After hunting with this old 50's style long curve I am giving some consideration to giving a newer long recurve a try.
I need it to be smooth and accurate.
(good point-ability)
I'd love to get some opinions where I might start to look.
Thanks in advance!
God bless,Mudd
Mudd, when you say log recurve, how long are you talking about?
I'd say a minimum of 58" but more like 60"/62".
The real truth is... I don't know, and am just guessing.
Thanks for your time.
God bless,Mudd
Try a Bear bow. They're easy to find. If you want fancy and new try a Dale Dye bow. He makes them up to 64 inches I believe. I shoot 68 to 70 inch Hill bows and they do feel smoother easier to pull then 60 inch longbows.
Black widow pch in 60# and Caribow silverfox (hybrid)
Border Black Douglas 60 -64 " would suit you.
Smoothest to shoot for me.
I also just unloaded a 62" Predator - very nice, smooth shooting bow that outshot a number of customs at twice the price
Where are all the recurve shooters?
God bless,Mudd
I have shot many recurves over the years, all top line. Black widows do not have a smooth draw for me. For performance, smooth of draw and accuracy, the best I have shot is my Welch Dakota pro. Hands down, it out shoots all the big names. It is not the prettiest bow but you learn to like it after shooting it for a while. Looks are not everything. email me and I will tell you all the bows I have owned and shot.
I shoot primarily longbows, but wanted a recurve that was in the 50's style to make transitioning easy. I got a Kohannah "Kurve" and have never regretted it. It allows me to do the switch with a minimum of adjustment. Mine is 64" long and is one sweet shooting bow, give Bob Rousello a call you won't be disappointed.
Do you mean a semi-recurve?
Do you want to try a different handle shape?
I am having trouble visualizing what it is, exactly, that you want.
Killdeer
Martin Hunter
QuoteOriginally posted by Bill Carlsen:
Martin Hunter
I'd always recommend that one.
Recurves are a little more sensitive to release technique. I have a Dick Palmer Hunter longbow (72") and I have issues with the vertical dispersion but always lay them in a narrow "alley". You think it's more accurate because your brain corrects and the next arrows are center target. With my recurves I have less of that vertical issue (much higher arrow speed helps) but can get a little "wide" when I get tired or sloppy.
But when it comes down to making the first arrow count . . . give me my recurves. I don't say this to open the recurve vs. longbow debate, but to stress that you will need to work into a recurve. IMHO that are more difficult to shoot well vs. a longbow but reward a good archer. Give yourself time to learn.
One tip is to find one that suits your hand. Recurves go wild with the grip and some just won't feel right to you, while others may feel plain awful. Then you'll pick one up and say "Hey, that's nice" and then you'll praise that make at the expense of others.
Bears are smooth and reliable, Martins faster but, like with cars, there are tradeoffs. I like the old Ben Pearson bows, too. Check the classifieds and you'll be astounded at the variety recurves are available in (new or used). Unfortunately, what I like probably won't be what you will like. If you stick with a "name brand" used bow you can usually sell it for what you paid.
I just acquired a 62" Fatal Styk and have never had a bow be so repeatable. It shoots a perfect arrow every time and seems to find its way to the bull every time. I have been at this for a while and have shot lots of great bows, but the Robertson takes the cake for accuracy, comfort, and smoothness. The downside, they aint cheap!!!
If you want a smooth recurve you need to look for a short riser and long limbs.If you want the max stability and accuracy you need a riser with a good mass.So many to try.Ask some friends of yours what they can loan you.
You might look at RER bows. I shot several while visiting them and they are sweet. IMO, your draw length somewhat determines a good bow length for you. If you have a longer draw length, I feel a longer bow will work better for you. Look at the RER bows as they are static tipped and you can get good perfomance and I found that a static tipped recurve will draw smoother and easier than a working recurve of the same weight.
For example, I have a 52" Sovereign at 45# and I feel that it draws easier/smoother than my 58", 44# Black Widow. And I also have a 54# Sovereign that I can shoot well, but feel almost overpowered with a 50# working recurve.
I have a 62" Roseoak king panther that I'll never trade or sell. Been through alot of others over the years but this ones a keeper.
Hi Mudd, 62" is a great length in a recurve. But it does depend on your draw length. If it were 27" you could go to a 60" also...but since yours is 28" I'd stick with 62". That length still fits in the cab of my truck!
