What current bow is most similar to a Red Wing Hunter

shag08 · December 18, 2014, 06:12:00 PM

Hey guys. This may have been discussed before but I'm curious....what new bow could I buy that is most similar to a Bob Lee era RWH?

I'm no expert by any means nor am I a collector. But I have owned a good number of bows over the past few years. From high end customs to Samick Sage to vintage Bears, Pearsons, etc. My favorite recurve thus far is an early 60's Red Wing Hunter. The grip is just a little bulky for me but that bow just seems to click with me like no other.

I was shooting it a few mins ago and thoroughly enjoying watching the arrows hit their mark(or at least as close to it as I can put them, lol) at around 32 yards...then the thought crept into my head...this bow is at least 50 years old, nothing is put on the earth to last forever. How could I replace it?

So what bow could I buy brand new, from any bowyer, that is most similar to my old tiny tip RWH?

ron w · December 18, 2014, 06:19:00 PM

You might look at a one piece Bob Lee........

shag08 · December 18, 2014, 06:34:00 PM

That would be the most logical choice, Ron. Anybody have experience with both? How do they compare?

shag08 · December 18, 2014, 06:56:00 PM

I guess the reason I ask how the new compares with the old is because of my experiences with new Bears vs the vintage Bears. I'm not the least little bit nostalgic or sentimental...but the older Bears seem to be lighter in the hand, quieter, and perform as good or better than the new ones of the same "model"....just my opinion on them.

R. W. Mackey · December 18, 2014, 07:02:00 PM

Call Rob Lee and ask him about the differences between the two bows. The limb profiles are about the same, but I think the newer model has a slimmer grip. I have an older RWH think its an 80's model though.
Give em a call, good folks.
R W

redfish · December 18, 2014, 07:33:00 PM

I'll bet Rob would build the grip just the way you want it. No better place to get a replacement than the original makers.

stickem1 · December 18, 2014, 07:34:00 PM

Kustom King sells a Bear Paws recurve called the Kiowa I think. It is 52" and one piece, check it out.

SportHunter · December 18, 2014, 07:51:00 PM

Try out the Bob Lee Hunter T/D, I sold my Red Wing Hunters but kept the BLHntr.

Orion · December 18, 2014, 07:54:00 PM

I believe the Bob Lee Dark Matter model is the same bow as the Red Wing Hunter. If not, very close.

nineworlds9 · December 18, 2014, 07:56:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Orion:
I believe the Bob Lee Dark Matter model is the same bow as the Red Wing Hunter. If not, very close.

You mean the Bob Lee Dark Archer

shag08 · December 18, 2014, 08:32:00 PM

Thanks guys! When the time comes, I guess I'll be giving the Lee's a call. I'm not in the market at this very moment...too much spent out for Xmas. It was just a thought of impending doom to my RWH that brought this post about.

Oregon Okie · December 19, 2014, 10:11:00 AM

Pm sent

Orion · December 19, 2014, 12:17:00 PM

Yep. Dark archer. Don't know where matter came from. Maybe it shoots lazers.

December 19, 2014, 01:52:00 PM

Dark matter exists so academics can make sense out of string theory, the dark archer exists so that archers that like plain and simple recurves can hammer arrows with the best of them. I compared one to our Red Wing. I think it shoots a faster arrow than the Red Wing we had. It had a bit better feel as well. The only reason I did not buy it, like our Red Wing, it was just a couple of pounds heavier than my wife could handle, the person selling wanted a heavier one.

shag08 · December 19, 2014, 03:31:00 PM

Thanks pavan. That's the kind of info I was looking for there...very nice comparison.

ThePushArchery · December 19, 2014, 11:23:00 PM

Bob Lee stopped making one piece recurves 2 years ago. You'll be looking at the used market to find a one piece.

The feel of the bows (red wing versus new bob lee one piece) are very similar. The newer ones are better fit and finish and much more performance. But the lines are very similar and would the closest replacement.

We have a bob lee 54" bicentennial one piece and a dark archer in our group of archers.

We are bob Lee fans. Best hunting bows for us on the market IMO.