Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Riegel on October 01, 2013, 07:38:00 PM

Title: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Riegel on October 01, 2013, 07:38:00 PM
I am selling my compound and using the money ($900) to buy a nice custom recurve. Ive been very interested in the widows but do not know if I want to spend ALL my money at once(may settle forused).

But anyways, I was wondering what custom recurves have really left a great impression on you? They can be anywhere from $1000 to just a few hundred dollars.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: TraditionalGuy on October 01, 2013, 07:40:00 PM
Can I ask why you're set on a recurve? Have you considered looking into a long bow as well? The reason I ask is that a lot of us long bow folks have been where you are now and went from wheels, to the recurve, and finally settled full circle to the long bow. I would advise shooting a couple just in case. It could save you some money in the long run.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: fmscan on October 01, 2013, 07:40:00 PM
Leon Stewart!
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Gen273 on October 01, 2013, 07:42:00 PM
I would give Kent Roberts and TimberGhost Bows a real long and hard look.

I also highly recommend Bill Dunn and Zipper Bows.

Either way, you will have a nice bow.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: ron w on October 01, 2013, 07:48:00 PM
Chad Holm......Holm-Made Bows, great bows ,great guy and for $1000 you can get a bow, buy arrows and a quiver and enough money for a meal out.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: S. Brant Osborn on October 01, 2013, 07:55:00 PM
Morrison
Zipper
Dalaa
Timberghost
Hitman
Predator
Dryad

No particular order and there are more.  Righ now I have a predator with multiple sets of limbs and a used zipper on the way.  I would feel confident with any on my list.  I'm still trying others as well!  Good luck on your search.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Stykbowslim on October 01, 2013, 08:04:00 PM
There are a lot of outstanding bowyers who make great recurves and/or longbows. Don't be so quick to jump in and buy until you shot a few different bows to understand what feels good to you.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Caughtandhobble on October 01, 2013, 08:04:00 PM
The most bow for the money is Journeyman, as far as I'm concerned. You can get a great bow along with a dozen arrows, quiver and still have money left over.

www.journeymanarchery.com (http://www.journeymanarchery.com)
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Marc B. on October 01, 2013, 08:07:00 PM
Try several before you buy. Only you can tell what will be right.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: H-MANEOD on October 01, 2013, 08:07:00 PM
I did the same, bye bye Mathews DXT, Bought a Maddog and now a Fedora.  Can't beat the Maddog for the money and shootability. Still learning...
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: H-MANEOD on October 01, 2013, 08:10:00 PM
I did the same, bye bye Mathews DXT, Bought a Maddog and now a Fedora.  Can't beat the Maddog for the money and shootability. Still learning...
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: H-MANEOD on October 01, 2013, 08:10:00 PM
I did the same, bye bye Mathews DXT, Bought a Maddog and now a Fedora.  Can't beat the Maddog for the money and shootability. Still learning...
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: TxAg on October 01, 2013, 08:17:00 PM
look at Dan Toelke's bows at  www.montanabows.blogspot.com (http://www.montanabows.blogspot.com)
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: goingoldskool on October 01, 2013, 08:23:00 PM
I suggest that you drive down to Nixa and get a feel for what bow 'feels' right to you if you are set on a Widow....  The guys down there are super to work with and will go out of their way to help you.

Good luck and have fun with it!

Rodd
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Easykeeper on October 01, 2013, 08:41:00 PM
In my opinion your money is best spent on a   used top of the line recurve.  Keep your money in your pocket and watch the classifieds.  $900 will buy you almost anything used but will leave you short of most of the premier bows if you want to buy new.  Let somebody else take the initial depreciation.  Most customs also come with a hefty waiting period that you can avoid by buying used.

I would watch for a used Blacktail Elite, Schafer Silvertip, Dale Dye, or Robertson.  I have at least one of each and while I do have my favorites I could happily live with any of them.  I don't think you can go wrong buying one of those recurves.  Bought used any will hold it's value so if you decide to sell you can get your money back, or at least most of it.

There is a nice sounding Schafer Silvertip in the classifieds now, I have no affiliation with the seller.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Riegel on October 01, 2013, 08:43:00 PM
Thanks for the advice all! I already have 2 recurves, '61 kodiak and a Dorado so I have been considering a long bow as well.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Bladepeek on October 01, 2013, 08:48:00 PM
If you have $900 to spend, I'd suggest getting a couple of really nice used bows and see what works best for you.

For $350 - $450, you can often get a great, used, top quality bow in the classifieds. Try a recurve and a longbow. You might decide to keep both just for the variety. Or, you decide one is not right for you and sell or trade it for something else.

Don't dump a fortune on a new bow until you have a pretty good idea what you like.

