Hey guys I am new to the website so forgive me if this question is one that has been brought up before and is like a broken record. I have been into traditional archery for about 3 years now I shoot a bear that I picked up from my uncle a couple of years ago and have shot it ever sence. I am ready to buy my first custom bow now and am leaning more towards a hybrid, now I am no expert in all the products out there. I would appreciate some input on what y'all think a good one might be for my first custom bow purchase. Money is not a option so don't be scared to throw ideas my way. Like I said I'm sorry if this is a broken record if someone could just shoot me the link I will read up on this topic there.
Thanks,
Michael
Big Jim bows, beautiful custom work, beautiful selection of riser woods and veneers, they hit straight and hard, and the price is right too, between me and a friend we bought three buffalo bows and had em shipped all the way over to Spain! I love mine! Will try to post pictures, just not quite getting how to do it yet! He is a sponsor on here, good luck!
Big Jim Thunderchild or a Bamabows Expedition Hunter or Royal Expedition. Both are one of the best out there and most reasonable on price in my opinion for a hybrid.
I cannot argue with the Big Jim recommendation as I have a Thunderchild myself. If you could find a traditional club in your area to visit, most trad guys are very helpful and may let you try several different types. There are so many fine bows out there it usually comes down to little details of personal preferance.
Centaur is a great longbow!
QuoteOriginally posted by Swinestalker:
I cannot argue with the Big Jim recommendation as I have a Thunderchild myself. If you could find a traditional club in your area to visit, most trad guys are very helpful and may let you try several different types. There are so many fine bows out there it usually comes down to little details of personal preferance.
That's exactly why I threw the Bamabows Expedition Hunter in there or it may have been a Royal Hunter, but a Trad Gang member came to my house one Sunday to visit and brought one with him. I fell in love with it, shot exactly where I was lookin, whisper quiet, and dang quick. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wasn't interested in letting it go. I'd order one in a heartbeat.
You might take a look a Dave Beeler's Tracker longbow or his Trailblazer longbow. You didn't say whether you wanted a short (less than 60")or a longer bow (60" or more). The Tracker is a short longbow, while the Trailblazer is longer. There is no doubt that Jim's Thunderchild is an excellent bow if you are looking for a short longbow. However, if you are looking for a longer longbow, his Buffalo longbow is also an excellent choice. Jason Kendall's Kanatai (sp) is also a bow you might want to look at as well.
Are you wanting a 1 piece bow, nice and lightweight....
A 2 piece bow, basically a one piece with the convenience of being able to take apart, makes it nice for transporting....
Or a 3 piece T.D., the heaviest of the three, but still have the convenience factor for transporting, and your able to get different limbs of different weights.
Think about those options a lot. Figure out which you want, then look for your bow.
The bows listed above are all good bows, I'd say don't forget to check out the Shrews. There are so many good bows.
You need to check out all of the Sponsors listed above, and read the classifieds here. That oughtta keep you busy for awhile. Good luck.
Centaur is a great longbow, Big Jim's shoot very sweet too.. My buddy loves Shrews. I can also recommend a Herwaybow, the XRTD is a very efficient takedown hybrid...
Thanks guys,
I looked at the Big Jims and I like them. I would like a 3 peice take down or a 1 peice. I don't like the idea of a bow that comes apart in the middle of the riser. Just a mental thing I guess. And I want a 60" plus
J.K. Traditions Kanati has to be right up there too, although I may be slightly biased. :bigsmyl: :D
I here many great things about the Centaurs. I can recommend Beeler hybrids as well, from my own experience. Same goes for LaClair's Shrew.
Many-Many-Many great options.
The determining factor should be to ascertain if the bow is a personal match. Only you will be able to discern the compatibilty. A $2000 bow may infact be a total mismatch and $200 bow may fit you personally like a glove. If that was the case, then give me the glove.
There is no best bow, but there are best bows for you personally.
Do your best to try before you buy.
Best of luck!
I have owned, and still have some of all mentioned above. You will be hard pressed to find a better performing longbow for the money than the JK Kanati. Best buy for your money I know of in a forward handle hybrid. On watch for a backup for mine now. Easy as all getout to tune and speed dept up there with any !!
Froggy
If you're considering three-piece, you might take a look at A&H ACSs and Morrison Shawnees. they're my favorites.
Big Jims and also Black Creek Bows made by Jim Gainey.He is in Arley Alabama and also a sponsor here.
QuoteOriginally posted by Friend:
Many-Many-Many great options.
The determining factor should be to ascertain if the bow is a personal match. Only you will be able to discern the compatibilty. A $2000 bow may infact be a total mismatch and $200 bow may fit you personally like a glove. If that was the case, then give me the glove.
There is no best bow, but there are best bows for you personally.
Do your best to try before you buy.
Best of luck!
Ditto!
The longest Morrison Dakota I could find.
Friend gave some good advice...you have to match the bow with your style, taste and budget. Recommend going to some shoots or clubs and looking and talking. I have a Leon Stewart Slammer Special and LOVE eveything about it. I picked it after a visit to ETAR held in July in Pa. Hundreds of bows available to shoot. Can talk to the guys who build them shoot them etc. Must be something like that near you. A lot of fun to know you can buy one and see sooooo many there and then ask one to be made for you with the woods, length and signed for you for you.
