How Does Mohawk Compare to Thunderstick MOAB?/

[Nala]

Hey all,

I have been thinking of selling my longbow and getting a new one.  A couple of the ones I have been thinking of are the Mohawk and the Thunderstick MOAB.

I have not handled or tried either of them.  I have read a LOT of comments about the Mohawks and a few about the MOABS.  For some reason there doesn't seem to be many threads about the MOABS.  The stuff I have read about them are always positive though and the owners seem to like them a lot.

As for the Mohawk, I don't think I have read a negative thing about his bows.  Owners really love them.

I would like to hear some thoughts on these bows.  If you have owned either or both, that would be great if you could compare them for me.  As always, PICS are encouraged and welcomed.  I would love to see some current MOAB pics as well as some of the Mohawks.

Any opinions you have would be helpful even if it is about another longbow that you want to recommend.

Thanks for your time and help.

Nalajr

[Crash]

They are two different breeds of longbows.  One, Mohawk, is a more traditional "D" shaped bow and the MOAB is a highly reflex deflex hybrid.  Both are top bows within their own breeds.  Both Bowyers are top notch as is the craftsmanship.  The MOAB will be faster and have less felt handshock than the Mohawk.  It depends on what you are looking for in a bow.

[Hud]

I would 2nd what was said above.

I had both designs in a Robertson Stykbow, one was an Overdrive, no longer made, had considerable reflex-deflex, the other was his typical longbow, both were 64" and 64#.  The OD was less pleasant to shoot and required a jump in spine. It was faster, but not as accurate or as pleasant to shoot.  Try before you buy, if your not sure.

[carpenter]

Two different critters for sure. I have owned both bows in question,and both bows were excellent,but out of the two I kept the MOAB. I had the itch recently to try another bow,but after careful consideration I decided to keep the MOAB,and I am  very happy with my decision. Quick, quiet and smooth. Your mileage may vary,try to shoot both if possible.

[Mudd]

A whole lot of folks have been struck with either the "Mohawk Malady" or "MOAB Fever!" and some of us were blessed and came down with both.

Different species but both great looking and awesome shooting bows built by two of the best bowyers in the arena. Both are wonderful guys to get to know and easy to talk to as well.

This one one debate you'll have to settle for yourself but for me that was always the case...lol

You have a couple of options to accomplish it, either get yourself one of each or go somewhere that will provide the opportunity to handle and shoot both,I chose method # 1.

Why? Because I could take as much time as I wanted and shooting both was a real treat.

Happy New Year! Enjoy your journey!!

God bless,Mudd

[3Under]

I have both bows. They are both 54 LBs @ 28".
The MOAB is a one pc. 60" bow while the Mohawk is a T/D and 62"bow. They both have bambo cores in the limbs. Both bows are smooth on the draw. I notice no handshock on either bow, but then I not very sensitive in regard to handshock.

Like "Crash" said the MOAB is the faster bow, but the Mohawk isn't a slouch regarding speed. I believe it is faster than my Hillstyle longbows. That being said I'm keeping both of them 'cause they shoot very well, and I enjoy shooting them.

Sorry no photos to post!  

[Rob DiStefano]

i own both, here's my take ...

neither of these bows are in the same category as an american flat longbow ("howard hill style") - they both offer easily discernible increased performance.

the mohawk/sparrowhawk is a MILD r/d hybrid longbow that braces to a "D" shape.

the moab is an AGGRESSIVE r/d hybrid longbow that will show reflex in the tips when braced.

bow length - you will need to go a bit longer with any mild r/d hybrid longbow.

speed - the moab is faster.

stability - the mohawk will be more stable in the hand after release, due to the limb design and longer limbs help there as well.

"hand shock" - quantifying this parameter is not easy, and is manifested by a number of distinct values ... however, with all physics equal; same holding weight, same string, same arrow, same archer and release; the mohawk will readily be perceived to have less of this than the moab, and this felt "hand shock" will be less than that of most any afl longbow.  

fwiw, i have a 29" draw length and my moab is 60" and my mohawk sparrowhawk is 64".  both hold at nearly 55#.

click on the first link in my sig line, scroll down and see unbraced and braced examples of each of the three bows described above.

