OK, I need some insight from you guys who have been at this for a while. I switched from compounds about 9 months ago. Since then I've owned and sold two different production recurves, got afflicted with the longbow fever and purchased one, a Spirit longbow, after shooting several at RMSGear. Great bow. But...I find myself looking at photos of and reading reviews of other bowyers' longbows and thinking that I don't yet have "THE ONE". I want more speed, nicer woods, different grip designs, you name it. Today I'm certain I need a Lost Creek. Yesterday it was a Tomahawk I couldn't live without. Tomorrow it'll be a MOAB that i'm sure will magically make me the shooter I want to be. I obviously have the addiction, and from reading lots of posts on this site, I don't think I'm alone. Wife's patience is running thin. I've resorted to looking at bow P**n on the conputer late at night. So, please steer me right. Do I give in to my impulses and keep looking for the Holy Grail, or do I just "love the one I'm with"???? :knothead:
Goodluck(LOL)
Just buy a Morrison and save yourself many many $$$ trying all the others. :goldtooth:
Since you're relatively new to this, shoot as many different bows as you can, then decide which one feels right to you. There should be a whole mess of bows within driving distance of you; I know I've shipped 3-4 of 'em within an hour of you.
Yup like Jeremy said try as many different bows as possible. There is not one right bow for everybody. The nice thing about traditional guys is everybody is always willing to let you shoot thier bows. Good luck and have fun!! :)
QuoteOriginally posted by Jeremy:
Since you're relatively new to this, shoot as many different bows as you can, then decide which one feels right to you.
That right there is some of the best advice you can EVER get when shooting a bow. My first bow was a production bow a Quillan Patriot. I did not know how fine it was until I gave it up. I wished I would have kept it. I then shot many many bows from many fine bowyers. If you have a chance to go to a trad shoot, introduce yourself to other shooters, ask if you can shoot their bow. This way you will be able to shoot a wide variety.
My first longbow experience left me needing dentures. (not really) It did feel as if 1/2 of my teeth, and all of my fillings were loose. Then I was introduced to some fine longbows and found that they can be smooth as silk.
Best of luck!! Shoot a bunch of bows!!!
Kerry: been their-done that!!! that said have all longbows can meet or drive down, and you can shoot all of mine. Bob
How's your shooting coming along? Nothing is going to make you a better hunter or a better shooter than you.
That being said....there will be some bows that will better fit your style of shooting....but speed aint got nothing to do with that.
Don't get caught up in the 'must have - gotta have - make you a better hunter' hype...cause that's all it is....HYPE.
Did I ask....how's your shooting coming along? :D
What Terry said..
Don't get caught up in the hype--best advice I've seen anywhere.
There's no such thing as a "can't go wrong with this one" bow. If you think there is, watch the classifieds for a while--you'll see one for sale--which means somebody went "wrong" with it.
Not to say the folks that make statements like that aren't sincere--I'm sure they are. They just aren't taking one fact into consideration...we are all different. What I love you may hate, and vice-versa.
As noted, shoot as many bows as you can. TAKE NOTES! Sometimes "love at first sight" doesn't work out, but often you can figure out what you don't like pretty quick. Don't let pretty woods tempt you into a bow you really don't like to shoot.
Don't get hung up on prices. "You get what you pay for" doesn't always apply to bows. You can spend a small fortune for junk, you might find "the" one pretty cheap. ('Course you can also get cheap junk, or an expensive bow that is great.)
Do your homework about the company/bowyer/bow. Ask folks that have experience with them. Due to the nature of message boards, the owners can't let just any and every little thing be posted. That's just the way it is. If you are interested in a particular bow, post about it and ask questions. Leave the option to e-mail or pm open. You will most likely get information in private that you wouldn't get in public.
Check out warranties. What you are told on the phone and what it posted on a website may be completely different--guess which one will usually be adhered to?
As Ken Beck of Black Widow once told me, "There's not a nickle's worth of difference in the better bows on the market today". I agree with that 100%. Check around and see who offers the best deal, the best warranty, who is easiest to work with, etc. Invest a little time and you should get paid back with interest.
Chad
Terry, my shooting is progressing. I feel that I have a comfortable draw weight that I can hold at full draw without struggling. I've had Tom at RMSGear look at my form. He changed my anchor and gave me another inch of draw length, as well as helping with my release. I'm trying to be consistent and am shooting no more than 10 yards. That being said, I'm getting groups of 6" with my new CE Rebel 4560's. 31" total weight of 518 gr. I'm pulling 49# at my 29" draw. Good arrow flight, with the occasional flyer. Like I said, I really like my Spirit. I have shot several other bows, including a BW, and none of them set the sky on fire compared to mine. I guess I need somebody to tell me to stick with what I have and keep me out of rehab. :)
What shoots well for one guy might be way off base for another. We all shoot different.
