Hey folks, not looking for a debate about these bows but rather intial comparisons from folks who have or do shoot both. I currently shoot a 62inch 54 lb takedown FF recurve. I have shot this bow exclusively for 5 years and I have never really contemplated getting another bow. I went through many before I shot my first tip, sold all of the others, and called Windauer to place the order. Recently my uncle was hunting in Iowa takin down a hang on, dropped it and it fell and busted the tip off oh his Norm Johnson recurve. 14 hours from TN with a busted bow. Luckily he had taken a longbow with him that he could use the rest of the trip. This got me to thinking. I do not have a back up bow that I would like for using to hunt big game. Got a pile of "fishing" bows but not another custom curve that I like. I am either considering ordering another set of limbs for my Shafer bow, another complete shafer recurve, or possibly one of these Tall Tines recurves that are seeming to gain some popularity. My first visual impression of the TT curves was that I liked the mass in the risers, looked like they would be a very stable bow, and folks seem to like them. I know exactly what I would be getting with another shafer bow, but I guess the wants are getting to me a little. I spoke with Brain a little about his bows and from first impression customer service seemed like I would be be dealing with a person similar to a Windauer, which a man couldn't ask for nothing better than that. I know both are good bows, but from you all who think Dave's recurves fit you just right and have shot one of Brian's recurves, should I set up a test drive or stick with another silvertip. Which ever route I go I will go with a dymondwood riser, bamboo core limbs, 62 inch in the 52-56 pound range. Plain jane woods with heavy mass for a solid dead in the hand stable feeling bow.
Thanks, Adam
I love the Silvertips even though mine doesn't come in until April. I'm using a loaner from a generous Trad Ganger right now. I have never even held a TT but I'm working on a trade at this very moment. I too am curious about TT but it will take a LOT to dislodge Silvertip from the top of the heap for me.
Sorry I can't answer your comparison question but I know some folks on this site can sure do it! One in particular from Texas comes to mind!
Adam....If you do a search you'll see comparisons between the two in previous threads. That said, I have shot both bows and am very impressed with both. I own a TT and can say that's it's the smoothest and quietest bow I've owned....and very quick for it's weight. If you like a very solid riser you'll love the TT. My entire riser is phenolic making it not only solid but near indestructable....I'm doing my best to see if that's true!....Ryan
Solid phenolic riser? I would like to see a pic. of that bow!
chris <><
If you like a lot of mass in the riser the TT with dymanwood is the bow. It is much beefier than my tip's riser. The phenolic is probably even heavier. I believe you will like the grip on the TT better. The grip forces consistancy. As far as performance goes there isn't a dimes worth of of difference between the two. I get 188 fps out of my 63# 'tip and 187 out of my 61# TT. I haven't shot my Silvertip since I got my TT, other than to shoot a few through the chrony. I am not saying one is better than the other, but I think the TT promotes better shooting due to grip and the mass weight in the riser.
Here's the TT phenolic! (http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/talltineselkhunt024.jpg)
Looks like a hunt'n machine!
Adam,
I own 2 Schafers and 2 TallTines. I got the 1st TallTines around 18 months ago, and the Schafers have hung on the rack ever since.
It all boils down to personal preference. Both are excellent bows built by very good bowyers.
The TT grip and extra mass weight in the risers suits me just a bit better than a Tip.
Don't take anyones word on a bow recommendation. Try it for yourself, then decide.
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/kyTJ/Bows/PB170762.jpg)
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/kyTJ/Bows/PB170763.jpg)
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/kyTJ/Bows/PB170764.jpg)
Wow! Tough choice but I agree with Billy that it's totally up to you and your own personal preference. With that said, I love my TT and have two more coming. :bigsmyl: I've shot both just like the TT better.
Yikes, that is a very enlightening picture TJ!
I didn't realize there was such a striking difference in these risers.
TJ, what length risers are those?? Nice bows!
TJ's riser is a first generation TallTines with a 15" riser. Brian does not make them anymore. The TT's now have either a 16" or 18" riser. Thses pics show 16" Phenolic and 18" Bocote.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Bows/Stock%20Bows/74de84c6.png)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Bows/Stock%20Bows/561cc26d.png)
The bottom photo shows off the grip and the limb design, both of which make the TT very unique.
Both Dave and Brian are good as gold as people and it shows thru to their bows.
If the side plates between the two generations is the same width, it appears the newer generation riser is a bit narrower (from face to back) than the originals?
That is correct. I would say they are much more "svelte" than the originals.
Stevo,
I see that Brian doesn't make the 15" riser any more. He now offers the 16 and 19. I am assuming the bows in the picture are yours? What is your reasoning behind choosing the different length risers? Consequently did you choose shorter limbs with the longer riser and vise versa? Have you found certain combinations to shoot better for you?
I have a few months before mine comes up on his list and want to make some informed choices. Brian and I have talked, but I am really liking these discussions too. Lin
"Svelte" is a good description of the new over the old riser.
Lin, my bow was the first 58" bow Brian made I believe and the riser is a shorter 15".
Manatoba Stickflinger, I still say yours is the most beautiful recurve I have ever seen. I'd like to hear your opinion on my questions too.
Dont mean to highjack. I figured it goes along with the thread. Lin
Lin,
16 and 18". I know a lot of R&D went into it, but you better get with Brian on the particulars.
Those pics are ones Brian sent me when I was ordering my latest as all mine so far are generation 1 TTs to show the difference in the new risers.
