OK gang...finish answering the question. In your opinion, if you could only own/shoot just ONE longbow,it would be...(make /model & why) ?
I can't wait to hear the responses on this on topic.... Tradcat
A Super D. They are well made, well mannered, wonderfully light and super quiet. Oh they are beautiful as heck too.
But there are a lot out there that fit the bill
I have a new to me Black Widow PLX 66" 42# @ 29" that is a real nice shooter. If there was only one that might be the bow.......but why would you only have one :biglaugh: I still like my Hills and my N. Mist's...........and my Hol-Made's and my Mohawk......
While there are many quality longbows out there,
for me it would be a Wild Horse Creek Quest.
It is quiet, smooth, fast enough for me and hits where I want most of the time. When it doesn't it is my fault, not the bows. The craftsmanship of his bows is as good as it gets. This could also describe any number of bows out there. So the main reason is that Mike Dunnaway is a local bowyer, that is a true gentleman. To me, personally knowing (and respecting) the man that builds my bow is just as important as the bow itself.
A JD Berry Taipan.
Light in the hand, quiet, quick, dead in the hand, beautiful and the most point able bow I've ever owned. Basically longbow perfection.
Qarbon Nano Totally tuneable and loves to fly arrows no matter what.
Hermon X 2
My Abbott 66", 47#.
Beautiful bow and pure joy to shoot.
That's easy.
MOAB!!!
An A&H ACS. No, a Robertson Primal stick. No, A Liberty Chief Elite. No, a Fred Anderson Skookum. No, a Hill Tembo or Big five. No. Well, you get the pix. Luckily, I don't have to shoot just one. :archer2:
Easy
Tread way Black Forest 56"
Quick quiet great value fit and finish fantastic.
To boot one of the nicest guys in trad archery.
:clapper:
Wapiti dual weight spike
For me, it's a coin flip between a Big Jim Buffalo Bow and a Thunderstick Moab.Both are a dream to shoot. One of them will be my next bow. If push came to shove right now I guess I would give a slight edge to the Buffalo Bow. I will need to own both in the future. Soooo many great ones out there!!
Ummmmm..... Centaur but..... I just got a thunderchild and IT IS so smooth.
My favorite bow to shoot....hands down.....is my Black Widow PLGA. I'm sure there are smoother. I'm sure there are faster. But this one just comes together for me in a way no other bow ever has.
It has to be a Howard Hill or a Hill style.
Kinda still liking my Kanati.
Javaman Elkheart
Cari-Bow Peregrine wihout any doubt. Fast, well mannered, great craftmanship, great grip, silent, no handshock or vibrations and deadly accurate. And Abe has great woods and veneers, not to speak of the beaver tail grips.
JD Berry Vixen
Kanati
JD Berry Vixen. It's the smoothest most forgiving LB I have ever shot.
My Hill Big 5, 66" 50@27
Hummingbird Kingfisher here.
My Jack Harrison HHC T/D, 66"60#@28". I've had this bow for a very long time, it's been on a lot of trips and killed a bunch of stuff. have two others just like but not T/D in storage in case something ever happens to "My Bow".
Morrison Shawnee for me!
I have a Howard Hill Wesley Special and a Howard Hill Cheetah that would provide a tough choice.
The bow I have now. Toelke Whip, 62", 55@28", drawn to 32".
Black Widow PLX
Pronghorn by Herb Meland....
One longbow only? Forever?
Toelke Whip: 64" 55@28 bowbolt.
The one that shoots accurately without much effort, I call it casual accuracy, my Morningstar.
Toelke whip!!
Wow..
JD Berry and Howard Hill Archery have the most so far...
Not surprising....
a bow with slight R/D shape...
The Robertson Stykbow longbow is my choice but my Mohawk Sparrowhawk is very close second.
The limb shapes and riser design on both are phenomenal..comfortable, natural grip....the bamboo cores on these bows draw so smooth is unbelievable compared to my other longbows. The release is soft like butter and they cast a heavy arrow with authority.
I shot a nice hog with the Mohawk and have a new Robertson on order...but will keep the Mohawk.
Lots of good bows out there for longbows...but for a longbow that meets my idea of what they are all about is one with a D shape when braced....64" or longer in length.....one piece or a two piece (never liked looks of the newer 3 piece setups).....that have a large portion of working limb and a very smooth draw past their measured weight.
Slight reflex in limbs unbraced....but must look the part...be a pleasure to shoot...and really love the heavy arrows...light in hand, natural in grip....and a beauty to behold.
I go for ALL AROUND performance and beauty rather than just focusing on one thing.
My go to for several years has been a Herman 1 pc 62" 55#.
That might change soon though as I am days away from getting my new Black Canyon 2pc 62" 55#.
Liberty Bows Edge/Chief/Classic....life is too short to have just one longbow :archer2:
Must be something about those Toelke's. :bigsmyl:
My Black Widow PLX Osage w/o a doubt
THUNDERSTICK
It would be my Heart Land 3 piece, reverse handle longbow. Built by Cory Engert.
