Hi All,

First of all, I'm not asking for the "Best" bow they are all fantastic bowyers with great reputations.  I'm just curious about feedback for those of you lucky enough to have or have shot these bows.  The Toelke Whip, Centaur, Robtertson quick styk, and MOBB seem to fit the bill.  I've shot enough to know that I really like a R/D hybrid longbow with a narrow profile, longer limbs, and a slim locator grip.  I'm looking for a one piece stick style bow that has a smooth profile and lines.  Sadly, I have not been able to shoot these so any feedback is helpful. Particularly for those who have shot more than one I'd be interested in differences in limb and riser design as well as grip.  Other details like wait time would be nice if you know it.  I'm also really wanting cocobolo veneers and some bowyers won't so if you know yes or no that would be great.  I draw to about 29.5 so I'm thinking a 62" or possibly 60" (I hear this is the favorite MOAB length even out to my draw).  The MOAB seems to have a riser slighly closer to a more traditional longbow, is that an accurate perception?  I like a grip that is medium low, it tends to have a moderate throat and palm swell but not too much of either.  I can't wait to hear from you guys.  Feel free to PM me if you have more specific observations.

Thanks,

Zane

Zane,
I've owned and shot all but the Robertson on your list.
Of those three, I don't believe you could go wrong. Depending on the laminations, I think the Centaur would be the quickest but I'm not sure I've owned any bow that is quieter than a Toelke Whip.  I also really like the handle and thumbrest on the Whip. I also don't think Dan would have any trouble using cocobolo veneers, but don't quote me on that but I do believe I've seen examples of such on their website.
I think from my post, you can tell which bow I would buy again.
But it would be good if you were able to test drive each and see what was best for you personally.

Good luck on the search.

Ron

Hey Ron,

Thanks.  The whip is the one it looks like someone has local and I'm really looking forward to getting a chance to shoot it.  I'm very curious about how the thumb rest will feel.  If you like that style grip/riser combo, was the MOAB signficantly different or pretty similar?

Dan has made me a number of Whips both Standard and the Classic which I now shoot. I have shot some of the other bows on your list but in fairness the only way to truly compare them is to set them up properly and this means owning them. Even then you will be getting a personal opinion. I can tell you that the Whip is a superb performer, exceptional by any measure: smooth, forgiving, zero handshock, quick and quieter than quiet. In addition you will not find anyone more commited to customer satisfaction and willing to work with you than Dan. With Dan you get a bow that will be flawlessly constructed of beautiful woods, it will be a superb performer and you will wait a few weeks, not months or years.

If we find the time, you are welcome to shoot my Whips.

I have the 64" on hand with the 62" on order

Zane,

I have not shot any of the 4 you have mention but the Centaur and have owned 3 still own 1 and have another in the making.  So I can only give you a bias opinion, that is I have shot more deer since switching over from a recurve to the longbow and that has been the Centaur.

Now I'm not saying that you will kill more game if you choose to select a Centaur but I'm Just saying      

Now in all seriousness all of the bows mention come from great bowyer and all would be a great choice.  I would love to try a Whip has I've heard so much about them, as also the MOAB.  The Robertson I have not heard much about (the quickstik that is).

As for the Centaur the wait time is prabally the one draw back in that it is 10-14 months on average, the Whip is normally 6 weeks or less!  Not sure on the others, price about the same with comparable options. The Centaur has a proven record as for it stated performance (Blackie did a test report and it can be researched) it is nearly dead in the hand as can be (they all make the claim but very few if any can prove this look at high speed film let alone feel) and it is a great bow as for shoot ability.  

Perhaps Mike Buska (Yellowdog) will respond I know he has tried the Centaur and the Whip for sure.

You're my local Whip:)  I'm just waiting for that 62" to come in.  It's almost the perfect specs.  When do you expect it to arrive?

Another fact about the 4 you've mention is that 3 of them I believe reside in Montana, what with that     Perhaps Jim at Thunder may need to move??

DP Opps

Thanks for the feedback on the Centaur.  How's the palm swell on the grip?  It seems a bit larger than the others but it's hard to tell in pics.  Do you have the finger grooves?  I will occassionally change up my grip slightly and I don't know that I'd have him put the finger grips on there.  Thanks also for the wait time info, that's what I had heard.

Had a Centaur Carbon Elite, have a Whip, never shot the other two.  I prefer the Whip over the Centaur as I like the grip with thumbrest better.  Most consistent grip I've had so far.  That said, any of the 4 bowyers will custom make a grip for you.  Pick which one you like the looks of the most.

Zane,

Here a few pic's of the Centaur Chimera I now own with the standard grip and after I added a Big Jim beavertail grip (the cats meow).





I didn't think I would like the finger grooves but now i'm sold on them and I have shot one without and it was a good feel but I like the grooves better and they produce a repeatable consistence shot.

QuoteOriginally posted by Texasrecurve81:
Hey Ron,

Thanks.  The whip is the one it looks like someone has local and I'm really looking forward to getting a chance to shoot it.  I'm very curious about how the thumb rest will feel.  If you like that style grip/riser combo, was the MOAB signficantly different or pretty similar?

The thumb rest works well for grip alignment but you don't squeeze the bow - I would go 64" with a 29.5" draw. Dan mentioned to me if you really grip the bow the leather wrapped classic without the thumb indexer is the way to go.

That beavertail grip is awesome!  What color is it?  It looks like partially brown and black.  Did Jim put it on for you or did you do it yourself?  

Other than the thumb rest or finger grooves, any major differences is the feel of the two grips?

Zane,

Big Jim put it on at last years Howard Hill Southeastern Classic, in McCalla, AL.  He had this fantastic chocolate brown tone with some darker bands in it piece of Beavertail that absolutely matched my bow, had to have it!  The grip with the beavertail added probably about 1/8" more in grip dia. and the extra grip with the letter made for the perfect grip for me, love it.

Jim will make the bow to your hand he requires a hand tracing (if you want the grooves) with your order and he will get it right.  I just sold a Centaur that I had Jim make with a higher grip and only 2 finger grooves so Jim will make you what you want and is a truly custom bow builder within some limit of his bow design.
Here's a few pic's of that bows grip...

Zane,

Also both bow risers are Cocobolo, one in a brown tone and the other a dark rich red.

Any Robertson or MOAB feedback out there?

I love my Moab it shoots and feels great,
Larry

I shoot a 62" Toelke whip and I draw to 32" without stacking. As others have said, they are sooooooo quiet. Dan will use cocobolo (my dad has one with it). I cannot give you any feedback on the others but they all have great reputations. Just buy one and trade it off if ya want somethin else.

I have a moab. The only bow I have never put up for trade or sale. I have had a couple more. One was a little to heavy and the other a 62" I didn't like as well as the 60".

Shot a couple whips before a couple years ago, but don't recall being blown away. They were nice and I would like to shoot more of them.

I have shot a couple centaurs and had one for a while. The dished shelf didn't work well for me. Liked the grip a lot. Very light weight mass was not very stable for me. I am not sure I am into the whole carbon thing. I would love to try an all wood one with a nice heavy riser wood.