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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Roger Norris on May 19, 2015, 07:12:00 PM

Title: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Roger Norris on May 19, 2015, 07:12:00 PM
.....and it's kinda out of character. Since 1998 I have been enamored with bows that were smaller, lighter, more compact. Longbows that are as light as a fly rod. Tiny and compact recurves. I love them and still do.

But lately I have been messing around with my Dad's old bows. Full sized recurves that he bought in Grayling in the late 60's and early 70's. And there is something about the magnesium riser and the handfilling grip of his old Super Kodiak take down that keeps me coming back. But I keep these bows on the wall (mostly). They mean a lot to me and I wouldn't want anything to happen to them. So they won't be banging around in the backwoods with me.

But there is a bow I have always wanted. A classic, a bow that I have shot and admired for quite awhile. I have commented on them before, and even mentioned on this forum that if I ever buy another full sized recurve it will be one of these.

So I called down south and ordered a Black Widow. A 60" PCH with an Asbell grip to be exact. I'm excited to have a relatively heavy riser in my hand again. I haven't given up on my super light longbows.....but it's going to be fun experimenting with this BW for awhile. Thanks Roger & Toby, rub some luck into that riser and get it here quick!!   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: cmh on May 19, 2015, 07:14:00 PM
Good for you  ;)  Look forward to seeing it  :)
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on May 19, 2015, 08:23:00 PM
Hard to go wrong with those boys!
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: The Whittler on May 19, 2015, 08:33:00 PM
I am sure you will like the Asbell grip I have one and it feels very nice in the hand. And don't for get to post pics. when you get your BW.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: KyStickbow on May 19, 2015, 08:35:00 PM
Good choice!
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Ray Lyon on May 19, 2015, 08:40:00 PM
:goldtooth:
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: ronp on May 19, 2015, 08:49:00 PM
Congrats, great bows!
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: fnshtr on May 19, 2015, 09:43:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by cmh:
Good for you   ;)   Look forward to seeing it   :)  
X2
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: ron w on May 19, 2015, 10:08:00 PM
I guess I'm a bit surprised.......but you picked a good one. Every PCH I have shot I shot well, I have small hands so the Asbell grip and I don't get along. Your going to very happy I believe.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Roger Norris on May 19, 2015, 10:49:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
I guess I'm a bit surprised.......but you picked a good one. Every PCH I have shot I shot well, I have small hands so the Asbell grip and I don't get along. Your going to very happy I believe.
I kinda suprised myself. ...but every BW I ever shot, I liked.  Life's too short....gotta mix it up.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Recurve Amigo on May 20, 2015, 01:21:00 AM
Black Widows are fine bows I had 4 but now I have 3
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: mcgroundstalker on May 20, 2015, 09:24:00 AM
You Will Be Very Happy!  :thumbsup:

... mike ...
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: JRY309 on May 20, 2015, 12:30:00 PM
Can't go wrong with a Black Widow,excellent bows,service and people!
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Wannabe1 on May 20, 2015, 02:28:00 PM
The PCH is my most favorite of the Black Widow recurves. Should enjoy it real well.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: DennyK on May 20, 2015, 02:44:00 PM
Good Choice Roger, what wood choice did you make?    Denny
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Roger Norris on May 20, 2015, 03:43:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by DennyK:
Good Choice Roger, what wood choice did you make?    Denny
I went with the PCHII...the plain, Greybark model. I'm not much of a "pretty bow" guy. Although I appreciate the beautiful laminations that I see out there....it's all I can do not to spray paint every bow I have.    :knothead:
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Ray Lyon on May 20, 2015, 04:28:00 PM
Good choice Roger. I'd hate to see those U.P. wolves chewing on a pretty bow.    ;)
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Roger Norris on May 20, 2015, 09:52:00 PM
There's only one yooper wolf I'm afraid of....   :scared:
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Phil Magistro on May 20, 2015, 09:56:00 PM
Great bow Roger. Hope you have many years of enjoyment with it.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: swarbt119 on May 20, 2015, 10:02:00 PM
I shot a Black Widow for a long time, fantastic bows.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Ron LaClair on May 21, 2015, 07:10:00 AM
El Lobo

(http://cache.desktopnexus.com/thumbseg/755/755251-bigthumbnail.jpg)
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Roger Norris on May 21, 2015, 08:04:00 AM
:scared:  That's the one!

I wish I could post the hilarious conversation Ron and I had this morning.