The WHIPPENSTICK that I am shooting after trying about 50 or so. BILL
62" Centaur it does everything I could ever want it to. 3D to hunting it can't be beat.
A Wild Horse Creek Mariah recurve(sorry I couldn't resist)
That would sure eliminate a lot of fun from my life. I would just have to choose EagleWing.
God bless, Steve
70" 55#@28 yew Mahantango longbow. Because it is the best shooting bow for me that I have ever shot.
I hear ya Jerry - mine's 66" 56#@28 osage with cocobolo riser.
Crooked Stic three piece 46@26
I still think of a longobw as D shape when strung. So any of the first class D shapes from Hill, Liberty, Berry or ? in a 66" length with bamboo limbs, a 16" cocobolo handle, with some nice veneers would make me very happy.
Lots of great choices in the hybrid market. Many two piece, three piece, radical reflex and deflex bows to choose from.
I only shoot one longbow....Howard Hill
Black Widow, they just shoot good for me.
What's wrong with you guys... Your all wrong... Correct answer is a Leon Stewart Slammer.
cari-bow "wolverine"
Of the bows I have shot so far,I would have to say my Black Widow PL II,50@28.it just works for me.My bow I know I can go too when I can't seem to work the bugs out of my others!
My Abbott 66", 48#. Just a pure joy to shoot, carry, and hunt.
No question, no hesitation: Black Widow PL longbow, in 66", take-down, with a Toby grip. I'd get it at 55-60# at my draw.
If I had to choose 1 it would hafta be my Timberghost Smoke. The grip fits me well and it's a smooth, sweet shooter. I love the manueverability of the "short" bows, so it's pretty perfect at 56". And Kent is a great guy with a fantastic product.
the Mother of all Bows....MOAB.
Of the longbows I've shot, my Bamabow Hunter for sure.
Howard Hill, but JD Berry hasn't made my Morningstar yet.
Hi pat. Just got my North Star the hills mite get dusty. Dan.
A Pronghorn Longbow.
This one:
(http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr180/two4hooking/012_zps9e18e852.jpg) (http://s481.photobucket.com/user/two4hooking/media/012_zps9e18e852.jpg.html)
They don't get any prettier, or shoot any better....HHA Tembo made by master craftsman John Schulz
Shrews fit my style the best
Another vote for HHA. My 65" 50 @ 26 5 lam Cheetah.....perfect!!! :)
Waiting on a JD Berry Taipan , but the Northern Mist Baraga I picked up used last year is going to be hard to beat. It is a sweet shooting bow !
It's no longbow, but my asymmetric horn bow is easily becoming my best bow-when my larger Kassai comes in, we'll see though. I could shoot just the horn bow, I think.
Centaur or Big Jim Buff
I've got a feeling my Taipan from James will be my go to bow and my most accurate.... but I sure like my vixen also.
However, if I could only have one bow forever, it would be my 3 piece takedown Thunderhorn..... for traveling reasons and it just shoots great.
It's got to be straight and strong enough so that it will serve as a walking stick when shooting days are over and memories are all I carry.
HH Tembo. 66" 49@ 27. I like it cause it shoots good!
Cari-bow Slynx
My 2 Kanati's
The one that I shoot well. Shoot a few and pick one that works best for you. If you find one that shoots great for you - buy that one. That very bow. Good luck and let us know what you end up with. :) Todd
My 3 piece Pronghorn 62" 50@28.
Mine. I've shot over 200 bows and none are as natural for me as the one in my signature. If I ever find one that's better, I'll definitely buy it on the spot.
NewWood VanGuard.
It is super light to carry. Everyone I hand it to shoots it accurately. No vibration after the shot. It has a medium grip and keeps my elbow tendinitis from flaring up. The craftsmanship is excellent.
Out of the ones I've owned or had a chance to shoot the Thunderhorn heartstopper has been my favorite. Had a nice one about 6 year back, should of keep it :knothead: . I also really liked a Great Northern Bushbow, pretty basic bow, but great shooter.
Two I haven't had a chance to try but would like to some day would be a Centaur and Fox royal crown. I'm a recurve guy and don't care for the straight Hill style bows at all, I gave'em a try just not for me.
64" Toelke classic whip. Best longbow I've shot.
Without a doubt it would be one of David Millers American semi longbows probably an Old Tom 66" with string follow at around 50 lbs at 26" I just love the way they shoot they are smooth, quick with no hand shock.
Sentman Moosejaw!
My Centaur Carbon Elite ! (http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j471/BBSK184/IMG_20140607_190824_976.jpg) (http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/BBSK184/media/IMG_20140607_190824_976.jpg.html)
Have shot quite a few but always come back to my Mohawks.
Eric
Without a doubt, my Habu Vyperkahn.
