Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Plumber on December 08, 2009, 08:20:00 AM

Title: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: Plumber on December 08, 2009, 08:20:00 AM
what bow would pick
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: BowZen on December 08, 2009, 09:18:00 AM
This one is going to be close! I have recently acquired both. Both are super smooth, hit where you look and beautifully crafted. Both grips provide for positive hand placement and both Norm and Dave/Beth are fantastic to deal with.

The true measure of a bow is to give the user confidence. Both these bows do that for me.

If possible, acquire both as each one has a distinct personality.

Karim
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: KentuckyTJ on December 08, 2009, 09:43:00 AM
I've owned both in the 3 piece T.D. model. Still have the Schafer and will always.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: tradtusker on December 08, 2009, 09:48:00 AM
Iv shot both
i would go with the schafer
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: snag on December 08, 2009, 09:56:00 AM
Blacktail bows are the handsdown best recurve being made in the world today.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: KentuckyTJ on December 08, 2009, 10:16:00 AM
Curious Snag have you ever owned a Schafer 3 piece?
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: Kyle Lancaster on December 08, 2009, 10:29:00 AM
I've owned multiples of both. They are both in the top 5 of recurve bows in terms of performance and appearance. My advise is that you need to try each and make a decision on your own. I don't own either at present or I'd let you shoot them. If you're not a member, then join the Trad. Bowhunter of Md. I'd bet that you could find a member that has one to trial. I'm not sure if either Blacktail or Schafer offers a "try before you buy program" or not? You might want to contact them and see. In the long run, you can't go wrong with either. And if you don't like it, the resell value and time to sell would be good, guaranteed.

Good luck,
Kyle
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: Kyle Lancaster on December 08, 2009, 10:43:00 AM
Also, if you watch the classifieds you will find both used. There's been some on this week. Not sure if they're still available.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: limbow on December 08, 2009, 10:53:00 AM
I have owned both and prefer the Schafer. For me, the grip that Dave offers is far superior than any bow I have owned. Ascetically speaking, the Blacktail is a work of art but the grip area was to slim for my liking. Try both, they do offer a try before you buy option--Then you will have your answer.

I recently acquired a 1 piece Schafer recurve. This bow has moved to the very top of the list of my all time favorites in a hurry! If you travel to hunt, the t/d bows are great, but if you primarily hunt of your back porch then the 1 piece bow deserves a fair shake. Both bowyers offer them too  :)
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: A.S. on December 08, 2009, 11:00:00 AM
Nothing more beautiful than a Blacktail. That being said....I'm shooting a Schafer.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: WildmanSC on December 08, 2009, 11:02:00 AM
I've had one piece and 3-pc T/D Blacktails and I have one 3-pc Schafer ST on hand.  The Schafer gets my vote.  I have a new set of limbs on order to make my bow 62" instead of the 64" with the limbs presently on the riser.  My 28" draw doesn't take full advantage of the 64" bow's capabilities.  I think the 62" bow will do so.

Bill
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: Blackhawk on December 08, 2009, 11:31:00 AM
Each has its own special characteristics regarding looks, feel, performance, etc. and it would be tough selecting one over the other. I've owned them both, but give the edge to the Blacktail...but just barely.  

Now if you had thrown in the Dale Dye as a choice, it would easily have won my vote.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: Bjorn on December 08, 2009, 11:42:00 AM
Never had the pleasure of shooting a Blacktail. I had a Schafer RC, which I sold, and now have a 1 pc LB on order.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: billy shipp on December 08, 2009, 12:03:00 PM
I have owned both in 3pc TD's....sold the Blacktail, still own 2 Schafers.