Stalker longbows, Black creek, Or one of sixbys bows,
I understand about the personal fit and would love to test run as many as possible, but I just moved to San Antonio for work and do not know of any traditional archery shops around here. I went to the local bass pro yesterday and all they carry is Bear and Martin. Does anyone know where i could find better help in this area??
Michael, give Lee at Protege Longbows a call. He builds a great bow.
Since you are in Texas, try Bob Lee bows. They make a great long bow.
A&H ACS CX 3pc. You won't be sorry. But if you can get a chance to try some it may help you.
It aint always the one's you think you'll like .. nor the ones most sought after , or the most expensive or the ones with the longest wait , like many have said here it is what fits you. I have my favorite and isn't any mentioned, but it fits me and shoots for me.
Scott
A@H ACS CX 3 pc is my go to bow right now and Im sure it will be for a long time! :thumbsup:
Ok should I get one that is cut to center or pass center?? What is the difference?....also would the Bob Lee be considered a hybrid...what is exact def of a hybrid??
I would not rush into a purchase until you have shot several different bows and determined what you need and want. Bows are such a personal item that you could spend a bundle on a name bow that may shoot excellently for other people but maybe it doesn't fit quite right for you. Look at the traditional archery events in your area and try as many bows as you can. There are so many great bows to choose from and their may be a wide divergency in the prices. Take your time its a journey enjoy it as you go.
Cut-to-center would be just fine. Cut past center will work nicely too. A bow cut past center....is,.....well, cut past center! It simply means that the shelf is cut deeper into the riser, past the center of the bow. Cut-to-center means that the shelf is cut to the center of the bow.
A hybrid bow is a bow that generally has a lot of back set in the limb profile, but not as much as a recurve has. The string only touches the string grooves and doesn't touch the limbs on the belly side of the bow at all. A hybrid longbow is like a longbow on steroids. It will perform as well as many recurves and even better than some.
Just looked at the j.k traditions.....man that is one fine bow
Really like the centaurs too...can some one explain the rule of thumb as for as the overall lenth of the bows?? 56, 58, 60, 62??? What are the differences..longer ones more forgiving or what??
Thanks
Mike there are so many good ones that to start naming them some really great ones will be left out. Check out sponsers. Morrison, Kanati, BigFoot bows, My bows, Centaurs, Protege, ect ect, almost all of them are really good bows.
God bless you and good luck, Steve
Take a look at hill country's k2 hybrid. I love mine
Big River bows by John Mcdonald out of WI. Get one built for $500.
Holm made Osprey,Great bow,great price.
Liberty Longbow or Holm-made would be a great choice. Both are well respected bowyers and are Trad Gang sponsors. Ken
Gonna have to give my vote to the Big River. Not only can you have a beautiful and sweet shooting bow for $500. You'll get it quickly and from a true craftsman.
What about the Shafer silvertip...any input on one??
I'll give a big thumbs up for Chad Holm and his Osprey bow. My Osprey is my first and only fiberglass trad bow. Very good bow for a very fair price.
check out the annewakee archery website and take a look at his addiction longbow. best r/d design longbow out there!
My goto bow is an A&H ACS 3 piece. 62 ", 55 lbs @ 28 inches.
I really like Shafer, Robertson quick styk hybrid, the Kanti, and the centaurs...but haven't heard much of nothing on the Shafer or robertsons...is there a reason?
Hey Mike! you post was me about a month ago!! I also shot a bear and wanted to switch after alot of research I decided on a Lost Creek Life-Ender. Chad Francis is great with customer service, his bows are beautiful and I have heard nothing but great things about his bows. Also his turn around time is incredible.. Wouldn't it be nice to have your bow in weeks instead of months? you can with chad.
Try the Stalker Takedown Longbow. 3 models to choose from. South makes beautiful bows, short wait time, and he has a "Test Drive" program. Mine should be here shortly!
even as we speak there is a 62" 48# hybrid "in stock" at A & H
as i was trying to say... Archery that is a fantastic bow. since it is in stock you get 10% off the price and no waiting period. i just got one last Saturday and man do they shoot well. I've never owned a bow like this one.
Bill
I'm real partial to my Treadway "Black Swamp" smooth drawing, no stack,decent speed, and in a 56" package! I've got another one on the way !
I love my tomahawk diamond series woodland hunter
check out www.bigfootbows.com (http://www.bigfootbows.com) sasquatch and www.bambabows.com (http://www.bambabows.com) expedition, too. lots of great choices out there for an aggressive hybrid "longbow" :D
They are all good. I have never shot a bow I didn't like. Some just took longer for the relationship to form.
My experience has been with a Big jim thunderchild,his 3 piece Buffalo bow,zipper STX,Super Shrew deluxe and now Kanati,all are first class,you won't go wrong,any of our sponsors sell fantastic products and all are first class people to work with you.
Lot of great ones already posted. Jim Reynold's M.O.A.B.is also a good hybrid. I've had one for about 4 years now. It's about as fast or faster then any of my recurves. It's smooth on the draw!It's made meat and a few 3d trophies for me!
I will second the Treadway. If I were you I would try my best to attend the Howard Hill Classic in Alabama the first week in june. with all the top notch bowyers that will be there I bet you will find "the one". and you will probably know when you first slide your hand in the grip.
LOST CREEK
'nuff said.