Anyone have any opinions of which bow is better? Looking for a value longbow that is 45#@28". Like the looks of both bows, but would like some opinions from someone who has shot both as to which bow is better? Speed, fit and finish, hand shock, etc.

Thanks,

Jon

ttt

I have not shot a Don Dow. I have shot a Maddog. I own two of his creations.


No handshock. Smooth draw. No stacking. An excellent workhorse of a bow that won't break the bank. Quality craftsmanship and an affordable price. There's one TGer who recently posted about owning about 10 or 12 Maddogs. That's saying something. A bow for every need without a second mortgage.

If you speak with Mike over the phone you'll be sold alone on his willingness to get you what you desire.

As for a Don Dow, I wish I could comment but unfortunately have never shot or held one.

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=117446

I have owned a Don Dow longbow. They are made well, and shoot well. It is not a fancy bow. Simple quality. It draws smoothly, is very quiet, and I never noticed any hand shock. It doesn't have much riser mass, but I never found that to be an issue. It has a very nice grip, sort of a low wrist recurve type grip. Don's bows are not exceptionally fast, but fast enough, and they are stable at shorter lengths. I had a 60" bow and it was accurate. At the price you won't find more bow for your money. And Don is as nice as they come. I've never had a Maddog, but both of my kids have Pups and they are a good quality bow. I have talked to Mike several times and he is very helpful and will work with you to get the bow that you want. You won't go wrong with either one. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the replies guys... Man it is a hard decision.

Jon

I'm the guy that has a pile of Maddogs. We has 18 in our household. Best bow for the money. I even sold a $1600 custom from a very respected maker to buy several more Maddogs. The expensive bow was very nice, but didn't shoot any smoother or faster than my Maddogs.Even took 2 Maddogs to africa.In fact I am having Mike make me another for my upcoming african hunt this august. Mike goes the extra mile for his customers and makes exactly what you want. Here are a few pics of some of my stable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never shot a Maddog, but found nothing wrong with the Dow I once owned.

I owned a Don Dow a few years back and it was a great bow for what I had in it.  Wish I still had it since I'm back looking at R/D longbows again.

One thing I'll comment on is looking at Don Dow's bows I notice he has one design.  When a guys makes one design you can rest assured that he does it exceptionally well. It's actually  better to do one thing great than to do a bunch of things good.  I've never shot his bows but looking at them I'd like to try one out one day.

I've never shot a Maddog bow, but add me to the list of people extremely satisfied with my Don Dow stik bow.  To paraphrase what Mike said, "beware the man with only one gun..."!

Both great values IMHO.

I'LL BE WATCHING THIS ONE.....

MADDOG...NUFF SAID.....

CALL MIKE AND ORDER ONE...

have owned or shot about every kind & brand of bow on the market over the last 50 years, i won't say anything bad obout anyones bow but my go to longbow is a Don Dow 50# 62" longbow.

I ordered one from Don, in a couple weeks i'll be placing an order for a maddog in a heavier weight. I'm gettin BOTH.    I am waiting on the one from Don , he is a great guy. Mike seems to be too. You can't go wrong either way.

I ordered one from Don, in a couple weeks i'll be placing an order for a maddog in a heavier weight. I'm gettin BOTH.    I am waiting on the one from Don , he is a great guy. Mike seems to be too. You can't go wrong either way.

I really like my Maddog

I bought a maddog last year. For what I paid for it, It was an awesome bow. I passed it on to a friend that was just getting into trad. He loves it.