What factors are most important to you in a bow when getting to "know" one?
-Smooth Draw
-Quiet shot
-Appearance
-Ergonomics
-Handling
-Hitting where you look
-Fit/Finish
-FF compatibility
-??????

I'll start with the first answer.
For me, a smooth draw, ergonomics of the grip and my ability to hit what I'm shooting at are first and foremost important.
Scoring well on the other factors is obviously a plus too.
There's few things more pleasing than picking up a bow that feels good in the hand, draws smoothly and hits where I want it to.
Ken

1.  The fit and feel of the grip
2.  Smoothness of draw
3.  Fit and Finish
4.  Wood selection

If these are to my liking, the accuracy etc. will come.

Hitting where I'm looking is the most important, what good is any bow if it dont shoot well for ya.

Must be quiet, real quiet without putting a scane of yarn on the string.

Fit & finish, tells me the bowyer is proud of what he is building and its probably good quality. Doesnt have to have a $1000 of excotic wood to be finely crafted and finished.

Must be FF compatible, I hate Dacron strings. Its not a performance thing at all, just dont like the feel of them after the shot.

Dont realy care what it looks like, I dont like black galss or natural(blond)bamboo, other than that I can learn to like it.

And which ever category the grip fall into, a good grip is essential.

Other than that not much else matters to me.

Eric

Smooth draw and the grip!

1) Hitting where you look
2) Ergonomics, Handling
3) Quiet shot
4) Smooth Draw
5) Fit/Finish and Appearance
6) FF compatibility

A simple way of putting it may be:

I buy a bow to shoot and hunt, accurate is a must, great handling is a must, and being able to make it quiet is a must.  The smoother the draw and better it looks, the happier I am.  Also, FF compatible is nice only because it gives me more options but if an old string works better thats what I'll use.

I like a bow that shoots where you look first and foremost. Secondly,it has to be whisper quiet. and last but certainly not least, it has to be aesthetically pleasing but not to busy like a pizza with 8 toppings. A cocobolo riser with either osage or yew limbs with no accent stripes & etc. I want a bow that's ready to get a few scratches on it cause it's not to "cosmetic" for hunting ! ... just my preference.

Yes.......to all on your list. If it's right you'll know it in a very short period of time! The only thing that is not "REAL" important to me is if it's FF ready.

Grip and quiet.

the first thing is how it makes me feel when I pick it up. If it doesn't make me feel good, nothing else matters

Hit where I look.

I just came in from shooting a beautiful bow with carbon limbs that's as smooth as any I've ever shot. It's quick and quiet as can be and fit and finish is perfect. The grip seems to fit me just right and love the way it feels in my hand.

I've had this bow for 2 months and I really have to work hard to get it to hit where I look. It doesn't come to me naturally at all.

This is the second one of this particular bow I've owned and I thought I may not have given the first one enough time. I really want to like this bow. I've always thought that my brain would adjust to about any bow and has until these bows. I've come to the conclusion that there's some that I just can't shoot well.

I think how pretty a bow is; is the most important...      

When I put my hand to my bow I fully expect to be transported to "Sherwood" or I'll be switching bows.

God bless,Mudd

The bowyer is most important to me.

All of the previously mentioned qualities are important to me too. I would have to include "price" to the list. I do enjoy a low priced, smooth, comfortable gripped bow.

I like one with a soft early draw, seems the ones that build up early interfer with my concentration.  I know it costs a bit of speed but well worth it to me.  Also like a bow that is quite.

I want it to fit lightly and easily in my hand and to draw smoothly. If it is a hunting bow quietness becomes important. I most prefer (but not always)the classic D shape. I like simple but elegant lines, maybe that's why I like Hill bows so much. Generally, I like dark or at least subdued coloration. Lastly, it needs to point well for me. If it won't go naturally to where I'm looking, I'll soon be looking for another bow. I won't say any one of these characteristics is more important. I need all of them or the bow just won't keep my attention.

For me the most important thing is the grip.  Chris Cox makes the best grip for my hand on his Habu bows so that is what I shoot.  Lack of handshock is the second most important. Handshock messes with my shooting for some reason. Mass weight is also very very important to me.  I simply do not shoot light mass weight bows as well.  I like a bow that weighs well over 2 pounds. Habus and black widows fit that description for me. I also like a large sight window.  On the old habu recurves the sight window is 5.5 inches, and I believe it is the same on a Black widow MA.  I also prefer bows with the limbs mounted on the belly.  A higher brace height is desireable to me.  Less chance of hitting clothing during colder months and also more forgiving in my opinion.  Cosmetics are the least important thing to me since my bows generally take alot of abuse anyway.  For some reason, no matter how hard I try, I cannot keep them away from screw steps when raising or lowering them to my stand!

Smooth draw, grip, consistent-stable-forgiving performance. Fit and finish, and #1=the bowyer.

For me it must say Schafer Silvertip!    

Sorry I couldn't help myself