Trad Gang

Ok guys, I think I've got a new one here.

I'm the kind of guy that will neither want, or be able to afford, a dozen bows. Two is it. I have a Lost Creek longbow that I love, but I'm looking for a take down recurve (3 piece) as my one other bow, and that's it. Here's your chance to really make your opinion heard.

I've done my research, on the 'net in general, and especially on this site with the search function (btw, the best ever functionally- thanks Terry)- and I just can't decide. So you decide for me.


So, I'm asking you to tell me what bow to buy... and I will. I'll compile the stats of your responses, within my narrowed-down choices, and either purchase the bow outright or get on the waiting list with a deposit. I will post a complete review with pics when I have it in hand.

I'm only doing this because there are so many great bowyers to choose from, and because I trust the judgement of all you fellas on this site that I have never met, but feel that I know and would love to share a fire with. Silly huh? Not to me. Serious business. I will suspend judgement until Mudd gets back from his trip 'cause I gotta have his input as well. I'm not in a position to shoot a demo of each bow, hence my post.

Here are your choices, within my specs, which are:
Recurve bow, 3 piece take down.
58-62 inch AMO
45-50 lbs draw
Best grip you have ever laid a hand on.

1. Lost Creek- if Chad ever builds a 3 piece bow.
2. Black Widow- PSA or PCH
3. Tall Tines
4. Silver Tip
5. Zipper

My hard-earned money and the future lifespan of the elk in Colorado are on the line here, so please give it some thought.

Thanks in advance for your consideration, and happy fires.

KC       :)

If you want the best grip you need to add the Blacktail .... but bows are personal and really you need to shoot them all and decide on your own....  best of luck, you have some great bows to choose from !

This really is a bad question...you must try them yourself.  Don't be in a rush.  Like you, I have the longbow I like. I spent many years looking for THAT recurve.  

Now your first two answers are completely opposite.  The grip on my Blacktail was one of the worst of any bow I tried.  I love the looks of the Widows, but hate the grip.  The ST and TT have the fit I like.  The TallTines has an added locator on the back of the bow that I fell in love with the first time I picked one up.  Haven't tried the newer Zippers.

Take your time and find the right one for YOU!

I'd put Dale Dye's bows on your list also.

As far as grip I would have to say the schafer has the best grip but a blackwidow grip is made for accurate shooting and I do hands down shoot my widow better then my Schafer for now. They are both smooooth and a pleasure to shoot but if I had to pick one on accuracy of shooting it would have to be my beloved widow SAX.    Widow

I have several recurves [you can see a list of part of them in my post here]....about all are 3 pc. T/D's...I have owned or still own all on your list but the Tall Tines and Lost Creek so can't give an opinion on either....

I can however, tell you that after spending alot of cash and trading several thousand dollars worth of bows [mostly with guys here on TG] the Silvertip is the one on "your list" I would suggest... In fact I have 3 of them.

However, when I picked up and shot my first Kempf "Qwyw Styk", with my shootin style, I found it to be the very most accurate bow I have ever shot.... Jack Kempf makes an  excellent grip, fast, and stable bow that gave me a 20yd 3-4" group [in the center I may add] with the first three arrows I shot thru it..... I wish I had found these years ago..... I would have way less bows and have had the $$$ to do a lot more hunting...

One more to throw into the mix, is a 3 piece built by Bob Morrison... I have one of each of his models... They are all truley excellent.  However, I'm going to say IMO, his wood riser Mini 14 [actually a 13" riser] is the one I prefer at this time... Bob's bows are faster than any of the ones I have experienced, that are on your list. He can custom make any grip you prefer.  You will not find better crafstman ship or a guy who has put more research  into the design of his bows.  He brings out the best possible performance, while still being smooth, foregiving, and very pleasing to the eye....

Gene  :archer2:

I have owned a Widow, Zipper and now 2 silvertips. The silvertip with a  checkered Grip is without a doubt the best grip there is .

Lost Creek doesn't make a 3 peice so tall tines or a Schafer.

Schafer has been in business for years so hands down a Schafer.

Jack

Blacktail or Silvertip gets my vote.

And to add to the confusion... Border Black Douglas. I had a silvertip and it was a sweet ,sweet bow. But the grip didn't fit me at all... The Border Black douglas, to me, is everything a tip is but just a bit smoother and the grip is just about perfect. again. imho.....

Get an ILF   :thumbsup:

You should for sure try before you buy as what's best for me may not suit you at all.

