As I posted on here when it happened my KMag failed last fall. I picked up a Martin for a second bow and after living with it a while I decided it wasn't for me and sold it. I'm back to only 1 bow and I have a decision to make. Should I pick up another Grizzly like the one I have now, should I get another KMag (Big Jim has/(had!) one on his site that would be perfect) or save my penny's and pick up a Widow (like the one a friend has). I made the switch to traditional 2.5 years ago & try to get some shooting in at least every other day. I still find if I change bows it takes some number of arrows to get on to it. So.....you guys with years and years under your belt would you recommend going with 2 of the same model or is variety the spice of life? :confused: I have no preference at all right now; if I went with 2 of the same bow it would be the Grizzly FWIW.
I have two of the same. I have others as well, but when I go on a big hunt, I have my 2 go-to bows with me!
Bisch
If you really like the way a certain bow fits your hand and shoots for you, I would think you would do well to have your back up bow just like the original. However, if adapting to a different bow is a simple process for you, then getting a different bow might be more fun. I shoot Hill style bows and have 7 of them. They all shoot just a bout the same.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
I have two of the same. I have others as well, but when I go on a big hunt, I have my 2 go-to bows with me!
Bisch
X2
If I'm going on a hunt I take two of the same 100% of the time. Leading up I've been shooting those bows exclusively and if something happens while away I don't want to skip a beat. I know plenty of guys who do it other ways too so YMMV.
I am pretty sure the "back up bow" argument is the early stage of bow buying disease. I have been suffering from this affliction for decades and I have a vague memory it starting with that very thought.
I have 2 of the same. I alternate them week to week so they don't get jealous.
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/CoachBGriff/20160521_103539_zpsvczryhq1.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/CoachBGriff/media/20160521_103539_zpsvczryhq1.jpg.html)
If you are thinking about a Widow, all I can say is I don't regret my recent purchase at all!
I've loved every second of shooting this bow.
QuoteOriginally posted by GregD:
I am pretty sure the "back up bow" argument is the early stage of bow buying disease. I have been suffering from this affliction for decades and I have a vague memory it starting with that very thought.
I know thats how it started for me. :goldtooth:
By default I am using my "back up bow" now as just getting back into trad and using my old 29.00 when new Black Bear. Hadn't shot it in 30 yrs so going both eyes open vs closing dominant eye back then is basically starting from scratch. Look foward to upgrading and officially making this one the back up but hope to avoid the "disease" as well.
QuoteOriginally posted by GregD:
I am pretty sure the "back up bow" argument is the early stage of bow buying disease. I have been suffering from this affliction for decades and I have a vague memory it starting with that very thought.
OOOpps I have 4 backup bows,lol. Good justification to satisfy the needs of this affliction.
Like mentioned the same bow as a backup is probably the wisest choice, but some of us like shooting different style bows as the mood strikes.
Imo. Life's too short and there are too many options out there to have two of the same bow. By all means have a backup but buy something new and exciting and maybe your grizzly will become a backup bow.
I have a 2-3 bow limit, been a big TallTines fan and that's all I have maybe a third set of limbs. I'd recommend finding a bow you like and then trying to get a close duplicate.
For extended trips, I use two of about the same draw weight so they each shoot the same arrows. they may or may not be the same brand. Not an issue adjusting to the little changes between them.
The bows you're considering vary quite a bit in length. I recommend you let your draw length determine which to get. If you have a long draw length, probably want to stay away from the shorter bows. That's a combination for bow failure.
K mag's are magical little bows.
Draw just a bit over 28". My other KMag was not a problem for me.
QuoteOriginally posted by Msturm:
K mag's are magical little bows.
I hear you; the rational part of me says 2 of the same makes the most sense; the other part of me says KMag's are magical little bows!!!
I have two that are the same and one foul weather bow that shoots almost the same. I like all of them to shoot about the same.
I like one piece vintage bows but found they are challenging for air travel, so my first "back up bow" needed to be a take down. I go through a lot of bows looking for new, different, better, but now I always have a 3 piece TD , whether its my go -to favorite or my back up.
Yeah if I thought I would be doing some flying with one I would be looking at a takedown.
Only reason I have backups is that I shoot 54 to 57 year old Bears. My wife ask me four to five years ago after I bought a good looking '59 Kodiak Special with a few stress lines from one of our really fine Trad Gang members, what was I going to do when that one blew up? So I bought a '60 K Special that was the same length and draw weight.
The '60, which was originally the backup, is now my go to bow.
Later I bought a '61 Kodiak with really beautiful honey colored bubinga from another fine member. Soon after, I bought its backup, a '62 Kodiak of similar draw weight from a member who was downsizing. Hope the '61 doesn't blow as it's a really great shooting bow.
I like to have a backup bow the same specs as my primary. My go to hunting bow is a 60in 55lb MOAB, and my backup bow is the same. 1 bow has pretty veneers and antler tips, and the other one is plain Osage and bamboo limbs.
The feel and shoot the same, and they also are tuned to shoot the exact same arrows. If something ever happens to one bow I can just grab the other one and go.
Works for me.