With that said, the Black Creek Banshee is purty nice! :bigsmyl:
I also want to say thanks for all of your replies. I've been reading this site for several months, and I'm grateful to have the counsel of such a great bunch of guys.
Shoot what you have and try out every bow you can find. Go to all the trad shoots in your area and keep trying out bows until you find the dream bow. Terry nailed it on the head. You need to work on you and your form. No piece of equipment is going to make you a better shooter.
I never thought I would like a recurve much until I shot a Morrison Shawnee. Great bow, smooth as silk, and shoots right where I look. Don't get into the gotta have a million bows addiction, at least not until you get your shooting form down. The wife will end up leaving you if you spend to much on bows.
I've bought or traded for about 13 bows in the last few months on my quest for "The One" and I shot numerous bows at Kalamazoo. "The One" for me is one that fits me and my style of shooting and hunting best, is dead in the hand and quiet and I like a good looking bow too. That being said none of them will make me a better shooter. I shoot some better than others but that is simply because the grip fits me better. If you have a bow that fits you well now; save your money and shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot and then shoot it some more. Sure some bows feel or fit better right away but the one that you shoot the most and are familiar with is always the best choice because like Terry said only "you" can make yourself a better shooter.
Byron makes an excellent bow, I know because I own one also. The Spirit bows don't hurt your eyes either. Mine is bamboo limbs under clear glass with bacote riser 62' and 49@28. It's an easy shooter and will compare with a lot of higher dollar bows in performance. Sits in the hand well and feels good when draw and goes where your looking.
Having said all that I know the quest, I've been on it for years. I'm not holding out a lot of hope that it will ever be found but I've gotten really close with several different builders and few less production bows.But like you I think its at least down to longbows...lol
I have at least one more coming that I want to try as soon as the postman(woman in my case) delivers it.
You've gotten some great advise from some very knowledgeable folks. The show of wisdom will be the following some of it.
God bless,mudd
Well, you are going to find that there really is no holy grail of bows. I have a bunch simply because I like a lot of different styles and draw weights, etc. You need right now to not get caught up in bow buying fever. Shoot what you have a while--all those nice pretty bows will still be around later. Go to some larger rendezvous and try bows from vendors who are there--they're glad to let you, that's why they are there. Most guys will be happy to let you try their bow if you ask too so don't be bashful. But in the end the bow you should end up with is the one that fits you the best, is a good weight that you can shoot comfortably, and one that is not so fancy you are scared to take it into the woods and bang it around in the bushes :) Have fun, it's great and you will no doubt do what most of us here do and that is mess with a lot of bows over the course of a few years. I have been on this site a long time and one thing I notice is that a lot of bows on the classified listing are "fast, smooth, no hand shock, one of the best I ever had, etc, etc," yet it's for sale! What gives? Today's treasure is often tomorrow's cast off, we're a funny bunch :knothead:
The problem with this great site is that it is very addicting and there are so many great bowyers right now,plus everybody blam his favourite bow.Well stay with what you have and work on your shooting form,as other had sayed is the shooter not the bow.Take your time fine tuning your set up.In the meanwhile try as many bows as you can.No Holy Graal but the bow that works well for you,it takes time and experience,save your money for now and learn to use well your actual bow.Sayed that I own more than 90 bows.LOL
Norm Johnson Snakebit = The One.
Great advice, all. Thanks!
I think I'll stick with the great bow I already have for now, and maybe actually learn how to shoot it well! Could be it's the ONE and I don't even know it.
I think one thing most of you are probably thinking but are too polite to say is that maybe I'm too inexperienced to evaluate bows well enough to find the Holy Grail right now. Probably right. :)
Bottom line: I'm lucky enough to have a good bow, and I need to stop thinkin' and typin' and JUST SHOOT!
Best wishes to all of you.
dude you would do alot of good from going to a expo like Kalamazoo, so many vendors and bows to shoot, like said above there is nothing that can fix bad habits and shooter error. With that said, if you are shooting a bow that doesnt "fit", it will more than anything mess with you head, lol.
I have 'the one', but that doesn't stop me from salivating at other bows. Lots of great bows out there, many which are made/sold through vendors on this site. Since you live in the Springs, have you been to Bob's Archery in Castle Rock? He sells a few different nice brands of bows; it might be worth a trip north.
