Ok, I have been shooting my Viper Deluxe for several months now and am definitely hooked on the longbow. Now I am starting to do early research into my first custom bow. Who is making a good shooting, won't require a second mortgage user friendly custom longbow. So far I am leaning towards a Widow or a GN Critter Gitter Special. I like a locator grip so far but I don't think I am married to it. I would ideally use this bow for everything from rabbits to Elk. I would love a Shrew but am unwilling to wait a year(sorry Ron, I know if they weren't so sweet the wait would be shorter). Ok lets hear it. Help me out boys.
Thanks,
Brian
Bear's Paw Bows, Thunder Horn or Bob Lee will be my next long bow. But there are many good bows out there. Probley will be a Bear's Paw I love that bow.
I have, and have had, several custom longbows. IMO one of Doug Witchers basic Turkey Creek longbows is an outstanding value. I am impressed with my Turkey Creek and when I look at what it cost relative to some other bows I own, I am more impressed. There are several bows out there that will "fit the bill" for you, and I'm sure you will get a lot of opinions. There is no "right" answer and what is right for you or me, may not be the same for someone else.
check out Striker bows.
Get a Tsunami, made by John McCullough, no webpage. 517-626-6365. He used to make Shrews, My Tsunami has a grip similar to a Super Shrew, Note most of his bows are over 60" length, "real longbows". Tsunami 66 or 68". Griffin shorter, My 42@28 spits out 2114s at 175 fps.
Everyone I've talked to that has a Turkey Creek is very happy with it. I just e-mailed Doug this morning about one for me. :thumbsup:
I do think you would not have to wait several months or a year for some of these quality bows unless you just got to have a new one. Many hardly used quality bows pop up here in the classifieds on a regular basis at reasonable prices without that awful wait.
Brian:
Selecting a bow is so personal, I would suggest you get a brochure or go the every website you can find, and select two or three bows that you just can't live without, because if you don't like what it looks like, no matter how well it shoots you will not be happy. Believe me I've been there. Then make your selection based on what you can afford and what other say about those selected.
Bob
The classifieds. Pick up some used bows and trade and such. Try as many different as you can to find what fits your style best, then order one custom made for you.
http://www.navajobows.com/index.html
Great shooting bows, not a long wait to have one built.
Steve Turay of Northern Mist would be worth checking out.
Fox Archery makes a great longbow ( Fox Archery link (http://www.foxarchery.com/) ). Last time I checked the wait wasn't too long.
http://www.sapphirearchery.com/
Mine's the one in the upper left hand corner of the front page on the moose antler. I love it.
Horne's or Treadway!!! You can't go wrong with either. Mark Horne's Traditionalist and Brushbow are awesome. I have a Traditionalist and will soon be adding a Brushbow. His wait time is usually about 3 months. I also have a 60" Treadway, that is a real shooter. And was very reasonably priced. The only problem is Mike has about a 1 year wait. But it is well worth it. But you might get luckey and find one in the classifieds. Hope this helps.
Bill
www.rerbows.com (http://www.rerbows.com) great bows and the yhave bows in stock! Shawn
Lots of good longbows.The problem is we are all differant so no one fits all.Whatever you decide you need to find a way to shoot the bow or one like it first.It would be a shame to lay out a lot of cash and wait for a pretty custom that did not shoot as well for you as your Viper.It happens all the time. :) jmo
http://www.centaurarchery.com/bow-woods.htm
Custom made to fit YOUR hand and center cut riser so arrow tolerance is enhanced-how many longbows can say that? Please check out the woods thumbnails for some beautiful bows.
Paul
I second the used bow idea. A bow bought used can be re-sold at a small or maybe no loss especially if you buy the big names like those being recommended, you get to shoot the heck out of it to see if you really like it or don't.
I got a Dryad Hunter this year, check them out they are great!
After trying many, my favorite is the Morrison Dakota. I like the locator grip also.
Thanks alot for all the input guys. I just shot a GN Critter Gitter Special with a straight grip at The Nocking Point and now am leaning even more toward these bows. Heck if I can convince my wife I might even pick this particular bow up.
Thanks again,
Brian
Jason Kendall's Kanati is affordable and an outstanding bow. I just sent Jason my deposit. He does have a waiting list of about 16 weeks, but his bows are worth the wait IMHO.
http://www.jkbows.com/
You'll love the GN; get the Jackknife option. I shoot the Bushbow, my son has the CG Special...both Jackknife takedowns with rattler skins. Simple, elegant bows.
Going the "used bow" route is a great way to figure out what you like in a bow without having to take a second mortgage on the house. You can resell a used bow without taking much if any of a loss, especially considering the knowledge gained.
Long term, my favorite longbow is a Robertson Stykbow. There are lots of very good bows available and I've owned and shot many, but my old Robertson Mystical is still my best. And figuring that Dick has been doing this since the late '70's and you don't see many of his bows for sale, I must not be the only one to like his bows. :archer:
Before you buy you should test drive the Widow PL also.It's one of my favorite bows.It will shoot a lot of different arrow combinations well.It is quiet and not difficult to shoot well.
J D Berry longbow, OK so he's my brother, but a brother who's been custom building bows for a very long time now. Never heard of him you ask? Well you would not have ask that question in the 90's. James and I were once partners in the company called J D Berry Archery Designs, but James was building bows long before that. Today James is still building custom bows and we are talking a work of art that shoots the way a longbow should shoot. You can see some of is work by going to www.Berrygamecalls.com (http://www.berrygamecalls.com) once there click on J D Berry bows. Give him a call and just talk.