Hello I was just wondering if anyone has a good recommendation for a first longbow? I have had a howatt x-200 recurve for awhile and I am looking to switch to a longbow but I cannot spend $600 or more on one just want something that will shoot good while I am adjusting to it and working on my form and such then after a year or so picking up a really nice one. I would like to have something around #45 at 29" any info at all would be greatly appreciated. I would love to trade the recurve for one anyone now a good place to post for trades? I am new to these forums so any info or leads again we be appreciated.
You can get a good one (or three!) in the classifieds section at that price!
Link : http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?category=9 (Classifieds)
If you do not want a used bow, I know Vince at Mohawk Bows (Tradgang Sponsor) has a short waitinglist!
The run from 475$ and up, and lots of people here have nothing but good stuff to say!
Rob DiStefano has a review of his here :
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=31;t=000546
There are of course many other bows, but not too many I know of with less that 3 months waiting at that price!
I would recommend reading the link that SveinD posted, lots of good info.
I would try and find a longbow that you feel comfortable with and a grip that you like. Try and shoot a few different ones to help narrow down the search.
Centaur
If you don't have to have a custom bow you can pick up a Bear Montana relativly cheap. They're good bows at a good price. Less than $350. For a good price on a good custom try Mike Mecredy at Maddog bows. Good guy and good products.
www.maddogarchery.com (http://www.maddogarchery.com)
I've been shooting a Bear Montana. for $339.00 you can't beat it with a stick. Quietest bow I've ever shot, dead in the hand shoots were you look & shoots a pretty decent arrow. You can pick them up used for $150-175. A great longbow to start off with.
First Longbow Mohawk :thumbsup: Easy to shoot. Fast, quiet, and a real deal money wise. :archer:
I just got a wolf long bow and it shoots amazing! Its a great looking bow, and they sell for around 100 new on there web site.
Another vote for the Montana. I had one the year before last. You can get a used one for around 200 bucks. Or even better, get a used Beeler hybrid like the one I have now for around 300 bucks or a new one for 400.
I would have to agree with Buckeye and Butch. The Montana is a good shooting bow for little monies. I have one, but it's being loned out right now to another new trad shooter.
Check the classifieds you can pick up a good longbow 200-300
Check out Mike @ Maddog bows he make a leftover longbow thats cheap priced.
Wow thanks alot for all the great info so far the Mohawks and Maddogs look really nice the Bear is nice to especially for the money. I wish I could try a few out but unfortunatly there are no traditional bow shops in my area only shops that deal in compound bows. The closest I know of is Blackwidow Bows in Nixa Mo. and I would love to have one of their bows one of these days I just can't afford it but they are on the wish list. Again thanks for all the info you have given me alot to think about and drool over.
How could a person pick just one bow out of the bunch? I chose Hill 30+ years ago & have shot nothing but since. Quillan, Northern Mist, American, etc, all have great bows as are many others. Do yourself a big favor & buy from the classifieds.
it's a tough row to hoe, being a newbie of sorts and looking for a bow, any kinda stick bow. like most of us, if yer hooked on trad you'll find that buying, trading and selling all go together.
for most of us, finding that magic bow is a never ending don quixote quest.
each of us has an idea what will work best. sometimes you find that idea in the flesh, other times your magic bow hasta smack ya in the heck before you recognize it.
in a sweetly sick kinda way, bow chasing is part of the trad archery magic.
try as many as you can!
good luck!
oh yeah, definitely give a mohawk a try - that's MY magic bow! :D
You may feel the need to drop that draw length a little, depending on the grip. With straight gripped Hill style bows you may lose an inch of draw. With grips that are a closer match to your recurve of course you should see very little if any change. If you do not want to change your form much, it may be something to keep in mind.
Big Jim makes a great long bow, he is a sponser here.
A Hunter from Bama Bows
You can't beat them for the price. An American made bow with custom options. They are amazing and Nate backs every bow for life as long as you are the original owner.
My Dad and I both bought one for our first longbows. Absolutely hooked.
Check out Sarrels Archery. Bob makes a great bow, good price, and usually has a good selection of in stock bows! That's how I bought my "first" bow.
QuoteOriginally posted by LimbLover:
A Hunter from Bama Bows
You can't beat them for the price. An American made bow with custom options. They are amazing and Nate backs every bow for life as long as you are the original owner.
My Dad and I both bought one for our first longbows. Absolutely hooked.
How are these bows? I am not ready for one yet, but the price seems very, very reasonable. Does he not have as many laminations and such? Does performance suffer? It just seems like a nice looking bow for under $300.
Tim
The best one for you to start with is the one I have for sale. :saywhat:
You got some good info above. I would also say look at something with a locator or low grip to start. It could be a little easier to make the change.
