Hey all,
I'm looking to buy a longbow and would like some suggestions on bows to try or check out.
I am looking for a bow to compliment my 64" DAS, and really want a contrast. That meaning that I want a very solid, high performance longbow with some amount of D/R, but speed isn't my number one priority with this one (though it is of importance). I want a bow that embodies a smooth, sweet shooting longbow, and that is very stable, reliable, and tough.
I'm looking for a one-piece, or a two-piece that looks like a one-piece. I've been looking at the Border Griffon GLs and Harrier Gls, Black Widow PLs, and a few others. Opinions on these bows and others would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Craig
Throw the Wes Wallace Royal longbow into your consideration. They are sweet shooting, no stacking at all, fast, and he makes works of art that function as bows too. I just ordered the wife her second Royal and I am going to visit Wes and order my second longbow from him this weekend.
Wes is a great guy, totally customer service oriented, and you will not be disappointed in any way with the bow. I reccomend the break down Royal. It looks like a one piece, and is reflex / deflex. Check them out at Wes Wallace Custom Bows.
Schafer?
Thanks Brandon, but I'm definitely looking for more of a low wrist grip and a longer bow (64-66"). That, however, is a STUNNING bow!
I'm intrigued by the Wes Wallace...how are they against others (such as the Widow PL) for speed? I've also been looking at the Turkey Creek bows and am VERY interested.
I have a Toelke whip classic that I love. Dead quiet, low wrist locater grip, fast, light,he also makes the regular whip thats low wrist with a thumb locater. Mines 64" 51# @32. Cocobolo with juniper limbs, bamboo core. A very pretty bow as well. If you want a bow in short order Mr. Toelke really bangs them out and he is an awesome guy. montanabows.com
Bob
(http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr272/boblamonte/whip6.jpg)
Griffin!
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m193/robertwestfall/DSCN3285.jpg)
this is one of his "stock/show bows"
Hornes
Take a look at the Zach Ferguson Z bows, I have a Z58 and a Z64 they are both great shooting bows.
I am with bob l try a toelke whip I have one and another one in 12 more days but I prefer the whip with the thumbrest that said you will not talk or be helped by a better guy than dan just my two cents Philip
I shoot Dan toelke Whips, they are smooth drawing, forgiving, fast and exceptionally quiet. The longest I have waited for delivery has been a month and Dan is the easiest guy you will ever deal with. Check out some Whips at www.montanabows.com, (http://www.montanabows.com,) click on "current inventory" and you will see they are beautiful as well.
I'll add another vote for Dan Toelke and his "Whips". Fantastic bows, and an even better man. They are my favorite longbows by a long shot. I have/had both the standard Whip and the Classic and I do believe I like the Classic grip a bit better, though both do the job...Mike
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/mooseman76/classic001-1.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/mooseman76/classic004.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/mooseman76/whip004-2.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/mooseman76/whip002-2.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/mooseman76/whip004.jpg)
Last picture is a Whip next to a "mini" Classic that Dan built for my 2 year old son for Christmas last year.
I really like the Tomahawk line of bows. Super smooth, quick, and shoot where you look. Nice thing is 3 rivers has 4 payment plan, and a great return policy if you don't like it. I have owened 5 of them...Also most of the time they have a bow to fit your needs in stock.
Hey Craig..
I notice that you're up in Hooker...you should take a drive down to Pampa and go to the Great Plains bow shop down there. They usually have several of their longbows on the rack that you can shoot, as well as the Tomahawks that they make for 3Rivers. Bob and his crew are really nice fellas.
And if you get the time, every august here in McAlester they have the big trad bow shoot at the ammunition plant. Lots of bowyers show up, Black Widow, Foley, Bob Lee and a lot of independant bowmakers.
Shoot as many diffrent brands/styles/models as you can before you place your order. The right bow will just feel right.
Good luck with whatever you choose!
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w31/clwalkerpic/IMG_1157.jpg)
Kanati 58" made by Jason Kendall
Best bow for the money. Shoots like a dream and the workman ship is great! Light, fast and shock free. Check it out. I love mine.
Check out one of Leon Stewarts "Slammer" as it has all of the attributes you are talking about. tom
Hey everyone,
Thanks for the input so far! Too many choices lol
I'm looking hard at the Turkey Creek and Toelke Whip Classic at this point. I should have mentioned that I draw 30" and need a 64"-66" bow.
Thanks,
Craig
Another vote for Dan Toelke. Just recieved a 64" #50 "Whip" on Monday. Im new to trad. archery, and ive only shot a handfull of bows. This bow is the smoothest, most "dead" in the hand of the few ive shot.
I really think Dans time as a firearms engraver has him at a level of fit/finish that satisfies even the most picky of consumers. Excellent craftsmanship both in design/execution/methods and materials.
One of my favorite little "touches" on the whip is that he carries a thin veneer layer of the riser material out to the end of the limb tip. This really has a gracefull, sleek look.
Mine is Macassar Ebony, so theres a dark thin line running all the way to the tip between the tempered bamboo layers.
