im stuck between buying a martin dream catcher and a martin hunter. Brace heights are almost the same, length is 2" different. I like the "all wood" look of the dream catcher's limbs but I also love the dark grey color of the hunter. I can only afford 1 right now or I would buy both. HELP!!!! tell me you good stories on these bows.


thanks!

Between the two I would buy the Hunter. However you should shoot both and decide for yourself. I should add that for the money I would also be patient and buy a used one. You can save some serious bucks.
SL

caleb, I sent you a pm! Mike

Martin are nice bows but for the money why not buy a true custom or a real nice used bow. If you are set on a Martin that is great advice above, a used one will coast half of what a new one would! Shawn

If yopu have a fairly long draw length, you might want to go with the longer length.

I think that Martins are customs. More so than the Widows really except for wood choice. Unless they have changed things Martin still has their risers etc. "handmade" by craftsmen over the CNC process of the Widows. Every DC riser I have held feels different. I'm not saying that Martins are better than Widows although they ARE better than many "customs" in my opinion.  That being said I like the Dreamcatcher but mostly for looks and partly for sentimental reasons as it was my first bow.

well a wrench was just thrown into my plans. thanks!

I just checked out a sponsor hear, roseoakcreations.com, I think they might be getting my business. they have a couple of good looking bows.

we will see!!

Definitely the Dream Catcher!  Beautiful bow, and a really good performer.  The Hunter is just as good, just not as pretty in my opinion.

Martins are very nice bows, but as Shawn said you can get a used bow much cheaper.  

Just because a bow is CNC machined does not mean it isn't custom, at least to me.  If that is the case you are throwing Black Widow, Morrison, Blacktail, and shortly Rose Oak into that category as well as a host of others.  There are a ton more options you can get on any of these "custom" bows that Martin does not offer.  This may or may not be important to you.

One of the reasons I prefer the CNC machined bows is exactly the reason Curveman stated.  I like knowing when I get a new bow the grip will feel exactly like the ones I had previous.

The Martin hunter is one of my favorite all time bows.  I can't comment on the DC as I've never shot one.  I did have a 60" Super Diablo that stacked horrible at my 29.5" draw.  It was a purty bow, but felt like I was gonna pull the limbs off during that last 3/4".

You can't go wrong with one of the bows from Rose Creek. Brandon makes a hell of a bow. I have owned many custom bows and his are right there at the top of the list.

Caleb, I think Rose Oak is a fantastic choice.  Some of the NICEST looking bows out there.  That new takedown Brandon is making sure is sweet.  Plus you can get a "hunter" model Tomcat, in that no nonsense actionwood.  They look great and I believe (I haven't checked prices in some time) about the same price as a Dream Catcher.  Keep us updated on what you decide...Mike

there cheaper shipped to your door than a dc!! by about 50$, I might have get one!!

A ton more? I didn't say CNC bows weren't custom. You can opt for different woods and grip styles in many cases. You use to be able to talk to Martin for different woods, no? If you want to define wood choice as more custom than hand-crafted you can use that definition of custom if you want. Martins are better than some so called custom bows many of which are not THAT custom; that's my basic point.

Really anybody's definition of custom matters not to me.  I'm too impatient to order custom bows anyway (most of the time) and will buy one off the shelf or out of someone's stock.  You threw the BW name out there and alot of newbies reading these forums may think "I really like BW bows, but can't get any custom options on them."  It simply isn't true.  BW will do most any custom option that the others will.  Although, I don't know about checkering with the amount of fiberglass/phenolic in the riser.  

I just don't think it is fair to a company, especially one who sponsors this site, to state they aren't as custom as a production bow since the risers are cut on a cnc machine.  The tillering and final sanding are all done by hand.  

Will Martin, put snakeskins on your bow?  Can you get a Martin hunter in multiple lengths?  Can you get a custom grip on them?  At what point is a bow custom?  Seems like people like to pick on certain companies, and throw those names out.  Really what will any custom builder do that is so different from what all the others offer?  Not trying to start a fight, in fact, this is the last time I'll ever debate anyone about what is custom.  To me it means the bow was made to my specs whether cut from a single tree or a bunch of garbage thrown in a machine and a bow spit out the other side.  

Thank you for letting me tell my side of the story, and Caleb, enjoy your new bow whatever it may be...Mike

I apologize Mike if I was or seemed contentious or caused you or anyone ill feelings and I certainly didn't mean to slam Black Widows. (I will state in no uncertain terms my honest belief that they are GREAT bows)! Since a newbie had asked about a Hunter or Dreamcatcher I did not want him to think he had to spend more or even get a "custom" bow to have a great looking, great shooting bow. In some cases Martins might well perform better than bows that are made in someone's woodshop that offer a plethora of options. A newbie might get confused by all the ads, options and buzzwords or even think that "more options" or "custom" meant "better bow." I should've stated it differently.  

I had read this off of Martin's website awhile back so I may have been unconsiously referencing these talking points as well:

"Hand made, one at a time...
This goes way beyond just a slogan.
It's how we do things, all day, every day.

We're the largest producer of Custom Made
Traditional Bows in the World!

Beyond the beautiful finish, beyond the great
way it shoots, there is a special appreciation
given to a bow that you know was made just
for you, by a bowyer with many years of
experience and with a careful eye for detail."

The "just for you" is just an advertising slogan.

In any case Caleb, I truly hope that I have not said the wrong thing or in the wrong way or ortherwised confused you!

Welcome!

Steve

You could buy a really nice Chek-mate with that money ......    

well I went down to my local BPS today and held a hunter, it was very nice. I am lucky they didnt have the pound bow I was looking for, cause I would have brought it home. I want to think about this for another few days and make a good choice instead of just getting whats avalable. i am realy leaning hard toward the rose oak. we will see, and thanks for all the replies guys! I do appreciate it.

thanks!

Steve, no problem at all.  I really didn't think you were slamming anyone.  I think one thing you said should be said above all.  Don't think that because of any ad, available option, price, etc... that any one bow is better than another.  You must shoot a bunch and chances are you'll find one that really jumps out at you and you can't stop thinking about it.  I know that feeling, I've been there many times    

Mike