Some may disagree, but I personally feel that there is no magic bow that by itself can make someone shoot more accurately or take away the shooters form element. The archer makes the bow shoot straight.
What I am saying is that the bow is really a personal preference. Personally, I like a Bob Lee recurve mainly because for some reason, his grip just fits me right and feels good. I also like the additional weight of the four limb bolts and the materials used in the bow. I would probably never buy one new however because the price/benefit may not be there for me personally.
I've got a Badger recurve by John Holzrichter (sp.?) of Wichita, KS with both 58" and 60" limbs. It is the smoothest drawing bow I have. My oldest son draws 29 1/2" and says he feels no stack. I know I sure don't at 28". I probably should sell it, because I just can't seem to give up my longbows. If you're interested, let me know and I'll send you some pictures.
Don't pass up a Bighorn if ya get the chance. Good shooters for sure.
Mudd,
It might be a bit of a wait but I would go to a big trad shoot and shoot every recurve I could find in the lengths your looking at. That way you can find one that fits your hand just right.
QuoteOriginally posted by cacciatore:
If you want a smooth recurve you need to look for a short riser and long limbs.If you want the max stability and accuracy you need a riser with a good mass.So many to try.Ask some friends of yours what they can loan you.
That's a good point. In the late 60's/early 70's the rage was long risers with mass forward (the "humps" at the limb roots) for stability and accuracy. Now we're tending towards minimal risers with long limbs that give smoothness and are light to carry . . . but more sensitive to release errors. As I said before, there are trade-offs.
One piece, take down, shelf, rest, technogizzy string materials . . . :dunno: Remember what happens when you marry for looks. You need to show up puppy eyed at a traditional shoot and ask to handle a few bows.
Do you want to stay with a 50's style bow. If so I would lean towards a Great Northern Ghost or a Holm Made by Chad Holms. If you can do a 3 pc. there's a bunch to look at. I have a 64" Zipper 52#@30" I draw 29", it's the smoothest and most forgiving bow I have ever shot! A Black Widow PCH with 60" limbs is a real sweetheart also!
Damon Howatt or Martin Hunter. Its a 62" bow, smooth draw, shoots where I look.
Bear Super Kodiak - 60 " bow, just shot one this weekend for the first time. Drew smoothly and found the bulls-eye right away.
Mudd,
As you know there are tremendous fans of every recurve out there.
I've been doing a lot of looking and buying this year. I'd do it different if I were starting now.
Although I don't want to diss any of my current holdings, if I were to buy a bow for my son today I'd buy him a Schafer Silvertip. I can't give a higher recommendation than that. By the way, I don't even own a Schafer ... mine isn't due until April. However, I did try one for a few days and was "sold" after my first few shots.
If you don't care about nice woods, the best shooter I own is a new Strickland Stick. He will even send you one for two weeks to try. It comes in 58, 60, & 62". It has a metal riser and a fantastic, highly thought out grip...modeled after older bows. It's the one that's been with me on 33 trips to the treestands this year. It comes completely camoflauged. Designed by a fellow who has been the coach of many Olympians and is a fantatic traditional hunter.
Oh,
If you like the old Bears. Check out a nuclear version of the Super Kodiak by Brandon Stahl at Rose Oak. I have one coming to me after a 9-month wait in two weeks!
60" Black Widow PSAX-smooth as butter!
Brother Mudd, going to tell you a little story. :readit: I had a 58" Kohannah Kurve made for me by Bob Rouselo. I told him I wanted all grey actionwood with black glass front and back. He said "over the grey actionwood?"I said Yes Sir.Well after I received it I had my Bud Steve who was still shooting wheels, come over and shoot it. Told me he had to have it. I said order a new one he said " nope want this one give you what you payed for it". Steve shot 2 does with that bow this year already.He does make it in 60"'s too. Still a bargin price too.That bow is scarey fast,quiet and accurate! :eek: Best thing I can still shoot it whenever I want! :archer:
Just an opinion but if I was in the "not sure" want to "try something" stage I would go with a used Martin Hunter, or If you're lucky enough to find a good one, a 1960's Howatt Hunter. $175 to $275 will get you a lot of bow here. At 62" if you slip a high strength string onto an older Howatt you've found a bow that will shoot with anything out there. I've rerinforced the tips on some, and on others have just relied on the brazilian rosewood tips (not recommended by some) all with good results. Same limb design for 50 years says a lot.
