Never had one but resale value is a good indicator of whether it's worth it.  Plus like RH said, you probably won't be happy till ya get one.  I just got a Dauntless, I'm happy.

Bowless

Is a _____ bow worth the money?

You could plug in tons of names in the blank above, but only the shooter can decide.

This is a certainly a hobby for most of us, and if BW's are what you want to spend your money on, go for it.  I ordered a PAX just 6 weeks ago.

In my opinion we shouldn't just try to cut corners and buy the cheapest bows possible.  Find the one you like to shoot the most, and that's the one you should shoot.

Brett

Go to the Widow Wall and look at what they have.

   

NO!!!..........     of course they are, just like all bows made by all "small business" traditional-only bowyers that you see advertised in Tradgang and TBM. On the other hand, any "traditional" bow made by big, corporate oriented wheely bows companies isn't worth ONE of your hard-earned pennies, for the principle of it. BW has made traditional bows since 1957, and kept it that way even when the wheely "revolution" nearly ran them out of business. Isn't that enough of a reason to get one?

I love this most common question because the answer is contained in the posted question.

Here's the answer (in your own words)
 

Quote ... I've always wanted a MA II or a PL.  I have the money for a used one, ...

Then you list your problem.
 

Quote ... but I got thinking...

Stop thinking and buy the bow!

Want to play safe, buy used.  

If you like it, call BW and have them build one just for you.

YEP!!

These days, many traditional bows will throw a 10 grain/pound arrow at about 190 fps, +/- 10 fps. Most pull smoothly without stacking issues. Most offer custom grips, come in various lengths and configurations and can be made of the exotic wood(s) of your choice. And at traditional distances, most shoot where you aim them. So what else matters? Here's a few points to consider:

Name several other custom bow companies that have been around for 50 years as Widow has???

Name several other bow companies that have enough confidence in their respective bow to let you "demo" one in the comfort of your home - without obligation to purchase- to make certain that the bow you are considering will meet your needs.

Widow's customer service is legendary and you will not find better customer service. Period. That's period!.

I've been shooting Widows exclusively for the past twenty years and have never once -  not once - hand an issue with any of my bows. Because I'm fortunate to be able to hunt out my back door, my Widows are hunted hard and often and if you inspected them, you'd think that they were just used as wall art and rarely used for hunting. A couple of my oldest Widows have remained strung (other than changing strings, of course) for the better part of twenty years, without issue, and I still shoot and hunt with these bows regularly.

And it's absolutely true that Widows have not just good, but exceptional resale value. I routinely see twenty year old Widows selling for more than what I paid for mine new.

I'm hoping this keeps a bunch of you busy while I check out the classifieds.

 

I recently purchased a used PTFV and it shoots well and seems to be a good solidly constructed bow. I think it is worth the money I paid for it.

Killi, you're funny! Anyway, for whatever its worth, Black Widow Bows are worth every penny they ask for. As are all of the rest of the fine bowyers out there. Alex B hits the nail on the head with his post. WE ARE A SMALL COMMUNITY, AND WE NEED TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER. Frankly, I would love to have all of the fine bows out there, Black Widow just happens to be one of the many. I want a 65 Lb PLX and I hope to save enough money to get one. T.

"YES" Just my humble opinion.
                         Regards, Carl

Labs4me, You give compelling testimony favoring Black Widow bows. However, I think you may have overlooked one point: Black Widow also has a history of giving back to the small traditional bowhunting community described by AlexB by supporting various organizations like Compton, etc.

Good post and well said.    

this years bows are some of their best looking bows !!!!!

Black Widow.....There is no subsitute    :D    :D    :D

David

Yep absolutely they are worth the money.

Had one, traded it.  Stupid!! Stupid!! Stupid!!  That being said they are worth it to me, and I'll have another soon enough if I find a good one in the classifieds.    

They are fantastic bows and they have the best customer service i have seen ,i realy like their pl longbows .

Everything that we strive for or do should be "worth it"...

No matter what our make of bow is, it should be "worth it"...

"Worth" is also a very personal thing, and needs to be determined by individuals...

I never cease to be amazed at the quality of traditional bows available these days.  It is a far cry from the days when I started shooting in the mid-sixties.  

I guess we should let the free market decide if Widows are worth every penny.  From my personal point of view they are,  I guess I wouldn't have three of them if they weren't, trying to scrape the money together to get another.

So, if any of you guys have a Widow lefty that you just don't think is worth keeping, let me know.