As Terry says, you can't buy competence; that will come with practice. And matched arrows and a tuned bow make a mediocre bow into a good one.
Yeah, I've been to Bob's, but he recently closed his shop in CR and relocated to his home in Elizabeth. Nice guy. He had a much smaller selection that was left, but I got to shoot the Chastain Wapitis, a Boss and a couple others. But RMSGear is the place for trad in the Denver-Colo Spgs area. Worth the drive for me. Great selection and even better folks. Their website has lots of drool-worthy pics on their inventory page.
There is no magic bow out there that will make a person with bad form shoot straight. Working on form will make you a better archer then any bow will.
I have had a bunch of bows. Some of the "can't go wrong" bows went wrong for me.
This year, I plan on using my plain Jayne Chek Mate Kings Pawn which will shoot with the best of them for me.
Although not the fastest in the World, I still love the old Ben Pearson Recurves.
QuoteOriginally posted by MJB:
What Terry said..
X2
Also, as many others have said, Go to a shoot or an event where you can try out some different types of bows. Only you can determine the best bow for you.
This question comes up quite a bit on here. The same answer is what you have already heard.Personally, my Morrison is MY go to bow. Yours and thousands of others could be a different one. Sometimes I think life might be simplier if there were no names on any bows and people shot what shoots best for them. I will leave you with this" Shoot a bow, not a name".
BTW- Whatever you find, practice,practice,practice!
Most of us have been or will go through what you are going through now.Do this stuff long enough and you will realize it is YOU that is the "holy grail" not the bow you are shooting.You will also see that no amout of pretty or exotic wood meand Squat once you are at full draw. ;) :biglaugh:
There is a saying in the competitive rifle shooting world. "Beware the man with one gun". We all love our bows and most of us have several, but that can be our downfall when it comes to accurate shooting.We're always looking "the one" when if we just shot and shot one bow we would get much better at it.
QuoteOriginally posted by COLongbow:
Terry, my shooting is progressing. I feel that I have a comfortable draw weight that I can hold at full draw without struggling. I've had Tom at RMSGear look at my form. He changed my anchor and gave me another inch of draw length, as well as helping with my release. I'm trying to be consistent and am shooting no more than 10 yards. That being said, I'm getting groups of 6" with my new CE Rebel 4560's. 31" total weight of 518 gr. I'm pulling 49# at my 29" draw. Good arrow flight, with the occasional flyer. Like I said, I really like my Spirit. I have shot several other bows, including a BW, and none of them set the sky on fire compared to mine. I guess I need somebody to tell me to stick with what I have and keep me out of rehab. :)
Cool!!!....glad to here it...and stay after it!
QuoteOriginally posted by Flinttim:
There is a saying in the competitive rifle shooting world. "Beware the man with one gun".
Yep...and they say beware of the man that shoots one bow....but it can also be said 'beware of the man that can shoot any bow....for that man has his form down'. :thumbsup:
That being said....one should start out with one bow and learn to shoot properly...once he does he can pretty much shoot a variety of bows.
Here's a great and inexpensive way to learn what bow might fit you best....Ghost Dog knows his stuff....
CLICK HERE (http://www.mynextbow.blogspot.com/)
Im not sure where i read this but Howard Hill would grab someones bow out of the crowd and shoot lights out with it.
Find a bow that feels right to you and shoot that sucker a lot.
I have a bow that i paid $1,200 dollars for and i had never shot one of this bowyers bows, big mistake.
Knowing what i know now if i was going to order just one bow and only one bow, i would call the Widow guys and test drive one of there bows.
They are a fine group of people and they build a great bow that is easy to shoot and the finish they put on those bows is out of this world.
There bows hold there value as good as any bows on the market and i have shot all of them and every one i shot was easy to hit with.
The guy that won the Tannehill shoot was shooting a 1 piece Widow.
You remind me of the joke of the young bull and the old bull, I will spare you the details but basically just slow down and exactly as you enjoy the one your with. There is time to try them all!!
I suggest you put the most emphasis on "feel" and disgregard the "I want more speed" carryover.
