Trad Gang

I currently shoot a 50# Tomahawk SS 62" with a draw of 28.5.  I shoot the bow well and only have positive things to say about it.  I do want a second bow with the same specifications for backup and for variety.  I have settled in, right now, on a Fox longbow.  My primary use of my bow is for hunting and I'm kind of a no frills guy.

Questions - Will a 50#, 62" Fox offer a similar shooting experience to my Tomahawk given my draw weight?  I am looking at the Yew and the Bamboo models and wondering what the difference will be between the two (faster, lighter, smoother etc.)  Any other insights from Tomahawk or Fox owners will be appreciated.

I do have a Fox LB but I've never shot a Tomahawk so I can't compare.  My Fox is what Ron calls an Arctic Fox. Mine is 60" and 55#@28 which is my draw length.  It's Bamboo backed and faced with Pudunk? as a limb core wood and Cocabola as the handle wood with Pudunk as an accent.  The bow is very light and fast for a mild R/D bow.  It's got skinny limbs and I use a TS-1 16 strand string on it.
I shot a Howatt Bushmaster before the Fox and there is a night and day diffeance of how the Fox handles.
IT's like a good 5 weight flyrod compared to a 8 weight.

Give Ron King a call, he's a great guy and will answer your guestions for you, but I'll tell you this your won't be disappointed with a Fox bow.

DJ

J-Kid
I'll make a try at posting a picture of my Fox LB.





DJ

I went to the address and saw it.  Thanks.

Well that didn't work so I'll try this one.

(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg135/donnyjack/FH000021.jpg)

How about hand shock?

NONE what so ever. Have shot the bow with B50 and noticed a little tump but thats the case with most bows I've shot with B50 due to string elasticity.  
THis bow is real light with the Boo limbs and just does not have much limb mass to cause hand shock.
Ron also has a nice locator grip with a little swell to the lower handle.  Nothing like some of the LB grips I've tried and it really helps with hand placement to keep thing consistent.

DJ

I would have to agree that Fox bows are outstanding. I have a Royal Crown LB that has what you would call a recurve style grip. There is almost NO chance of gripping this bow wrong. I had always liked the feel of his 3 pc recurve riser and this one is very similar, if not the same.
I cant compare with a Tomahawk LB either since I dont have one. I am sure they are fine bows though, and have considered getting one "just because". Havent done it yet.

Here is my Fox. Bolivian Rosewood and Myrtle riser, with some very distinctive Myrtle limb veneers. Very smooth shooting and very quiet too. My purchase experience with Ron was top shelf all the way.

BP

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/kodiak1028/Bow%20Pics/IMG_0538.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/kodiak1028/Bow%20Pics/IMG_0536.jpg)

I bought a really nice Royal Crown off Ron last year and the experience was reasonably enjoyable.  However the bow was absolutely exquisite and the finish was second to none.

However, like my Toelke Whip (which was also of a similiar ilk), it seemed to be only average in the performance stakes.  As I only shoot relatively light poundage I need a high performance bow for the big critters here in Australia.

The two bows I have settled on (one for a T/D and the other a one piece) are my Firefly and Turkey Creek.

Particularly the T/C seems a much higher peformance bow for exactly the same poundage as was the R/C.

I guess it depends what you are looking for in a bow.  If it is the very best build then get the Fox, if performance is important to you (like is is for me), then look further afield.

Sutto

Speed is important in that the 50# bow has to be efficient enough to kill with good shot placement but it does not have to the be the "fastest" to satisfy me.  The Tomahawk's speed is completely satisfactory and I'd guess it's speed is better than most but not as good as a couple that are way ahead of the pack.  I also need simplicity and durability since this is going to be a hunting bow.  That being said, I don't want a bow that is slower than most.  I'd say Above Average Speed is Good.

I have a Royal Crown and I love it! It is 48lbs @28 with bamboo limbs,it is smooth, quite and plenty fast. The workmanship is flawless. You will be happy with a Fox.

If you can make it, Fox will be in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the expo.
One of the only opportunities to "shoot before you buy"

Ron and Debbie are realy good people to work with.Im happy to call them friends.I dont think you would be disappointed with one of thier long bows.

that royal crown is gorgeous, i just order an osage and cocobolo  riser  in a 62 inch length with osage veneer  limbs yesterday!! yahoo

I have a Fox reverse handle and it is a great shooting bow,fit and finish is outstanding.I think it has excellent speed.Haven't shot a Tomahawk but I don't think you would be disappointed in a Fox.I had an Artic Fox,I do regret trading that one off.

J-Kid, this thread is very timely since I've been looking for a used sleeved TD longbow for awhile and Fox is one of the top candidates.  I owned an Artic Fox TD some years back, it was too heavy for me but I liked its looks, in-hand heft and solid feel.  Never shot a Tomahawk and have only seen one in the MOTB video with Dale Karch (TD model), but based on that rough comparison the Fox seems like a quieter bow.  The Tomahawk TD design is interesting and looks dependable as well, but my experience with the sleeve was very good and they are a reliable system.

Fox bows are hard to find, especially the TDs, so buying new might be the only realistic option.  From my experience it would be an excellent choice in a mild R/D longbow style.  

FYI, I draw a tad under 28" and the Fox I owned was 64", which seemed like a good compromise for hunting and target shooting.  Mine had a straight grip, which I like better than the locator style (must be due to my affection for Hill-style grips).

I'll be interested to hear more comments from those with Fox longbows, especially the takedown model.

I can't say enough good about Fox Archery and Ron King. I was a loyal Breed man for years and owned several as well as one High Seirra. I recently began to prefer longbows over recurves and, needeles to say, went with a Fox. I just picked it up in a trade with Mike Kirksey and am thrilled with it.

At our local club shoots you'd think Ron was sponsoring us or something... lots of Fox's around. Between all of those, the ones I've owned, and all the ones he brings to shoots, I've shot a ton of Fox's. In short...    :thumbsup:   :thumbsup: