Most Underated bow you own......and overated

[LongStick64]

Ok guys let us make remarks based on experience please. Like most of us I've probably bought, sold and traded enough to get an idea of whether or not a bow deserves the hype. And probably there are many more that deserve more than what the big boys get in terms of accolades. I've had bows that cost me 1200 and I found them not one bit better than a 500 Hill made by Craig, in fact the Hill had much better craftsmanship.

[pdk25]

Most underrated, RER vortex TD longbow with the bowbolt.  Not many of them out there, but it's my go to bow.  Most overrated, I'd rather not say in a public forum.

[jackdaw]

The Mahaska recurve for under $500.00 is a stellar performer,and in my opinion underrated. Another I would have to put in the way underrated catagory would be the Kohannah take-down recurve. That bow has TONS on bang for the buck....maybe the best I've seen. Don't know if I can even think of an overrated bow. Different strokes for different folks there....My opinion

[Diamond Paul]

Most underrated would be my Wes Wallace recurve; I'm not sure his bows are really underrated, but they don't get the press of something like a Widow (which is a good bow, too).  Most overrated, and this is for me only, is the Dalaa (DAS) recurve.  Many people absolutely love them, but I tried one for the second time (first time I bought just the riser and aftermarket limbs; this time I let 3Rivers set whole thing up for me), and I can't tune this bow.  I have tried every adjustment and just about every size arrow I can find, but everything kicks left out of it for me.  Like I said, they must be good bows cause many people swear by them, but it is the only unshootable bow (for me) that I've ever messed with.

[chuckbow]

i love em all ,but have a hornes, 1 piece long bow ,that really, really never stops amazing me, i picked up used for 200. none overated overated for me i also have a SAG osage that i dearly love smokes an arrow and a pleasure to shoot it was also used and not expensive considering.if its a trad bow i like em!

[bear1336]

Under rated the Chek Mates and the Bob Lees. I have owned 2 Chek Mates and a Bob Lee both nice handling bows. I just perfer RER and Bear bows.

[30coupe]

Some of this is kind of comparing apples and oranges. Those 60s Bear bows were certainly not underrated in their day, though they may be under-appreciated 40-50 years after their day. The same could have been said for the Pearsons and other fine production bows of that era. Saying a 50 year-old production bow is underrated while a current, custom (or semi-custom) bow is overrated is hardly a fair comparison.

I couldn't afford a Bear bow back in the early 70s, so I bought a Herter's Model Perfection 56" 50# @ 28" recurve. I passed it on to my eldest son, and it is still slinging arrows today in spite of it's $37.50 price tag when new. I think the Bears were 10 to 15 dollars higher at the time. I just couldn't scrape up that much cash at the time. I guess that means the Herter's was underrated.

As far as overrated, I have shot some high dollar bows that didn't work for me (including Black Widow). Others are more than happy to pay the cost because those bows fit them to perfection. The bows that have fit me the best have been some relatively inexpensive ones as custom bows go: JK Traditions Kanati and Dryad Orion. Both are great values. Are they underrated? Not by me!

It's a good thing we DON'T all like the same bows!

My wife's 56" Darton, my old 72" six lam Bear Kodiak.

[Raging Water]

Most underated: Assenheimer

 


Most unknown but awesome:

Arnold Smit V Archery

 

Most inovative and cool looking:

My Son's Kajikstick and Mojostick by JD Lund

     

[jhg]

Under-rated: Seven Lakes Longbow.

Most over-rated? I have shot a lot of bows and what I found is some fit and some don't and there are a lot of mediocre bows and only a few really nice ones.
It seems that even if the bow does not really "fit" me, if its one of those nice ones I can shoot it well too. If anything a bow should be smooth drawing and mild mannered even if its a performer.

Joshua

[ckanous]

I'm with the Ben Pearson group for UNDER-RATED!!! And don't think I have found an over-rated one yet, but I will let you know if I do!

[Arwin]

Originally posted by ckanous:
I'm with the Ben Pearson group for UNDER-RATED!!!

Wow there are quite a few of us, LOL!   :cool:

[Friend]

The problem is I love all bows. Still reminisce about the many stick bows I made as a child. Can't recall seeing kids do that anymore. My favorite bows of all times have always been the ones that fit me. Thank goodness most don't.

[Matt D.]

Sentman longbows get my vote for the most under-rated.

[Two Arrows]

Question, who cares?? This is totally subjective, based on opinions that don't mean or prove anything. This argument will go on forever and will never be resolved, because there is no definite answer, just pure speculation.

[James on laptop]

Overrated to me are most bows that have 10 different kinds of fancy wood in them and cost over $500.    Not my cup of tea since most times they shoot no different than a cheaper model and shooting qualites are my goal when buying bows.Once you get over about 4 or $500 in a bow you are paying for looks and it adds nothing to the shooting of the bow.
  I also agree about the Hill bows.No way they would ever sell if they did not have the Howard Hill name on them.  :D  

Underrated would be some of the imports in recurves and 21st Century in longbows.Both of these give lots of shooting for there value.

[House]

Who cares?  I guess I care. I have found this to be a very interesting topic.  If you don't care, don't read (and respond) to this.  I feel that there are many underrted bows.  I love my Dwyer, my Fox's and my Orion, but not too sure any of them are underrated.  As far as overrated, can't really say.  Never shot a widow that fit "me" very well, but not to say they aren't the cats meow for many other people, which they obviously are.
This is purely an opinion thread and if you are afraid of reading that someone else doesn't share the same opinion as you then don't read it!
I personally like opinion threads...Good luck this season to all

Travis

[COLongbow]

I agree with you, Travis, 100%
I guess I'm not experienced enough in trad to have a viable opinion. All I know is that after shooting by my count 12 different makes of bow, my Lost Creek is by far the best shooting bow I've experienced. Shot a couple BW's and was....underwhelmed. Still want a PTF though for some reason. Diaper budget won't support ordering one new.

[crotch horn]

I'm with Colongbow on the Lost Creeks. Not sure they are under rated as much as not well known YET! I have 2 of Chads bows and love them both. The other I would like to mention is Ed Mikuta. He makes great shooting bows and if you ask guys who have them they are shooters.
Over rated for me are Palmers. Had one and shot it well, but did nothing for me. Giving it the rating more for very poor customer service which to me is an absolute no no.

[frassettor]

Originally posted by pdk25:
 

Originally posted by frassettor:
   

Originally posted by tecum-tha:
 BW in my opinion, overpriced CNC-produced plywood with a lot of advertising to create demand
      :D      

That comment really shows a lack of class.        [/b]

Maybe a bit harsh, but I don't think low class.  It's his opinion about a bow that he thinks is overrated, which is the topic. [/b]

Your right, my apologies. Thanks for bringing that into perspective for me.