In this highly edited excerpt, suffice it to say that Ron told me "you need to try everything, within reason. You don't want to be 80 years old and think back, dang, I wish I tried that"

Shrewhaven Crew....I will recite the unedited version for you in camp. He had coffee coming out of my nose...
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Ron LaClair on May 21, 2015, 02:05:00 PM
"Stringy with a taste of Irish whiskey"    :knothead:  

 (http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/twilightsaga/images/2/2b/Werewolves_13.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20111220054556)
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: ed cowden on May 21, 2015, 03:00:00 PM
Hey Ron;  It would be a good time to have one of your Bowies cutting like a razor.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Sam McMichael on May 21, 2015, 03:18:00 PM
I am a Hill  bow guy all the way, but many of the guys I know shoot BW recurves, and they shoot the pee willies out of them. They look good and fling an arrow with great speed. I would give Black Widow a try if I ever go to a recurve.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Sirius Black on May 21, 2015, 03:52:00 PM
:thumbsup:  Maybe a PSR for me someday......
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Roger Norris on May 23, 2015, 12:10:00 PM
Ron....if we get anymore wolves up at Shrewhaven. ..they might get a taste of my bony rear
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Gooserbat on May 23, 2015, 07:14:00 PM
Good bow
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Roger Norris on July 07, 2015, 09:42:00 PM
My new Widow is here...the UPS man broght it about 8:00 pm. It's unpacked and put together, I have shot a few arrows in the house. As expected,  fit and finish are flawless.  Full report tomorrow!
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Greyswampfox on July 07, 2015, 10:35:00 PM
There's nothing like opening the new bow box!  I look forward to hearing about it tomorrow.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: mark Willoughby on July 07, 2015, 10:45:00 PM
Is it tomorrow yet?    :laughing:
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: highlow on July 08, 2015, 06:47:00 AM
What is an Asbell grip? Have seen it mentioned mucho times in different threads and have always wondered what is meant by the designation.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Ray Lyon on July 08, 2015, 07:20:00 AM
I'm guessing Lori is a little jealous this morning. Do Black Widows  snore?????   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Hermon on July 08, 2015, 08:44:00 AM
highlow-
look here to see what an Asbell grip is

https://blackwidowbows.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=114_147&product_id=118
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: ranger 3 on July 08, 2015, 09:16:00 AM
Waiting on you review, but I already now you are very happy
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Roger Norris on July 08, 2015, 11:10:00 AM
Highlow...the Asbell Grip helps keep your wrist/hand arrow all in line for that proper "point your finger" process of instinctive shooting. It absolutely works for me.

So I shot the bow about 50 times last night, left it strung, and then readjusted the brace height to 8 3/4 this morning. Nock set is 1/2 inch over center. None of this was difficult....I actually cracked open the DVD supplied, and set my bow up exactly as they recommended. I made a conscious effort to do things just like Toby says, as opposed to my usual disregard of all advice and subsequent "stumble through". We have all shot bows for many years...yet sometimes we DON'T know it all    :knothead:   My PCHII, set up as per the DVD, was shooting perfect arrows immediately. The picture here is the first 20 yard group shot after I was satisfied with the brace height:

 (http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150708_103758_zpsqjqqjvnh.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/rnorris/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150708_103758_zpsqjqqjvnh.jpg.html)

The only thing I did differently was the silencers. I used a set of Two Tracks wool silencers I had laying around. Note the location of the top silencer:
 (http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150708_103810_zpsbftxwzew.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/rnorris/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150708_103810_zpsbftxwzew.jpg.html)

I have heard from some folks "probably folks that don't own a Black Widow) that they can be hard to silence. Not this one. Even shooting indoors, it is just a dull thud. No high pitched tings or twangs at all. I'm shooting a Traditional Hunter Gold Tip, 5575/400, and it is weighing just about 550 grains. This bow is 60# at 28", and I'm drawing about 27....maybe a touch less. Regardless, it is hunting quiet right out of the gate.

Summer league starts tonight. A buddy and I have decided to shoot this session from the compounder stakes, so this will be a good record of my learning curve with my new Widow....I'm anxious to see my score tonight vs my score in 8 weeks. Stay tuned.

Black Widow certainly doesn't need my recommendation. Their reputation and history are impeccable. But I have to say, I am enjoying this bow immensely. My last full sized take down recurve was an old Hoyt Sky that I bought when Earl Hoyt still ran the business in St Louis. I often lament selling it, remembering how well I shot it. This new PCH feels better in the hand already   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: elkken on July 08, 2015, 11:16:00 AM
Life can be short ... have fun, enjoy getting new and exciting toys. I have had several BW bows and those boys do nice work. Look forward to hearing how you like your new bow    :thumbsup:    :campfire:
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: Ray Lyon on July 08, 2015, 11:31:00 AM
Hey buddy, glad to hear it's working out ok for you    :rolleyes:  .

Looking forward to seeing it in person. I think the last time I shot a Widow was at the Land O Lakes MBH broadhead shoot when G. Fred attended and I shot his personal Widow that has 'his grip' on it.  That was many years ago.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: highlow on July 09, 2015, 06:40:00 PM
Thanks Hermon.  One less trad mystery to solve. Still don't know if that's the kind of grip for me. Guess I'll have to find someone with a bow with that grip and try it out. Might be able to find one at Denton in a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: curlis on July 09, 2015, 07:01:00 PM
Good for you. Those Widow boys make a good bow.
Title: Re: I ordered a new bow....
Post by: ranger 3 on July 10, 2015, 08:38:00 AM
I love my PLX and PSRX both same weight and Toby grip.