Saying this, I would add the Great Plains SR Swift to the try list.

HABU VYPERKAHN!!!!! w/ the triple carbon hycurve or longbow limbs.You get the shootability of the Widows and the grip of the newer Zippers and Shafers w/ speed that is in the top of the class.I've owned the other 2 and some above mentioned and the Habu and Widow has been the most accurate shooting bow 4 me.

I own a PSA X that i love with the low grip and i just ordered a PCH so i would go for the Widow.

Great customer service and you wany have to wait for a year. I think there wait is around 8-10 weeks.

I havn't shot some of the bows listed so i can only tell you what i know, those Widows are great.

This started off with advice to "find your own best fit". And all the thoughtful posts since should tell you one thing... there is no one hands-down winner...just one that fits the hands of each person who's tried a bunch of bows over time.

It's personal. Individual...and going to larger shoots with a bunch of vendor/bowyers will help you find your next best fit without the tough road of spending and buy/selling tons of bows.

Never fails, a guy narrows his choice and asks for opinions and gets all kinds of suggestions that are not on his list.  What gives with that?  Of those you listed, COlongbow, I would narrow it to Zipper or Silvertip, and I'd lean personally to the Zipper.

I agree with Doc Nock. Go to as many shoots with as many vendors as possible, and try the different bows yourself. Only "you" can decide which bow is right for you. Your an individual and unless you are built "exactly" as someone else their opinion doesn't make it right for you.

If this truly will be the only other bow you will ever be buying, take the time and effort to get it right!

Trusting the opinions of others to find the perfect bow is almost guaranteed that it will end up not being the perfect bow for you.  

Bows are very personal choices.  I know plenty of people that rave about one bow or another.  But when I pick them up and shoot them they don't do a thing for me.  

That is why there are so many great bowyers out there.  And each and every one of them builds bows that are perfect for some people.  But none of them build a bow that is perfect for everyone.  The only way you will ever find yours is to try them yourself.

Ha! With all the extra choices I'm back where I started. I know for sure the only way to find the right one is to shoot them all. Probably never get my hands on them, although I have shot Widows and they feel great. I was looking for the easy way out.
I definitely will find a way to shoot the winner before plopping down the greenbacks, don't want to make a big mistake. Thanks for the opinions guys, keep em coming!

Take a little road trip to Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear in Denver.  They have enough up there to give you some good ideas.  They are a Trad Gang sponsor and all around great people to deal with from all the reports I've heard.

I have an idea. Get in your truck and drive around to trad gang members that have them so you can shoot them all. As you pass through Kentucky stop by and shoot my TT. I'd also add a Morrison Cheyenne to your list.

Sent you a PM, but if you have to have a recurve....Zipper with the newer grip at 60 inches and 50lbs at 29in draw. Shot one a few months back along with some of the others on your list and really liked it...plus they make longbow limbs if you want to change out!

As an aside, I am suprised Zipper and Black Widow are both on your list. They seem to draw WAY different to me and I would think (JUST MY OPINION HERE) that two bows that draw so diferently wouldn't have made the same list.

Good luck and I vote for the Zipper, but encourage you to shoot ALL the bows on your list before ordering.

QuoteOriginally posted by COLongbow:
[QB]
So, I'm asking you to tell me what bow to buy... and I will.

  :dunno:        

Thats for you to decide.

Well, you want an opinion - Black Widow gets my wote here. But as the other members say, you need to shoot them yourself. Funny as it is, how so good bows can feel so "different" in each shooters hand, that one can call a certain bow "the best". Limb geometry, sweet spot and draw weight suitable to your style and strenght...blaa blaa blaa...sorry to get in preatcher mode..Black Widow as said - good luck !

QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
Trusting the opinions of others to find the perfect bow is almost guaranteed that it will end up not being the perfect bow for you.  

Bows are very personal choices.  I know plenty of people that rave about one bow or another.  But when I pick them up and shoot them they don't do a thing for me.  

That is why there are so many great bowyers out there.  And each and every one of them builds bows that are perfect for some people.  But none of them build a bow that is perfect for everyone.  The only way you will ever find yours is to try them yourself.

Well said Joe   :thumbsup:    :campfire:

If you had a choice of "Playboy's 12 best" to choose from? (oh, wouldn't it be great?) I'd bet 12 different guys would pick "the best one" differently.. Bows are like women, just because they look good doesn't make them best..for you..

