Considering getting a one piece recurve and want to get something nice, I would appreciate you fellows opinions on who is making the better versions these days, I like more of a traditional 60's style but have always loved the Howatt Hunter types too. So anyone got some advise and even better pics and advise would love to see it.
No pics. but ya can see them on their web-site. An RER Arroyo, been shooting one for 4 years now, very quick, very quiet and very pretty. Kevin and Sue will make you one of the best out there. There are others, but for me the Aroyo wins hands down, mine is 54"s which will handle 30" draw and 54#s at my 29" draw. Sweet easy shooters!! Shawn
If you like the traditional style, RER (Rivers Edge Recurves) make oldschool curves!
www.rerbows.com (http://www.rerbows.com)
Check out the sponsors here, small bar below 3 Rivers ad on top of page, a lot of good bowyers between them :)
Check out Kohannah. Bob builds a great bow called the Kurve. That was the smoothest, sweetest recurve I have shot. I messed up however and lent it to my son, was just wonderin if it will ever come home.
To date I have owned and shot custom one-piece recurves by: Blacktail, Wes Wallace, Rose Oak, Big River, Bruin, Rivers Edge Recurves, Black Widow. I have owned and shot production recurves mainly 1960-1974 vintage from Bear and Damon Howatt.
They are all nice bows but a few have really stood out from the rest.
The first was an early to mid-1960's 62" Howatt Monterey. The second a 1965 Bear Kodiak, the third, A Bruin "Huntmaster" recurve from the mid 1980's. My preference is for a bow that draws smoothly without stacking, is easy to make very quiet, and is stable in terms of its shooting characteristics. Speed isn't that big of an issue for me as I draw a recurve 32" and because of this they are all plenty fast.
There are so many beautiful one piece recurves out there.
For me, it is the Silvertip, with a medium checkered grip 60", very quiet, smooth, spits an arrow!
Check out the Silvertip thread for pictures
You can't go wrong with any of the moder custom makers,I can add Rose Oak C.-Super Wildcat,the look of a kodiak the performances of the modern custom.
there is a Quillian canebrake in the bow for sale section. I have one and I like it a lot... very fast bow
ST Joe River bows makes a good-un!
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Glenn
Lee hoots makes a nice short bow.
The best of course is going to be up to you. However, you are getting lots of great one's listed by those who have owned them.
I've pictured two I currently have below. I'll be test-driving a Widow PA, God and UPS willing on Monday. All of these bows have 7 weeks-12 month wait times. If you want want quicker, there are usually some nice ones in the classifieds for terrific prices. If I were to buy a new one right now and wanted to spend in the $500 range instead of $900+, I'd give the new Bear SUPERK Green limb a looksee.
One I haven't owned but I'd bet is terrific is the Schafer 1-piece. There are lots of great pictures of these bows if you search "Schafer Pictures" you should find them.
I think another intrigueing 1-piece is by Chastain.
If you are a right-handed shooter be prepared for just a slightly less beautiful bow because the finest grains in exotic trees are always found on the "left side". :)
Super Wildcat by Rose Oak - Great workmanship, Nuclear-SuperK, terrific bowyer. You'll take it for granted it shoots so easy and great.
(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/bowwild/Rose%20Oak%20Super%20Wildcat/LRSWCloseUpRiser.jpg)
(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/bowwild/Rose%20Oak%20Super%20Wildcat/LRSWFullLength.jpg)
Blacktail Elite VL: Distractingly beautiful bow, super nice grip --another great Bowyer.
(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/bowwild/LRBTFullBowShot.jpg)
(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/bowwild/LRBTVLGrip.jpg)
Great plains archery makes a one piece recurve called the Texas Long Curve, its reallllyyyyyyyyy niceeeeeee
Quote...have always loved the Howatt Hunter types too.... [/QB]
I have owned two Hunters and shot another just last week. It was a 1972 with the curved riser accent. This particular Hunter was the nicest shooting Howatt I have ever shot and thats saying something. It was almost magical.
And boy, did it zip an arrow!
Everything old is new again...
Joshua, just sayin'
The very best one piece recurve for me is the one I have in my hand at any particular moment.
DDave
I own two RER's a 60 in. take-down and a 60 in. Vortec. Both are quality bows for sure. I have shot the Arroyo, if I buy another new bow it will be the Arroyo 62 or 64in.
Consider Dan Toelke's 1 pc. Chinook, you can see some on his site: www.montanabows.com, (http://www.montanabows.com,) click on "current inventory" then scroll down to "traditional recurves". Dan delivers a custom bow order in about 4 weeks t.y.d. and they are always beautifully crafted from beautiful woods. The Chinook is dead in the hand stable and like all Toelke bows QUIET! I have the advantage of a 29" draw and my 60", 54 lb.bow with a b50 dacron string chronographed a 565 grain arrow at 185 f.p.s. but it's even quieter than it is fast if that makes sense.
I have a one piece Blacktail I bought used with the plan to sell it once my new three piece came in. Haven't been able to let go. I really don't need both but which one to part with is like deciding which front tooth to do without....
