounted options.  And praying g to God for the patience for a middle aged dog to learn  some new tricks.

Quote from: Zacpierre on Today at 02:25:07 PM...

I have been shooting this longbow for 20 years. I have taken around a dozen deer, multiple squirrels, and few grouse on the wing with my custom fluflus. I am not new to this game. I gave up my training-wheel bows years ago. I am looking for an investment not advise on how to shoot  .
....


Zac

Welcome to Trad Gang. 

Your opening post came off more like a newbie than a "seasoned pro".  If you've been in the trad bow game for decades, have killed plenty of game, I'd hafta question why you'd be asking about what bow to buy.  The opinions and advice of others are just that - what other people think. Plenty of fine bows out there that'll get the job done for you no matter what their price tag sez. 

The bottom line, if you didn't know by now, though you should, is YOU, not the bow.  Between you and the bow is the arrow, far more important than the bow and a bit lesser important than the shooter.  You can easily get the scoop on really good bows checking out the bowyers who support Trad Gang on the sponsor spin menu.  Why not just start there, talk to bowyers and vendors, and see where it all takes you?

Best of luck.