Just wondering if any of you have experienced this?
Over the years of spending way to much money on a large number of finely crafted and beautiful bows, my favorite go to bows are the ones that were bought used, traded for, old, handsome, (but not beautiful), and cost the least.
Kinda funny how sometimes the bows that work best for an individual, were once someone elses diamond in the rough.
I haven't bought a new bow in 43 years, all used. I did, however, buy a new ******** Titan III riser. I like it a lot.
All my bows have been used. Can't say they have been cheap but all built for someone else. But yes my go to bow was someone elses diamond first!
Moleman,
I think we must be related. I have a thing for the best up ones myself. My Hoyt trophy looks like its been thru the dump yard but I shoot that bow like a stud. It just fits so well. I even traded off my prom queen NM shelto because of how much I love the trophy. I
Shot once, any bow is used and good as new. As long as there's the classifieds I'll more likely stick to second hand. The only exception would probably be to patronize one of our many fine sponsors. A scratch or two is fine because a huntin we will go! Nothin like braggin rights on a vintage yard sale find either.
I have gotten a bunch of used bows......Best way to try out different kinds with out spending a ton of money. I bought a Holm-Made bow used, and since have had Chad build me two others. But there is nothing wrong with a bow that didn't work for someone else!
I've had both. My go-to is my Kanati that was custom made for me and my Orion recurve, the limbs of which were custom made for me. The Orion is a little of both, I guess.
I've bought, sold, and traded more bows than I can remember, even one custom bow made for me. The Kanati in my signature isn't going anywhere...ever. I've got a beautiful RER on the way, previously owned by ron w and most recently by kat.
Okay, I'm a bowaholic. I readily admit that. I've also got a hickory board bow (Hill style) with silk backing. I made that one myself and it is fun to shoot as well.
I guess for me, if the bow fits me and I can hit consistently with it, I don't care how I acquired it or how pretty or ugly it is.
Yep, often the ugly ones shoot as good as the perty ones. However, I have found the ratio of perty bows that shoot really nice higher than the ratios for the ugly ones.
I'm not too big on clear glass and fancy veneers anymore.
I have bought new, took the depreciation hit, and sold.
Bought used, shot for a long time, then sold for about what I paid.
Currently, the two bows I shoot are both "custom" bows. Neither were built for me, but the specs work for me and there was a lot less wait time. I'm confident i could sell either for more than I paid. Interestingly enough the one i shoot the best is sorta ugly. Gray hickory riser with zebrawood limbs, the finish isnt great but its a shooter! Ive shot many vintage bows that blew me away as well.
There is nothing wrong with second hand gear!
However, when it comes to firearms and bows I tend to buy new. If it is second hand it has to be like new. As in you bought it last week, it sat in the box and you sold it to me this week.
There is one reason for this. I have a huge dislike for equipment failure especially out in the field be it a hunting trip, fishing trip, or a job.
With bows I don't know if it has ever been dry fired and if so how many times or has had light weight shafts shot through it for years. With firearms I don't know if they have had "over spec'd" loads run through them. Far to many peeps only interested in "how fast" can we make it go.
Your gear will only come apart in your face once before you can actually tally the "savings".
Sometimes bowyers hate me. I want the plainest, dullest, wood possible.
I recently ordered a Baraga from Steve Turay. I told him "save the pretty wood for someone else". :bigsmyl:
I hate when they have a whole,bunch of different fancy woods in them and they get cleaned off after every time out... I agree the bottom line always shot as good if not better than the fancy....
It's not just you... A while back my wife bought me TWO high-end custom jobbies... I dig 'em but shoot my "new-to-me" bows better! Go Figure. :dunno:
... mike ...
Yep, I have no problem at all shooting a used bow, the deer are just as dead with new or used.
My current bow is a second (plus) hand recurve. I purchased this bow at the Kazoo show a few years back. I love this bow and the way it shoots. It really flings the arrows. The bad thing is there is no name on the bow so I am thinking that it is a home made bow. The only other bows that I have are board bows that I made myself.
On the other hand sometimes the plain model in a line up shoots as good as the fancy ones....
I had one of the Legends bows, I think it was the Mountain bow model, camo painted. I shot that thing pretty well, and I did not have to worry about scrating it....
It shot like it was the fancy one..LOL
I would like to have a new Longbow, but I just can't see spending the money on a new one anymore. I have decided to let other people pay full price for them.
Absolutely. I've been to the extreme end and back. I don't buy a new custom because I think it will improve my ability.(I used to think that!) Now if I get one it's just because I love the bowyers craft, and only if I can justify the money.
But I hunt with both, and am just as confident with my second hand beaters(if not more) than my most expensive customs.
If I had a 28" draw I would never (maybe) buy a NEW bow, but, I want the most performance I can get at my 26" draw, so, I buy custom ............but not very often. Think I've found my last bow-buy, a 46# Sasquatch from Kirk! :archer:
I have a couple of sexy bows to hold me over when I get a little jealous looking at some bows on display here but it's my workhorse bows that get all the loving.
I'm really put off by all the bling on some bows, these are killing tools and I want mine plain and unadorned. My biggest turn off is antler burr limb bolts, very hard on my eyes indeed. Snake skin has its uses as cammo I suppose. I want a bow I can toss over a fence or lay in a boat without my having to worry about a scratch.
Great thread. I just passed up a real nice BW (and I have wanted one forever) because I realized that I was going to beat the snot out of it hunting. I have had a couple of real nice bows, but sold them and still have my beat up Howatt Hi-Speed I bought used when I started traditional. Still trying to find a bow that I like better!
QuoteOriginally posted by jjwaldman:
. . . I have had a couple of real nice bows, but sold them and still have my beat up Howatt Hi-Speed I bought used when I started traditional. Still trying to find a bow that I like better!
I know what you mean. I have four Howatts (2 are Hi-Speeds) and all were bought used. They are great hunting bows.
Mike