I am partial to my 58" 1 piece Silvertip. It maneuvers very well from a tree stand and flat out shoots. I have had a couple of 60" 1 piece Tips that were nice but the 58" seems to perform better for me.
Another one to consider would be the Thunderstick Ramhorn. Rarely are they up for sale, very quick and dead silent. However there are a couple for sale now I believe on the classifieds board. I had a 58" and a 60" at one time, again--the 58" performed better for me.
If you can find a 62' Bear Koidak I think you would be pleasantly surprised as well. Good luck, there are quite a few choices.
Really like the looks of the new Bear Super Grizzly.
The Great Northern Super Ghost has one of the most comfortable grips i've ever felt! It and it's brother the Ghost are fast, stable, and quiet...great bows!
Spanky
Here is a pile of bows that I would sell you to try out if you would just send me five thousand bucks or so. :saywhat: (http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab54/damascusdave_2009/IMG_0253-1.jpg)
You will note, I am sure, that not all the bows are one piece and that some of them are left handed and some are right handed.
In the pile there are:
2 1960 Kodiaks RH
2 KS, a 1961 and a 1963 RH
A 1963 Polar RH
A 2010 ACS longbow LH (have a RH riser as well)
A Pearson Pro Staff 3000 LH
A Gharing custom LH
And I was just joking about them being for sale. Love them all too much to let any of them go.
To me there is no magic to a one piece bow. I find my take downs just a bit handier to carry and store with no real downside other than a bit of weight. Course when it comes to good looks there is nothing to compare to the one piece Bears from the sixties.
DDave
I'll second the rose oak, I love mine. I've also admired RER bows which are great shooters at a lower price point. Just ask and we'll help you spend your money.
Martin Hunter............
Check out the Holm-Made River Runner.
There are lots....Great Northern, Holm-Made, Bear Grizzlies from the 70's, RER, Kohannah ,the list goes on and on.Try as many as you can....I have become fond of a Holm-made River runner.
Of all the one piece recurves I've ever shot, and that would be a good many, I still like my Old 1960's Howatt Hunters. The best new one piece recurve would be my Vintage Works 59' Bear Kodiak replica. That is one awesome shooting bow.
There's a lot of good ones out there, but my 54" Rivers Edge Arroyo is my choice. Pretty bow,smoooooth,accurate,and flat out smookes an arrow. :archer2:
The Robertson Peregrine is a really nice fifties style one piece bow.
I have a McCullough Fiftyniner on the way, looking forward to finding out if I think it is the best one piece recurve...
I'll put in another vote for the RER Arroyo.
I don't have the experience of others here, but in my limited experience no bow has fit me better, or allowed me to shoot more accurately than the Arroyo; smooth, fast and forgiving. That last one, I really need.
I own a Toelke Chinook, Great Plains Rio Bravo and 2 62" Mojosticks. Of all the recurves I've shot, these are the best "for me". The other is the Great Plains Swift, which is on my wish list.
Another Rose Oak - King Panther
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/lgcburns/TroysKP.jpg)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/lgcburns/100_2725.jpg)
Border Reiver.
(At least it was there an hour or so ago) In our site's Traditional Bows the 58" 46# Thunder Stick at $360 would be one great buy.
Bill
I recently acquired a new Toelke recurve. I can't say enough good things about it. Might give the website a look. Just google Toelke or Montana Bows.
That Super Wildcat on the first page is beautiful for sure. I'd like to shoot one of those someday.
But, I can say that the Widow PA's are really nice bows. I don't think that you would be disappointed with one at all.
I'm sure that there are other one-piece bows that are just as nice, but I don't know if they'd be any better.
The best is Jack Howard's Gamemaster Jet, and it is no longer made. Someone may sell you one and they are spendy, but you did ask for the best right?
As far as 60's styles bows go I LOVE the St. Joe River bows I'm having one made right now. I own one of there longbows and they are GREAT shooters! These guys will build a bow to YOUR specs, from woods to how you want your grip. A true custom for you!! Really worth checking out!!
stjoeriverbows.com
look at the tribal styk from robertson.
(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy138/chopperziggy/002-7.jpg)
One of the better customs available today...
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g13/dillbilly/Schaf1pc010.jpg)
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g13/dillbilly/Schaf1pc036.jpg)
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g13/dillbilly/Schaf1pc007.jpg)
Silvertip...what else!?
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/tips011.jpg)
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/tips010.jpg)
This is a Blacktail "Snakebit" in a one-piece. It shoots great. The limb veneers are lacewood and snakewood. The riser is snakewood footed with wenge. It's a "keeper". 62" 55#@28"
I love the St. Joe River Bows they are a sponsor here and Tracey and Dave make a great recurve they can do Almost any type of wood and they still make the ibeam version or a layered version
St. Joe here too!! :cool:
Wow!!. So much porn in one thread. Some beautiful bows and any of the names mentioned all have to be the potential to be best bow we ever owned.
I have a Howatt X-200. While they have been a great company to deal with, after reading on these forums for a while now, I think I would avoid buying a big factory bow. They are overpriced and just don't look as nice.
I just picked up a rose Oak used on this site and I love its 64" 51# @28 I draw 29.5 and this bow is light and quick, zebra and bocote its a looker too!
