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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Kajun Archer on February 10, 2010, 07:58:00 PM

Title: Bow Choices
Post by: Kajun Archer on February 10, 2010, 07:58:00 PM
If given a choice, would you buy a Blacktail, Acadian Woods, or Black Widow.  Please advise and explain why.
Thanks  :)
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Toxophilite on February 10, 2010, 08:19:00 PM
If you're anywhere near New Orleans you might want to talk to Tim Mullins, maybe go by and visit with him.  He's a top quality custom bowyer, right in your back yard.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: joevan125 on February 10, 2010, 08:24:00 PM
Widow or the blacktail are far better bows in MO.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Toxophilite on February 10, 2010, 10:12:00 PM
We all have rights to our opinions.  I didn't say anything about one bow being 'the best'.  All three bows mentioned are really fine.

Kajun Archer wanted to know why one bowyer might be a 'best choice'.  He lives in Louisiana.
Customer service is a big deal and it's great to be able to visit the bowyer during the ordering process.  My advice comes from realizing that point after having owned at least one bow from all three bowyers mentioned.
  :archer:
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Oregon Okie on February 10, 2010, 10:40:00 PM
I have had all three in my hands.. not shot because they were right handed but on that alone... and they may not be all the same. The Acadian handle was too narrow for my taste... it seemed sort of oval front to back so it wasn't comfy to me. The widow had a small "throat" that was kind of cool but sorry widow lovers... i don't like the look of them. The blacktail fit like a glove, really tucked your hand in and looked awesome to boot. I have seen more blacktails shooting just being in Oregon but they are awesome.. that would be my pick hands down.
That's alot from someone who has just held them huh?
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: JRY309 on February 11, 2010, 07:54:00 AM
All great bows,some guys like one and another guy will like the other one.But you may like one that is different from anyone.I don't think you could go wrong with any of the choices of the bows mentioned.Black Widow has a try it out program and then you can see for yourself.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: jamed on February 11, 2010, 07:58:00 AM
I would do whatever it took to lay my own hands on each and let that determine my pick!!  

Good luck with your choice.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Gator1 on February 11, 2010, 08:02:00 AM
Fantastic choices all three.

My advice would be to visiit bowyers if possible and shoot before you buy.  Especially with that size of investment.

Good Luck.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: stabow on February 11, 2010, 08:28:00 AM
I would buy the Blacktail only because I already owned the other two. But seriously it's best to shoot a bow before buying it. You won't be happy till you have all 3.....stabow
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Night Wing on February 11, 2010, 08:32:00 AM
Norm Johnson of Blacktail Bows builds the grip on his bows to fit your hand. This is why he asks you to send a tracing of your bow grip hand. The grip on his bows fits like a glove. I have two of his 66" take down bows.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: James on laptop on February 11, 2010, 08:34:00 AM
BW for me.Get one in a few weeks and no bow has better customer service with it.With the BW it is easy to get one sent to you to shoot before you order so there are no surprises after a long wait.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Tree Killer on February 11, 2010, 08:57:00 AM
I guess I'm a little biased since I live in Oregon, hunt Blacktail deer, own a Blacktail Elite, email hunting pics back and forth with Norm.

The Blacktail is the best looking recurve made. Amazingly they shoot even better than they look! My nod goes to the homeboy...Blacktail
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Michl on February 11, 2010, 10:42:00 AM
Never shot an Acadian woods, I shot the Blacktail Elite just one time, didn't like this bow, now I own a Black-widow.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: MikeM on February 11, 2010, 11:09:00 AM
I have a Widow (52#@30) and a Blacktail(54#@30) among others. Between these two bows I prefer the grip of the Blacktail. I have also found it easier to quiet the Blacktail than the Widow. The Widow shoots harder and is physically heavier
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Big Ed on February 11, 2010, 11:23:00 AM
I beleive all three are very fine bows.There are tricks to making the Widows quiet. Try to shoot them all for your self. My choice is a Widow, It just seems to work better for me. Mine are quiet quick. and stable. Big Ed
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: kybowman on February 11, 2010, 11:27:00 AM
Get one of each!!!! Variety is the spice of life!!


