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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: dresnor on July 30, 2018, 05:29:26 AM

Title: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: dresnor on July 30, 2018, 05:29:26 AM: My local bow shop took in a Black Widow MAIII. I shot it a few times and I really like it. It looks like I could get a really good deal on it. Everything seems straight and solid. Not much wear on the finish at all. It comes with a bolt on quiver, arrow holder, and has a spot for a stabilizer.

I was wondering if you guys had any info, thoughts, or suggestions about this bow.

It is 51#@28, 62''. Made in 1997 I believe. Made for a gentleman named Don Pease.

Don, if you are reading, please tell me about your bow.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/849/43733023861_37086c6da9_b.jpg)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/939/43685053732_7586df4ab6_b.jpg)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/934/29861937558_29b37b4f76_z.jpg)

Any help would be appreciated.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Hermon on July 30, 2018, 07:47:20 AM: Great bow, good specs. It was made pre "precision" era, but that would not bother me. If you can get it for a good price, I say buy it.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Blueridge on July 30, 2018, 09:48:03 AM: Those are great bows , I ordered one in 1994 a shot it for 12 years. I sold it only because I needed to drop in bow weight. Have you shot it??
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Burly on July 30, 2018, 09:55:02 AM: Great bows IMO. I owned that same model for 17 years and piled the game up with it. Needless to say it was my favorite bow of all time. Only reason I traded it off was because needed a much lower poundage bow. Still kicking myself in the butt on that. Should of just hung it up and bought another bow instead.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: dresnor on July 30, 2018, 10:00:00 AM: Thanks for the replies so far. I really appreciate it.

Yes I have shot it. It is two pounds lighter than my current bow. It seemed to shoot faster, but I was shooting a much lighter arrow.

It seems like it has a lot of life left in it. The shop really wants it to go to someone who will appreciate it for what it is. I hope I can convince the wife to let me snag it.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: MnFn on July 30, 2018, 10:03:38 AM: I think it is great bow and in a good power range. I have never owned a BW, but played with one at RMSG. I really liked the way it shot. I think they are heavier than a lot of bows, but that would not bother me.

Just curious, what do you think is a good deal on it?
If I ever buy another bow, it would definitely be one I would consider.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: dresnor on July 30, 2018, 10:07:38 AM: I am curious about what a good deal on this bow would be. I haven’t heard a firm price on this bow yet. I have to call today and talk it over with the shop manager.

I have seen them sell on other forums for $450-$700. I am not sure what they sold for new. The shop said they sold for $1000 or more.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Cmane07 on July 30, 2018, 10:11:19 AM: IMHO a "good deal" would be to get in in the $300 range or cheaper. I feel like people normally ask $400-$500 for them but I don't know what they actually sell for. But that's just me
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: dixiearcher on July 30, 2018, 10:36:26 AM: I absolutely love mine!
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Hermon on July 30, 2018, 11:18:15 AM: They sell for just over $1000 now. A lot less 20 years ago. I would think you should be able to get it for $400+/-. Possibly less if it is a compound shop and don't want to mess with it.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Burly on July 30, 2018, 11:31:11 AM: $400-500 is the right price range if in really good condition. Check the limb tips for separating. When I bought mine they were 850ish New. I paid $475 used ,it was in mint condition. Widows will hold there value better then most bows.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Spottedwolf on July 30, 2018, 11:49:06 AM: I have a MA II that I have since 85 but I replaced the limbs in 97 and paid over $500 for them and its still a great shooter. I agree that 400 to500 would be about average

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Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Dave Lay on July 30, 2018, 12:09:11 PM: I’d think 500 or so on it.. be sure to check the limbs as said earlier. The earlier ones like that have a little narrower limb and could be a little easier to twist. But I really doubt that’s a issue. I’ve been a loyal widow shooter for a lot of years. You might also give roger a call or email at BW with the serial number, he can give you the history to see if it’s ever been weight reduced or if it can be in the future. Widows are great bows that hold thier value well. MA,s have the biggest risers in BW line and a lot of folks say more stability. It seems those that have had them really like em and had killed a ton of stuff with em.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: McDave on July 30, 2018, 01:41:08 PM: At one time I talked to Roger and he said he would inspect a used BW I was considering for $50, plus shipping. The deal never got that far, but I would have made it a condition of the sale to pass Roger’s inspection if we had reached a deal. In other words, if it hadn’t passed Roger’s inspection, I would have been out $50 plus shipping both ways to and from the seller, which I would have been happy to pay. This was some years ago, and of course I have no idea if Roger would still be willing to do that.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: dresnor on July 30, 2018, 01:54:35 PM: I contacted the shop today and they said the lowest they could go was $600. There is a lot of stuff that comes with it. Broadheads, arrows ( I think), a stringer, 3 strings, quiver, all of the original paperwork, and a case.

