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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Three Finger on February 11, 2010, 05:18:00 PM

Title: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: Three Finger on February 11, 2010, 05:18:00 PM
I am thinking about ordering a checkmate hunter 2. From what I can tell you can't order strait through the bowyer. So are there any dealers I should avoid. And what is a good dealer to go through.
Thanks
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: manyletters on February 11, 2010, 05:22:00 PM
You might want to hold off on a Hunter 2 as there is a Hunter 3 that is waiting to jump out to the general public soon...patience my friend!! I have it in hand right now and this is going to be a sought after bow   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: Three Finger on February 11, 2010, 05:37:00 PM
Thanks manyletters will do. I don't have all the funds right now. Just the deposit is ready. Looks like it might take a little while to get the bow in my hands any way. Hopefully I could have it by the fall.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: K. Mogensen on February 11, 2010, 05:41:00 PM
I have a Raven ordered from Chad (LBR). The wait was a little longer than expected but hey, stuff happens. Not sure how long the wait is now, but it's been about a year for me. I would talk a bit with Chad. He seems to know what he's doing...  :bigsmyl:  I have no complaints so far.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: dpowers311 on February 11, 2010, 05:53:00 PM
Just wondering why they are sold only by dealers?

Dave
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: manyletters on February 11, 2010, 06:13:00 PM
Historically, Chek-mate has only sold through dealers because they do not have the time to deal with individuals. They are a small operation that builds a ton of quality bows and if they were  answering individual questions and orders from Joe Public, Marc would never get time to build a bow!!
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: LV2HUNT on February 11, 2010, 06:32:00 PM
manyletters, any Pics on the H3?
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: BobW on February 11, 2010, 07:06:00 PM
drumroll.......
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: Bjorn on February 11, 2010, 07:48:00 PM
Chad for sure at recurves.com
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: jamed on February 11, 2010, 08:36:00 PM
Wouldn't hesitate about using Chad from recurves.com  .  Really nice guy and doesn't mind taking his time giving more than enough information about any question asked.. Haven't bought a bow from him, but he is the only person I use for any string needs.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: buckster on February 11, 2010, 09:13:00 PM
Chad is great.  O.K., since the cat is already out of the bag... I confess that I ordered a H III last week from recurves.com  

This new offering will combine the best shooting characteristics of both the H1 AND H II. Now that Marc is solidly at the helm of the bow building operation, their is more flexibility and new things available.  

As always, Chad helped me make up my mind on the woods, options, etc.  He's always more than willing to provide insight and answer questions and having one of his nice FF strings on the bow is getting that extra icing on the cake! Great prices and an excellent product.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: ArkyBob on February 11, 2010, 11:10:00 PM
Chad is great to deal with.  Also a super person with a great deal of knowledge, always helpful with any questions you have.  Can't go wrong with him!!!

BOB
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: JimmyC on February 11, 2010, 11:29:00 PM
Now that I think about it, Chad at recurves.com probably should get a large trophy from me for "having been bugged a ton (by me) even though I've bought little!"  Hee, hee   :)  

Seriously, the guy has answered all my emails about strings, bows and bows that I didn't even buy from HIM and he's always nothing but happy to help.  And this has been going on for years folks.

I should add, every purchase I've made has been smooth as silk.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: K. Mogensen on February 11, 2010, 11:31:00 PM
I bug him about once every other week or more and he's been nothing but nice. Hat's off to Chad.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: LV2HUNT on February 12, 2010, 05:57:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by buckster:
Chad is great.  O.K., since the cat is already out of the bag... I confess that I ordered a GM III last week from recurves.com  

This new offering will combine the best shooting characteristics of both the GM 1 AND GM II. Now that Marc is solidly at the helm of the bow building operation, their is more flexibility and new things available.
Ok, so what is a GM? If you are referring to a Hunter III are you telling us you ordered a bow sight unseen with no pictures? What are the differences or improvements? I am especially curious as I am getting ready to place an order myself.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: sweet old bill on February 12, 2010, 06:22:00 AM
I got two from Chad and great guy to deal with. Still shooting the bows and also have ordered strings from him...
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: rraming on February 12, 2010, 06:39:00 AM
Never heard of an issue from Chad, the way to go if you need that bow. On another forum some store NAS is getting slammed over a Check-Mate (no service, can't get ahold of them etc..)
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: NDTerminator on February 12, 2010, 07:34:00 AM
I've gotten my last couple H2s and H56s from G&M Archery in Minnesota.  Greg had the woods, lengths, and draw weights I wanted in stock and I had the bows in my hot little hands three days after ordering.  Fast shipping, and Greg is a great guy to deal with.