Man what a great community I have gotten so much information and offers to help it is like nothing I have ever experienced. I have decided to try to buy a used bow that way I don't have to spend that much since things are kind of tight right now and also help a fellow member out. I have talked to a few guys and trying to get rid of my recurve to help fund the transition. I just want to say thanks again to everyone and keep the info and suggestions coming.
Yep. Bear Montana.
QuoteHow are these bows? I am not ready for one yet, but the price seems very, very reasonable. Does he not have as many laminations and such? Does performance suffer? It just seems like a nice looking bow for under $300.
I think the Hunter has 3 laminations. The Royal has four or five. That may be why they are cheaper - I honestly don't know. The glass and seems are great, lams are strong, and they really sling an arrow.
I do know that Nate chooses all of the wood. shapes the risers, crowns and centers the shelf, and tillers the bow by hand. I assumed they were machined because of the price and I actually talked to him to confirm they were not.
There is no way I can answer this without being biased as I love my bow and my Dad's is every bit its equal.
Obviously if you compare it to a high end bow like a Widow it is going to fall short in a few areas - laminations being one of them. They are also not reflex-deflex and they have a very slim/light design. If you like big risers, this isn't your bow. On the other hand they are super quiet and extremely light.
Personally, I would put mine up against any bow because it works for ME. Realistically, I would match it up with any bow in the $300-$500 price range. I would definitely take them over a mass-manufactured bow.
It is what it is, a solid, durable, no-frills working mans bow. A hunter's bow. I had pass-through on a moving doe at 25 yards with mine and I hold my own in league. That is good enough for me.
Again, my opinions, my experiences. I may have a better comparison after going to the Kzoo bow show.
I agree with Butch! My first longbow was Bear Montana 64" 45@28 shoots real good for a 45# longbow. Matter afact I seen my Montana on the classifieds a few days ago!
Nice looking longbows, great prices for newbie longbowmen.
http://www.siegeworkcreations.com/longbows.htm
Take a look at White Wolf bows. tony is offering a super basic long bow for $ 225.00 I can vouch for the quality of Tony's bows and customer service. Ihave been his shooter rep for over a year and his bows are real winners. if you look him up mention Don
I started with a Montana, great bow!!!!!!! Another great bow is the Mohawk, can't go wring with either! I must admit that my go to bow is my Big River, amazing bow, dead quiet, no hand shock and excellent craftsmanship for an outstanding price! Just a work of art!!!!
QuoteTake a look at White Wolf bows. tony is offering a super basic long bow for $ 225.00 I can vouch for the quality of Tony's bows and customer service. Ihave been his shooter rep for over a year and his bows are real winners. if you look him up mention Don
I debated on buying a White Wolf also. They didn't have the model I wanted in stock at the time.
They are beautiful bows.
Mohawk.
Sweet shooters, easy on form mistakes. Nice price.
Whisper Stik has some really nice custom long bows and a great starting price also. Go light on the poundage. I made the mistake of going from a 70# compound to a 65# recurve. I hated it and wanted to go back to shooting compound until a friend let me shot a 45# black Widow for a week, ordered one the next week and sold all of my compound gear..
You can get a brand new big river bow from John McDonald for $475. they also happen to be my favorite. :p
Here is my John MacDonald Big River, like Earl Jeff said, a great price and you don't have to wait forever to get one, got mine in about 2 months time. My buddy just got his in 4.5 weeks time!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/BowHuntingFool/P1040647.jpg)
Another pic...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/BowHuntingFool/P1040683.jpg)
bowhuntingfool, how does it shoot?
Check out Montana Bows & Navajo Bows before you decide. You can't go wrong with either.
BOWHUNTINGFOOL ...nice bow !
Another good option in an affordable production bow is the pse sequoia, my nephew has one and it shoots well and is dead quiet. If you want a custom, Zach Ferguson (Byron's son) makes a great bow, the Z64, you can order it to your specs and if you chose the hunter model it is only $400.00.
The nice thing is that there are lot of great American made Longbows out there to choose from! I have a Bama 50lb Hunter model and I love it! Very light, well made and easy to shoot and it was priced well under $300! I also thought about a Maddog bow!
There are alot of great bows out there today. We are truely blessed with all the bowyers in the US.
I would recommand going to a Trad Expo, or Trad shoot, and shoot everybow you can.
Don't look at price or worry about "big names", for your final decision.
When I was in the market for my first custom bow, I had two criteria I was looking for; First, how the bow felt in my hand, did it "point" well. Second how smooth was the bow. I shot alot of bows, finally I decided on "the one". That was 17years ago, and I still shoot that bow today.
Good luck, and have fun shooting.
chris <><
For a quality product and price,I vote for mohawk,Ive got one and love it.Go for the all bamboo limbs.If you call vince I believe he has a couple of bows you can test drive.Just mu 2 cents worth.