I once owned a HHA Cheetah and loved it but foolishly let it slip away. I now own a Big 5 and love it. I've been looking at the Redman model. Is there any noticeable difference between the bamboo and yew as far as how they draw and shoot?
IMO Both are very nice for bows. The Wesley special is a very smooth shooting bow, the redman is as well. My vote between the two goes to bamboo for feel and performance, and yew for looks (a great performer as well). I liked the halfbreed too. If I were to purchase one it would be the Wesley with a back of a different wood that's not yellow, or a 6th veneer lam because I mainly look to hunting with them (or colored glass). I've owned many, still the Wesley has been my favorite, and I've shot several Wesley's. it may just be the tapers, but it's a great shooting bow.
I'd go Redman all day over the big 5. I'm not a fan of the feel of bamboo upon release. Boo has a shocky/vibration feel to it in MY hand as opposed to say maple/yew/elm. I'll take any of the latter over boo. This is only my personal opinion. Bamboo does feel great on the draw but so do the others.
I say the half breed yew and bamboo, it's like peanut butter and chocolate a great combo.
Well, hate to go contrary to our friend Brianlocal, but I own a Wesley and Redman and have to say if I had to make a choice to keep only one it would be the Wesley hands down. I have also owned a couple of Big Fives, a Tembo, two owls, and the Wesley tops 'em all in my experience. To each his own. ;) In fact, if I had to get rid of every longbow I currently own of all makes and models, about 10, I would most likely hang on to the Wesley--that's how much I think of it.
No, or at least not much. Too many other factors involved that contribute more overtly than do core woods or grass (as in the case of bamboo) materials in same profile bows. Having said this, boo is my preference but not because of significant performance differences. Foam as a core material may be a different story.
Kris
David,
My Wesley special was one of my favorites, go figure!
Brian, I find myself hankering for a Vixen....and maybe a Dave Johnson.....where does it ever end? :banghead:
QuoteOriginally posted by David Mitchell:
Brian, I find myself hankering for a Vixen....and maybe a Dave Johnson.....where does it ever end? :banghead:
I agree, and an echo...
It doesn't end - both a blessing and a curse really... Lol
It doesn't end that's for sure. I am thankful I got the Vixen hen I did because it fits me so well I haven't looked at others........as often
I figured its an addiction. I've already got a list going.....Miller, Dave Johnson, TD Hill, Shelton, ........
Ha HA what Fling said! "Like peanut butter and chocolate". Either the Redman or the Halfbreed,,, can't go wrong either way. Yew is great wood. However, if you are use to the smoothness and feel of Boo, go with the Halfbreed, I have one and love it.
Hard to beat hard rock maple cores with yew veneers.
I have owned both a Big5 and a Redman, one was 61#, the other 55#. Both nice bows. The yew feels "tighter" on the draw than the boo, very smooth, but like it has less springiness to it, boo always feels more energetic to me in a bow. On release the boo feels more snappy, the yew was a bit more supple. You really can't go wrong with either. I'm being very subjective here. I'd go with what catches your eye more frankly. Both are great shooting bows. But I have another suggestion...why not forget those Howard Hill bows and get a David Miller!! Now there is Hill bow heaven. I just sold mine in a fit of temporary insanity involving wanting to buy my younger brother a Toelke Whip for his birthday, and I'll likely regret losing the Miller but forever smile at doing a nice thing for brother, but I'm sure another Miller will find it's way into my stable someday. A tempered bamboo old fashioned made David Miller Hill bow is an experience you MUST have at least once in your life if you really get crazy about Hill style bows. Trust me.
I pulled the trigger today on a Redman. We'll see how I like it when it gets here.
Nine I do plan to place an order for a Miller Old Tom in the next few weeks. The bow rack still has some room on it.
QuoteOriginally posted by wislnwings:
I pulled the trigger today on a Redman. We'll see how I like it when it gets here.
Nine I do plan to place an order for a Miller Old Tom in the next few weeks. The bow rack still has some room on it.
My bow rack has plenty of room, but unfortunately, so does my wallet! :banghead:
Wis- sounds great. Craig Ekin builds some nice bows, and the Redman is a looker. Have fun and give an update when you two have become acquainted!
I own several Hills, a couple of Wesleys, a couple of Cheetahs, and a Big 5 and really like them all. I have shot the Redman (and want one badly). I have preferred the Wesley, but due to an injury that forced me to hunt with a reduced draw weight, I shot the Cheetah all last season. I have become very fond of it, also. But, all in all, the Wesley is smooth, snappy and just feels a little more right than the others.
I`ve owned and hunted two Cheetah`s a big five a Tembo and a borrowed Wesley. I like the Wesley most of all.RC