Chad is a great guy to deal with, but doesn't keep anything in stock as a rule. No slight on Chad intended, that's just the way he does his thing.   Greg just keeps a good supply of H2s and H56s on hand & and ready to ship, so I call him first when I'm in the market...

Special orders through either will take a good 9-10 months for delivery.  No two ways around that.

Have also gotten a couple in-stock from Height Archery in Winnipeg.  The Canadian postal system is slow though, it took 2-3 weeks for delivery, and I only live 180 miles from Winnipeg!  Height will also order for you, but add the above couple weeks to the usual 9-10 month backlog at Chek Mate...

PM sent, Three Fingers...
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: 2Knives on February 12, 2010, 08:50:00 AM
I really liked my H2 and shot it alot.
I sold it to a guy that wanted to get started in traditional and I already had 6 bows so I thought I should give him a deal on one.
I still wish I had it back...maybe I'll call him!
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: LBR on February 12, 2010, 09:09:00 AM
Thanks for the good word!

Delivery time is expected to be a little quicker, but with one bowyer there are no guarantees.  A broken machine, a case of the flu, and he gets behind.  Just something you have to allow for when dealing with a single bowyer.

I try to keep a few bows on hand, I usually can't--they sell faster than I can get them.  I do have three left-handed bows right now though.  I only deal with CM bows.

If you want a 56" td, and can find one, you better grab it.  Those are no longer available.

Going to have two new styles available soon--the Hunter III and a short longbow that has yet to be named.  

Chad
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: manyletters on February 12, 2010, 09:44:00 AM
OK guys...here is a pic of the new riser!! It is slimmed down from the H2 riser quite a bit...the H2 has a circumference of 5.5 in at the deepest part of the grip and the H3 is only 5 inches...the complete riser is slimmed down...another outstanding product from Chek-mate

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/manyletters/h3riser.jpg)
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: NDTerminator on February 12, 2010, 09:55:00 AM
Looks good. About the only knock on the H2 (and I've made it myself) is the beefiness of the riser.  In correspondence with Cujo, he advised this is a pure liability issue.  It's not that he couldn't build them slimmer, but has to build them assuming that someone will put the heaviest limbs on them, aftermarket.

BTW, he will slim down an H2 riser on request at no extra charge if requested when it's ordered. After that, he charges $25 American + return shipping.  He said turn around for this service is about 2 weeks (plus the time it takes Canada's PO to get it back to you).  As both my H2s are 52-53lbs at 28", I'm thinking real hard about having him slim them both down...
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: manyletters on February 12, 2010, 09:57:00 AM
NDTerminator...I know the feeling about the postal system...the slowness is not the system but the border...I have had packages coming from the US sit there for 2 weeks and they were not even inspected by customs as they were not opened and then other times, things will arrive within a week...it must be that certain packages hit the right slots   :banghead:  and others are chosen to wait  :help:I can get stuff from Marc at Chek-mate very quickly if he has it in stock...like if it missed weight, wrong color,etc. as I am only 1 province away and do not have a "border" that separates us...I guess the "free trade" thing is just a piece of paper that the politicians got votes for!!
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: acadian archer on February 12, 2010, 10:52:00 AM
dpowers, as a Chek Mate user I am glad that they only sell through dealers. It may be a little harder to find them but there are some good dealers out there. (Chad at recurves comes to mind in the USA). He was prompt , curteous in answering a question (regarding a bow case for the KP) I had, despite having bought my bow in Canda where I live) and if I lived in the USA I would definately get one there.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: Ssamac on February 12, 2010, 11:04:00 AM
I don't think you would go wrong with a Checkmate. Go for it.

sam
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: will123 on February 12, 2010, 02:06:00 PM
Great bow that H 3!
Does anybody knows in what length theey are goin to be available?
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: LBR on February 12, 2010, 02:09:00 PM
For now it will be 58", 60", and 62"--same as the Hunter I and II.  Limbs will be interchangeable with the I and II, but that will cause small changes in draw weight.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: NDTerminator on February 12, 2010, 04:19:00 PM
Kind of hard to tell from the sideways picture, but is this riser kind of between an H1 & H2?