You need to shoot both, then decide.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: Straitshot on December 08, 2009, 01:13:00 PM
I, too, have owned both and still do. Each has their own shooting characteristics as stated. I like them both and personally wouldn't be without either. They are both great, and I mean great bows, and the folks that make them are among the best folks I have ever delt with. I have taken game with both and have shot tournaments with both. Both are similar in price and wait time. I would say if at all possible shoot before you decide. It took several years but I managed to get both.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: SERGIO VENNERI on December 08, 2009, 01:18:00 PM
Schafer,ST, Schafer ST and Schafer ST !!
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: see on December 08, 2009, 01:55:00 PM
the schafer is the best bow i ever shot.never even held a blacktail,just saw the beauty of them on this website.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: snag on December 08, 2009, 03:58:00 PM
TJ, never owned one..but I have shot one....I own several Blacktails.  Isn't it great to have choices?
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: recurve_shooter on December 08, 2009, 04:24:00 PM
I have 3 Schafers and and they are all great shooters.  I also look forward to the day when I can add a Blacktail to the collection!
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: Burnsie on December 08, 2009, 05:07:00 PM
I need a Schafer!!
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: CDR on December 08, 2009, 05:18:00 PM
I love my Schafer!!!
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: mjh on December 08, 2009, 05:46:00 PM
I own two Blacktails a  one peice and a takedown, they are my go to bows.   I did shoot a Schafer once along time ago I don't remember much of it.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: DEATHMASTER on December 08, 2009, 06:39:00 PM
Schafer here too.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: joevan125 on December 08, 2009, 07:11:00 PM
Ok guys now you got me wanting a Schafer.  :banghead:
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: Walt Francis on December 08, 2009, 07:17:00 PM
You can't go wrong with either bow.  That said, if I have to choose, my choice would be a Schafer.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: overbo on December 08, 2009, 08:00:00 PM
Had both and perferred the Blacktail.Just shot it better than the Schafer.Only thing about the Blacktail,is you can get basically the same bow design from different bowyers(Wes Wallace,Bracks,Stalker)The schafer not so much but that Talltines resembles the Schafer
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: glass76 on December 08, 2009, 10:56:00 PM
Ordered my first Blacktail from Norm in 1993.It's
a great shooting bow,(good looking too). Like it so much I placed another order with Norm two weeks ago for a new one with two sets of limbs.
I've never shot a Schafer, can only say the Blacktail works great for me.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: Hatrick on December 09, 2009, 07:42:00 AM
Ed, this should be fun watching you agonize over this choice.

Oh boy, oh boy, and I get to watch!  :jumper:
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: snag on December 09, 2009, 10:08:00 AM
Overbo, I'll have to respectfully disagree with your statement. The Blacktail design is unique to Norm's bows. He has refined it over time. Wes worked with Jim. Norm didn't. Norm only talked once in awhile with Jim about bows. The Blacktail is different in it's grip, window/shelf design, etc.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: hogdancer on December 09, 2009, 10:27:00 AM
I have shot and yes owned both and I prefer the Blacktail but I'm with Blackhawk , if a Dye would have been in there it would have easily gotten my vote.
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: limbow on December 09, 2009, 11:26:00 AM
Thomas--Bite your tung ! LOL

Agree though with you and Lon about the Dye!
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: amar911 on December 09, 2009, 12:01:00 PM
I have more than a dozen Brackenburys, including some built by Wes Wallace; I owned a Wallace that I sold; I own a couple of Blacktails and used to own a third; and I have shot a Schafer. Snag is correct about the Blacktails being a significantly different bow than the rest, although the influence of the Brackenbury type of design is present to some extent in my opinion. I would pick the Blacktail over the Schafer because I like the design and also because no one makes a bow as beautiful as a Blacktail. The Schafer is a great looking bow too and is a great shooting bow. If not for the Blacktail being the better looking bow, I would be hard pressed to pick one bow over the other.

Allan
Title: Re: what bow to pick blacktail or shafer poll
Post by: George D. Stout on December 09, 2009, 12:29:00 PM
There are a lot of really great bows out there besides the two mentioned.  And I guess you meant Schafer...not Shafer.  Every bow has good points and negative points, and I don't care who makes it, and not everyone can shoot every bow.

Subjective at best.  I'll take an 80's Custom Kodiak over any of those.