Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: moleman on December 26, 2012, 07:48:00 PM

Title: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: moleman on December 26, 2012, 07:48:00 PM
When purchasing a new or used bow what is the criteria that influences your purchase the most?
Try before you buy shooting qualities, looks, speed, price, strong reviews, ETC.
  :campfire:
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: bulldog18 on December 26, 2012, 07:53:00 PM
For me it has to be in my specs, priced right and I have to admit I am a wood junkie. Love the look of certain woods and wood combinations.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: buckeye_hunter on December 26, 2012, 08:02:00 PM
I buy totally based on how it feels and shoots for me. Nothing shoots like my Timberhawk, so I haven't bought anything else. Love that bow.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: Bob B. on December 26, 2012, 08:17:00 PM
Style ... hill style for me is number one.  Number two is grip ... dished or straight.
Number three is quiet ... I can not cotton a loud bow ... it has to be near silent or out the door it goes.

So far my Shrew Hill fits the bill real well   ;)

Bob.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: Alexander Traditional on December 26, 2012, 08:22:00 PM
Looks and reviews
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: Jwilliam on December 26, 2012, 08:36:00 PM
The grip is the most important thing to me. If it dosen't fit, I'm not going to shoot it worth a darn.

After that I'm looking for a quiet bow with good performance.


Bill
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: nineworlds9 on December 26, 2012, 08:44:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by bulldog18:
For me it has to be in my specs, priced right and I have to admit I am a wood junkie. Love the look of certain woods and wood combinations.
+1.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: gonefishing600 on December 26, 2012, 08:54:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Jwilliam:
The grip is the most important thing to me. If it dosen't fit, I'm not going to shoot it worth a darn.

After that I'm looking for a quiet bow with good performance.


Bill
Concure 110%!! You need to know your grips. For example, high wrist, low wrist, locater, HH style, or straight, locater with a thumb rest. Then you have some bowyers with ther own style like Abe at Caribow.

I prefer Dan Toelke locater grip. His locator grip is so consistent, I can buy his bows second all day long and pretty much get the same grip.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: ISP 5353 on December 26, 2012, 09:12:00 PM
Grip, smooth draw, and good arrow speed.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: Rob W. on December 26, 2012, 09:22:00 PM
Grip and quiet. I can make everything else work.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: Guss on December 26, 2012, 09:26:00 PM
If  your buying used... try before you buy is not an option most of the time.
        Specs should be the most important thing...no matter how nice the bow is... if its too heavy, light, long or short you won't keep it...!!
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: njloco on December 26, 2012, 09:41:00 PM
I have tried everyone of my bows with the exception of one, that one is now sold.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: Sam McMichael on December 26, 2012, 09:45:00 PM
I have a special preference for Hill bows, and I prefer 68" bows pulling anywhere form 50 to 65# with either a straight or dished grip. Right now, I would really like to be able to afford a Redman in that range.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: rick7 on December 26, 2012, 09:50:00 PM
the grip first. then how smooth it draws
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: Ibow on December 26, 2012, 10:12:00 PM
Moleman, I noticed you're from IN. If you're considering a new bow, give some thought to coming up to Kalamazoo at the end of Jan. You'll be able to try out a ton of new bows and get a real feel for what you like.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: Bowwild on December 27, 2012, 06:36:00 AM
These are my usual considerations:
1. It must be a recurve
2. Bow's reputation
3. Bow's specifications
4. Bow's appearance-- exotic woods catch my eye

Over the past 3 years I've ruled out far more bows than I would want to own.  Some of these evaluations didn't cost me a dime but a few cost me $100-300 as I bought and resold for a loss. I consider the experience worthy of the "loss".

I've also learned that one person's perfect bow (?) may be of no interest to some others.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: Jack Whitmire Jr on December 27, 2012, 06:42:00 AM
GRIP = High and Checkered

After that I'm a fancy wood junkie .
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: Ray Hammond on December 27, 2012, 09:15:00 AM
Grip grip and lastly, grip
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: GRINCH on December 27, 2012, 10:13:00 AM
I agree with Ray,if the grip doesn't fit you you won't shoot it well.
Title: Re: Bow buying criteria?
Post by: RC on December 27, 2012, 11:21:00 AM
Grip and shoots where I look. I will not change my shooting styl to fit a bow. RC