Well, this process started about 9 months ago.
I knew I was going to be finishing my masters degree this summer (which was going to mean a raise!), so I pitched the idea of a new bow graduation present to my wife - and she said sounds good!
So the shopping began. I spent countless hours looking at all kinds of bows online like any good, crazy, obsessed traditional archer should, and I thought I knew what I wanted, until...
My good friend Rodd (goingoldskool on here), mentioned that he liked to touch, smell, and feel stuff before he bought it. So, we planned a trip to Black Widow, down in Nixa, MO, back in January.
While there, I shot every left-handed bow they had on the rack (or so it seemed). And I quickly noticed that I kept wanting to grab a certain one again and again.
The only problem is, it wasn't the type of bow I originally thought I wanted (from looking at pictures). But I couldn't get over how amazing it shot, and how beautiful it was in person. I realized that it's hard to know what you want until you get to (as Rodd puts it), touch it, smell it, feel it. That was it! As soon as I got home, I started planning! I had without a doubt decided on the bow.
Finally, tomorrow is the day! Rodd and I are heading back down to Nixa to pick up my bow! If you're willing to check back later, I'll have pics and the rest of the story!
It's gonna be a GOOD trip, brother!
:archer:
:coffee:
Congrats and I'm waiting on the pics.
:coffee:
I can't wait to see what you decided on.
Jack
Woohoo! :campfire:
They make a awesome bow. I like
The pch & psa
Looking forward to the rest of this story. I am also planning on going down to Nixa here shortly to hopefully pick out a bow.
Best of luck. I know you will not be disappointed. They make some good stuff. Just a guess but I bet it is a PSR. They are such great shooters, IMHO.
:campfire: .... :coffee:
I stopped there in September on my way back from Texas. They were shut down that week but I did get a tour of the plant and had a beavertail grip put on my PLG longbow.
I have the PMAX and the PLG, you won't regret your choice!
I'm tuned in
Made the trip there to handle the different models prior to deciding on a bow. It makes a difference. Very cool place and a great bunch of folks to deal with!
Have fun with your new bow!
Bisch
So after I somehow managed to shut my alarm off without waking up, we arrived at Black Widow around 9:30 a.m. (only a half-hour late)!
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/CoachBGriff/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_093905_zpsxpjjhcje.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/CoachBGriff/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_093905_zpsxpjjhcje.jpg.html)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/CoachBGriff/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_094050_zpsbrh85htv.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/CoachBGriff/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_094050_zpsbrh85htv.jpg.html)
Mine is the one with the backwards shelf!
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/CoachBGriff/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_102422_zpsrtbtzkja.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/CoachBGriff/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_102422_zpsrtbtzkja.jpg.html)
After shooting pretty much every backwards bow they had, I settled on a 58" PCH X with olive ash limbs and an ironwood riser. It came out 51 lbs @ 28 inches, and I'm drawing right at 29".
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/CoachBGriff/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_191907_zpsnacwwpbj.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/CoachBGriff/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_191907_zpsnacwwpbj.jpg.html)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/CoachBGriff/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_163326_zpsemmaindf.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/CoachBGriff/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_163326_zpsemmaindf.jpg.html)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/CoachBGriff/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_191840_zpskvjggy73.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/CoachBGriff/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_191840_zpskvjggy73.jpg.html)
And to make things even better, I got help getting it tuned up when I got home!
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/CoachBGriff/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_191254_zpsz2zo0ixc.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/CoachBGriff/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_191254_zpsz2zo0ixc.jpg.html)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/CoachBGriff/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_191726_zpsij2ntevu.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/CoachBGriff/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160418_191726_zpsij2ntevu.jpg.html)
I couldn't be happier with my decision! As always, the guys at Black Widow are top-notch to deal with, and they even finished it ahead of schedule.
Now it's off to the turkey woods!
Thanks for following along :campfire:
And thanks to Goingoldskool for helping me along throughout this process.
What did you "plan on" before you got to touch it, feel it, smell it and see it?
homebru
Very nice!! Congrats
I was originally thinking I wanted another longbow. I was looking at PL's and Whip's which I know are phenomenal bows as well.
I started off with a Bear Montana which I liked just fine.
However, I just liked the way that PCH shot sooo much better.
I've also been shooting a Hoyt Dorado for the last few years, but I must say (sorry Hoyt fans), in my mind, it doesn't compare with the new bow. There was nothing wrong with it; this PCH just points so much better for me, draws smoother, and is quieter.
Sweet Rig :thumbsup: Good choice.... :goldtooth:
That is a sharp looking rig!!!!!
Thanks for taking me along!
