Post by: Etter on November 07, 2020, 03:33:58 PM
My first one was a 60” PA and I fell in love. After that I bought a 60” ptf off of here and loved it equally but recently sold it to a buddy so I could have Toby build me a 60” PSA. I had him build it with a custom grip and extra glass for added mass weight. Man is it sweet!
My last widow will be a super short 52” kb for treestand hunting but I think Im done messing with other bows. These things are just the tops and the guys who make em are too.
Post by: Mike Bolin on November 07, 2020, 05:04:11 PM
I recently picked up an old Bear mag handle takedown as a back up bow to the PTF. I've owned one before and it is a fine bow that I shoot well and it's a classic. Pretty please overall with my very limited collection, but I still find myself checking the classifieds every evening hoping to stumble on another lefty PTF or PSA.
I think to some extent, it is the Black Widow Bow Company and their customer service as much as it is the bows themselves. When I had shoulder issues in 2016 I couldn't handle the weight of either one of my PL longbows. I called Black Widow and asked them if they knew of anyone that might have a lighter weight PL that they would be interested in trading. The answer was "no, but what weight are you looking for?" I told them 40-45#@28" with a standard grip. Roger said he'd "do some checking around." 3 days later I received a package from Widow with a brand spanking new PLX takedown with a note saying to send it back to them once I got healed up! In 2003 I had was Widowless and had a Canadian hunt planned. A month before the hunt I had an "issue" with the bow I had planned to hunt with. All of my "fun money" was tied up with the hunt and I was thinking I may have go with my muzzleloader. I called Ken Beck about "renting" a bow and he said he couldn't do that but he would send me a bow to use as long as I needed it...an people wonder why Black Widow customers are so loyal!
Post by: MCNSC on November 07, 2020, 08:05:07 PM
Post by: McDave on November 07, 2020, 08:39:37 PM
I had a 50th anniversary Widow that I donated to the St Judes auction a few years ago. But that one never really suited me personally; the ASA fits me like a glove. But the feeling of making a difference in a child's life was priceless.
The bow I killed my first deer with, the one you can see in my avatar, was a 65# SA. The days when I could draw a 65# bow are in the rear view mirror, but I could never bring myself to sell it, so I eventually gave it away to a fellow ex-marine. I used to shoot with him frequently, and hope to resume doing that whenever I get a COVID vaccine, but it was always such a pleasure to see him draw that 65# bow like I draw a 40# bow now.
I also have fond memories of visiting the BW shop in Nixa and attending Fred Asbell's seminar there. So my memories of BW are not simply limited to their bows. Like other people, the best memories are of events that evolved from their bows.
Post by: beemann on November 07, 2020, 08:48:05 PM
Post by: JamesD on November 07, 2020, 08:59:28 PM
Post by: ed lash on November 07, 2020, 09:05:48 PM
Gotta love the Widows and the folks that make them. Ken Beck is a great guy too...I admire him (the newer guys also).
Post by: ed lash on November 07, 2020, 09:07:56 PM
I have yet to shoot a Black Widow (It's on my to do list). It was their advertisements in Bowhunter Magazine in the late 80's and early 90's that gave me the traditional archery bug that led to me giving up the training wheels.Yeah. Wasn't Maggie's Meanderings in there...he had a beautiful one piece Widow as I recall.
Post by: Dave Lay on November 07, 2020, 09:09:37 PM
Recurves, I’ve had PSA,s , PA,s and my current SAV that is the smoothest bow I’ve ever shot . I can’t imagine a better hunting bow for me.
I have a story similar to Mikes , I had a hunt planned to Mcalister depot in Oklahoma and I broke my bicep tendon on my drawing arm, I could still draw my bow but it hurt and at the time I was shooting a 63lb PSA2 , I also called Roger to see if he had a lighter set of limbs made up he’d sell me, he said no but he had a set he’d loan me for my hunt and until I healed from the upcoming repair surgery. I was able to kill 3 deer with that bow before my surgery, which I had put off until my Oklahoma hunt .
Widow recurves are not the fastest or maybe prettiest but they are bullet proof tough and the best drawing bows Ive ever drawn And the customer service is absolutely second to none Yea I am a VERY loyal widow shooter
Seems this old ad shows Myles Keller did pretty well with one as well.
Post by: Bowguy67 on November 07, 2020, 09:39:12 PM
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 07, 2020, 10:38:23 PM
Post by: Huntschool on November 08, 2020, 12:50:53 AM
I have had a number of bows since the mid 60's but have found the Widows to be the best for me. I have an old MA frost finish that just shoots on auto piolet. Then I have three PL's. All of them are custom PLX bows and they shoot like fire for me. I had a PF but loaned it out and never got it back.... Oh well...
As others have, said their customer service is second to none. I am comfortable ordering over the phone talking to Roger or Toby any time. In this day and age this kind of customer service is something to be cherished.
I am old now and my shooting requires a lower poundage bow. The last bow I ordered at low poundage came in right on the numbers and looked beautiful. These are just great bows.
Post by: Long Barrel Colt on November 08, 2020, 01:40:53 AM
Post by: KentuckyWolf on November 08, 2020, 11:11:22 AM
Had a desire for a widow after seeing the old magazine ads for the SA II & III. Finally got to shot one in high school when my uncle came over with a brand new SA II. He had stopped by Nixa on a side trip during a vacation in Branson. He was super impressed and treated like family by Ken and crew. He order it that day. Which knowing my aunt was an honest to God absolute Biblical level miracle that she “let” him spend money on a new bow. Anyways, I shot his. I shot it almost instantly better than my production recurves (PSE, Browning, Bear). It hit harder too. I was hooked.
