I have a 50# Hoyt dorado right now but I've been looking at bows like black widow, great northern, and bob lee bows. Is the dorado top of the line or would getting one of those other bows be good?

Best way to know what you like is to try them out.  Many bowyers offer try it before you buy it programs, or you can simply attend some shoots and ask to try bows at the practice butt.  Most archers that I've seen don't mind letting someone else try out their bow, as long as you know the basics and are careful.

Try first, it can save you money and possible  disappointment later!

What if the top of the line bow feels like a used diaper in your hand?
A lot of this trad stuff is about taking the dirt road, that winds around and gets you there sometime about sundown.  Learn your Hoyt. As the summer progresses, and you attend shoots, try others. Don't get caught up in the status game. Good shooting will come from inside you, not from inside your bow. You will need to develop your own form and style, and succeed with it before jumping in to a high dollar bow. Get as much experience as you can, because you will need it. It will help you to realize that the 1960 no-name bow with the woven glass is exactly what you like. And for thirty dollars!

Please listen! I have a ton of bows, no money and mediocre shooting skills, after 47 years. Starting out, you could surpass me in a few months.

Killdeer~ do as I say, not as I do.    

What's wrong with your Dorado?

Well said Killy.

What if the top of the line bow feels like a used diaper in your hand?


I just blew coffee out my nose!

Unfortunately, I didn't get it on video...

Can't say it any better than Killy. There is satisfaction to be had from finding your own way, and perhaps learning that the only "top of the line" that matters is the bow that shoots "top of the line" in your hands. That being said, the journey sure is fun. And, you will find a great bunch of people at Trad shoots and events, who will gladly let you shoot a few with their bows. Pretty cool.
Straight shafts,
Chuck

Boy i haven't felt a used diaper in my hands in many years...   :rolleyes:  But i did step on a cow pie in my bare feet a couple weeks ago, and if memory serves me correct it was a similar feeling...

I'm with you Kenny... had to wipe off my key board.      

Well said Killy....but i have yet to draw any bow that felt THAT bad...

QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:
What if the top of the line bow feels like a used diaper in your hand?

Wisdom like this just can't be found anywhere else.

As others have suggested, take your time and shoot as many other bows as you get the chance to.  Soon enuf, you will get to know what you like and what works better for you as well as what doesn't.  As you refine that search, used bows are a great option.

Your Dorado is a fine bow and will serve you well for as long as you want it to.  We all seem to focus a lot of attention on the bow, but when it comes to shooting well, the arrow is much more important.  The arrow is what has to fly the distance straight and true; the bow just gets it going.

From what I have read the Indians put a lot more care and time in points and arrows than they did making bows

That was so well put by Killy that I think I can smell it through my IPad. Lol

My opinion is bows are like bicycle seats.  Each persons rear is different in shape and size and what works for one may not work for the other.

I have and probably still looking for that perfect bow that will help me hit the mark on every shot.  I think I am closer, but big names did not get me there instantly.

You can test drive a widow and a few others.  They just charge it on a card and when its returned they credit it back.  Thats a great way to spend s day or so witha bow to get to know it.  Just shooting a bow a couple of times doesn't help me much to get to know its character.

I would love to shoot all the bows at a major event blindfolded. I bet my top 5 list would change considerably.


Rob

Hey Killy, is there much hand shock in a used diaper?

QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:
[QB] What if the top of the line bow feels like a used diaper in your hand?
A lot of this trad stuff is about taking the dirt road, that winds around and gets you there sometime about sundown.  Learn your Hoyt. As the summer progresses, and you attend shoots, try others. Don't get caught up in the status game. Good shooting will come from inside you, not from inside your bow. You will need to develop your own form and style, and succeed with it before jumping in to a high dollar bow. Get as much experience as you can, because you will need it. It will help you to realize that the 1960 no-name bow with the woven glass is exactly what you like.

WELL SAID!!!            

If you can afford it, it is always a good idea to buy a new bow; unless you really need a fishing rod or a shotgun.

"Learn your Hoyt. As the summer progresses, and you attend shoots, try others. Don't get caught up in the status game."

my friend has picked on me for having an ugly bow, but i still think i shoot better than him (most of the time, as long as im actually shooting and not talking) i have a 1969 shakespeare cascade and a 1962 ben pearson colt. the thing shoots better than i can shoot it.

Some sound advice in this thread. Some great bows are to be had in every vintage. I have shot a few. I keep going back to my 66 Kodiak. Will I like the Blacktail I have on order more? Time will tell I guess. Finding the perfect arrow for the bow you have might be the ticket. Nothing better than seeing just a fuzzy ball of fletching hurling towed the target.

"What if the top of the line bow feels like a used diaper in your hand?"

I remember those days all too well.  And, my memory tells me it was the smell more than the feel that made the biggest impression.  

Still, the line brought quite a chuckle here.

QuoteI have a 50# Hoyt dorado right now but I've been looking at bows like black widow, great northern, and bob lee bows. Is the dorado top of the line or would getting one of those other bows be good?

Why are you looking.

Don't "buy up" till you are certain that you are better than your current bow.

Simply put, you haven't explained why you are "looking"