[Friend]

Excellent feedback!!!

Even armed with this information, nothing still will compare to shooting the two different bows yourself.

[Terry Green]

its pretty much been covered......but i'll add this....the 60 MOAB is the best lenght for Jim's design......I'd go with it out to 29.inches.....maybe even 29.5......then move to the 62 inch.  Yes.the moan is faster.....but that does NOT mean its harder to shoot.  Both bows are smooth as butter on the draw and release......both feel lighter in wieght than marked.

If you realty want to know......you need to shoot both.

[Eric Sprick]

As usual good advice, I will only echo what has been said to this point.

I own several Mohawks and since you asked for pics also I will oblige.

Good luck with whichever you choose!

Eric



D shape when strung

[Mike Bolin]

Nala, use the "search" button on the top of the page. It will give you 5 pages on the MOAB and 6 pages on the Mohawk. I just searched using the keyword in the title only.

I have not had the chance to shoot a Mohawk but I have never heard a bad word about them. I own 2 MOABs and have owned a couple of others in the past. The MOAB, for me, is just an excellent all around hunting bow-easy to shoot, hits hard, casts a heavy arrow well, maneuverable and quiet. Looks pretty darn good too!

All that said, if I was looking for a D shaped bow, the Mohawk would be number one on my list! Good luck-Mike

[Sixby]

I have to agree that if I were looking for a true D shaped longbow I would at this moment in time get a Mowhawk.
the Moab is a good D and R design but if you are looking at the top of the class in d and rs it would be in the upper half.
On the other hand the mowhawk IMHO would be in the top of the class for true D shaped longbow.

When I see one strung it just says , this is what a longbow should look like.

When I see any D and R longbow strung I see the ultimate design for a hunting bow if you throw out all the prekjuces people may have. A d and r is the ultimate bow design.

That is until you shoot a good static recurve. LOL', But then you sacrifice the simplicity of the longbow to a small degree.

I build them all with the exception of a true D at this time . I love shooting the static recurves but when I am going on a long walk for elk I have a D and R in my hand most of the time.
]
God bless you all, Have a great new year, Steve

[longbowben]

MOAB are my favorite very fast smooth in the hand and draw so smooth that you think its 3-4 pounds lighter than what it is.And i like bows in the 60" length.I have had 3 only sold one it was to light.And one more on order.

[Recurve50 LBS]

I haven't shot a MOAB but my hands down favorite bow is my Thunderstick MAG. I have shot several Mohawks and I prefer the hand grip on the TS MAG over the Mohawk.

[pdk25]

I like my 60" MOAB, but I am really excited about my sparrowhawk that I have ordered. I would guess that I'll have it in hand in around 2 weeks.

[cp55002]

Hello There, When I picked my first trad bow after shooting wheelie bows for a while, I was fortunate to be able to go to a small archery shop that specialized in new and used trad bows. I shot as many differant bows as I could there. Interestingly enough my favorite happend to be a Moab. It was smooth and felt "rite" to me. I bought it, its a one piece 60" 60 @ 27". I love it. http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z331/cp55002/?action=view¤t=P1040551.jpg" target="_blank">http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z331/cp55002/P1040551.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

[cp55002]

PLEASE do not post images wider than 640

http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z331/cp55002/P1040551.jpg[/IMG]

[xtrema312]

Never shot a Mohawk, but hope to sometime soon.  I have had a couple MOAB's and love them.  Like Terry said, the 60" bow is the best length for the design.  I don't find them to have much hand shock at all so guess the Mohawk must really be dead in the hand.  The MOAB is as fast or faster than just about anything I have shot all things equal.  The exceptions are a predator and the ACS I had, which was only 2 fps faster with the same draw weight and arrow.

[RM81]

I have not shot a Mohawk, but I have a couple of MOABs that I'm pleased with.  I tried several hybrid longbows (not all), and found the MOAB to be my favorite.  The MOABs are the bottom two in each of the pics.






I would try them both if you can and make your own decision.  I like the MOAB, but have heard a lot of good things about Mohawks.

[RM81]

They not only look great, but they shoot great also.  A good round to bring in the new year.