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Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Ssamac on October 30, 2009, 11:40:00 AM

Title: Check Mate Bows: Info Needed
Post by: Ssamac on October 30, 2009, 11:40:00 AM

Are Check Mate bows collectibles? I think they are still being made.
Is there much difference between their standard bow and the deluxe models aside from some fancy woodwork?
How do they shoot?
How do they compare to a Bear or a Wing Archery bow?
Have a chance to get a couple.

Thanks
sam

Title: Re: Check Mate Bows: Info Needed
Post by: Blackhawk on October 30, 2009, 12:53:00 PM

Chek-Mate bows are made in British Columbia, Canada by bowyer Marc Moriez. He also makes the bows for Steve Gorr's Cascade bows which include the BEST short recurve (48" and 52") on the market.  All Chek-Mates are high quality and perform comparably to any other custom bows.

I've never heard much about the collectibility, but that could change if he quits making them.  

There's a recent thread on PowWow about Marc introducing a sleeker, slimmer riser that looks really cool and should prove popular.

With the exchange rate, it makes the bow an even better deal.  

My opinion is that Chek-mates are under rated, most likely becuase of Canada-made and Marc does no big-time advertising.  Most folks who shoot them like them...me include.

Title: Re: Check Mate Bows: Info Needed
Post by: Warberg on October 30, 2009, 01:03:00 PM

Learn a lot on this site. Thanks Lon. Lon know anything about the LP I Listed for info, by chance?

Title: Re: Check Mate Bows: Info Needed
Post by: Blackhawk on October 30, 2009, 01:31:00 PM

Chad, check your original thread about this.  Good find!

Title: Re: Check Mate Bows: Info Needed
Post by: Ssamac on October 30, 2009, 01:35:00 PM

Thanks Lon. They do seem relatively inexpensive. I thought that they were factory made but if I understand you correctly, they are more like a custom bow. That's nice to know. Will the base model shoot pretty much like a deluxe model or is there a big difference up and down the line?

Sam

Title: Re: Check Mate Bows: Info Needed
Post by: Blackhawk on October 30, 2009, 04:36:00 PM

They will shoot pretty much the same with the only difference being the selection of exotic woods, special tips, corewood, veneers, etc..which only make it look nicer (cooler).  Perfomance would be comparable.  

That's pretty much like any custom bow.  Example:  Wes Wallace's top of the line Mentor shoots no better than his Stealth (which is Wes's lesser economy version.)

Title: Re: Check Mate Bows: Info Needed
Post by: Ssamac on October 30, 2009, 05:01:00 PM

Thanks Lon
I'll let you know how I like them
Sam

Title: Re: Check Mate Bows: Info Needed
Post by: Blackhawk on October 30, 2009, 06:33:00 PM

Unfortunately, some folks believe they're not getting a top quality bow unless they pay $1200.  Finding a quality bow like the Chek-Mate at half that price makes some folks turn up their noses.

Title: Re: Check Mate Bows: Info Needed
Post by: Ssamac on October 30, 2009, 07:11:00 PM

Well I'm a pretty simple guy and just interested in something that works. I'd like to compare this to my Red Wing Hunter, same weight and length. I've always been a fan of Wing bows and think they are a real value too.

Thanks for your help
sam