Some time ago I purchased a Martin ML-14 longbow at a steal price, 77@28 for a workout bow on the way up to my 80 lb goal, but now that im getting comfortable with it, its turning out to be far more than just a workout bow, its for sure gonna see some field action this yr.
This thing hits like a hammer and shoots where Im looking,and for me thats as good as it gets, no matter the price or name.
Any of you ever bought or traded for a bow ( with mixed expectations) that surprised you beyond your expectations?

I always had problems with a high-wrist grip until I shot a Kodiak Hunter. That thing shot better than me every time. I ended up giving it to a buddy who was about to blow up his Gramp's old bow, he plans on killing a mule deer buck with it this year.

I'll be keeping an eye out for another one...

The plan was to start loosing arrows out of a bow ten pounds lighter than my hunting weight after turkey season in order to more easily focus on form. My objective here was specifically form focused with a forgiving design and specs as prerequisites. The newly designed Orion riser along with new ACS RC limbs was selected for the task.

Over-all Experience: Was totally taken by surprise...All expectations were either met or exceeded. My previous concerns were with the grip, shootability, and actual speed. The results far exceeded my expectations. This particular bow has actually driven me to revisit and re-evaluate my expectations. The bar has been raised to previously unchartered heights.

My sunset hill, once I got it from nate and shot it was like WOW!!

I traded for a Jerry Hill longbow. That bow was a real sweetheart to shoot and had a great feel to it. Like a dummy I sold it because I had to have something I thought was better. I have since dropped in poundage or I would have bought it back! And I did have a chance to get it back......

I have been shooting a Schafer Silvertip and went out and bought a cheap bow. A ILF Hoyt Excel with TT limbs, the bow is a shooter. I can't believe how well it shoots. For a $324.00 bow it can't be beat.

1960 Bear Grizzly. What a breath of fresh air compared to some of the noisy modern "high performance" recurves. I'm surprised more folks are copying these designs.

Bear Tigercat surprized the dickens out of me!


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Glenn

Agree with JCJ and Igor about old designs tuned an old 60" Ben Pearson colt that was gave to me,rough shape 0000 steel wool, urethane and a new string.I bareshafted it yesterday evening and to my suprise it was about the easiest tuning job I ever done, quiet sweet shooting bow that I'm sure will make one of my kids or someone else a good bow not only as an intro. bow but one  to hunt with, as I think it's important to have an easy shooting design to hook em!!!

A Brown Recluse,  It shot smooth, but hard.  Much better mannered than I had heard.  I think I need to get another.  

Every Hill bow I shoot. The way they cast heavy arrows amazes me. To get that kind of performance out of a straight limbed longbow is phenominal.

I had a Bear T/D Hunter 55#, it was just a plain nice compact, light good shooting bow.  I bought it new in 89 and took several deer with it but as happens I got married, started a family and I ended up selling it.  Compared to what I shoot now it was nothing fancy but it was just a good practical bow and the funny thing is I haven't seen but a couple for sale since.

My Bezaleel Cougar TD recurve.
I´ve had 3 recurves, didnt need one more. Bought the Bezaleel bow out of curiosity and recommendation from a dude.
Now that bow is the only one I shoot (except some ILF stuff), cuz it is simply perfect to me.
Its the best bolt down recurve to me.

I bought a used Fedora 560 Hunter recurve when I saw the shape it was in ( basically brand new) and the price ( incredibly low).  After some initial tweaking at Denton Hill this past July, the bow shoots amazingly well!  I almost sold it because I didn't use it.  I would have regretted that!  ~Steve

The Bear Grizzly is a very underated bow in my opinion.  Good grip and solid performer.

QuoteOriginally posted by joekeith:
A Brown Recluse,

Same here,but for different reason. My buddy bought one when they first came out. We heard great stuff about them. He bought one first and when I shot it,he said "What do you think?" My answer was, "I'm glad YOU bought it!" All that hype and man was it a let down.He thought the same.
Everybody is different though and I'm sure plenty of guys love them.

A good suprise was an old Martin ML-10. I bought it all beat up for around $40 years ago. Heard they were junk,tons of handshock,etc. I messed with the brace height and arrow spines and weights. Dang thing turned out to be a pretty sweet shooter for me.

Hoyt Buffalo...

Bought a Titan because it is bulletproof - no exotic woods to mess up hunting. Usually like a big grip and good looking wood bows.
That bow shoots more accurately in my hands than any other bow on the rack. Thanks, Roy

My new to me Thunderhorn surprised me. To look at a 58" long bow with a tiny little riser your first thought is this thing will draw like a 2x4 and be very unstable. Well that ain't the case! Very smooth, stable and accurate.

The bow that surprised me the most is the Bamboo Hill kit bow I got from Mike Yancey, the bow may not be the prettiest one I own but for what I paid and the effort I put in making it, she shoots as well as any other bow I have.