Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: bowhunter97 on January 08, 2007, 07:04:00 PM
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I'm thinking of getting a BW. What do you guy's think are they worth the $$$.
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My main hunting bow is a BW, a 60# takedown recurve. My main target shooting bow is also a BW, a 55# takedown recurve. I just ordered a BW Golden Anniversary longbow. I sold off three of my other bows to get the money for it. I've attended their instinctive shooting clinic at their factory in Nixa, MO with Fred Asbell. So I guess you could say I'm a BW "nut!"
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McDave How are they as far speed.
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The best ones for speed are the ones they make with bamboo laminations in the limbs. My main hunting bow is a 60# PMA V (the takedown recurve). I also have an 65# SA II (also a takedown recurve) which I bought about 10-15 years ago, but I've never felt comfortable with the weight, particularly if I imagine myself drawing it some morning about daybreak on a Colorado elk hunt at 10,000' with the temperature still below freezing. Anyway, the PMA V has bamboo laminations in the limbs, while the SA II has whatever they put in their normal limbs (maple maybe?). What cinches it for me for hunting is that the 60# PMA V fires the exact same arrow, a 590 grain gold tip, at the exact same speed as the 65# SA II, which is 185 fps. This is at my 27 1/2" draw length, whereas the bow poundage is measured at 28", so the actual pounds are a tad less than I said. Just for chuckles, I fired the same gold tip through the chronograph without the internal weights, which would make the arrow weight about 500 grains, and the speed was about 200 fps, but that would be too light of an arrow for hunting.
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They are good bow I have a PSA11 and a LAG. I prefer the Silvertips now but Widow makes a good bow and their service is great. It is an easy bow to shoot. I think there are better values out there but if that is what you really want get it, you won't be satified until you do. Widow also has a test drive program, try it before you buy it.
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I have a 58" PSA II, a 54" PSR II and a 56" PSR II. I am hunting with the 54"PSR this year. I have bought and sold 3 other BW's and I can tell you they are well built and have good resale value.
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Yep, they're worth it. I mean, if you don't like the look of it, or the price, then buy one that suits, that you really like. But I like mine. They hit hard, and are forgiving and accurate. And even though they might be expensive by archery standards, imagine if you weren't into bowhunting, but were into racing motorbikes or shooting rifles instead. Some rifles are cheaper than a Black Widow bow, but the good ones are dearer, at least in Australia. And the lads who have to save their pennies to buy motorbikes...well, it makes you realise that a bow is pretty low-cost. Cheers, Ben
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For the money you can find better.
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I love my plx bocote, it's the bow I have kept the longest. I've had a number of bows but have always gone back to this one. It's like everything else and it's been said a hundred times try to go someplace and shoot as many different bows as you can and choose the one for YOU not because of what it says on the bow or what someone tells you- worth is ONLY what someone will pay- you decide on what criteria you will base your choice. Just my thoughts
Good shooting friend,
Todd
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Dustin
In your mind, I imagine so. But for countless thousands of folks the answer is yes. Different folks like to spend their money different ways.
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It seems that 185 fps is the mark with my BW and I shoot a 570gr arrow; marked 54@27 but scales 60# at my draw
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If I had a dollar for every time I heard that question, "are they worth it?", I could buy you and me that new anniversary bow...
Well, slight exageration on my part, ME one...
Yes, if it shoots right for you. Try their offer to shoot one and return it.
Depending on your pockets, order a new one or buy one used. Used one is not a bad investment if you decide to trade it. They are in demand and you might not loose any money.
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Beauty is in the eye, of course. They are pretty and shoot hard and fast. I know there are bows that out perform a BW, but look at the whole package. I own two widows and love them. That being said I am on the list to have a Morrison built for me this fall.
The only bow we "all" need is one that shoots quick and where we are looking. A widow gets this done every time.
John III
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I have owned two Black Widows and they were good bows. I purchased both of mine used and for me personaly I would never spend that kind of money for what they are asking for a new one. I just sold my last Widow a couple of days ago. I have a 21st century Longbow that I like much better.JMO
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I hane a psaII and love the way it shoots and feels. It is worth every penny it cost.
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After buying and trying many different makes of custom and production bows my search stopped at B/W. I'm sure there are some bows that are faster,preetier,cheaper etc., but the 3 Widows I own are fast, attractive, and not as expensive as some.What the Widow really is, is extremely well built, rugged, and very forgiving and comfortable to shoot.My PLV take down is my go to bow and my PSAIII and V are right there as backup.Once I bought a Black Widow I stopped looking. GREAT BOWS AND THE BEST SERVICE I'VE EVER SEEN!!!!!!!!!~
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Try one and decide for yourself.
They're excellent bows, with unbeatable customer service.
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I am primarily a Widow shooter. Everyone has different likes and dislikes in about everything.
When I made the switch to traditional, it was with a Widow MAIII. I have tried about all of the big names and alot of the not-so-big names, but I always come back to Widows. DO take advantage of the try before you buy program, getting a bow that is as close to what you are wanting to buy as you can. A week spent shooting the bow will answer alot of your questions. There are many great bows out there to be had and some at a better price, but it is up to you to decide the "value". Good luck on your bow hunt! Mike
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I had a PSA II that I loved. Sold it cause I like longbows more. I shot the LAG and did not care for it nearly as much. I bought a Toelke whip which is my favorite longbow. So to me the PSA was worth it LAG not. I've not shot the pl longbows. Better get on the horn with the BW dudes and get one on a test drive, I'm sure you'll be impressed. Great bow and even better service.
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I don't care for widow bows myself, primarily due to their mass weight.
I can tell you though, you will not find a finer group of gentleman to deal with than Ken and his crew.