I will inspect the tips before I buy it. When I shot it there were tip protectors on both tips. Just look for cracks and wear?

While it is a bit more than I want, I don’t feel like I am going to be ripped off. The guy, Don is a friend of the manager of the shop and I trust this shop. I am not looking to resell for a profit, just want another bow I can trust.

Thanks for all the help so far.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: McDave on July 30, 2018, 02:03:50 PM: The biggest potential problem with a recurve is limb twist. If you'll look further down in PowWow, you'll find a post from someone looking for advice on limb twist, and you can read my post. The second biggest problem with any fiberglass backed bow is separation of the fiberglass from the limbs. Look for any milky areas or splotches in the finish. People will tell you it is just an imperfection in the finish, but it might be fiberglass separation; I couldn't tell the difference. The third problem, which you identified, is nicks and cracks, which should be evident to anyone who looks at the bow carefully.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: dresnor on July 30, 2018, 02:30:38 PM: I checked for limb twist and did not notice any. I looked down the bow lining up the tips with the squared off section on the front of the riser. I did this both strung and unstrung. All 4 points lined up every way I looked at it. While I was shooting it I kept track of where the string sat on the limbs. I even let down from full draw as slow as I could to see if the strings fell back into the groves by themselves. They did.

I will look it over again before the deal is done.

Thank you for the advice on limb separation. This forum has taught me a lot.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: GCook on July 30, 2018, 02:49:13 PM: I have a 03 PSA ironwood I gave $500 for and got a good deal. It had a quiver, arrows and bow sock with it.
It's a great bow and I shoot it well.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: KSdan on July 30, 2018, 03:23:51 PM: Don was a retired police officer in Grand Rapids MI. area (Wyoming MI I believe). He is an older man and the last I knew his health was struggling, including his memory. PM me and I will give you the last phone # I had for him

Dan in KS
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Dave Lay on July 30, 2018, 04:27:19 PM: Black widow has a neat video on YouTube where Toby really beats the crap out of a widow recurve , bending the limb tips backwards and literally throwing the bow on its limb tips as well as dryfiring it. https://youtu.be/IYlF9FbtFkQ It’s a cool video. These are tough bows
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: M60gunner on July 30, 2018, 04:47:34 PM: I say go for it. Worst case is some years from now if you want new limbs you have to have the riser updated. That bow is made for FF strings as well. BW upgraded their limbs in late 80’s, early 90’s. I have a VCR tape around here somewhere from BW on tuning and a segment where an employee steps on a limb and bends it backwards. Only issue I ever heard of was a Bocate riser having drying cracks. They replaced it of course. But it was more the wood itself and the ultra dry climate than the construction of the bow.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: dresnor on July 30, 2018, 05:03:45 PM: Does anyone know the woods used to make this bow?

Jeremy
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: mooseman76 on July 30, 2018, 05:32:12 PM: It’s made out of their autumn oak actionwood. They use birch now but this one may be maple, not sure. In either case it’s a dyed laminated wood. It’s a nice bow but I think $600 is on the high side for it. You can get a newer one (used of course)for close to the same, in my opinion. That said, if you feel like you are getting a good deal and are happy with it by all means go for it. It’s a great bow that will serve you for a long time.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: STICKBENDER98 on July 30, 2018, 07:46:00 PM: You wont go wrong with a Widow the video says it all!!! Good luck and happy shooting if you pull the trigger.

Jason
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Gator1 on July 31, 2018, 12:54:40 AM: I would say $600.00 is on the high end. Regardless of the accessories for that age of a bow.

Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: KSdan on July 31, 2018, 10:36:09 AM: Seems high end price. . . that being said- they are quite a tool!!

