short longbow ?

M Beach · March 02, 2016, 08:44:00 AM

I keep going back and forth between a new recurve or longbow. I think I want to give a longbow a try. I do not want to sacrifice performance so I am still on that fence. If I do decide to get a new long bow I think I have decided on one of 3 the Osprey, Whip, or Thunderchild. My concern is as a 5'9" person who primarily hunts from a stand. I want to keep my bow 60" or shorter. Will I lose anything from the shorter bow or should I go back to looking a recurves at those lengths?

GRAYBEARD · March 02, 2016, 08:51:00 AM

My Leon Stewart 56" Little Slammer gives up nothing in performance. I also shoot a Heartland Surge t/d 58" that is as smooth as glass. I am 5'8" and draw 26.5".

March 02, 2016, 08:53:00 AM

I do not know anything about the Osprey, or what recurve you have, but you will likely not lose much, if anything, performance-wise with a Whip or Thunderchild!

Bisch

Jim Wright · March 02, 2016, 09:02:00 AM

You have mentioned Dan Toelke's Whip, take a look at his new Pika in 54" & 56" lengths. I shot a 56" bow at Dan's place lst July while out on a fly fishing trip and like all Dan's bows, it's a gem! I draw 29"s and the 56" bow will accommodate a longer draw than that easily. The 54" Pika would probably work well for you, call Dan he will know.

Biathlonman · March 02, 2016, 09:21:00 AM

I second the Pika over the short whip.

elkken · March 02, 2016, 09:42:00 AM

Thunderchild

Bladepeek · March 02, 2016, 10:12:00 AM

Look at Gregg Coffee's short longbows too. I am totally pleased with my 54" Elk Heart.

jt85 · March 02, 2016, 12:05:00 PM

I've shot the thunder child and osprey, never shot a whip. My choice would be the Osprey it is a great bow that is smooth, quite,and pretty darn quick. Anything built by Chad Holm is a winner.

M Beach · March 02, 2016, 01:10:00 PM

I currently am shooting my dads super grizzly. I am a recent (less than a year) convert back to traditional archery. I love hunting with my compounds but have only been shooting the recurve for the last year. It has rekindled my addiction as my wife says. Just looking for a longbow that has great performance.

Archie · March 02, 2016, 01:52:00 PM

I'd be after a Shrew or a Java Man bow if I were looking for what you're describing.

slowbowjoe · March 02, 2016, 02:37:00 PM

Of those you mentioned, I've only shot the Whip, both a 58" and 62". I draw 28", or pretty close to it. The 58" didn't stack, but I felt the string angle was more than I liked. I don't think I'd go less than 62" on one, for me. The Toelke's make a fine bow, and I trust the folks here who speak highly of the Pika for a shorter bow.

V I Archer · March 02, 2016, 03:04:00 PM

Not to confuse the issue further, but have you looked at the offerings from Cari-bow. I'm 5'9 as well and love my Featherhorn. Abe offers several shorter, more radically reflexed bow designs as well.

scienceguy · March 02, 2016, 03:13:00 PM

I have both a 56" Pika and a 62" Whip. Both bows are 45# at 28". I shoot them both equally well. The Pika is really handy up in a treestand, the Whip is just slightly smoother in the draw.....but not by much in my hands. I wouldn't part with either of them. Both bows are quiet and dead in the hand.

NEB · March 02, 2016, 03:32:00 PM

You will love a short longbow. I have not tried a long shortbow, but I bet it is fun too. My personal favorites are a JK Kanati for 1 piece and Morrison Shawnee for 3 piece.

stonewall · March 02, 2016, 04:07:00 PM

Maddog makes a good short longbow

awbowman · March 02, 2016, 07:35:00 PM

Whip, Pika or Elkheart would be my choice.

tradlab · March 02, 2016, 07:49:00 PM

I too am 5'9'' and have both a 54'' Javaman elk heart and a 54'toelke pika. Both are smooth drawing great shooters it will be a toss up as to which one goes afield first.

Whitetailarcher · March 02, 2016, 08:33:00 PM

Elkheart would be really hard to beat, but all three are great. Slammer is really nice too!

charles m · March 02, 2016, 09:16:00 PM

Lost Creek, Shrew, preferably used as the wait is long, Javaman, Big Jim, lots to choose from.

Gil · March 03, 2016, 02:59:00 AM

Jack Kempf makes a Lil' Grizzly short longbow. Mine isnin the works, 58" on my 29" draw. I am 6' tall.