Took a few years for me to get the spare capital to get my own. However, I love it and will never part with it. Got a few widows now....and will be other eventually.
Before anyone chimes in...yes I have shot lots of other bows, by many different bowyers, but for me widows are it. What I shoot daily, what I hunt with, what I would trust on a out of state or country hunting trip....my widows.
Post by: stagetek on November 08, 2020, 11:45:23 AM
Post by: bucknut on November 08, 2020, 12:04:13 PM
Post by: MCNSC on November 08, 2020, 07:40:06 PM
Compare that to another well known bowyers customer service, bought one of his bows second hand and the finish seemed to just be going away. I called him and he admitted he had had a problem with his finish holding up. But only warranted to the original owner.
Post by: Burly on November 08, 2020, 08:45:05 PM
Post by: kskickapoo on November 08, 2020, 09:43:40 PM
Post by: Warden609 on November 08, 2020, 10:03:19 PM
Post by: A Lex on November 09, 2020, 12:54:32 AM
Don't see the need for another bow even though I've looked at the odd other bow once or twice. There are sure some excellent bows out there, but I just keep coming back to my Widows. They shoot great, look great, are very well made, and they do everything I could ask of them.
No complaints at all, and I have only great things to say about the bows, the people and the company.
Best
Lex
Post by: TradBrewSC on November 09, 2020, 11:18:01 AM
Post by: captain caveman on November 09, 2020, 12:28:07 PM
Post by: GCook on November 09, 2020, 12:35:48 PM
Post by: Joshua Grimshaw on November 09, 2020, 12:59:30 PM
Post by: KentuckyWolf on November 09, 2020, 01:21:08 PM
My PLX shoots right on with my PSA III. Can switch be between them and not miss a beat.
Get a PL...doubt you will regret it.
Post by: GCook on November 09, 2020, 02:19:50 PM
GCookMaybe someday I'll find a used one and get that chance.
My PLX shoots right on with my PSA III. Can switch be between them and not miss a beat.
Get a PL...doubt you will regret it.
Post by: Flingblade on November 09, 2020, 10:22:26 PM
Post by: beemann on November 10, 2020, 12:18:59 AM
Post by: GCook on November 10, 2020, 08:18:58 AM
Joshua, Do you have any pics you can post of your 60" Osage PSR? I plan to order that very bow next year for my birthday. I was thinking I would have them leave out the red but haven't decided for sure yet. I am shooting a 58" PSA that is 52@28 and I love it. Smoothest drawing bow I've ever shot. I am using four wool string scallops from two tracks on a ten ring string and it seems nice and quiet to me. At least I can't hear it over the ringing in my ears from too many years behind the 12 gauge duck hunting without hearing protection. Word of caution to the younger fellas, cover 'em up now and you'll thank yourself later.Shotguns and 5.56 pretty much damaged mine then working around large machinery put the seal on it.
Good advice for young folks. Your hearing and eyesight are things they can't replace.
Post by: Joshua Grimshaw on November 11, 2020, 10:10:57 PM
Here is a picture of my Osage PSR.
Post by: Flingblade on November 12, 2020, 12:42:48 PM
Post by: stik&string on November 12, 2020, 01:16:11 PM
I am a hill style guy but an osage PSR or a PCH have always called out to me. I may have to "test drive" one after season.
Post by: ron w on November 12, 2020, 02:36:53 PM
Post by: Sam McMichael on November 12, 2020, 02:43:23 PM
Post by: Coach Jones on November 12, 2020, 09:16:56 PM
Post by: Iowabowhunter on November 13, 2020, 10:25:22 AM
Post by: shick on November 17, 2020, 09:56:16 AM
Shick
Post by: Bowguy67 on November 18, 2020, 11:06:37 AM
So years back, early 2000s my wife gave my daughters, the younger being an infant a card With check and the 2nd half of pmt on bow for my bday. . It has my kids names on it. It came around Sept. By Oct my oldest daughter maybe 3-4 would fly out of car upon arriving home from grandmas where she stayed as we worked.
She’d ask if I got a deer w “her bow”. I’d tell her not yet I wanted to practice w it. Each day I’d look out back of my taxidermy shop and see deer moving through the woods near a stand I had set. I finished early enough, grabbed the new bow and headed out. As I started to tie it to a haul line a bunch of does came through. One centered itself between the Y of a tree perfectly centering it’s vitals. Allowing very little room to not get vitals. I shot and saw her crash down. Wasn’t even in stand yet.
My daughter came home and asked if I got a deer w her bow. I brought her outside and she asked where the horns were!
Ok so a week later I haven’t been out, I finish but I’ve been skinning bears. I smell like grease. Ah I grab the new widow, run down to a recently cut cornfield and set up my climber. Man it’s crazy less than an hour til dark. I have my bow, license, knife, bow hook and stand. I jack up, wearing blue jeans and a flannel. Pull my bow up, check watch it’s I think 4:26. As I look down I see a rack buck sneaking through. I shoot it, it runs out into power cut and falls over. I check watch. 4:26. Less than a few minutes w a new bow and 2 dead deer on it. Maybe not my favorite bow maker but this bow has been out not all that much and has stories on it. Might be my luckiest. Bringing it out tonight. First time in a few years. We’ll see what happens but it’s super windy here.
Post by: beemann on November 18, 2020, 11:21:20 AM
Post by: Dave Lay on November 18, 2020, 07:53:11 PM
Post by: Lefty on November 24, 2020, 04:42:05 PM
PS I think I have own a Widow or two of Dave Lay's! :biglaugh:
Post by: Dave Lay on November 24, 2020, 05:57:19 PM
Post by: captain caveman on November 25, 2020, 12:37:13 PM
Post by: captain caveman on November 25, 2020, 12:38:58 PM