There is not a whole lot of speed difference between like bows. I mean most D-bows are close, most hybrid longbows, and most recurves don't vary much. There is probably less than 15 fps between the fastest recurve and the slowest longbow. I'm sure there is a few exceptions. That being said I have paid top dollar for bows and been disappointed. I have bought bows on the bottom of the price scale and been well pleased. If I were you I would keep the bow you have and work on your form. Every chance you get go to a trad shoot and shoot as many bows as you can. Find what is comfortable and make a relationship. Odds are you'll find out the one you have may be "the one". Good luck and don't give up. :campfire:
I hear what you're saying, Hatchchaser. Speed is not my number 1 priority, but I chrono'd my bow recently with arrows at 10.5 gpp, and was hitting 160 fps consistently. Nothing to brag on but not terrible with pretty heavy arrows, especially since the penetration will be there for hunting. I also know the story on advertized speed being misleading, but something in the 180's with a good hunting arrow would be nice.
I hear what you're saying, but isn't it better to watch that slower arrow pierce the 10 ring than to see a faster one that might not stay on course? I guess what I'm trying to say is a forgiving bow might not be a speed demon, but I'll take forgiving and quiet every time.
there is no Holy grail, the One, what you will find is that there are many ideas put into the form of a bow and many of them are unique. some are just plain beautiful, some are actual works of art. I have owned short recurves, plains indian self bows, english war style bows, flatbows, mid length curves and long curves like my old 66" Drake. reflex deflex, straight, set back, reflexed longbows in dozens of wood and lamination combinations. I have made my own self bows and have owned most of the better known production and semi production recurves in my life.
You know what, I loved them all and I would like to start over again.
I have settled on basically two bows that fit my needs, a 62" good quality recurve for ground blind and most tree stand hunting and a 68" osage or bamboo longbow for my most favorite past time, still hunting for whatever is out there. I have been graced with the ability to go from one bow to the other without any problem and after passing 55 years in life that is where I will be staying from now on.
Robertson makes some beautiful bows and they are GREAT shooters!!! but thats just my opinion..
I have been one to get caught up in buying a bunch of bows, trying to find that perfect bow. I have sold off most of my bows and I have started dedicating myself to practicing almost everyday. I read a lot of posts now on the shooters forum and figure each time if i can just pick up one extra tip I will become a better shooter. I am working a lot on form with close target shooting. I can honestly say that I have spent way too much money on bows. Work on your shooting. Shoot as many bows as you can and then when you find one that you try that you really, really like, buy it. I think one reason myself and many other guys go through so many bows is we get to thinking that a certain bow will fit and feel just right and make us a much better shooter. That will not happen with buying a bunch of bows, it will only come through practice and hard work.
Shoot any good bow for long enough and it "will" become your holy grail.
Constantly changing bows does very little for my own shooting.
But yeah,there are a lot of very nice bows out there ;)
You are going to need a 12 step program for sure!
As long as it doesnt cause marital strife, buy as many as you can!! you can always sell the ones you don't love
This is a case of things always looking greener on the other side of the fence.
Be happy with what you have, your bow is a super bow, nothing wrong with it at all.
If you want to improve on something, improve on your ability to shoot it accurately.
The arrow finding the target is 90% you and your mental ability, only about 10% equipment.imo.
Too many people, especially those that don't always have good form or some even have target panic, continually search for the magic bow that will, thru some magic, make them into a better shot. :banghead:
Holy Grail! I must say I'm disappointed. I was expecting some discussion on the rabbit hunting scene from the Monty Python movie. That rabbit was a viscious bugger!
About two years ago I decided to get a bow that will out shoot and out hunt me (not hard to do). Once I found it, I made the conscious decision to learn to shoot it well and stop looking around for another bow to mess around with. I want to be a great shot and a great hunter...not a great new toy owner.
Anyways, I have derived a lot of satisfaction in halting the desire to find something new. It has made it more fun to know that the bow I have is more than sufficient and will never let me down.
If finding new bows makes everything more fun to you, then go for it! But it sure is a lot of fun focusing your attention on just one too.
To each his own.
Matt
Ps My bow is a Bob Lee, and I LOVE it!
COLongbow,
I reread my post and realized that it came across a little dry. It was not my intention and I hope it was not taken that way. I really did just want to be encouraging and share what I have recently learned brought me a lot of satisfaction.
Good shooting.
Matt
I will vote for a Black Creek Banshee
Try before you buy if possible different lengths especially. 70" & 58" from the same bowyer may behave radically different.
Colongbow,
Keep going to Tom's shop and trying out bows. I am in exactly the same boat - been shooting since late feb-march. Bought a Trees Custom from him after numerous test runs (was really considering a Spirit myself), and have been back about once a week trying out bows. I shoot it well, but there are some others I can probably shoot better.