 :goldtooth:
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Kajun Archer on February 12, 2010, 12:01:00 PM
Thanks for all the information guys.  I really like the Blacktail and Acadian Woods looks.  I spoke with Tim and he is super nice.  Will see him in a couple of months to shoot an AW.  Would love to see a Blacktail bow in Louisiana at the Sterling Harrell shoot.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: BillW on February 12, 2010, 12:29:00 PM
What shoots best in my hand is a Black Widow. Your results may vary.

Bill
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Kip on February 12, 2010, 12:33:00 PM
Mike Harbinson shoots a Blacktail.He should be at all L.T.B. shoots.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Jim Wright on February 12, 2010, 12:42:00 PM
I have shot 8 or 10 Widows and 4 or 5 Acadian woods and have heard a number of both makes shot on 3d ranges. Both makes shot well enough but the Widows were a bit heavy for my taste and all save one, interestingly enough owned by Toxophilite, was loud and many of them quite so. The Acadian woods bows were much quieter.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: mrpenguin on February 12, 2010, 12:57:00 PM
I just bought a used BW PSRIII and love it.  It has a longbow riser and sight window, but short recurve limbs.  It hits where I look and is easy to maneuver.  I will say that cosmetically it is not my favorite, but its still pretty and, more importantly to me, a shooter!

I went with a Black Widow if that helps...
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: snag on February 12, 2010, 01:01:00 PM
Well there you go...opinions are like armpits...everyone has a couple.

I bought and sold several recurves, as well as shot others, in order to find the ones I like. As others have suggested, I would recommend that everyone do this to find the attributes that you want and like. Obviously some love the narrow throated grip of a Black Widow...just not for me. As Oakie said the Acadian has a narrow oval grip that doesn't fit my hand either. But when placing a Blacktail in my hand it feels perfect.

That said it is hard to find a finer built and designed bow than a Blacktail bow or a better person to deal with than Norm at Blacktail Bows.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Toxophilite on February 12, 2010, 02:22:00 PM
If you're located in S.E. Louisiana or within easy driving distance of Baton Rouge, you can 'test shoot' the three bows you're considering, plus some others.  There's a group of us from the Amite River Traditional Archery Club (ARTAC) that shoot just east of Baton Rouge most Saturdays when the weather's good.
If we know when you can pay us a visit, we'll get out the Blacktails, Acadian Woods, Black Widows, and others for you to try.
I just sent you a p.m. with more info about that.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Ground Hunter on February 12, 2010, 02:48:00 PM
I have 2 widows, I'll buy another.  H
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Bowwild on April 16, 2010, 08:30:00 PM
I have Bear TD Supreme B handle, Widow PSAIII, 2 Predators, Fox High Sierra, & Hoyt Gamemaster. I like them all and am the 1st owner of all of them. My favorite to shoot is Predator Anniversary. I think the Rose Oak 1-piece I have on order is going to become my favorite though -- won't know until November! I might like the Widow better if I had odered limbs about 4 pounds lighter -- I'm thinking about spending $130 to have BW tame em down a bit.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on April 16, 2010, 08:42:00 PM
I ordered a Blacktail Elite last month.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Outwest on April 16, 2010, 08:51:00 PM
You better take Toxophilite up on his offer even if you gotta travel a couple hundred miles.
That is the best offer you are ever gonna get to solve your dilema.
Wish I would have had that chance when I was wanting to know the answer to your question.

John
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Jim Picarelli on April 16, 2010, 09:54:00 PM
I've shot all 3 and it's Widows for me
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: stickbowmaniac on April 17, 2010, 09:17:00 PM
I've shot all 3.I would defintly go with the Blacktail for my 1st choice.2 choice would be the acadian woods.hard decision all are very nice
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: overbo on April 18, 2010, 08:13:00 AM
Which one of the three you see LESS of on the classifieds?May tell you something.
Had Widows and Blacktails but never shot one of Tim's bows and his bow is on my to do list.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: Bowwild on April 19, 2010, 06:22:00 PM
Just bought new LH Blacktail Elite. I thought I would have to wait 15 months but I'll only be waiting 3 days! Someone ordered a one-piece, LH, 62", 47#, LH, Cocobolo footed with Myrtle and limbs coco with Myrtle and had to forego buying it. Even has checkered grip. Except that I would have ordered a 60" this is exactly what I was looking for.
Title: Re: Bow Choices
Post by: frassettor on April 19, 2010, 06:28:00 PM
:coffee: