Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: attack on December 22, 2014, 12:39:00 AM
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A little backstory first. I have been looking for a Checkmate Firebird for a while now but havent had much luck, atleast not in my price range. In my search a local fellow offered me a Checkmate Falcon Special 52# at 28" with a leather quiver, half dozen misc arrows and a glove... All only shot about a dozen times and then put into storage. I thought about it and couldn't pass up the deal. I basically paid for the quiver glove and arrows and got the bow for free. So... Here she is
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/2014%20hunting/20141221_200140_zpslpmmbtpk.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/2014%20hunting/20141221_200140_zpslpmmbtpk.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/2014%20hunting/20141221_200200_zpsgpqsg34m.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/2014%20hunting/20141221_200200_zpsgpqsg34m.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/2014%20hunting/20141221_200221_zps0xwt1t6x.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/2014%20hunting/20141221_200221_zps0xwt1t6x.jpg.html)
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So here is where the dilemma comes up. I have found a Firebird at a local shop but I think they are asking a bit too much for it. It is an unfinnished never been shot left over from the original owners of CheckMate. It is beautiful and in the woods i want... So I can probably trade the Falcon in on it and pay a little extra, or just keep the Falcon. The Firebird is a couple pounds more than I would call perfect but not a problem at all for me.
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'A couple more pounds than perfect' would make me pass. I can 'handle' 80# but does not mean its what I'd want my go-to bow at. I think you answered your own question. I would get the finished Falcon, that's a beautiful bow!, and not give it a second thought. If not, then at least get the 'unfinished' Firebird for a deal you're comfortable with, if they're asking too much they're asking too much, I wouldn't cater to them and give them a perfectly good bow (Falcon) for one that wasn't even ready to use. My vote is the Falcon.
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That is probably the nicest Falcon I have seen...we have been finding some great deals on Chek Mates lately...wait for what you want while enjoying what you have
DDave
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I think that even new a Falcon is one of the best buys out there
DDave
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I guess i should have been more clear, the Firebird isn't a blank, it is a finished bow as in it has its final sanding, it just has no gloss finish on it.
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Oh, also the Firebird is 56# I am comfortable up to 60 and have shot up to 74 but didnt like that heavy. I find 50# to be perfect but I shoot a lot. Like when I shoot a 3d I like to get atleast 3 rounds in. So when I practice I may shoot up to 500 arrows in a day.
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10-4 I read you loud and clear, then it sounds like the # will be no issue...I would still try and get a good deal/trade worked out if they are asking too much for it. No sense in doing them a favor or whatever. That Falcon is sweet like Dave said.
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Haggle with them, make them an offer a little less than you want to spend, then you have a little bargaining room.
Go for it!
Good luck.
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Do you really shoot 500 arrows per day? That is a lot is shooting with any bow!
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IMO the Falcon is a better bow. I don't see me ever doing business with the current owner, but they are still a great bow.
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ISP, usually yes, sometimes even more. I shoot over at my parents place and i can get out to 54 yards. I have a few bows and dont like any of them to feel left out. When i start to get tired, i take a break or shoot my compounds till i get bored and switch back to my recurves.
LBR, what would you say makes the Falcon better than the Firebird?
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Better cast/performance, more forgiving.
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The falcon is a shooter. Wish I still had mine.
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I may be able to keep both :D
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I am greedy... I get both lol
Oh (http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/2014%20hunting/20141227_183736_zpscrc3xeae.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/2014%20hunting/20141227_183736_zpscrc3xeae.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/2014%20hunting/20141227_184706_zpsktbepize.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/2014%20hunting/20141227_184706_zpsktbepize.jpg.html)
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Shot it a few times yesterday before dark and the rains moved in and wow. She smokes a heavy arrow. Tuned super easy, and I had a 5" group at 20 yards with the first 6 arrows. I am pumped. Going to shoot a 3d on the 3rd.
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Wow, 3D in January, you Canadians are a hardy bunch, our 3d's stop around the end of September, mostly because of hunting season, the earliest is next month for us here in n.j.
Have a good time and best of luck with the new bow and the new year.
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Glad for you that you got to have both, Firebird ought to be a shooter with that reverse mount limb setup.
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Njloco, this would be the first 3d since around October. There are a few big indoor 3d events coming up, this one just happens to be an outdoor. The temps right now are hovering around freezing. Not too bad at all.
Nineworlds9, thanks a lot. I am super excited to get out shooting both of these bows. The Firebird is apparently the bow that inspired the Talon from Eaglewing.
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Got about 100 arrows through it yesterday, was mostly helping a buddy get his compound setup. I will say this about the bow, it is very very forgiving, even if I colapse a bit or have a poor release, the arrow still impacted within a couple inches of where I intended at 20 yards and I was getting great 6 to 8 inch groups at 35 yards. Lots of fun shooting this bow.
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Shot a really fun 3d today. Only brought the Firebird. First round was a wash, I could have shot better, I could have shot worse. Shot from the trad pegs. Second round my buddy and his compound were bugging me about shooting from the kids tee. So I shot the second round from the compound pegs and I shot great. Nailed a few really long shots. Small bear at 48 yards, 10 ring! Was my best shot of the day. I even took a few shots from the "Extreme" pegs... These were either another 10 yards or involved some kneeling down or standing on a stump. All in all a very fun day. I love this bow. Still need to quiet it down.
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Good to hear that your enjoying it and that you made a good showing. When I'm on, I love to shoot with the wheelie crowd, it just burns them when I beat them from their pegs, I try my best not to show any emotion.
That bow reminds me of a Black Widow, but it looks better.
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Thanks, there is an indoor 3d in a couple weeks and then the nationals are next month. I'm getting super excited.
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Got some shooting in at my parents. Got both bows tuned pretty good. Here is a pic of a little walk back with the Firebird. Bottom 3 arrows are at 20 yards high left is 30 yards and the closest to center was 40 yards.
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150108_163420_zpshs7m96x4.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150108_163420_zpshs7m96x4.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150108_163515_zpslsyi8k77.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150108_163515_zpslsyi8k77.jpg.html)
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You know, I was wondering what happened to my ATV tires ?
Good shooting !
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Lol no no, those are my brothers quad tires lol.
While I was over at my parents, I stole a ball of some real nice black/grey/brown fuzzy yarn and put some quiet into these bows.
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150109_142413_zpsvtubukrb.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150109_142413_zpsvtubukrb.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150109_165530_zpsscmsirrs.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150109_165530_zpsscmsirrs.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150109_172029_zps8ly5lsns.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150109_172029_zps8ly5lsns.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150109_175456_zpse5bo7cw4.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150109_175456_zpse5bo7cw4.jpg.html)
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Shot a big indoor 3d this weekend. I did not shoot great.
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(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150117_110137_zpsvfcoskmi.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150117_110137_zpsvfcoskmi.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/foxtail-offroad/archery%202015/20150118_123307_zpsyzhsr2is.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/foxtail-offroad/media/archery%202015/20150118_123307_zpsyzhsr2is.jpg.html)
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I like the looks of the falcon more but it sounds like you have the best of both worlds now.
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attack let me just say this. When check-mate was in business and the American Dollar was strong they practically were giving the bows away! :readit: I can't remember what I paid for my Falcon Deluxe but it was CHEAP! I had a two tone riser beautiful recurve! Great workmanship, fast, quiet, and accurate! :goldtooth: bentpole
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I have decided to put the Falcon up for trade but the Firebird is staying for sure :D
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I traded the Falcon yesterday for a.... Dare I say it... Bow with training wheels. The Falcon is a very sweet bow but I just didn't get "that feeling" that I get with my other bows... Like it just wasn't meant to be. There were only 2 bows I would have traded it for. A Pittsley Predator 45# to 55# or a newer Bear flagship training wheel bow to bump my current one to the backup spot. I got a 14' Bear Motive 6. I couldn't be happier, dealing with a great guy and got a bow I have wanted for a while, and the Falcon will be his first one piece custom bow. He is just as excited as I am.