I pulled the trigger a little early, and ordered another bow from a bowyer in Texas (Sarrels) after trying his. Also got one sight unseen off the TBH.com (yet to shoot but price was right). I used up a few too many tokens with the Fiance a little too quickly. . . .she knows I'm gonna have several bows, but it spoils the fun for later on (Each one gets a few more 'looks' from the sig other). I already know I'm probably going to get a Rampart at some point, and maybe a 1 piece longbow like a mohawk - but I recognize I need to SLOW DOWN ;-)
Hi Txnrog,
Since my initial post I have indeed been visiting RMSGear and shot lots of different bows. I just recently received my Lost Creek and have found (for me) the Holy Grail!
I can definitely vouch for the Mohawk for a traditional D shaped longbow. Really sweet shooters. Maybe if you score one of those that'll help you slow down! :)
COLongbow, it appears that you have come to some conclusions in regard to your search for the "Holy Grail", and I hope those decisions work for you. Even so, I would like to add a few thoughts from my own experience, if not for your benefit (since you have found"it"), then for the benefit of anyone else who might be reading this thread and contemplating acquiring more bows.
I am inclined to agree with Terry's statement when he said "beware the man who can pick up any bow and shoot it well, because his form is correct" or something to that effect. That being said, I can not put myself in that category. Much as I try, and I shoot 5 or 6 days a week all year long, I still fight consistency of form issues. What I have found in my search for the "Holy Grail" is that some bows, even when my form is perfect, are much more sensitive than others. That means that when I do everything perfectly I can shoot them very well. But I can go out the next day and seem to be unable to duplicate the process I thought I had locked in and ingrained. However, other bows I have I can shoot reasonably well on any day. There seem to be trade offs with them all. The faster ones tend to be more sensitive to perfect form, as do the shorter, more maneuverable ones. Price has absolutely nothing to do with any of it, nor does looks. Grip style is of major importance. I agree with those who say to shoot a number of different bows before ever making a decision to purchase anything. However, in my experience, just shooting at a trad event does not give me enough hands-on time to make a valid decision. I need to see whether the "magic bow" shoots as well tomorrow and the day after that as it does today. If my form were perfect it would. My form is not perfect, though, so I find myself always reaching for my straight grip Hill. When my form is good it always puts them where I am aiming; when my form is not so good it puts them much closer to where I am aiming than the other styles of bows. The longer you are in the trad game the more you will realize that everyone has an opinion based on his own experience and we are all different. So you just have to figure out what works for you and enjoy the adventure along the way.
COlongbow, I've been there too! I shoot only bow for two years now. I started with just ONE longbow, and still have the same and nothing else. I can hit pretty much anything with it under the 40 yards by now. It shoots at 9.4 ggp an amazing 190 fps. This meant a LOT of training, dedication and getting myself a trainer. So is this bow my Holy Grale?
I wished I could say a firm "Yes!!!!" to that question, but I am looking at bowp**n too all the time, I just can't help it... it's stronger then me.My list of favorites must be over the 100 by now and is still growing as we speak...
The problem is, I live in The Netherlands. The only bows we see here, is Bearpaw (which I own) some Black Widows and Samicks, occasionally some Howard Hills and that's just about it.
So I can't testdrive all those beautiful bows you guys have over there! .
But a month ago I cutted this Georgian knot! I knew what I want: I pretty smoot drawing fast shooting bow. Exceptional woods and some antler here and there... From a bowyer that has an outstanding reputation and gives a outstanding service.
Now I hope that I made the right choice, but everything is pointing at it. Over 5 months it will be here and then I'll know it.
So I voted, after a LOT of interviews via PM's here, and reading a LOT of reviews, for a Caribow Peregrine. If you want some triple rated hardcore bowp**rn, I would suggest you to visit the Cari-Bow site. Don't let your wife know you're watching this though.... :scared:
I can also recommend Pete Ward's site, who reviewed a lot of traditional bows.
But the best thing is, as everybody recommended, to shoot as many different bows as you can. And remember, it's not the bow, it's the archer! A good archer can shoot very well with any bow, but an expensive bow doesn't make you a good archer! (But it will help though....)
BDann that is what i was thinking. Can you imagine drawing down on that thing flying at you? Almost like wingshooting.
Learn to dance with the one you got :archer:
Well I know its important to find that bow that feels right to you. But on the other hand there is nothing wrong with having several bows.
Some guys are into guns..they have more guns than they can use.
My wife always tells me I can only shoot one bow..But I still want more..lol.
I am always looking for another bow, not that I need one, I just want one..lol.
I have the same problem, I always think another bow will be better some how. I suppose one day we will all find our one true love (the right bow that is)