I would like to try a Kohannah Kurve in 64" and a RER retro in 64". I have never tried a recurve over
60" and think that is why I haven't kept a recurve.
I have a 56 Kodiak thats a sweetheart to shoot. I feel its grip is similar to longbows. Im also a big fan of RER's bows, and have been looking real hard at the Retro they are offering. Check them out. Im sure you will not be dissapointed.
Timberhawk or Assenheimer. Both are at good prices from good people and shoot well.
Thunderstick Ramhorn
Navajo Diamond
Kohanna Kurve
Kota Killum
All these are good shooters and real smooth.
Good luck with your search.
Charlie
wapiti t/d recurve by Kieth Chastain fast and quiet- dead in the hand- shoots where you point them.now if I could only point where Im looking.
Don't overlook a Blacktail take down or one piece recurve. They come in 60", 62", 64" and 66" lengths. They're expensive and the wait is long, 13-15 months. But, the wait is worth it. I own two Blacktail TDs.
Howatt Hunter is my choice.
my Hornes take down mountain bow has been my go to bow for awhile...DB
I would say that you should look into the Assenhiemer bows, very quiet, shoot where you look and a true craftsman who stands behind his bows. I have a Black Widow and they are great bows, but for the price difference I would go with Don's bow.
IMO teh Hoyt Gold Medalist is the finest shooting recurve ever made. Bar none. The bow that wins the Olympics year in and year out is nothign to sneese at. However they don't come in anything but aluminum risers. I had and still have several of Earls deflex reflex long bows and really enjoy shooting them. Beyond that there is just too much of personal preference to give much in the way of guidence. Get one that is light enough in poundage that you can handle it well and start trading bows like all the rest of us. I finally found the PERFECT bow only to grow so damned old that I am having the bowyer cut the poundage down to 57 so I don'thave to find a replacement.
Got it figured out yet Mudd.
John
QuoteOriginally posted by Outwest:
Got it figured out yet Mudd.
John
I wish I could say yes John but I think right now I feel overwhelmed.
I'll get it down though given enough time.
God bless,Mudd
PS: Killdeer I'm calling it a long curve but I'm not sure that's correct terminology.
The one I've been shooting is a Steiner, Dervish Model(J-97) 60" 44@28
Roy,
Check out St. Joe River Bows! Very, very close to the older Bears. In fact I think Tracey could do a retro Super K style for you based on their riser design. :cool:
Bob Lee..Great Bows
What Bill Carlsen said. (nut) :bigsmyl:
Give a 64" '56 ' /'57 Kodiak a try! I have shot since 1969 and always go to my '56 ,64" 54# Kodiaks--- why do I have 7 ???? Just got a [new] one for my 65th birthday.
Mudd, you know what you need to do. Get your tail to a few more gatherings and shoot different bows until you find one that fits you. Make the pilgrimage to Cloverdale or Comptons. You can shoot more new and used bows than you've ever seen in one place over the course of a weekend and at least come away with a lot clearer picture of what you want.
We can all give you advice, but that advice will be based on what works for US, not YOU.
Mudd,
They're all good. I bought one of Brandon Stahl's Rose Oak Super Wildcat 64" last year - they look like the old Bear Super Kodiaks. I've owned a lot of bows since 1966 and quite frankly if I buy another bow it will be one of Brandon's. I think most of the bows built today are all good - the suggestion to go to a large traditional shoot is a good one. I think most traditional shooters are more than happy to let you try their bow . . . good luck!
Craig
MUDD ! If you're talking about a newly made 50's style recurve beg,borrow or steal yourself a Saxon Selkirk.I have one in 62" and 59#@28" I put a SBD 8 strand D10 with extra padded loops.My god this thing is the smoothest,Fastest,Badest bow I think I have ever shot.Light as a feather,beautiful workmanship and a joy to shoot.I don't know if there being made though.
Mudd: If you want a Long Curve, then check out the "Long Curve" by Great Plains. It's a 50's style Recurve, very smooth and a good shooter. The choices are endless.....Isn't it great...Buy several...shoot them all... RW
If you find an ILF riser you like, you can experiment with limbs of different lengths, styles, and manufacture ad nauseum, and for relatively low cost. Not a bad way to go.
I have a Chekmate H1 TD but if I get another 1 pc bow it will be a Chekmate, no doubt. I'm surprised Chad hasn't chimed in on this one