Lastly, Dan has been a HUGE help to me in learning to shoot. He gave me some tips yesturday that turned into me shrinking my groups drastically and improving my consistency to the point that im now finally confident to actually go HUNT with my bow!
MOHAWK, YOU WILL BE SO HAPPY YOU TRIED ONE !
Kanati. If I was going to by another bow it to would be a Kanati.
I shot a bunch. My favorites are a Mohawk and a Horne's Traditionalist. :thumbsup:
Craig, I'd tell you an ACS CX but since my favorite one is the Zebrawood takedown I bought from you I'll give you a few more tip's!! :) :) :) . Griffin or Centaur. Both hard to come by used, super long wating list new but two of the finest one piece longbow's you'll ever shoot. I was a diehard recurve guy and once I had these two bows in my hands, along with the ACS CX, I rarely shoot my recurves anymore.
Can suggest the Great Northern Fireball. Very stable, quiet on the release and a pleasure to shoot. It really casts an Easton Axis carbon arrow :)
Craig, I have a 30" draw and the Whip and Classic Whip in my pictures are both 64". Absolutely no problems. I've shot the 62" and don't really have any complaints, but Dan thought the 64" would be a better fit for my draw. Good luck with whatever you decide...Mike
64" Mohawk
Reading what you are looking for, I will suggest a Robertson Purist or Great Northern Critter Gitter. Both are classic and proven D/R longbows, wonderfully crafted by experienced masters and with good performance and excellent manners.
Crow Creek's "Black Feather", Schafer 3 piece and the Foley 3 piece. I've tried all 3 and all are top end. I like a low wrist also... at least a 64" to a 66" longbow.
I have the Wes Wallace Mentor (it's the only recurve I have left), but... sooner or later, I'm also going to try the Wes Wallace longbow.
How are the Mohawks and Robertsons for speed as compared to something like a Widow PL (kind of my standard for the speed I'm looking for)? Thanks,
Craig
Craig, I think the Robertson would hold its own pretty well. I know my bamboo cored Robertson Vision LB is very quick.
I'd go with the Border Griffon GL and did. Mines a two piece via the sleeve system. It also looks like a longbow, which I like and a one piece at that!
I never thought I'd hang up my recurve but the GL is now my "go to" bow and only 4fps slower than my recurve (the recurve is also a pound less).
A Cactus Cal Seguaro, The one I have is a Maple . riser, Tiger Maple limbs Boo cores.
Heavy R&D with Trapazoid design limbs with a very narrow limb tip. Very nice foward riser and a good solid grip.
This one is marked 45# at 28" weighs in at 52# at my 30" draw. 1918's with a 145 grain's out front cut 31" long 565 total weight. 5 Arrow average of 178fps. ZERO Noise dead silent not sure if that is fast but they sure go through a deer in a hurry.
This one will be my go to hunting bow for a long time.
D
Just a note I draw 32" on my 64" whip classic, your draw won't be a problem. If you have a chance call Dan you'll get a great feeling about the guy and his bows after speaking with him. let him know Bob Lamonte from Oregon loves his whip after he convinced me trying one after I had one of his TD recurves that I really like, but like my classic even more and I never shot longbows before.
Bob
I have a FireFly made by Jim Jones and it is a TD.
Jim's bows are smooth, accurate and fast.
The fact that i can change to different limbs and poundage makes it even better. The grip is like a glove, and for me it feels natural to hold it. Search for FireFly longbows here at PowWow and u will find many satisfied customers :)
(http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss142/RonnyMargly/MyFirefly.jpg)
Margly
Nice to see we all agree on the bow he needs. LOL. You better go somewhere and pick you own. I have a Savannah, Nortwind, and two self bows, a Robertson and a Bamboo backed Ipe longbow. I shot them all.
I vote for the Whip mine shoots great and is a fine piece of craftsmanship. Plus a short wait time from the time you order until you have the bow. Mine took about 4 weeks.
I vote for Wes Wallace bows. I have a "Royal" that I really like. Not only does he make a great bow but he stands behind his workmanship. I recently got my Royal back from a repair and refinish Wes did for me. The bow is about 10 years old and I am not the orginal owner. He repaired the bow at no charge. I did pay what I consider a very fair price for the refinishing.He also updated the grip for me. It looks great and shoots great also. I really like the grip. Thanks Wes
The Fedora's are nice longbows either in the TD or the one piece. The grip is similar to the Whip pictured above. They are fast, quiet, and well made.
