Whats the real difference?

[Gray Buffalo]

A production bow from most American companies are good hunting tools but, custom bows make you look better while your hunting. Really the game your chasing does not care if your bow is good looking or not. It only helps in the Hero pictures. My 2nd hand Holm-Made long bow is as Custom as I will get but it's a sweet shooter and we get along good. That's all I need.

                     

[FubarFred]

Since I have a couple Harleys, am a HOG member, a couple production bows, and a custom or two, I think your question is kinda strange. Both my H-D's are fast, fast enough for me anyway as the speed limits in all the states I've ridden in can be matched +5mph, and I've been in most. The production bows, which include a Bear recurve, shoot the same. The customs shoot better, feel better, and in my opinion, look better. What I'm trying to say is that it depends on what you want out of something. Skinny strings, horn tips, limb bolts made from some critters antlers, and any other 'performance' enhancing item is in the eye of the owner. You don't have to understand why I like something.I might not understand why you do.
Fred....

[LBR]

Not all customs cost near $1,000.  Chek-Mate offers bows that will hold their own against any as far as fit, finish, durability, and performance (not the absolute fastest, but not far behind the fastest).  The warranty is as good or better than most, and unlike some bowyers they do stand behind it 100%.

The down side is the wait.  With only one boywer, you will have to wait on a custom...but even the wait time is less than many others.

A couple others to consider, who's work is second to none, great folks to deal with, and prices start out very reasonable are Mike Treadaway of Black Forrest longbows and Roy Hall of Navajo.

Chad

[BobW]

I haven't read all the comments, but I have to say that I know of very few "off the rack' bows that will work for me (I draw 32"+).  Mine are all "custom".  None of my bows have exotic veneers, glitzy tip treatments, or other "eye candy", but still are custom as they were built to my specs.

So, to me, there is a difference, even without "eye candy".

[Maxximusgrind]

I would love to get a custom bow,but for now have an adequate arsenal of arrow launchers.I think another thing is value put on the name-like the harley thing,I dont think anyone is bashing either one,if you have a brand name that is a status symbol and you can afford to go get it,no problem.
My fav.hunting bow that I will look the best in a hero pic with will hopefully still have the 68dollar price tag on it.
But one of these days,When things turn back around I will probably buy a custom.
If I do it really wont be because the expense makes any sense at all,other than I want it and I can afford it.But for now I am unemployed,So I best not even look at one.
 Robert

[KentuckyTJ]

All subjective my friend. To me personally a truly hand made custom that you pick the woods for is definitely worth it.

[Spectre]

Originally posted by FubarFred:
Since I have a couple Harleys, am a HOG member, a couple production bows, and a custom or two, I think your question is kinda strange. Both my H-D's are fast, fast enough for me anyway as the speed limits in all the states I've ridden in can be matched +5mph, and I've been in most. The production bows, which include a Bear recurve, shoot the same. The customs shoot better, feel better, and in my opinion, look better. What I'm trying to say is that it depends on what you want out of something. Skinny strings, horn tips, limb bolts made from some critters antlers, and any other 'performance' enhancing item is in the eye of the owner. You don't have to understand why I like something.I might not understand why you do.
Fred....

It was just an analogy. As said, a trad bow is pretty slow when compared to the other design---and no matter what you do, or no matter how much dinero you drop on the trad bow, it is still only going to go so fast. If your getting anywhere near 200fps, you are at the extreme high-end of the spectrum.
Same with the scoot analogy. Didn't mean to offend you, as I ride too. It was simply the only way I could put it into words.

Of course, if it was all about speed, nobody would be hunting with a trad bow------or riding a Harley.

Sheesh...

[Hunter 709]

I am in the process of selling a production bow and am waiting for my new "used" custom to come in the mail. I am looking forward to the custom as I am a sucker for pretty wood. I agree with others that it is mainly personal preference and what you can afford. A well tuned production bow will definitely take out the lungs of a deer as good as a custom.

[LimbLover]

There are so many bowyers out there that ARE giving you both aesthetics and function for under $500. Because of this I'll probably never buy a production bow again. Nothing wrong with them, I just prefer to buy a bow made for me.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...ultimately, you aren't just paying for the bow, you are buying the bowyer and the community.

All you have to do is read threads like this to figure that out. People will defend their purchases passionately, even tenaciously at times.

...so buy a Bama!    

[GMMAT]

I look at it like this.....

The bow I shoot best is the bow I shoot best.  I wouldn't shoot one that was a custom "just because".  I also wouldn't rule out a bow, based on cost.