Also, don't buy the same poundage bow you were shooting as a compound. I don't know where in MO you live, but there are some guys on here that could probably point you to a trad shop where you could try a few.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Bladepeek on October 01, 2013, 08:50:00 PM
Sorry, didn't see you post right above me.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Riegel on October 01, 2013, 08:51:00 PM
Thanks for the advice all! I already have 2 recurves, '61 kodiak and a Dorado so I have been considering a long bow as well.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: JBridegroom22 on October 01, 2013, 09:15:00 PM
Rer arroyo. I got one used last year and love it!
Josh
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: McDave on October 01, 2013, 09:15:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by TxAg:
look at Dan Toelke's bows at  www.montanabows.blogspot.com (http://www.montanabows.blogspot.com)  
For these reasons:

Quality
Price
Personal service by Dan
Performance
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: VictoryHunter on October 01, 2013, 09:17:00 PM
Stalker Stickbows hands down. South Cox makes a killer highly reflex/deflex longbow with a custom contoured recurve style grip. Tons of options for the price, you can't go wrong.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: tomsm44 on October 01, 2013, 09:38:00 PM
https://www.rmsgear.com/store/pc/index_new.asp

Check this site out if you can't find one in the classifieds.  They have a large selection of used bows, but the prices are a little higher than what you'll find here in the classifieds.  Like several have said though, try to find a way to shoot several before buying one.  I don't have a custom rig but I like Bob Lee's TD recurves.  Also want to try an A&H longbow.  If they perform as well as I hear, they would be hard to beat.

Matt Toms
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: JamesKerr on October 01, 2013, 11:48:00 PM
Black Widow!
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: ew101707 on October 02, 2013, 12:00:00 AM
Take a look at Lone Wolf Bows, hands down some of the best workmanship I have ever seen. And a heap of knowledge to back it up.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: ew101707 on October 02, 2013, 12:01:00 AM
Take a look at Lone Wolf Bows, hands down some of the best workmanship I have ever seen. And a heap of knowledge to back it up.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: tom cunningham on October 02, 2013, 02:20:00 AM
rmsgear offers a one week trial..hard to beat.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Sixby on October 02, 2013, 02:34:00 AM
Two I would definitely be looking at are Bigfoot Bows and RER. Both build top line Static Recurves that are not only beautiful but are blazing fast and great shooters. I would bet they would both have bows in your price range.
God bless, Steve
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Riegel on October 02, 2013, 03:02:00 AM
I am also thinking about the new '59 Kodiak. Anyone have any experience with that bow?
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: MISSINGINOHIO on October 02, 2013, 07:50:00 AM
You can't really go wrong with any of the bows mentioned but I have gone through most of them and now have come to realize there are three that fit me very well.And shoot fantastic in all aspects Silvertips are at the top of my list recurve or longbow and Brackenburys ,Morrisons are right behind them.I just seen a awesome silvertip on the contributors bow classifieds that was priced way below your budget and looked flawless.Good luck with your search.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: mjh on October 02, 2013, 08:24:00 AM
Well I've tried a lot of bows, not all of them by any means but a lot,  I like Blacktails....
If you can find some  trad shooters in your area, go to a club, go to events, go to a shoot, buy/trade used try as many bows as you can get your hands on that's what I did....Have two Blacktails now  Still like to try other bows but haven't bought another recurve......
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Shane C on October 02, 2013, 08:29:00 AM
Wow, I'm surprised I don't see some of the other big names on here. Again, finding a bow that fits you is key. For me, that's a Wes Wallace Mentor. Love his bows! I agree with most everyone here though, to buy used until you find your perfect bow. Here's my list of what I'd look at, if I was buying a new one today:
Wes Wallace
Tall Tines
Blacktail
Stalker
Schafer Silvertip
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: Trumpkin the Dwarf on October 02, 2013, 10:19:00 AM
The two bowyers I'd recommend are Dan Toelke (who has been linked to by TxAg), and Kirk of Bigfoot Bows.
If you don't like either bow it will resell quickly. But most who buy from those two bowyers don't sell their bow.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a custom, suggestions?
Post by: johnnyk71 on October 02, 2013, 03:55:00 PM
as someone who owns several really good bows, i would also suggest trying as many different bows as you can. some of mine were custom built for me, some were bought used on the classifieds, and the thing they all have in common is that i have enjoyed having all of them and don't plan on selling any of them.

that said, you will definitely settle into a style that fits you best, and at that point, you can drop the big cash on a custom. hard to hold off when you have the cash right now (trust me, i know!)

but even if you decide to purchase one now, you can't beat the buy-and-trade route to check out as many different bows as you'd like. guys on here love to try all kinds of bows and then move on. i have gotten a few steals (and seen a ton more) by watching the classifieds here. great bows, many of them hardly used, at excellent prices. good luck!!