Hmm... I think I have about nineteen backup bows at the moment.
two bows as close to the same as possible. of you want a true backup bow. i would want the same arrows an the same stings to all match up and shoot the same places.
now if you want a stable full of different bows, go for it i have near 2 dozen myself. but when it comes down to hunting and accuracy i try to learn one and stick with it. i want to know every arch that bow shoots.
Bisch X3. I shoot with guys that can go from a longbow to a recurve and never miss a beat. I'm not one of them. And when I'm shooting at game I don't like any second guessing.
Beware, of the man with 1 bow... (Just sayin'...)
My "back up bow" is nearly identical to my primary bow. I guess I like them......or I didn't want anyone watching me shoot my "back up bow" to realize how bad a shot I am.
homebru
I use one riser and have an extra set of limbs
QuoteOriginally posted by screamin:
I use one riser and have an extra set of limbs
This is exactly how I started but then bought a second riser. Now I've got two bows. ;-)
homebru
I prefer two of the same or two sets of identical limbs.
I always have two identical hunting bows or I should say that is my plan. Any time that I didn't have an identical backup in the last 20 years, the worst happened!
This year in January I got a new Pittsley Predator. 62@31". Soon after, I sold most of my other customs then ordered the second Predator last month. It already arrived. I think it shoots even better than the first one! I won't be trying any other brand or style for a long time. But I will probably get a another Predator or two just for different wood combos or draw weights.
Just as important are back-up arrows. At the start of deer season I like to have 12 good matching arrows made up. Plus about 6 for practice. I can't stand not having a fresh dozen carbon shafts with all the fixins in the package in stock.
I had three of the same once - now I don't shoot that brand bow anymore ^^^- ha!
I know guys that only have one, if anything did happen to it, just get another.
I have three, all different bowyers but ordered another and hopefully can still stay with a PMA and a PSA.
Good Luck!!!
You know, I often hear claims (and I agree with them) that one of the drawbacks of compounds is all of the things that can malfunction on them. In spite of that, I rarely hear compound guys talking about having a backup bow while it seems to be pretty common in the trad community. I'm beginning to think that maybe we're all just using that as an excuse to get another bow. ;) I think I'm gonna start basing mine on weight rather than bow styles. I just picked up a backup to my 42# bow. Now I need a backup 47#, a backup 53#, and a backup 55#. And two backup 25# bows for my two oldest kids. And a backup 35# for the one I have for them to grow in later.
:campfire:
Actually, I got the new 42# bow for my wife, so I guess I need two backup 42# bows as well. Just in case. You know, if both of ours fail at the same time. It could happen.
QuoteOriginally posted by GregD:
I am pretty sure the "back up bow" argument is the early stage of bow buying disease. I have been suffering from this affliction for decades and I have a vague memory it starting with that very thought.
:archer2:
I concur with Matt's analysis. His logic is irrefutable.
I am all of a sudden feeling anxious about my lack of preparation and need to start looking at back up bows. :D
I had 2 early 70's Bears and 1 of them failed last fall. Maybe if you have newer bows one is adequate but especially if you are shooting older bows I think it makes a lot of sense. I had an identical back up of my compound when I was shooting them.
You guys are behind the curve. I've been buying backup bows for my backup bows. I think that's why I have 4 Mohawk longbows, all at 52-53#. I've sold off some of my longbows, but only because I was buying another and when I had one I really liked I got a second one just like it(sometimes a 3rd or 4th). When I travel to hunt I always take 2 bows
You guys are behind the curve. I've been buying backup bows for my backup bows. I think that's why I have 4 Mohawk longbows, all at 52-53#. I've sold off some of my longbows, but only because I was buying another and when I had one I really liked I got a second one just like it(sometimes a 3rd or 4th). When I travel to hunt I always take 2 bows
When I travel I always take two bows. I shoot Schafer Silvertips mostly so no problem it I have to switch bows in mid hunt. They all shoot the same for me and are tuned to the same arrows.
Back up bows are good
(http://i63.tinypic.com/2lvmxdt.jpg)
Gotta figure out which bow is the primary before I know if there's one that's a backup. :rolleyes:
QuoteOriginally posted by Ray Lyon:
Gotta figure out which bow is the primary before I know if there's one that's a backup. :rolleyes:
:bigsmyl:
I currently have three sets of backups tuned and setup. That is 3 pair. Each pair shoots identical arrows. One set is two osage selfbows I made. One is 66" and one is 67". Both are 60#ish and shoot 670 grain tapered surewood arrows. The next pair is a homemade glass lam R/D bow of my design and it's mate is a 64" Classic toelke whip. Both are 64# and shoot 625 grain Beman ICS 340s. The third tuned set are both Abbott longbows in yew. One is 56# and 68" and the other is 60# in 66". Both shoot 675 grain surewood arrows. I am close enough on shooting all six I can pick up any one and be hunt effective out to 25 paces.
This is something I have worked to do since my 12 year go-to bow was destroyed several years ago.
My back up shoots the same arrows as my primary, has the same string and is as accurate as my primary bow. I shoot them both lots?
I don't have a back up bow at this time, but when I did it was the exact same bow with a shot in string on it. There was no difference between the two. A job loss forced me to sell my other bows and I kept the cleanest one of the four Kodiak Hunters in my stable at that time. I do plan on picking up another nice one someday.