I agree with Whip...go talk to Tom at RMSG. He has a ton of bows to try out, and is a great guy to talk to and is more than willing to spend as much time as you need to solve your dilema or at least get you going in the right direction. While you are there make sure you try out one of his Rampart bows, you may be surprised.

Go See Tom at RMSG....great selection of bows to try out.

Bows I would consider:

Wapiti...great hunting bow and Keith is located in lakewood, co....so you can easily have the grip made to order.

Rampart:  Also locally made.

Schafer:  Great checkered grip and great bow.

Best to try them out and you make the final decision.

Mike

I have quite a few experience on archery and i own 90 plus bows from old collector's to the latest custom.I love them all,it depend on the time and efforts you spend with a single bow.I had bows that I didn't love in the beginning and after few weeks of continue use they are become some favourites.I have rarely found a bow that it didn't suited me.It is just the time you want to spend with it.They are as good as you are.
Sayed that the new Zipper with evolution limbs is a GREAT bow.

Some like low wrist, others med or high. For me the Schafer or the Widow with an Asbell grip has the best feel.

If you don't try an RER takedown, you'll be missing one of the best available.

as others have said you owe it to yourself to try as many bows as possible and make a choice that suits you as an individual.
dont rely soley on what other people
say is the best for them
belive me i have been down that road and its expensive
many bowyers offer a try it before you buy program
you can try out a bow for a week with a deposit and send it back when you are thru and the deposit is refunded  minus shipping both ways
not a bad way to go in my oppinion
kevin

between what you have on the table i'd go with either zipper or a tip.both great bows.personally i have owned em all and my money would go towards a morrison shawnee so i could have both longbow and recurve limbs for it.but thats just me.you simply cannot beat morrison bows performance wise.period.

Zipper. 4 did I say FOUR different risers to pick from, new Evolution recurve limbs, longbow limbs available, great looking bows with an awesome grip.

there are a ton of good bows available.  You need to go to some shoots and ask to try the all.  Don't leave out Predator bows.
ChuckC

You need to find what works for you. For example, a lot of people love Morrison's bows, and he is obviously a skilled bowyer, but I tried one of his bows from his inventory and later shot one owned locally and neither worked for me. I couldn't obtain good arrow flight from either unless I altered my grip to a position that I simply do not like. You have to find one that not only feels good to hold, but is also tillered for how you apply the pressure in your grip.

From your list, I have a Widow PSAX and a Silvertip.  It's a toss-up.  That's my choices from your list.

You have a great list.  I like those.  Go shoot them.  I love the PCH.  Nice thing is BW has three grip options, and with CNC if you find a PCH or PSA to shoot and love the grip, they will make you one exactly the same.

I have shot them all but the Silvertip, but the grip sure does look "friendly". My first choice would be the Tall Tines.......then the Silvertip.

Like many others have already said, what we prefer might not be to your liking.

Winterhawk1960

I have a few bows, enough so my X wife commented to me once "why don't you take up something cheap like cocaine"  
     My recomendation has to be the black widow 60 in at 45 lbs...

Since I own 4 of them the Widow PSA is my hands down choice I like the Asbell grip but Widow will give you whatever you want. Frank

On that list I would say the Silvertip, however I am a longbow guy but the only recurve I can shoot consitantly is a blacktail, I do shoot my tips pretty good though.

Just so we're clear?? I get to spend YOUR money right!?!?   :goldtooth:

TOLKE!  I know its not on your list but it is the best curve I have shot.

I own only one on your list, a BW PSAIII.  If I were buying a new BW it would be a PCH. Of the eight recurves I have 7 are models you don't list. I couldn't imagine getting rid of any of these models. If I buy another bow (I have two more on order --Snake Bit and Super Wildcat) it will be a Silver Tip. However, I'm going to try the ST before I buy, I think they have a "loaner" program. Of course BW also has a loaner program so you could try the PCH also. There is a bow that is $200-300 or so less expensive than those on your list. The Pittsley Predator. I've bought 3 of them; 2 for me and 1 for my grown son.  At this point in my shooting, if I want to score my absolute best on my 3-D range I will take the Predator to the woods.

I would go for a Dale Dye Medicine Point or a Morrison Cheyenne.
The Dale Dye grip is a great one.
If you can shoot the above, I'm sure you would like them.

"I have a Lost Creek longbow that I love, but I'm looking for a take down recurve (3 piece) as my one other bow, and that's it."

Or, I love my wife, but I'm looking for another love that is curvier to take out.

And that's it. My cheating days are over.

I will never cheat on my mistress, right?