I have been one to get caught up in buying a bunch of bows, trying to find that perfect bow.  I have sold off most of my bows and I have started dedicating myself to practicing almost everyday. I read a lot of posts now on the shooters forum and figure each time if i can just pick up one extra tip I will become a better shooter. I am working a lot on form with close target shooting. I can honestly say that I have spent way too much money on bows. Work on your shooting. Shoot as many bows as you can and then when you find one that you try that you really, really like, buy it. I think one reason myself and many other guys go through so many bows is we get to thinking that a certain bow will fit and feel just right and make us a much better shooter.  That will not happen with buying a bunch of bows, it will only come through practice and hard work.

Shoot any good bow for long enough and it "will" become your holy grail.

Constantly changing bows does very little for my own shooting.

But yeah,there are a lot of very nice bows out there

You are going to need a 12 step program for sure!
As long as it doesnt cause marital strife, buy as many as you can!! you can always sell the ones you don't love

This is a case of things always looking greener on the other side of the fence.

Be happy with what you have, your bow is a super bow, nothing wrong with it at all.
If you want to improve on something, improve on your ability to shoot it accurately.

The arrow finding the target is 90% you and your mental ability, only about 10% equipment.imo.

Too many people, especially those that don't always have good form or some even have target panic, continually search for the magic bow that will, thru some magic, make them into a better shot.    

Holy Grail!  I must say I'm disappointed.  I was expecting some discussion on the rabbit hunting scene from the Monty Python movie. That rabbit was a viscious bugger!

About two years ago I decided to get a bow that will out shoot and out hunt me (not hard to do). Once I found it, I made the conscious decision to learn to shoot it well and stop looking around for another bow to mess around with. I want to be a great shot and a great hunter...not a great new toy owner.

Anyways, I have derived a lot of satisfaction in halting the desire to find something new. It has made it more fun to know that the bow I have is more than sufficient and will never let me down.

If finding new bows makes everything more fun to you, then go for it! But it sure is a lot of fun focusing your attention on just one too.

To each his own.

Matt

Ps My bow is a Bob Lee, and I LOVE it!

COLongbow,

I reread my post and realized that it came across a little dry. It was not my intention and I hope it was not taken that way. I really did just want to be encouraging and share what I have recently learned brought me a lot of satisfaction.

Good shooting.
Matt

I will vote for a Black Creek Banshee

Try before you buy if possible different lengths especially. 70" & 58" from the same bowyer may behave radically different.

Colongbow,
Keep going to Tom's shop and trying out bows. I am in exactly the same boat - been shooting since late feb-march. Bought a Trees Custom from him after numerous test runs (was really considering a Spirit myself), and have been back about once a week trying out bows. I shoot it well, but there are some others I can probably shoot better.

I pulled the trigger a little early, and ordered another bow from a bowyer in Texas (Sarrels) after trying his. Also got one sight unseen off the TBH.com (yet to shoot but price was right). I used up a few too many tokens with the Fiance a little too quickly. . . .she knows I'm gonna have several bows, but it spoils the fun for later on (Each one gets a few more 'looks' from the sig other). I already know I'm probably going to get a Rampart at some point, and maybe a 1 piece longbow like a mohawk - but I recognize I need to SLOW DOWN ;-)

Hi Txnrog,
Since my initial post I have indeed been visiting RMSGear and shot lots of different bows. I just recently received my Lost Creek and have found (for me) the Holy Grail!

I can definitely vouch for the Mohawk for a traditional D shaped longbow. Really sweet shooters. Maybe if you score one of those that'll help you slow down!  

COLongbow, it appears that you have come to some conclusions in regard to your search for the "Holy Grail", and I hope those decisions work for you.  Even so, I would like to add a few thoughts from my own experience, if not for your benefit (since you have found"it"), then for the benefit of anyone else who might be reading this thread and contemplating acquiring more bows.

I am inclined to agree with Terry's statement when he said "beware the man who can pick up any bow and shoot it well, because his form is correct" or something to that effect.  That being said, I can not put myself in that category.  Much as I try, and I shoot 5 or 6 days a week all year long, I still fight consistency of form issues.  What I have found in my search for the "Holy Grail" is that some bows, even when my form is perfect, are much more sensitive than others.  That means that when I do everything perfectly I can shoot them very well.  But I can go out the next day and seem to be unable to duplicate the process I thought I had locked in and ingrained.  However, other bows I have I can shoot reasonably well on any day.  There seem to be trade offs with them all.  The faster ones tend to be more sensitive to perfect form, as do the shorter, more maneuverable ones.  Price has absolutely nothing to do with any of it, nor does looks.  Grip style is of major importance.  I agree with those who say to shoot a number of different bows before ever making a decision to purchase anything.  However, in my experience, just shooting at a trad event does not give me enough hands-on time to make a valid decision.  I need to see whether the "magic bow" shoots as well tomorrow and the day after that as it does today.  If my form were perfect it would.  My form is not perfect, though, so I find myself always reaching for my straight grip Hill.  When my form is good it always puts them where I am aiming; when my form is not so good it puts them much closer to where I am aiming than the other styles of bows.  The longer you are in the trad game the more you will realize that everyone has an opinion based on his own experience and we are all different.  So you just have to figure out what works for you and enjoy the adventure along the way.

COlongbow, I've been there too! I shoot only bow for two years now. I started with just ONE longbow, and still have the same and nothing else. I can hit pretty much anything with it under the 40 yards by now. It shoots at 9.4 ggp an amazing 190 fps. This meant a LOT of training, dedication and getting myself a trainer. So is this bow my Holy Grale?
I wished I could say a firm "Yes!!!!" to that question, but I am looking at bowp**n too all the time, I just can't help it... it's stronger then me.My list of favorites must be over the 100 by now and is still growing as we speak...
The problem is, I live in The Netherlands. The only bows we see here, is Bearpaw (which I own) some Black Widows and Samicks, occasionally some Howard Hills and that's just about it.
So I can't testdrive all those beautiful bows you guys have over there! .
But a month ago I cutted this Georgian knot! I knew what I want: I pretty smoot drawing fast shooting bow. Exceptional woods and some antler here and there... From a bowyer that has an outstanding reputation and gives a outstanding service.
Now I hope that I made the right choice, but everything is pointing at it. Over 5 months it will be here and then I'll know it.
So I voted, after a LOT of interviews via PM's here, and reading a LOT of reviews, for a Caribow Peregrine. If you want some triple rated hardcore bowp**rn, I would suggest you to visit the Cari-Bow site. Don't let your wife know you're watching this though....      
I can also recommend Pete Ward's site, who reviewed a lot of traditional bows.
But the best thing is, as everybody recommended, to shoot as many different bows as you can. And remember, it's not the bow, it's the archer! A good archer can shoot very well with any bow, but an expensive bow doesn't make you a good archer! (But it will help though....)

BDann that is what i was thinking. Can you imagine drawing down on that thing flying at you? Almost like wingshooting.

Learn to dance with the one you got  

Well I know its important to find that bow that feels right to you. But on the other hand there is nothing wrong with having several bows.

Some guys are into guns..they have more guns than they can use.

My wife always tells me I can only shoot one bow..But I still want more..lol.
I am always looking for another bow, not that I need one, I just want one..lol.

I have the same problem, I always think another bow will be better some how. I suppose one day we will all find our one true love (the right bow that is)