Best Production Recurve

[JCJ]

I have an early 1970's Damon Howatt Hunter that is the best shooting recurve I've ever laid my hands on. I have spent a lot of money and effort buying custom bows trying to find one that performs better. There are plenty that are prettier but pound for pound none that I've found that deliver an arrow with more authority even though they are FF string bows and the Howatt is Dacron only. It's also very quiet. The only negative is that I draw 31-1/2 -32" and it strats to stack pretty significantly once I get past 30". I love this bow!

[George D. Stout]

O.L.....it is indeed subjective because tests don't measure comfort and shootability for the individual archer.  That's the trouble....we align the word best with performance alone.  That's probably why there are so many "best" bows for sale in the classifieds.  It is indeed very subjective.

By the way....the Hunter is a great bow, but not the best for me.

[O.L. Adcock]

That's true George if you want to mix those factors. Fact is, on average, the worst bows for comfort and shootability tend to be the worse performing and vice versa...Handshock, vibration, noise all come from inefficiency so it's a good starting point...O.L.

Martin/Howatt Hunter or Mamba.

[hawgslayer]

 
I know that this is a post concening production bows and MARTIN keeps popping up but I just wanted to remind everyone that Martin will custom make a bow to your specs. I bought a 50# HUNTER off the shelf and it really draws 54#'s. I had a HUNTER made to my specs and it was only 1# off in the draw. My next one will be a custom MAMBA.

 

[GingivitisKahn]

Howatt Hunter +1

[Big Riser]

I have Martin hunter,1965 grizzly,other bears,and a several ben pearsons, three of which are 1959 BPs palaminos.I will take the palaminos 1st.All above are very good bows.

[Shifting Shadow]

I must say a Martin Mamba. It was so comfortable to shoot. The bow was balanced in the hand and just felt good. Quick also. I like the 58" length for the bush, too.

[Rooselk]

Put me down for the Martin (Howatt) Hunter. It's time tested. It's the Winchester Model 70 of recurve bows.

[Renaissance Man]

wow, model 70 of recurves, I guess we have a winner

[MI_Bowhunter]

There is but one best and that is whichever one you shoot the best.   Nuff said.

[Echo62]

I have a 1964 Damon Howatt Rosewood Hunter that is the best shooting bow I've ever shot, regardless of cost or maker.  

[shirikahn]

I'd love to vote in a Kodiak Mag...I know, I know the Martin/Howatt fans are gonna skin me...And don't get me wrong...I'd take one in a second-they are fine bows.  But I just love K-mags...they are fast, hard hitting, and very pointable.  just my two cents

[traditionalman]

Bruin

[bigbadjon]

My dad shoots a Browning Drake Signature that is one fps slower than my Gamemaster Jet and one fps faster than my A&H longbow.

[damascusdave]

I have a nineties Howatt Hunter that will be my main hunting bow this fall...I would be hard pressed though to say it is a better bow than my 1960 Kodiaks

DDave

[Huntingnut]

Originally posted by Curveman:
I really do think there is a place here for the Martin Dreamcatcher.

I will second that. I love my Dreamcatcher...

[Sixby]

Howatt Hunter, catilina and Monterray. Howatt, Howatt, Howatt.

God bless, Steve

[joe skipp]

The Howatt/Martin line was the best of any production bows out there. Head and shoulder above Bear. All models were smooth, well built and pretty quick for their time.

[Rob W.]

I have Martin Hunter and a Red Wing Hunter. Both are great but the Martin is better in almost all aspects. IMO.