Thoughts and Opinions on MAHASKA Longbows....

[Nala]

Hey all,

I'd like to get some info on Mahaska bows, particularly the longbows.
If you have any experience with them, even the Recurves, how about sharing your knowledge?  How do they shoot compared to other longbows and recurves that you have owned and shot over the years?

Of course if you have pics...PLEASE post them!  I'd like to see how they look as there aren't many pics on his website at all.

Any info would be great.

Thanks for the time.

Nalajr

[slowbowjoe]

I have never shot one, though I've looked at them (starting with old Traditional Bowhunter ads, too) and talked to Kent about them. I just did a search on Pow Wow - "Mahaska bows" - and there is quite a lot of good feedback from many very experienced archers to be found.
Certainly worth considering in the price range; the posts from folks mostly echo that, and offer some very good thoughts about other options and considerations.
Are there some specific traits you're looking for in a bow, preference for length, grip, etc.?

[nineworlds9]

I had one of the recurves early on in my re-entry into trad.  Craftsmanship was solid and very nice, beautiful woods, and I liked how he shaped his limb tips/tip overlays..overall the bow was made very much in his own style.  As far as how the recurve shot, not sure if it had to do with the higher middle draw weight...think it was 59@28, but it was a loud bow to my ear with just an average thickness string and whiskers.  Being a very slender riser bow with relatively wide thick core limbs it also had a very healthy 'bump' on the shot.  I think it would have benefitted greatly from a skinny string with wool wraps as well as a much heavier arrow than what I was using (9gpp).  The pricing is very competitive, so that's a plus along with the nice craftsmanship.  I'd prolly give one another try and just use a skinny string and 10,11+ gpp arrows.  Speed wasn't bad.  I'd like to try one of the longbows sometime if I spy a used lefty.  Solid, pretty, and a good value is my overall impression.  From what I hear Kent is a good guy too.  The longbows seem to get favorable reviews, perhaps more so than the recurves?

[Wapiti Chaser]

I saw a recurve at Denton Hill a few years ago and a guy grabbed it just before me. He took it over to the try out area and I could not believe how quite and fast it was. He bought it right away and I never got to shoot it .

[ron w]

I have had 3 of the longbows, all were good solid shooters. 2 I sold because I dropped down in poundage, the other one was 46# and I should have never sold it. All mine were 66"long and had real nice woods. All were whisper silent!!