I like the 60" bow and I am told when I get my new long riser/short limb 60" combo I am in for a treat.
And, I shot Ryan's phenolic when I was at the TT shop, it indeed is VERY sweet. That Phenolic has great mass and just soaks up the shot.
TJ, I fixed my spelling error, thanks.
Thanks,
I will go with a 62 inch bow. Probably. I am under the impression that the longer bows are more forgiving, which I need. The question for me is whether to go with the short riser and long limbs or the long riser and medium limbs (I think) to get the 62 inches. I appreciate any input you may have on this matter.
Is the phenolic a composite ground to shape or is it injection molded? What is it's nature, if that is a good word? Lin
brian just emailed me and said the main differences between the risers is the 1" longer sight window and a few ounces heavier.
phenolic is a man made material using resins. its heavy and doesnt flex. so it would add stiffness to the riser. and it can take a whole lot of beating.
Lin...Thanks! I gotta agree with you about the phenolic/ myrtle combo.....it is a classy look. I really have to stress how tough the bow is and will not post close ups of it as most guys would not talk to me anymore for being so hard on it. More so than the looks, shootability and durability is where it shines. There is ZERO hand shock...really...Zero! I wouldn't hesitate to go heavier than I normally would as it draws so smooth that it seems light.
As far as limb/riser length options, I really can't comment. I would usually go with more limb and less riser but can honestly say that whatever Brian or Steve say is good....believe it!! Everything Steve told me was to a tee...no exaggerating no down playing but bang on! I also am the wrong guy to ask about the tech stuff involved with forming the riser....but interested in knowing as well?
Regardless of the combo you go with I KNOW you'll be impressed. Did I mention I have another on the way? ....Ryan
(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/talltines006.jpg)
Here's my TT with the matching quiver. Brian can set you up with one of these as well!
from what i know, you buy phenolic in blocks and cut or machine it. its not injected into a riser mold.
ryan that is a sweet looking TT. do you find the phenolic to be colder than wood?
joe...the Phenolic is a very different type of material. At 1st glance it appears to be like the magnesium risers in years past but is very different. I never once noticed the riser too cold this fall (and it was cold out), and didn't have my glove freeze to the riser like with magnesium ones. It is much more like a hard plastic/ wood feel. I wouldn't say that it warms up the same as wood but certainly isn't cold either. The phenolic seemed as though it was simply always the same regardless of tempertaure. Don't know if that helps...Ryan
Isn't phenolic many layers of resin impregnated linen fabric? In any case it seems to be very strong and stable, which is probably why it finds it's way into the reinforced tips of many FF limbs.
I currently have two Silvertips and one TT. My latest Silvertip and TT are both 60" bows 50#@28". I really like both bows. The major difference between the two bows is the grip. Although the Schafers have a great grip I believe for me the TT is the best grip I have ever held on any bow. There are some differences in shooting characteristics that I have noticed in mine. I am not sure if I will be able to properly explain it but what it's worth, here goes. To me the Silvertip has a slight resonance that I can feel in the limbs after the shot over the TT. It is sort of like one fishing rod being a bit more sensative over another one. If I shoot them, one right after the other, my shots with the TT will hit about 6" left of the Silvertip shots. If I shoot one for awhile and then switch and shoot the other one for awhile I am able to adapt to their different shooting characteristics and group nicely with either bow. I am slightly a bit more consistant in shot placement with the Silvertip over the TT. They both cast a heavy hunting arrow with authority and I can't tell any noticable difference in speed. They both draw very smoothly throughout my entire draw length. I like them both and wouldn't want to be without either. Like others have said, It would behoove you to try them both.
Louis
yes phenolic is resin and layers of material. they can use paper or cloth like material.....not sure what the differences are though.
thanks ryan for your answer.
I don't know about you guys but I can't wait to get my next bow from Brian. I'm like a little kid in a candy store. :knothead: Threads like this just make it worse. ha ha...
dave, what woods are you getting?
The last phenolic I saw in a riser was in a Predator. The bow was finished in very high gloss. The phenolic was gorgeous and looked like highly polished obsidian. However, I recently asked a bowyer about using phenolic in a bow I was having made. He didn't recommend it to me because he said it is difficult (impossible?) to hide the fine lines of linen used to make the phenolic. Apparently it is more difficult for the bowyer to handle phenolic than wood?
I'm certainly not slamming phenolic, I think the bow above is amazing looking and I like some heft in my recurves.
One of my favorite bows of old was the Thunderbird -- I recall it was phenolic (1-piece).
Have not decided on the one but one is going to be some brown cocobolo riser.
David, I hear there is some nice cedar sitting out there in Iowa...
My new TT just got here last week. 60" 58@28". 16" Walnut diamondwood riser. Bamboo cores under black glass. Haven't had a chance to do anything with it yet, maybe this weekend. The way my hunting bows seem to take a beating I went with a pretty straight forward model.
I hope to own both some day.
Owned a ST and saw and shot the TT at Denton hill this year.IMO the Tip has better attention to detail in the finish work but the TT is impressive to shoot.Great grip and limb design///
I traded for a TT during mid-week. The bow was shipped yesterday. I'd say by Monday I'll have a TT to compare with the loaner Silvertip I've been shooting.
Of course my bows are all lefties so naturally I'll be reporting faster, smoother, better accuracy, better woods, ......sorry, can't help myself.
Roy,
You know they grow all those lefty woods out in California....right?
:D
Yikes Kevin,
I never thought about it that way!
:eek: