Bow buying criteria?

[moleman]

When purchasing a new or used bow what is the criteria that influences your purchase the most?
Try before you buy shooting qualities, looks, speed, price, strong reviews, ETC.
 

[bulldog18]

For me it has to be in my specs, priced right and I have to admit I am a wood junkie. Love the look of certain woods and wood combinations.

[buckeye_hunter]

I buy totally based on how it feels and shoots for me. Nothing shoots like my Timberhawk, so I haven't bought anything else. Love that bow.

[Bob B.]

Style ... hill style for me is number one.  Number two is grip ... dished or straight.
Number three is quiet ... I can not cotton a loud bow ... it has to be near silent or out the door it goes.

So far my Shrew Hill fits the bill real well  

Bob.

[Alexander Traditional]

Looks and reviews

[Jwilliam]

The grip is the most important thing to me. If it dosen't fit, I'm not going to shoot it worth a darn.

After that I'm looking for a quiet bow with good performance.


Bill

[nineworlds9]

Originally posted by bulldog18:
For me it has to be in my specs, priced right and I have to admit I am a wood junkie. Love the look of certain woods and wood combinations.

+1.

[gonefishing600]

Originally posted by Jwilliam:
The grip is the most important thing to me. If it dosen't fit, I'm not going to shoot it worth a darn.

After that I'm looking for a quiet bow with good performance.


Bill

Concure 110%!! You need to know your grips. For example, high wrist, low wrist, locater, HH style, or straight, locater with a thumb rest. Then you have some bowyers with ther own style like Abe at Caribow.

I prefer Dan Toelke locater grip. His locator grip is so consistent, I can buy his bows second all day long and pretty much get the same grip.

Hope this helps.

[ISP 5353]

Grip, smooth draw, and good arrow speed.

[Rob W.]

Grip and quiet. I can make everything else work.

[Guss]

If  your buying used... try before you buy is not an option most of the time.
        Specs should be the most important thing...no matter how nice the bow is... if its too heavy, light, long or short you won't keep it...!!

[njloco]

I have tried everyone of my bows with the exception of one, that one is now sold.

[Sam McMichael]

I have a special preference for Hill bows, and I prefer 68" bows pulling anywhere form 50 to 65# with either a straight or dished grip. Right now, I would really like to be able to afford a Redman in that range.

[rick7]

the grip first. then how smooth it draws

[Ibow]

Moleman, I noticed you're from IN. If you're considering a new bow, give some thought to coming up to Kalamazoo at the end of Jan. You'll be able to try out a ton of new bows and get a real feel for what you like.

[Bowwild]

These are my usual considerations:
1. It must be a recurve
2. Bow's reputation
3. Bow's specifications
4. Bow's appearance-- exotic woods catch my eye

Over the past 3 years I've ruled out far more bows than I would want to own.  Some of these evaluations didn't cost me a dime but a few cost me $100-300 as I bought and resold for a loss. I consider the experience worthy of the "loss".

I've also learned that one person's perfect bow (?) may be of no interest to some others.

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

GRIP = High and Checkered

After that I'm a fancy wood junkie .

[Ray Hammond]

Grip grip and lastly, grip

[GRINCH]

I agree with Ray,if the grip doesn't fit you you won't shoot it well.

[RC]

Grip and shoots where I look. I will not change my shooting styl to fit a bow. RC