A little backstory first. I have been looking for a Checkmate Firebird for a while now but havent had much luck, atleast not in my price range. In my search a local fellow offered me a Checkmate Falcon Special 52# at 28" with a leather quiver, half dozen misc arrows and a glove... All only shot about a dozen times and then put into storage. I thought about it and couldn't pass up the deal. I basically paid for the quiver glove and arrows and got the bow for free. So... Here she is
 
 
 

So here is where the dilemma comes up. I have found a Firebird at a local shop but I think they are asking a bit too much for it. It is an unfinnished never been shot left over from the original owners of CheckMate. It is beautiful and in the woods i want... So I can probably trade the Falcon in on it and pay a little extra, or just keep the Falcon. The Firebird is a couple pounds more than I would call perfect but not a problem at all for me.

'A couple more pounds than perfect' would make me pass.  I can 'handle' 80# but does not mean its what I'd want my go-to bow at.  I think you answered your own question.  I would get the finished Falcon, that's a beautiful bow!, and not give it a second thought.  If not, then at least get the 'unfinished' Firebird for a deal you're comfortable with, if they're asking too much they're asking too much, I wouldn't cater to them and give them a perfectly good bow (Falcon) for one that wasn't even ready to use.  My vote is the Falcon.

That is probably the nicest Falcon I have seen...we have been finding some great deals on Chek Mates lately...wait for what you want while enjoying what you have

DDave

I think that even new a Falcon is one of the best buys out there

DDave

I guess i should have been more clear, the Firebird isn't a blank, it is a finished bow as in it has its final sanding, it just has no gloss finish on it.

Oh, also the Firebird is 56# I am comfortable up to 60 and have shot up to 74 but didnt like that heavy. I find 50# to be perfect but I shoot a lot. Like when I shoot a 3d I like to get atleast 3 rounds in. So when I practice I may shoot up to 500 arrows in a day.

10-4 I read you loud and clear, then it sounds like the # will be no issue...I would still try and get a good deal/trade worked out if they are asking too much for it.  No sense in doing them a favor or whatever.  That Falcon is sweet like Dave said.

Haggle with them, make them an offer a little less than you want to spend, then you have a little bargaining room.

Go for it!

Good luck.

Do you really shoot 500 arrows per day?  That is a lot is shooting with any bow!

IMO the Falcon is a better bow.  I don't see me ever doing business with the current owner, but they are still a great bow.

ISP, usually yes, sometimes even more. I shoot over at my parents place and i can get out to 54 yards. I have a few bows and dont like any of them to feel left out. When i start to get tired, i take a break or shoot my compounds till i get bored and switch back to my recurves.

LBR, what would you say makes the Falcon better than the Firebird?

Better cast/performance, more forgiving.

The falcon is a shooter. Wish I still had mine.

I may be able to keep both  :D

I am greedy... I get both lol
Oh

Shot it a few times yesterday before dark and the rains moved in and wow. She smokes a heavy arrow. Tuned super easy, and I had a 5" group at 20 yards with the first 6 arrows. I am pumped. Going to shoot a 3d on the 3rd.

Wow, 3D in January, you Canadians are a hardy bunch, our 3d's stop around the end of September, mostly because of hunting season, the earliest is next month for us here in n.j.

Have a good time and best of luck with the new bow and the new year.

Glad for you that you got to have both, Firebird ought to be a shooter with that reverse mount limb setup.

Njloco, this would be the first 3d since around October. There are a few big indoor 3d events coming up, this one just happens to be an outdoor. The temps right now are hovering around freezing. Not too bad at all.

Nineworlds9, thanks a lot. I am super excited to get out shooting both of these bows. The Firebird is apparently the bow that inspired the Talon from Eaglewing.