okay, think I have narrowed it down to just two.  Not enough funds for both so here goes.  Treadway "black swamp" vs. JK Traditions "kanati" both same length and 2# difference. I have never held or shot either.  Coming off compounds with very limited trad experience. Your suggestion???
Thanks, Scott

Don't buy either unless you have spent several days, and preferably a week with her first, especially since you are coming off a compound bow.

Both are excellent choices,Bjorn has a point but but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Just make sure that for you first bow away from a compound that you don't go to heavy in weight.

Kanati  unless the draw weight is to much.

I haved owned a recurve and a longbow.  Just got disgusted and sold them both. Only shot them a few months then went back to compound, it was during deer season so I did not give trad a fair shake. I am lowering weight this time to make it fun.
Thanks for input

Not sure what you are going to spend on those, but I recommend an inexpensive bow (used) that is 15 lbs lighter than your compound.  Shoot that for a little while and get the basics down.  Then step up to a nicer higher poundage bow once you have strengthened and trained the new muscles.  You will also be better prepared to pick what weight you can handle comfortably and notice the subtle differences between the two you are considering.

I liked the kanati better than the black swamp plus you can get a kanati quickier and at a better price . As a old compound shooter myself I recomend shooting 15 to 20 pounds lighter in draw weight vs what you shot with your compound . For me I shot 70 lbs with compound and 48 to 53 lbs feels about right with the stickbow .

+1 for the kanati

Now is a good time to give trad a fair shake, I gave up my compound just four year ago. My advise would be to take Bjorn's advise on not buying either one unless you are getting one heck of a deal. You might be better off getting an old Bear or similar right in the $100.00 range give or take, and also keep the weight down to 45# at your draw length if this weight is at least #15 pounds less than your compound as you will have a hard time learning to shoot properly if your over bowed. I learned this the hard way, I was shooting #60 with wheels and thought that #50 would be right for me in a trad bow this was a mistake. I ended up dropping to 45# and that is were I still am at. #45 is plenty of weight to kill deer as I have killed several with that weight and know first hand what a lower poundage bow is capable of doing with some practice and patience.

BLACK SWAMP ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!

I am currently drawing 70# on my compound and can shoot it for hours. (Smoothly, no grunting to pull.) both longbows are 50 lb pull +/- 2lb. Weight should not be an issue.  Neither is wait. both are used and available now.  just wondering which is "the better of the two".  I know this will be purely subjective but I would like to hear your thoughts on the bows.

In that case both bow are top notch so I would go with the best bow for the price .

BLACK SWAMP!!!!!!
 

one of the best ones!!!!!!!!

because they are few of them they mantain there price for after sale and are very unique

ive had both bows....I believe Mike treadway is one of the best bowyers out there...but if i had to choose between the two i'd go with the kanati.... i believe the kanati is a tad easier to shoot than the black swamp....now if we were talking about the treadways original black forest...i'd go with the original black forest over the kanati..... both bowyers are excellent...the blackswamp has a tad too much r&d for my liking....but is a very fast beautifully crafted bow......I think your best bet is to try to shoot any bow before buying...good luck.

Haven't shot the Kanati. But I have shot alot of Mike Treadway's bows. Currently own 2 that I have no intention of selling. I feel Mike makes the best bow for the money out there. But again, that's just my opinion.    


Bill

wow, just when I thought I had it narrowed down someone goes and throws a PSRX on the classifieds with the specs I am looking for.          

The Kanati has a nice pistol grip. It is loaded a lot up front, so you might want to start at a lower draw weight. It's an great bow...really puts 'em down range!

Never shot a Treadway, but I know  Kanati is top shelf.

I haven't shot a Treadway either, but Kanatis are the best bows I have shot, and I have shot lots of bows. My 46# Kanati will blast an arrow through a whitetail. They are smooth, quiet, accurate, and very quick. Not to put the Treadway (or the Widow) down, but I'd go for the Kanati over either one.

KANATI