I have shot my SA Autumn Oak for 25 years now! 62". 55# @ 31. My ONE AND ONLY hunting bow all these years. Shot plenty of critters. Ran over it with my truck. . . bent the original Delta quiver, ruined all the arrows, blew the string off the twisting limbs. . . Fixed the quiver (still on it today), got new arrows, restrung. . . and I was back hunting that afternoon. Dropped it from a 16 ft treestand. . . bounced on rear limb 6 ft. in the air and somersaults across the ground. . . retrieved it. . . continued hunting with that very day. Broke a limb tip layer off on a rock. . . glued a new phenolic tip back on it. . . back in business. Dropped and bumped more times than I care to admit. Refinished 3 times. Still going strong. . .
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: TradBowyer on July 31, 2018, 11:13:58 AM: If you really like the bow, the extra $100 won't be an issue. Just read the postings of those that had bows, got rid of them and now are wishing they hadn't. Makes $100 seem a little small in those regards
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Hermon on July 31, 2018, 12:15:44 PM: Or another way to look at it. New limbs today are $645. You are buying limbs and getting the riser and all the accessories for free. Really, if you are happy with the bow is all that matters.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: doubleo on July 31, 2018, 01:39:58 PM: Don't try what Toby did at home! Lol! Black Widows are known for being tough and dependable bows! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: GCook on July 31, 2018, 01:43:17 PM: Quote from: KSdan on July 31, 2018, 10:36:09 AM
Seems high end price. . . that being said- they are quite a tool!!

I have shot my SA Autumn Oak for 25 years now! 62". 55# @ 31. My ONE AND ONLY hunting bow all these years. Shot plenty of critters. Ran over it with my truck. . . bent the original Delta quiver, ruined all the arrows, blew the string off the twisting limbs. . . Fixed the quiver (still on it today), got new arrows, restrung. . . and I was back hunting that afternoon. Dropped it from a 16 ft treestand. . . bounced on rear limb 6 ft. in the air and somersaults across the ground. . . retrieved it. . . continued hunting with that very day. Broke a limb tip layer off on a rock. . . glued a new phenolic tip back on it. . . back in business. Dropped and bumped more times than I care to admit. Refinished 3 times. Still going strong. . .
Memo to me. Don't buy a used bow from this fella.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Bvas on July 31, 2018, 01:48:58 PM: What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^X2
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: KSdan on July 31, 2018, 03:07:28 PM: You guys kill me! :bigsmyl: :biglaugh:
Of course, look what this "seasoned" honey has accomplished (25 year old quiver and all!). . . and she has claimed many more.
Besides all that- this bow was a gift from a small group of special friends to me. Tell you what- I will sell it for $3000 tyd.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: dresnor on July 31, 2018, 04:01:12 PM: I think I am going to go for it. Thank you all for the help and praises of the bow.

As for the price being a bit on the high side. I get great treatment and free stuff from this bow shop. I will recoupe my money one way or another.

I will post pics when I pick it up.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on July 31, 2018, 04:15:26 PM: Good Luck. But I think $600 is definitely on the high side. Ive seen a lot nicer bows that sold for less on here. And Ive sold nicer bows for less.
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: STICKBENDER98 on July 31, 2018, 08:50:21 PM: You guys kill me!
Of course, look what this "seasoned" honey has accomplished (25 year old quiver and all!). . . and she has claimed many more.
Besides all that- this bow was a gift from a small group of special friends to me. Tell you what- I will sell it for $3000 tyd.

With all that MOJO, it just might be worth it!!!!! :archer:
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: GCook on July 31, 2018, 10:14:02 PM: KSdan it looks like you've got a proven track record with that bow. If I ever have one like that I'll be buried with it.

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Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: KSdan on July 31, 2018, 10:25:01 PM: Quote from: GCook on July 31, 2018, 10:14:02 PM
KSdan it looks like you've got a proven track record with that bow. If I ever have one like that I'll be buried with it.

:thumbsup: If not buried with it, hopefully a family heirloom! I have nothing to compare it to, but the same bow and arrow set up for all these years pretty much becomes an extension of me.

Dan in KS
Title: Re: Black Widow Bow Help. Don Pease are you out there?
Post by: Huntschool on August 02, 2018, 12:11:01 PM: I have a much older non ff model with the old frost finish which I would not sell for any amount. These bows are work horses. I have left it strung for prolonged periods of time with now weight loss, just a few twists of a slightly stretched string.

Enjoy your bow