After read all the posts so far, including my own...I think the best one piece recurve has to be the one you shoot well. A lot of beautiful bows out there, but if there's a certain one that you shoot well..........that's the best one!! :notworthy:
Some folks like the heavy risers and some like a slim trim hutning machine that is light but still accurate. Each does have its use and place.
I tend to like the latter in a onepiece simply because to me that is a hunting bow, especially for the kind of hunting I do.
That could mean a 50s style bow or a bow like the Sheepeaters , Talons,. St joes, Quik Styks. ect./ For going out to a range,. stumping, just kicking around and shooting then out come the heavy risers. When I go elk hunting and am going to carry a bow all day I like the superlight bows that still get the trick done though.
You know one bow is just not enough./
God Bless you all, Steve
My choice would be the Griffin 59'r by John Mc Collough if you can locate one....as far as a great production bow... it's hard to beat a late 60's "Rosewood Riser" Super Diblo by Damon Howatt. :thumbsup:
Gene
Great Northern Ghost.Excellent forgiven design that has plenty punch
I have a number of 1 piece bows. Some are from the factory and others are custom or were made by independent bowyers. Out of my collection I love my Wes Wallace Partner TD and my 1 piece Mentor. I've had them the longest and shot them the most and they are completely without issues.
Recently though, I picked up a Big River and a Holcomb '59 Kodiak reproduction, each at 50#. Both are super nice but I've been so impressed with the Holcomb that I ordered another yesterday, reduced to 47# so I can shoot it, as I age, in cold weather.
I think I am going to whittle my collection down to the two Holcombs, the two Wallace bows and my Mohawk.
Great northern ghost, Most comfortable ( for me) recurve I have ever shot... love the GN straight grips
Do a search for Bel007's BW PAX!! It's curly bubinga and yew limbs if I remember correctly. WOW!!! What a sweet looking bow!!!
Rusty
I'm with Gene, a John McCullough Fiftyniner. Very had to come by and it's the best shooting recurve I have.
I picked up a Widow PSR one piece and it shoots very well. I like it better than the PSA takedown I had.
1959 Kodiak Special
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1302049057.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1302049057.jpg)
1976 Super Kodiak
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1302049103.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1302049103.jpg)
1959 Grizzly
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1302049139.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1302049139.jpg)
Ceme,, I'll take thre 59 kodiak!
but I shoot this right here,, highly recommended.
http://www.selfbow.com/thunderbird.html
Tall Tines had a splash a bit ago with a one piece 60". Never heard another word or see anything on the website, but I bet they'd be worth a look.
Border super black reiver, they are the bomb! :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by RUSTY1:
Do a search for Bel007's BW PAX!! It's curly bubinga and yew limbs if I remember correctly. WOW!!! What a sweet looking bow!!!
Rusty
Hey Rusty, Thanks for the compliment on my PAX. Everytime that bow comes out people cant wait to shoot it. It shoots even better than it looks.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=097870;p=1
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii47/bel007/IMG_0510.jpg)
I'm a Rose Oak fan, myself.
Surprised to see the Fedora 560 not mentioned yet. For a one piece recurve they are tough to beat.
Since Jack Kempf doesn't make a one piece recurve, I will second Pamike on the Fedora 560. I have been shooting a 53# Fedora, Left hand since June. This bow was built back in the mid 80's, dacron string.
The bow smokes an arrow. I'm shooting 2117's at 535 grains out to 40 yds. I was so impressed, I ordered one....52# at 27". Waiting on the bow now...I love the thumb rest and grip. Limbs are bomb proof. Can't go wrong with one of Mike's 560.
Whippensticks Inferno and Hellfire are all around superb shooting one piece curves and as fast as anything around.They have beautiful lines as well!
It's funny this comes up now, I just get a really nice Bear 1965 Kodiak, and it shoots easier and pound for pound faster than any of my bows or any that I have tried so far, for some reason it just finds the spot you want to hit so easily and again it really zips an arrow.
I think the Howett hunter in very similar and I had one for a short time, but the Bear, over all still seems to shoot better.
Good luck finding one that you want.
Here is one that i build in 62, 64, & 66" lengths.
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bow%20building/1%20PC%20Sas%20RC/SANY0003-1.jpg)
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bow%20building/1%20PC%20Sas%20RC/SANY0004-1.jpg)
Nice recurves! Thanks for the pictures.
I have a carbon onepiece that bigfoot, Kirk built. it is by farrrrrrrrrrr the fastest and best shooting onepiece I have ever owned , Including the 62 , 64, 65, Bear Kodiaks and the Howatt 52 lb Monterray, and the Howatt Hunters I have owned. The maple and bocate riser is not too shabby either but this bow shines when its shot.
God bless you all, Steve
Lots of pretty bow here but if you want the best bang for your buck? Bob Lee is your bow.
(http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/KEITH63/CopyofDSCN0857_087.jpg)
(http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/KEITH63/DSCN0862_092.jpg)
Lee Hoots makes a very nice small recurve that not only looks nice but is quick...This is my 47#@28" and 56" long....He does some nice stippling also and a great man all around...