I feel like my bows are the best being produced, currently.....and I hope you feel the exact same way (about yours).  How much I spent on mine is irrelevant.  And...vice-versa.

[Lenny Stankowitz]

Originally posted by BobW:
I haven't read all the comments, but I have to say that I know of very few "off the rack' bows that will work for me (I draw 32"+).  Mine are all "custom".  None of my bows have exotic veneers, glitzy tip treatments, or other "eye candy", but still are custom as they were built to my specs.

So, to me, there is a difference, even without "eye candy".

80% of the "custom" bows won't work for you either as most custom bow designs aren't made for that long of a draw.

Now, on the flipside there are literally dozens of ILF risers out there that coupled with a set of long limbs will will work very well.  It really isn't about custom or production, it's about getting one that fits you.

It's kind of like saying that I have to have "custom" pants made because I have a 38 inch waist and all the size 34's on the rack wouldn't fit.  No, you just have to get a pair "off the rack" that fits.

 

[James Wrenn]

If you took an assortment in bows of varing prices  spray painted all black standing in a corner and shot them untill you found the best shooter you would probably be real surprised when you washed the black off.Most guys would leave with a different bow than there perfect bow they came with.    There are pretty bows and there are good shooting bows.Sometimes they are the same but not always and looks don't help the shooting end of things. jmo

[JC]

Originally posted by Lenny Stankowitz:
80% of the "custom" bows won't work for you either as most custom bow designs aren't made for that long of a draw.

Now, on the flipside there are literally dozens of ILF risers out there that coupled with a set of long limbs will will work very well.  

Well if 20% of the custom bows will work for him, that's at least as many if not more than "dozens of ILF risers". Custom ILF risers would be included in those custom bows you speak of too, right? ILF is a great format, but not any better than other construction for most shooters...even ones with long draws, in my opinion. That's speaking as an owner of both ILF and "conventional" custom bows.

[Lenny Stankowitz]

Originally posted by JC:

Custom ILF risers would be included in those custom bows you speak of too, right? ILF is a great format, but not any better than other construction for most shooters...even ones with long draws, in my opinion. That's speaking as an owner of both ILF and "conventional" custom bows

Not really JC.  

I can pick up a catalog and pick out a production ILF riser, a set of production ILF limbs and I have a bow that will work very well, at my draw length, at a very reasonalble price, at my door in less a week.

Sure, I guess if that's what you consider custom...

Pretty much anything I can buy out of a catalog, in stock, is what I consider "production."

[Bill Kissner]

I own 2 bear takedowns and several Martins recurves. At this timeI also have several custom bows from 3 different bowyers. I can say without prejudice that the customs I have are more stable, smoother drawing, and much better shooting bows. That does not mean the off the shelf bows are bad bows, IMO they are not equal to the customs in performance.

[JC]

That's what I mean Lenny, those are production bows....plenty of ILF custom bows that do the same thing the production bows do....and plenty of custom non-ILF bows that will work too. My point was, ILF is no better or worse than conventional...getting a bow to fit is not relegating oneself to ILF.

[BobW]

Originally posted by Spectre:
So, is it all about aesthetics, or is it a performance thing?

For some - aesthetics only, for some performance only, and for some - both....

This would make for an interesting topic in TBM's "Campfire Philosopher".

[WESTBROOK]

Lenny, MAYBE  Bob dont want an ILF, MAYBE he wants a 56" longbow(sounds funny) for hunting in a blind. There aint no shelf marked 56"Lb for 32" draw, custom is the only way.

Spectre, since you put Shrews in your target list, you can get a brand new one for $650. Thats far from from a premium price, if there was a U.S. made production Shrew I bet it would be real close to that price.

Dont think any one has mentioned grips yet, most bowyers will put any kind of grip you want on a  bow, within reason, that is one of the most important thing on a bow. If it dont fit into your hand the same every time...

Eric

[Lenny Stankowitz]

Apparently you were missing what I was saying JC, either that or I'm missing what you are saying.  

My point to BobW was that you don't have to buy a custom bow in order to get one to fit his long draw...you can simply order it from a catalog.

By the same token, just because you spend more and wait longer for a "custom", doesn't mean it's going to fit well.

I was only using ILF as one example of a production model.  

Which brings us back to the original question.

"But, really, is there so much of a difference in performance to warrant such a ginormous difference in the price tag between one of these and a production bow?"

To which I replied...

"no"

[Lenny Stankowitz]

Originally posted by WESTBROOK:
Lenny, MAYBE  Bob dont want an ILF, MAYBE he wants a 56" longbow(sounds funny) for hunting in a blind.

Eric

Maybe he does, that why we all gots choices...and opinions.

 :cool: