I am currently kind of intrigued by the Stewart Lil Slammer.
http://www.stewartsarchery.com/longbows.html

 

It seems truly a hybrid; a short longbow that looks as similar to a 50's style recurve as a Hill bow.

I've found a couple of others that fit this niche like shrew and big jim thunderchild too.

What others are there that come highly recommended? I think I might have just found a bow that (at least on paper) fits my parameters.

The Lil Slammer is an awesome little bow.  Read my review.  Just use the search function looking for 'lil slammer'

It did it for ya:

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=138698

Whew Dustin that could become a very long list   :D  

I will start with the ones that I have direct experience with and would recommend at least looking at.

Centaur, JK Traditionsl Kanati, Dwyer Endeavor, McCullough Griffin, Cari-bow Tundrawolf, Lost Creek Life Ender, Morrison Dakota, Treadway Black Swamp, Thunderhorn Heartstopper.

Jasper has a good list going.  

Add to that Java Man (yes!!), Saluki, Big Jim.  There are so many.  Seven Lakes makes a "no name recurve" that would fit your needs for a lower investment than some of these other bows, just as food for thought if budget is any type of concern.

Your review is what got me interested! Thanks Jasper I'll check those out.

If I could have my cake and eat it too I think the bow would be close to 50" or so and as close to a recurve as possible simply because I dont particularly love the look of the really triangle shaped ones like the thunderchild and I LOVE 50's recurves.

As a matter of fact I REALLY like the poison spyder PSR too.

How do you think something like the lil slammer compares to something like a PSR? The impression I get of R/D longbows is that they pretty much make the 50's style recurves obsolete.

Budget is getting more and more concerning really. It seems there are no straight answers to any of this. So the level of cash I am willing pay to 'give it a try' is getting lower lol.

I am totally a 'do your homework' kind of guy. So its pretty much driving me insane that this is all so subjective. =)

Well the recurves will still have a few fps advantage.  The draw feel will also generally feel more springy with more early weight vs the hybrids.  Personally I love hybrids.  A Lil Slammer will not disappoint you.  Trust me.  I haven't owned a PSR so I can't compare but I'm sure they are decent.  If you like the short 50's recurves a lot then also consider a Fox Breed.  Fox builds outstanding bows.  You have a lot of choices.  Many are great shooters.  In your case if you can't try a bazillion bows like some of us, just go with your gut after you do your homework.

Snow, I had a thought..why not become a contributing member since you seem like youre going to hang out here for a while?   ...and as a 'bonus' gain access to the TG classifieds?  TG is first and foremost about the love of the hunt and sharing experiences and knowledge.  But since you're on a quest to find a perfect bow, contributing will open up your world to what I personally feel is the best used bow selection on the Internet.  You may yet drive yourself nuts browsing and drooling over all the offerings.  Many bows can be had for 3/4, 2/3, or often half their new price.  So many deals!  Us bowholics often lose our @ss reselling bows but hey we love it!  Just an idea.

Great idea, ill look into that!

Dale Stahl makes a hybrid longbow that is a sweet shooter.


Bill

I guess I've always considered my Don Dow a hybrid longbow (someone please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). A couple things to mention on it worth consideration. Since my experience is limited, understand that searching the forum will echo a lot of what I say. Don Dow made one bow style, his Stik. And he did it pretty well by all accounts. Friendly grip, smooth draw, good cast. Not a speed-demon, but you won't outrun your arrow either. The bows are simple yet elegant looking and trustworthy. I love mine. Sadly, Mr Dow passed a while back, but his helper Rich Emmory (I think) still makes his bows. He may have changed some stuff up a little, I think he fades his limbs now over the one single piece of glass on the front of the bow. Anyhow, what would interest you would be the price. Very cheap bows for their quality, people used to say it was crazy how much bow you got for the money. Of course, I'm also a daily classifieds lurker here (so many great deals!!!) I just wanted to toss my 2 cents in.

Yeah Stiks are a deal.  

Its Rich Emery.  He has no website now, but does have a Facebook page that functions in that capacity.

Oh Snow I also forgot about the New Wood Vaguard I just reviewed.  Very well mannered r/d longbow.  Short limbs with a long riser so very stable and can be had for under $500.

Thanks for the clarity 9worlds, you are quickly becoming one of my favorite bow reviewers. Ahah

Wapiti Spike III

Thanks guys I'll check those out!

So 9worlds, you mentioned that a 50's recurve will have a little speed on the r/d longbow and more early weight (which I think I like). What does the R/D do better because now the recurve sounds good lol. Quiet?

It will be more quiet snow'.  How much so depends on which bow, but take a bow like the Lil Slammer or Elkheart and shoot it next to a recurve and you'll grin.  And the speed difference I'm talking is 5-10fps at best.  The aggressive hybrids give nothing up really.  Guys usually make their choice based on what they love the look of best.

I'll to nineworlds9 the mass weight. Thats what I always end up noticing. After spending time with my longbow and then picking up a recurve the weight and mass is what I notice. Some folks like that mass though, so thats up to you.

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