For me the only longbow I have owned or shot and very happy with. Spirit Longbow by Bryan Holley from Colorado.
I change my mind. I cant pick just one.
I'm with fmscan on this one; Leon Stewart Slammer.
For me its another vote for the whip.
Since I first responded, I have picked up a Northern Mist Shelton. I don't have much experience with it yet, but it is very likely to become a contender as a real go to bow right along with my Hills.
At this point, gotta go with my 58" takedown Whip.
Elburg Jaguar Special, 64", 51&29.5. When Harry stopped making bows they stopped making longbows!
Shrew classic hunter.... :thumbsup:
Today it would be my HHA Redman!
:saywhat:
Keep the wind in your face!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Surprised no on mentioned a Byron Ferguson Safari . That's the best longbow that I have shot . Would be a close second with a Dwyer .
Habu Vyperkahn, ridiculously easy to shoot accurately w/ and I'm a recurve man
Bigfoot Sasquatch :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Crow Creek Black Feather
Bill
This one!
(http://i.imgur.com/Cyu2pYl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/Cyu2pYl)
(http://i.imgur.com/qNtk8Pu.jpg) (http://imgur.com/qNtk8Pu)
Leon Stewart RD longbow that is the best trade blanket / roof of a car buy I've ever made. Heavy thumper that is a dream to shoot. 1st of many more Stewarts that have made their way home with me over the past few years. Special place in that it was the 1st longbow I purchased after switching to left handed shooting.
Hill
I can't think of any LB other than the one I have right now......my Kanati. If I could change one thing it would be the same bow only with exotic woods.
BW PLX 60# @ 29" So smooth and quiet I chuckle every time I shoot it.
Griffins or the non existant bow bolt silvertip 2 piece.
A Narragansett.
7 Lakes Archery's SF Carolina Night. A Hill style bow with classic looks, speed and quiet.
Stewart Slammer TD......period. Always hits the mark.
Toelke Lynx for sure...last bow I'll ever buy!
Today, probably my Big Jom Buffalo Bow. Tomorrow........
The only one I know about, my Morningstar. Smooth and shoots where I look.
The best bow you've never heard of.7Eyes tall hunter.Think of a Shrew,but SOO much better.And I'm not a longbow guy AT ALL..But that went in my keeper pile after the first two arrows out of it.
My older Saxon Elite Longbow by Randy Dehnel 60# @ 28" and 68" long, with 1 1/2" backset.
A pleasure to shoot, and one I will never let go.
JD Berry Vixen.
Toelke whip. 45lb @ 27 two piece.... Man what would I give for that bow back
My Stewart 3 PC Slammer.
Centaur Dark matter, can't go back to any of my others anymore.
Two Tracks longwalker
One of the most underrated bows out there!
Mine would be my Grand River Longbow!
Heartland longbow by Cory Engert.
Howard Hill all the way, baby!
Whip
Likely more than five times as many great longbows out there that I never had the honor to shoot.
My limited experienced would have me both soundly and contently postiioned on a 62" DM Centaur.
Will have to go with my Horne 3 PC , just fits me well ......
,,,Sam,,,,
My favorite right now is my 64" Big Jim Buffalo.
Have not shot a lot of longbows but so far I like my Navajo Aztec from Roy Hall the most
So many good ones out there.
Wish I could shoot them all and give an opinion.
So far...for now, I love my RER Vortex and my Big Jim Thunderchild.
Both shoot very well.
When I 'HAVE' to make a shot, it's a Big River R/D or Hill. Haven't shot a ton of longbows but these are definately keepers. Three in the barn and one in the pasture.
Cari-bow Wolverine
New member. I've not had a chance to shoot many of the longbows mentioned here but I have recently come to love the Thunderstick Mag by Jim Reynolds. I recently obtained his Mag Proto Type that he made in 1999 and it's a dream to shoot. 51@28". Osage limbs with East Indian Rosewood riser. At 58" it small, light and fast. No hand shock and quiet as a wisper.
I'm new to archery, but since March I've gone from compound fully loaded to compound with fingers to recurve and now a 42#,66"longbow by Daryl Brooks. I'm extremely happy with it and even more so after today. I was waiting to get wood arrows for it--been shooting a few from the club house, but decided to use my 40# recurve carbon arrows today. The GT 28"600s with 125 tips were hitting and flying great. Checked bare shaft shooting, the same, checked paper, the same. I'll just shoot carbon with this puppy, and I love the bow.
ACS and a close second is Centaur
I LOVE my Stewart Slammer Special! Bought it used off the classifieds and it sure does shoot where I look!
Might just be me but I have never shot any other trad bow as well as I shoot this one.
My 58" Super Shrew (by McCullough). Mine is accurate, quiet, fast, hard hitting, smooth and sturdy. It's 100% action wood and glass, but the grip is perfect and it's a reliable friend. I'm surprised they haven't received more mention in this thread. - John