If at all possible I'd suggest trying the bows your interested in for yourself.There's a good many "good" bows to choose from and how it feels is subjective from archer to archer...in a nut shell only "you" can really answer your question
I'm currently shooting a Centaur and was turned on to that brand by a fella that also has and loves his DAS which is an ok bow for me.Before that I was shooting a hummingbird which I still own and that was tried compared to many at Denton hill a few yrs back winning out for "me"
Good luck finding the bow your looking for
Check out St Joe River bows. Dick built me a 60" longbow this summer and it is silky smooth and dead on accurate. Here's a couple of pics....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/quarteraway/IMG_0507.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/quarteraway/IMG_0503.jpg)
Craig I had 2 Mohawks.Gave them up to try a couple other bows. I have owned and shot a bunch. I presently own a Widow PLV. I just obtained another Mohawk. I forgot how fast, quiet, and easy they were to shoot. I said it before and I'll say it again. You can't beat a Mohawk for the money.A bargin at 475.00 and they shoot as good or better than bows twice their price.That's my opinion. Everyone is different. The funny thing when Vince found out about me giving up the Mohawks he said "you'll be back". He was right. bentpole>>>>~~~~~>
M..O..H..A..W..K
I like the Mohawk as well in a mild R and D,the GN Critter gitter is a very good one and Hornes traditionalist is real nice as well in this style.The Hornes does have more reflex than the 1st two and a wider limb.I have had the pleasure to own alot of these other ones that have been mentioned like Centaurs and Griffins.The Centaurs longest bow is 62 though and the griffin has what seems like a different look than what you are interested in possibly with its forward set grip,not sure ofcourse though.
In a longer Hybrid that smokes I would look at the Whippenstick single carbon bow in the 65 inch model or 66 inch for your draw.I got a 65 incher and it fits great and I draw 29.5 to 30.It will definatly keep up with your DAS no problem and may be faster.Also has no shock and is a pleasure to shoot.Slim and trim deep cored limb with small tips and power lams and trapezoid cross section thats done very precisely and blends the lines of the bow for a nice aesthetic look.I would recommend a Diamondwood riser in that bow.Its a highly effecient bow
Another one that is worth a serious look is Tracy trickets Shadowcast longbow.64,66 and 68 inches length.I like 66 inches as a general rule for smoothness,fingerpinch and shootability at 30 inches draw.But you could get away with 64 IMO.Alot of reflex but strings up like a D bow when strung.He builds lots of nice bows in other designs as well and knows what hes doing.
Since you mentioned possibly wanting a 2 piece I have to mention Big Jims bows whos a sponser here.Its another hybrid thats very nice and comes with a 2 piece option.The TD style is similar to a widow TD or Caribow TD in design and comes in 66 inches.I got a 2 piece 62 incher and it shoots very stable and accuratefor me.The 2 piece has a little heft it seems right through the grip area and adds to the solid feel of this bow.Smooth and stable shooter with very nice workmanship.It has 2 lams of bamboo and black and red glass in the core and tulip wood veneers under the clear glass on back and belly.I think the 4 lams of glass give this a bow a stable limb.I would love to try this bow in a 2 piece 66 incher believe me.The price is super especially if you want a 2 piece bow.This bow compares very favorably to a widow longbow IMO.I like the TD design on this bow more than some others I have had.Strong,durable,easy to assemble,no flopping around when unstrung and no tools required.Shop around thier are some really good ones to think about no doubt.
These are just my opinions.It would be nice if you could test drive all of them to pick a cherry out for yourself
Tough decision,hope you find one you love
Good luck!!!
don't forget to look at the Shrews!
and Blackwidows..
21 century...
etc
I've shot quite a few long bows and own a few as well. Pronghorns have stood the test of time and are much copied. And the BW PL later model with the carbon in the limbs is truly inspired. Smooth draw, quiet and will give your das a run for the money. I bought the first one I shot right on the spot. 60lb 64" and I let the brace height down to under 6 inches drew the bow to 30 and shot, it didn't hit my wrist. That is limb stability.
And you can't forget the carbon foam Morrison Dakota, it might be even better.
1/4 away: I really like the looks of that bow. What are the wood specs in it?
Wannabe, It's Macassar ebony and tiger (curly) maple, 60" 57#@28"
QuoteOriginally posted by 1/4 away:
Check out St Joe River bows. Dick built me a 60" longbow this summer and it is silky smooth and dead on accurate. Here's a couple of pics....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/quarteraway/IMG_0507.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/quarteraway/IMG_0503.jpg)
Glad you are liking the bow. It was a beautiful one for sure.
PLX Widows...
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/DSC00496.jpg)
Fred, That bow is beautiful!
John McDonald big river R/D (http://i567.photobucket.com/albums/ss115/earljeff/newbigriverbow007.jpg)
I have a nice mohawk for sale 52@28 64" 350
Turkey Creek has everything that you mentioned and then some. I own 2 of his double carbons, and the performance still amazes me (if you care about those sorta things). Ive chrono'ed these bows along side some of the well know "high performance" bows...well , Il just say that Ive sold everything but the Turkey Creeks.
I will put another vote in for the Jim Jones Firefly. Great bows and everything you want. I would also look at the Lewis Hollow range of TD longbows.
I decided on a Turkey Creek DC that should be hear within the next 10 days or so, and a Northern Mist Superior. I'm going to try them both and see what LB type I prefer. The TC will be 64" 65#@30", and the NM will be 66" either 65#@30" or 73#@30", haven't decided yet...waiting to see how the TC feels at full draw.
Craig
How about longbow limbs for your DAS?
We are developing ILF longbow limbs in a bunch of lengths. Should be on the market by the first of the year if testing goes well.
Mike
Dwyer longbows make a great longbow and they are priced right.
Don't have any experience with Turkey Creek, but I think you will enjoy the Northern Mist. I have two baraga's and they are very nice, sweet shooting bows.