I have always been a recurve shooter but have been thinking about trying out a longbow. I want a compact bow for ground blind use and have never been around a big Jim or a widow. What do you guys think? I am looking at a 56" for both, and have 27" draw. Thinking about #54 at 27"
PCH is a recurve. Best shooting bow I've ever shot
That's what I've heard. I knew it was a recurve and a good one but had also heard good things about the thunder child as a hybrid style longbow. I have just never done much with a longbow. I also have never shot a recurve shorter than 60" for any period of time. Was just wanting some feedback on both bows
I was shooting a Black Widow PTF 62" 57@29. now have a PCHX 58 with 2 sets of limbs and shoot it better than any bow I've ever shot. I'll never get rid of it
Personally I would go with the PCH, just a great all round bow.
Thanks for the input that's kinda what I was thinking, I worry about stability with those little longbows after I have been shooting TD recurves for so long. I have been shooting Jeffery recurves for years being that I am from Columbia sc, but have always wanted to try a widow.
PCH is a great bow. My favorite widow. Have not shot a Thunder Child, but hope to sometime. I love the Buffalo. I have a 58" PCH and the only thing I don't love is the standard grip. I shoot a lot of hybrids so I am going to keep looking for a low grip PCH. I have had a few Widows now and the PCH has been the easiest to get quiet for me.
I have a 56" pch and a 58". I had a 54" regret selling it. I also have a 58" KB and PA I love the one pieces. I should have a 54" KB not long after Christmas. My next purchase will be a 54" black and white ebony pch. Whichever you choose you will be super happy.
I had a 56" Thunderchild. It was a heck of a bow.
The PCH is a nice bow,however, the spirit of a longbow may infect you.
Note: One of our most venerated archers wheeled a longbow.
The choice is both personal and individualistic.
I own a thunderchild, and have only tried a PCH. I am more of a longbow guy, but I by far prefer the thunderchild. Mine is definitely more quiet than the PCH that I tried. If you get a chance, you should shoot them both before deciding. As is almost always the case, as short bow will magnify form errors. Especially one with less mass. That being said, I think my thunderchild is pretty stable.
QuoteOriginally posted by Friend:
The PCH is a nice bow,however, the spirit of a longbow may infect you.
Note: One of our most venerated archers wheeled a longbow.
The choice is both personal and individualistic.
My internet screen name for the last 15 years has been ACRecurve...and now I'm a huge longbow fan. Pays yo money, takes yo choice.
I have both, and I like them the same, the TC is much more quiet and lighter to carry and BigJims`s craftsmanship is outstanding, the PCH is a little smother, but then again recurves usually are, and the sigthwindow is bigger, both are almost shockfree
and with a bowquiver totally shockfree, the speed seems the same, I have not put them under a chrono.
Bottom line is, I`ts a win-win.
Peter
I've owned both and if I could only have one of them, it would be the PCH. I am a longbow guy at heart, but every PCH I've had my hands on seemed to almost shoot itself. Super stable and easy to be accurate with. The TC doesn't seem to mesh well with me, I shot it fine and it is an outstanding bow, just didn't seem to fit. That's why not every bow is for every archer.
I've never shot either the Big Jim Thunderchild or the PCH model Black Widow. I have shot most of the other models Black Widow makes and I have to say they are my favorite recurves. On the other hand I have never heard anything but positive reviews about a thunderchild and Big Jim is an artist with wood.
I really appreciate all the info, it's going to be a tuff call! I would like to give the longbow buzz a try but still love my recurves! I'm more confused now than ever haha
I have 2 Thunderchilds and had a Pch which I sold in a moment of stupidity. I Still have a Kbx. The good news is, you simply cannot go wrong. The Thunderchild is much quieter, handles fast and points well for me. I do have a chrony. My Pch was a 56 pounder and the lighter TC is 54 pounds. The TC was a little faster. It is hands down my favorite tight quarters hunting bow. The Pch is one of the most accurate, forgiving bows that I have ever shot. Really is an apples to oranges comparison though and you would be well served to try both and see which one picks you.
I pretty much only shoot "Shulz" style longbows now,but man every time I see a pic of a TC with some crazy wood on it I want to order one!Check out JavaMan's Elkheart too. You'll never know if you like it unless you try one.
Best part about the Widows,Big Jims,Shrews,etc is that if you don't like it,they have a big enough following that you can usually sell them pretty quick without losing too much money.
I have to many TC's ... Not!!!
I love mine and Jim's takedown system makes it a suitcase bow for traveling. I took it to Africa and shot all kind of critters from pit blinds, ground blinds and pop-ups.
Had a PCHX but didn't like the extra mass and weight....
Like said above you are comparing apples to oranges.I have both but prefer the PCH,I am a recurve guy that loves longbows lol.My 58" PCH is the quitest of all the widows I have and or shot.Both Bigjim and the widow guys are great to work with and both have the best customer service you will find.Black Widow offers a test drive program and I know BigJim will let you test drive a TC,that way you can make an educated choice.Or do like the rest of us do, buy both and shoot what ever the mood strikes you. :thumbsup:
Apples or Oranges? :rolleyes:
Both super nice bows! Totally different from each other in every regard! Shoot em right next to each other....maybe just into a bail or large bag target, with your eyes closed! Then buy the one that just feels better to you....the one that speaks to you and just feels the most natural! Whatever you decide, you'll own a killer bow for sure!
I would think a PSR would be a better comparison with a TC. They are available in the same lengths and the weight and mass would be closer. Yes one is a curve and the other a hybred longbow but in grip, riser, weight and mass they would be closer than the PCH and TC???
There could be a world of difference between me and you but my rule of thumb is "stick with what you know". In my situation, coming from many years shooting recurves, I've found that I shoot longbows (64" or greater) more consistently than short hybrids like the TC. My form must not be good, but the longer bow works - just like recurves with a greater mass works - to stabilize and overcome my inadequacies.
If you apply that logic (is it logical :dunno: ) then you would go with the PCH. Since you are already a recurve shooter the transition would likely be smoother from the bow you're shooting now.
However, if like me, you need to try the short hybrid, the TC is a great one. Big Jim is an artist and his work stands on it's own. Maybe you should try used and see what you prefer before ordering either. Either one should be easy to sell or trade without much loss of investment.
Last year at Compton's, I shot both bows back-to-back, and was impressed with both. I had already shot the PCH many times on other occasions, but it was my first time shooting any of BigJim's bows. The TC was beautiful, impressive to shoot, and looked very clean and well-made.
They are, indeed, two very different types of bow. The 58" TC did not stack when I got it to full draw, but the 58" PCH did. (I draw about 31"). For comparison, the 58" Black Widow PSR did not stack at my draw. But I'd have to go 60" with the PCH.
The TC was whisper-quiet, and felt stable enough to me, even though I prefer longer bows and more mass weight in the riser. If I were going to get either a PCH or a TC, I'd buy... a PSR!!! I prefer the grip of the BW longbow/PSR. Of the three, I prefer the PSR, then the PCH, then the TC. But remember... I'm no expert, just some guy typing at a computer... and opinions vary widely.
If at all possible, try before you buy.
I have both....two different animals.
Depends on what you are going to do most. Walking a little ways to s stand or walking and stalking for hours. Depends on the feel you want in your hand if you are holding it for a while.
I own both, and take the one for the job at hand.
Nice bows they are.... :campfire:
Yeah I'm no too terribly far from Albany ga. Might just have to give a call and go down there and check him out!
Me personally I like the Thunderchild. I have shot the widow. Very fine bow, but like others have said, the mass weight was the difference. God bless.