Good luck, shoot straight and God bless,
Rodd
Extremely rewarding graduation present.
Very nice...congrats!
That may be the best looking olive ash I have seen.
QuoteOriginally posted by jt85:
That may be the best looking olive ash I have seen.
Thanks... I knew I wanted some laminations with more of the darker tone in them.
Picking those out was one of the coolest parts of the whole process.
Congrats on completing your masters degree and on your new bow. Great looking bow!
Beauty....
,,Sam,,
Every traditional archer needs to make that trip at least once. The folks at Black Widow do a great job. Their bows are outstanding but their marketing is unmatched. Congrats on getting your Masters degree and for being smart enough to marry well. :thumbsup:
Congrats on the PCH, they are very nice models. I had a PCH-V ironwood and sold it.......I am still kicking myself in the ass to this day.
Very nice! Last week I ordered a PCH V ironwood with almost the same specs as yours. I still have about 9 weeks to wait and get mine though. Can't wait to get it!
I have owned a few Black Widows over the years and the PCH in my opinion is the best shooter.
Congrats on the new bow and completing your masters degree..!
Congrats on your new bow, I have been shooting Widows for a long time. Great bows and the BW guys are great to deal with.
That's a gorgeous bow...after shooting it a while I would love to know your thoughts...both good and bad. I am seriously wanting one of those PCH recurves....
Congrats!
Very Nice!!!
That is the 2nd best Olive Ash that I've seen, I'm a little partial to my PLX affectionately known as "OLIVE"
I know you'll enjoy that one for a lifetime, enjoy your new bow my friend.
If I was to order another one I think it would be the Olive Ash. Although I seen a Zebrawood Widow Sunday that was nice! They offer a lot of nice exotics now! That is a nice combo with the Ironwood though, congrats on the new bow!
Great pic's. Widows are very fine bows.
Beautiful bow and awsome people to do business with!
Denny
That's a nice one! Congratulations on your new purchase, now it's time to hit the turkey woods! :thumbsup:
Bernie
Congrats on the degree and your new bow. Never shot a Widda but maybe some day. And are you going to get your little one one with the shelf on the correct side? :laughing:
QuoteOriginally posted by highlow:
Congrats on the degree and your new bow. Never shot a Widda but maybe some day. And are you going to get your little one one with the shelf on the correct side? :laughing:
Yeah... Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure he's gonna be a righty.
He has a little bow, but he wanted to shoot dad's last night!
Congrats on the new Widow !!! Great looking Olive Ash
Very nice bow! You did well.
While you were there did you try the KB model? If so what did you like better about the pch?
QuoteOriginally posted by jt85:
While you were there did you try the KB model? If so what did you like better about the pch?
I shot the KB. There were two things I liked better about the PCH:
1 - the sight window is slightly larger
2 - it takes down... aside from the obvious benefits of this, I like the idea of being able to replace just the limbs if I have to.
Just thought I'd bring it back up since I answered a few questions.
Looking at a big rack of Black Widows is enough to make me wish I was a recurve shooter. Out of that entire rack, or any rack, I would like to see a Black Widow with a flaw in the glue up or tiller and a pic to prove it. Probably have a better chance of winning the lottery. I have looked at a rack of BW bows and was absolutely stunned by the consistency and perfect workmanship from bow to bow.
I took one of their shooting seminars some years back. Helped Ken Beck carry racks of bows out to bales for us to play with. That first day I shot every model, what a blast, enjoyed every second. Now I thought I was going to fall for a recurve but ended up really liking an Osage LB. Just goes to prove the saying about trying before buying.
I'm am sure you will enjoy your new bow, it is a looker. The BW guys are some real good folks to deal with as well.
Congrats on your degree and sweet bow!
I want a psr to go with my plv, would love to go up there and try a few out.. Did you have to make an appointment???
BowArkie, you don't have to make an appointment. I went up there a couple years ago and just showed up the guys told me to make myself at home shoot anything I wanted and went out of there way to help me in every way possible.
BowArkie, you don't have to make an appointment. I went up there a couple years ago and just showed up the guys told me to make myself at home shoot anything I wanted and went out of there way to help me in every way possible.
QuoteOriginally posted by jt85:
BowArkie, you don't have to make an appointment. I went up there a couple years ago and just showed up the guys told me to make myself at home shoot anything I wanted and went out of there way to help me in every way possible.
That's sounds great!! The wife is planning a trip to Branson next month and I may can sneak away for a couple hours!
That's exactly what we did...Branson is about an hour or so from Nixa if I remember right...and it was worth the trip!
Really, really nice guys....