Looking at new bows - my next will for sure be a recurve take down.  In the running is the Hoyt Buffalo since I had one before and liked the grip on it. Also a big fan of the quiver attachment.

Looking for long term reviews and comparisons to other wood riser take down bows (black widow, tall tines, etc) that you own.

I've owned one for several years and they are fine bows. Since then I bought three different ILF risers and limbs and feel they offer more flexibility and limb choices than the Buffalo. I still own mine and shoot it occasionally though.

I do not have a Buffalo but have been shooting a Tiburon exclusively since Aug. I like the feel and look of the formula limb pocket better than the ilf myself. Also the formula limbs do have after market performance options from Hoyt, Sky,  and Border for hunting limbs if the stock ones aren't to your tastes.

It really just comes down to if you like the riser better than other offerings. There really is no direct competitor the the Buffalo or Tiburon on the style of risers they offer.

The only riser out there similar in look and shape to the Buffalo would be the 3Rivers Dalaa DX5.  Buff gets great reviews and Hoyt builds a solid product, but if you need an alternative the DX5 is nice.  The DAS connection is pretty cool and VERY quiet.  Most ILF limbs can have DAS fittings swapped out in a matter of minutes.  It expands your choices.

I've looked at the Dalaa offerings, but for some reason am drawn more to the Buffalo.  I prefer to shoot off the shelf and the Buffalo looks purpose built for it.  

Really looking for what guys see in terms of speed, hand shock, durability, and just generally if you kept the bow and are still shooting/hunting with it today.

My dad has one. While it is not his go to bow, it gets strung up every now and then.

Between the two of us, we own bob lees, black widows, hoyt Excel rig, Hoyt Talon rig, Spigarelli barebow setup, sky TR-7 rig, etc..

Every time I shoot the buffalo, for some reason I am shocked at how solid, and fun that bow is to shoot.

If my dad ever decides he no longer wants his buffalo, I for sure will gladly pay him to keep it on my rack right next to some really fine rigs.

They are right up there on speed with widows, etc. Handshock is non existent. I'd rate it as my most durable bow. I hit my upper limb on a limb when shooting and my lower limb on a ladder stand with no ill effects. They are build strong. The reason I bought mine was to shoot thousands of shots during the 3-D season but now shoot an ILF for that purpose.

If you really want the perfect bow marry the Buffalo riser to one of Hoyt's F series carbon limbs like F4s or F7s.

I have two of them, and really like them as an ILF alternative (pseudo ILF, really, as they only take Formula limbs from Hoyt).  I did get deals on mine from a local dealer I know (traded a compound for one), but here is what I think.  If you want something along the lines of an ILF rig but want to shoot off the shelf rather than use rest and plunger, they are ideal, as they have the shelf radius machined into the bow, and you won't have to build some Mickey-Mouse setup on the shelf to shoot them that way, although this really isn't a big deal to do.  The stock limbs aren't great, but ok; if you have anything over a 28" draw, get the 62" bow, as the short limbs (60") definitely feel like they start stacking at that point to me.  The aftermarket Oly Formula limbs are much, much nicer and the best option is to find a riser used and then order a set of those; you don't need the most expensive ones, like the F7s.  I have the carbon/wood 720s on mine, and they are light-years ahead of the stock limbs.  Even the wood-glass 720s are fine.  The negative, now.  Hoyt is overpriced on everything, and the bow when compared to other true ILF options is not a good value for the money, because you are limited to Hoyt Formula limbs only, and because you don't have the option of using a rest and plunger if you decide to try that.  You will spend more on Hoyt limbs vs. other true ILF limb options, and get no better limb for your money.  I would not recommend that anyone pay the asking price for this bow new, but if you can find one used or on sale from a dealer and you know that you do not want to mess with rest options, but would like to shoot off the shelf only, this riser is a great option and it shoots very, very well.  I really like the grips on them, and they are rugged.  Paul.

I have a Buffalo that I have a set of Formula F4 carbon limbs from my Olympic rig on. They are medium 44 limbs which makes a 62" 50@28" bow. I draw 29.5" and it is one of the smoothest, fastest bows I own.

They are great bows and such a steal on used ones!

Here are my reviews on the Hoyt Buffalo.

Part 1
 http://rysanpei.blogspot.com/2014/12/projecthoytbuffalo-initial-set-uptuning.html#more  

Part 2
 http://rysanpei.blogspot.com/2015/04/hoyt-buffalo-in-field.html