If you like a little more meat in your bows, call them. You won't be sorry.
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BH97, I think someone above said something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Widows are pricey but not the most expensive. There are other good bowyers that sell cheaper but when it comes down to somethinig we want, if we settle we regret it in the end. I lke the Widows because they cast an arrow for me better than any bow I've tried. Too, they hold their value as well as any bow out there. I've recently bought a couple on the Wall used and they they handle the years well. Good luck!
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Try one and see. They make a solid bow, speed is comparable with most good bows on the market, appearance......well, that depends on the individual. I think for the price the warranty should be much better, but that's just my opinion. You can get bows that are comparable in speed, smoothness, forgiveness, quality, etc. for less, and for more.
I gained a new respect for Ken Beck during a phone conversation with him last year. This may not be a word-for-word quote, but it's close if it isn't exact. He said to me "there's not a nickle's worth of difference in the better bows on the market today". I agree.
Bottom line, they are worth the money to some, not to others. It's going to based more on personal preferance than them being better than other bows.
Chad
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I second what LBR just wrote.
The Widows that I have shot have been really good bows. Well made, solid bows with good performance. However, I would not buy one. Just a personal preference. It really is up to the individual to decide wether or not they are worth the price. Test one before you lay your money down.
Good shooting,
bm.
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I was never interested in a BW until two years ago. At that time I wanted to buy my wife a new bow. She is a very good recurve shooter so I told her we would buy whatever she wanted regardless of the price. We made the rounds at Cloverdale and she kept going back to BW. Then at Compton just to be sure we did the same thing. Again she liked the BW PSA111 best. While standing there I said "Let me try that thing". Guess what? I loved it. I then went over to the BW booth and picked up a bow in my weight and tried that... Same thing it felt great in my hand. This one had the Asbell grip and it fit my hand perfectly. I ordered my wife's bow right there. A PSA111 58" and 38#@28" (she has a 24" draw). Two weeks later I kept thinking about that BW. With the wife's OK I ordered mine. PSA111 w/Bamboo limbs 60" and 55#@28".
Was it worth it?
Well about 3 months later I harvested my first whitetail with Trad gear. Then this year I took my BW to Alaska where it endured rain and weather with no ill effect. On the very last day in a drizzle, I was fortunate to shoot a medium sized bull in the heart at 25 yards.
Yep, to me my BW was worth it. Bow buying is a personal thing. A bow has to fit you, if I had not been a bit bored standing while the wife was shooting I would have never tried a BW. After I did it was a must have for me. Both my wife and I love our BW bows. Yes I have other customs but the BW is my favorite. As mentioned before, Ken Beck and the guys at BW are TOP NOTCH! I am not a guy who buys into hype so that had nothing to do with my choice as for my wife, she never even heard of BW before she shot one.
Always try before you buy though!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/bfisherman11/th_2005TradBuck.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/bfisherman11/2005TradBuck.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/bfisherman11/th_MyCaribou20061.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/bfisherman11/MyCaribou20061.jpg)
Regards,
Bill
I am a very happy customer.
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Shot widows 4 years and loved everyone I had.Then I made a mistake and got a Habu.Sold my spider bows and am shooting a Habu Vyperkahn and never looked back.
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I have a BW MAII Autumn color, 53# @ 28". It is not particulary my favorite bow, but it is by far my fastest shooting, hardest hitting bow. I mean really hard hitting. I believe you could take any big game animal with the proper arrow and broadhead combination. The only slight dislike I have for the bow,(very slight) is it is heavy for a recurve (compared to other recurves I own) It is definately well built. Worth the money? That's a tough one. If you are only going to have one recurve, then BW is a pretty good choice.
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I also did not like widows, untill I tried one. I just kept going back to try it. That was a SAII, I bought it and then a PASIII recurve, they cast a arrow very well, are not the fastest but probably the most stable bow I have ever shot. They are built to hunt with. I am in the process of ordering a new one pc. recurve. I also had 2 diffrent PL longbows, they are also built and designed very well, I just couldnt get used to the handle,as I have shot another type longbow grip for a long time. So I sold the widow longbows and will probably always have a widow recurve. The crew at Black Widow are among the best in customer service in the buisness bar none. That in its self would be reason for me to be a widow shooter. Like somebody above said, of all the top bows there, isnt alot of performance diffrence.
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Excuse me, I guess my bow is now called a PMAIII, my mistake!
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Well, for MY money, Black Widow recurves are worth it (I've bought three brand new and one used and have a Golden Anniversary recurve on order). For your money, that's for you to decide. Good luck with your decision!
As far as speed is concerned, I think Ken Beck's statement about there not being a nickels worth of difference between well made bows is correct. The Black Widow may not be the fastest - I'm shooting 188fps with a 605 grn Easton Axis arrow fom 63 lb PMAX bow - which is plenty good for me!
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There's a reason their celebrating fifty years in the business.....great product and you'll be hard pressed to find better folks!
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Like mine, 64" PLX 42# @28
Does well on East Texas hogs, should do just fine on whitetails.
ROOTER
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I give my buddy ALOT of grief over his BW, But They are a Smooth shooting bow! The $$ aspect of it is really up to you. I know the Boys Build a Great bow. So do Alot of others. I like The Shrew bows, I Also Really like the Ancient spirits Bows!!
My Personal Bows Are built by a Michigan D.N.R. Officer in Traverse City. His name is Paul Sturtevent.
Its really up to you & what feels comfortable in your hand. Good Luck.
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i have a plv 65# at my draw and i love it took some time getting used to but im shooting better than i ever thoughth was possible ..
i have orderd a pga and one plga anniversary the plga longbow will be ca 60# at my 30 inch draw any spine sugestions 31 inch arrow carbon and aluminium thx