Hey guys, it's been forever since I've been to this sight as I've been pursuing my Distinguished Rifleman badge with the Service Rifle.
So, what's the latest bows of note that I should check out?
Last time I checked in, which was a couple of years ago, it was Big Jim's Bows, Kanati, Belcher, J.K., and many other good ones...too many to list. Anyway, what are some new ones that I should check out these days?
Dan Tolke with Montana bow works
Anybody who was making bows "back then" and is still building now is most likely offering a good product.
Toelke's new models, Java Man Archery new models, Black Canyon in CO and Heartland Custom Bows in Nebraska, Holms-made to name a few.
Might take a look at Sarrels Archery!
Bisch
Ooh, I forgot about Toelke.
Bear has really increased their line up in the past few years. They are offering some great stuff!
If your looking for a longbow check out Gregg coffee elk heart
If your looking for a recurve check out Neil Jacobson Bear's Paw recurve
Check the TradGang Sponsor listing under the 3Rivers ad at the top of the page for starters.
I'm a big fan of Cari-Bow. My first will not be my last.
I'm fond of my Sarells longbow.
JD Berry bows seem to be the flavor of the day over on the Hill thread if you want an American semi longbow. The favorite bows seem to go in waves over there. Miller,Johnson,Northern mist, etc. You'll hear about one make bow for awhile, then the new "best" bow will come along. It's a personal thing, you've got to try it out yourself.
Tom, long time, no see!
I like my Black Widows
Don't forget about TallTines! Love mine.
Pittsley Predator
Bob Lee Ultimate
Lost Creek Bows..give Chad a call..quick turn around.
Big Jim is still in the business, and still producing dandys!!!
Yellowstone is a name that doesn't come up enough. Rich makes a very fine bow that anyone would be proud to own.
I've been a fan of Foley bows for a while now. I have one of Ron's recurves and a takedown longbow. I plan to have him make me a new set of limbs real soon. Not because I need them. Just because ;)
Schafer Bows take a year to get so must be something to them, I like my one piece Silvertip....also Leon Stewart makes works of art that can send an arrow...
BigJim
Tall Tines
TimberGhost
Robertson Stykbows are great bows. Ken
Leon Stewart..... Excellent!
There are so many great bowyers out there today that it is difficult to pick one out.
JD berry. Been the flavor since 1981, will continue to be the flavor of the day till that old one eyed pirate stops building them
Black Widow, Silvertip, and Tall Tines are my top three.
another shameless plug for Big Jim , since his bows are my favorite :thumbsup: :clapper:
Gota two piece 62" Whip today and it may be the best bow ever!!! :)
x2 on TallTines and Timberghost
Jake
I love my Centaur Chimera, and Leon Stewart's Slammer and Short Slammer are two bows that I will not sell.
I miss ATAR!
Killdeer :wavey:
If you are looking towards longbows, JD Berry seems to have the bow making thing figured out.
X3 on tall tines and timber ghost. I would also add javaman. JD berry, cari-bow, and stalker bows have also generated a lot of interest in the last year or two.
Whippenstick
Blacktail and Tall Tines are my favorites
Dryad bows gets my vote. They just keep getting better and better. Brian
I think every bowman should have a Robertson Stykbow in his stable. Dick is an innovator and legend. The bows are great shooters and true works of art. There are many many fine bowyers making bows as good but there is only one Dick Robertson.
Leon Stewart tops my list with Silvertips a close #2.
South Cox at Stalker Stickbows makes some fine bows!
X2 on Stalker by South Cox. Might also want to take a look at Ragged Mt. bows out of western CO. Just recently found their website. Looks like they do some nice work although couldn't seem to find prices.
Mike Dunnaway in Perry, KS makes Wild Horse Creek Bows. They shoot really well and look amazing. If your are like me and not into the bulky bows, you will love his.
P.S. he was and engineer, can't think of a more qualified guy to build a bow.
Can't go wrong with a Holm-Made by Chad Holm in Minnesota..One of the most overlooked bows available..
Timberghost and Toelke have been hot names on most of the forums lately. See someone singing their praises almost everyday.
Stalker Stickbows and Big Jim's bows.
Don't forget a Zipper. Bill's bows can really "zip" an arrow
I would add A&H and also Bob Morrison, though his production is limited at this point...
Zipper. Nitro. :thumbsup:
Bruce Clark out of Ohio makes a great mild r/d hill style longbow
Custom bows by Wes Wallace my favorite since 1989, top of the line longbows and recurves,Wes is a super guy to work with and has a true passion for building quality bows.
you said it TALL TINES, a perfect union between art and smooth shooting, fast, functionality !!!
Stalker Stickbows.
Here's a few not mentioned yet.
Rose Oak Creations
Hoots Recurves
Lone Wolf
RER
my sig
Can't believe no ones mentioned Kirk Lavender/ Big Foot Bows, especially his Sasquatch with static limbs. :readit:
I have an elkhorn riser zipper with curly maple limbs,best bow I have shot in 40 plus years of bowhunting. :thumbsup:
The list flows like a rushing mountain fed stream during spring.
Without a doubt, the bow that you can share some quality time with and find personally illuminating is the ideal.
QuoteOriginally posted by iohkus:
Can't believe no ones mentioned Kirk Lavender/ Big Foot Bows, especially his Sasquatch with static limbs. :readit:
x2
Love my SS from him and just received the ILF version of then SS, wowser I am in love.
can't believe nobody mentioned shrew but they are not new I guess.
Java Man - Gregg Coffey... high performing & beautiful bows!! On the list for a spring build, can't wait.
You can't go wrong with a Tall Tines recurve or long bow. Of course there are so many excellent bowlers and bows. To each his own. Shoot before you buy if at all possible as we are all different in our shooting style, demands and preferences of a bow for our individual needs.
Rainyday bows by George Perez .
Chuck at Two Tracks is turning out some awesome bows!
Kirk Lavender builds a fantastic ILF bow. (http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u376/deadringer2/Mobile%20Uploads/20151124_162812.jpg) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/deadringer2/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151124_162812.jpg.html)
JD Berry Longbows are pretty special... I'm in the fan club. It may be getting tough to get on the list... Call him and check if you want an ASL longbow.
This thread has turned from naming the latest "who's who" in bows to "every maker that has ever made a bow and then sold it to someone". My understanding of the term "who's who" is something that is popular on several levels. I've noticed that with bows, the (most) popular brands tend to shift from time to time. A few years ago I would say the big "who's who" would have been javaman, especially elkheart. Now, its hard to say, but I read an aweful lot about Tall Tines, and Big Jim's wait list is pretty long and I've recently read alot about Thunderchildren. This isn't to say that there aren't great bows that have lost or yet to have gained popularity, they just aren't the current "who's who".
Brandon Stahl of Rose Oak creations is making phenomenal bows and has a huge following.
BWallace, you hit the nail on the head. As a group we tend to be very loyal to our (current) bowyer of choice--though that may change with the next purchase. :D
There's a new company called Bear... and we landed on the Moon to!! ;)
Their is always a shift in popularity but my 2 cents worth is if you want a longbow Jim Neaves at centaur archery. And a recurve hands down Bill Dunn at zipper bows, The new Z4 limb is very impressive but their is limited information on it at this time.
I would say South Cox is at the top of the list for me.