I've had both metal and wood riser 3 piece recurves.  I prefer the slimmer handles of the metal bows, but the wood bows are a lot lighter.  I thought my hoyt buffalo was the answer, but it proves to be more heavy than I'd like. Which do you all prefer and why?

I am a wood man I love the look and feel of a fine peice of wood!!!    Widow

Wood.  Hands down.  Asthetics, weight, warmth, because it's not metal.

But then I prefer one piece bows as well and that kind of sets the stage.  ;-)

WOOD!  Bows with wood risers have character that metal risers can never have.  JMHO

That is a tough question since I have both and like both.

The metal riser is usually cut past center a bunch and usually comes with a hole where a button can be placed. With that said, various spine weights can accommodate the same bow and making tuning much easier.

On the other hand, a wooden riser is just down right "warm" and prettier...more traditional to me.

Which do I shoot better? Neither one. Lol

I have had both and have settled on metal because of the ability to switch grips, extra weight, and I don't care if a scratch it so i hunt it hard.

Wood all the way - try hunting one zero degree day with a metal riser bow and you'll feel the same.

Just sold my last 2 metal riser ILF's. I just like my Zipper ILF 17" riser better, light, warm to the touch and kind'a easy on the eyes also. So to answer your question.....it's wood for me!

I  like both.

Wood, no questions asked.  If I need metal in a weapon then it'll come with a trigger attached and make too much noise.

I have both and right now the two best shooting bows I own are metal and I don't give a hoot about athetics. This is kind of a Ford vs Chevy question anyway.

Would have to say wood right now, unless someone has a RH 15" Morrison Gen 3, at a decent price.

QuoteOriginally posted by stabow:
I  like both.

X2

I think the weight of my metal riser bow helps make me more consistent.  The wooden bow looks better and as stated earlier, is easier to handle when the temp drops.

Wood on a one piece but I do like my metal riser on my Titan.

Metal is cold and ugly ! Ill take a fancy piece of coco bolo mixed with ebony ...Tim

Wood, both for aesthetic value and I hate hanging on to a cold metal riser when I'm hunting.

I think for a pure target bow it's tough to beat a metal riser with ILF limbs though.

My best shooting bows have always had metal or solid phenolic risers. I prefer performance....trumps everything else.

To each his own, but for my own tastes, wood belongs on traditional bows and metal belongs on compounds.
I'm well aware of great metal risers of the past and present and I'm happy for the guys that like them. I personally probably wouldn't accept one, even if free.

Very timely post for this archer. I love the wood risers for their beauty.

However, I've spent about two months shooting a metal riser. My shooting has improved and I didn't really know what "dead-in-the-hand" felt like until I shot the metal riser I'm currently shooting. This feeling of "dead" has become very important to me.

My only complaint with the metal riser I'm shooting is that it is more difficult getting as quiet as my wood bows.

I am pleased to report that some of my wood bows shoot pretty close in feel to the metal riser and are more quiet. The top "dead" feeling bows I own are these, in this order:

1. Habu Recurve
2. Schafer Silvertip Recurve
3. Bigfoot Sasquatch
4. Morrison ILF Riser

I have about 8 different bows that didn't make this top 4.

I'm with Bill above though, I'm going to shoot the recurve that performs best for me. Frankly, I thought I was done with wood curves but not quite.