Looks to be a little straighter than an H2.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: LBR on February 12, 2010, 04:47:00 PM
Yep--Marc is trying to get the best of both in the III.

Chad
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: LV2HUNT on February 12, 2010, 04:48:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by NDTerminator:
Kind of hard to tell from the sideways picture, but is this riser kind of between an H1 & H2?

Looks to be a little straighter than an H2.
Same thing I thought, so it guess it is supposed to get the forgiveness of the H2 and the speed of the H1?
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: LV2HUNT on February 12, 2010, 04:49:00 PM
Chad, how would the Falcon's riser compare to the H3?
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: Robert Honaker on February 12, 2010, 04:52:00 PM
Good bows at a great price. Top quality.
The grips are really beefy, if you want a slimmer grip tell them and I hear they will do that for ya.

If you want it by deer season, from my experience you best order NOW.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: bearsfeet on February 12, 2010, 04:55:00 PM
I kind of like the beefy grip. I have a fair sized hand and it fits in my hand just right. My fav. bow out of all the bows I have shot including the big $ bows out there. I put in an order for a second hunter II not to long back.

I think Chad said the wait is about 6 months.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: K. Mogensen on February 12, 2010, 08:32:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by LBR:
Thanks for the good word!

Delivery time is expected to be a little quicker, but with one bowyer there are no guarantees.  A broken machine, a case of the flu, and he gets behind.  Just something you have to allow for when dealing with a single bowyer.

I try to keep a few bows on hand, I usually can't--they sell faster than I can get them.  I do have three left-handed bows right now though.  I only deal with CM bows.

If you want a 56" td, and can find one, you better grab it.  Those are no longer available.

Going to have two new styles available soon--the Hunter III and a short longbow that has yet to be named.  

Chad
He Chad, just curious, how long is the new short longbow? Have a price yet? Just kind of curious... Thanks!
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: joevan125 on February 12, 2010, 08:34:00 PM
Chad is top notch!!!!
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: LV2HUNT on February 12, 2010, 08:35:00 PM
Alright, I should now be in line for an H3 as well. Chad let me know if I did something wrong and you do not see my order.

Thanks,
Frank
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: manyletters on February 13, 2010, 06:09:00 PM
The new short longbow is going to be 56"...Marc is playing with the tapers and there is still some work to do on it so I expect it will be at least 2 months before it will be coming out for the first look!!
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: K. Mogensen on February 13, 2010, 06:16:00 PM
I'll definitely be looking for it. Sounds cool!
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: Pete W on February 13, 2010, 10:19:00 PM
Don't be jealous, but I shot the HunterIII last night. Dennis from Git-r-done had one with him when he came up for the day.
This is the nicest Chek mate I have shot.

Pete
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: buckster on February 13, 2010, 11:49:00 PM
Luv2hunt,

Sorry for the confusion, I meant H1 and H2 vrs. GM., & I'm ordering the awesome new H3!  I ain't right sometimes. LOL.

Take care!
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: acadian archer on February 14, 2010, 08:55:00 PM
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad282/just_me1962/kary063.jpg)

(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad282/just_me1962/kary065.jpg)

Purpleheart greybark  H2
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: robhunter on February 14, 2010, 09:38:00 PM
I have 3 Chek-Mates. Great bows. Chad is a great guy to deal with.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of ordering a Checkmate
Post by: ishiwannabe on February 14, 2010, 09:57:00 PM
I have a Chek Mate curve....let my buddy "borrow" it to try to get the trad bug to bite him. Being as I havent gotten it back(4 years), and he asked for more arrows, I think it bit. Im gonna miss that bow. Of course, that short LB might take away the pain...