Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Bob Baur on October 14, 2013, 02:40:00 PM
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Help me pick my next Longbow.
I grew up shooting my grandfathers flatbow & when in my teens the compound came of age & I switched to it hunting for many years. The joy went out of archery with it & it was just a tool that I picked up the week before deer season & hung up soon as it was over till next year. Then one day a buddy asked if I was interesting in buying an old Bear recurve that belonged to his dad. Archery became fun again but I decided that I wanted a longbow. Believing in buying the best you can afford I went with a Black Widow LAG which has served me well for over 10yrs.
In my area there are no traditional archery shops & I know no one else that shoots traditional archery. Consequently while I have a great deal of experience I am “bow stupid” having only ever shot 3 different trad bows in my life.
I apologize for the long wind up but I wanted to let y’all know where I am coming from. I have the urge to get a new bow. While I love my BW I am looking for a sweet shooting silky smooth longbow. I do plan to keep the BW for hunting though, hard to beat its performance.
I realize this is a very subjective topic & there is no substitute for trying out different bows but my ability to do that is nonexistent. Only other consideration is I am tall & need a longer bow because of my 31” draw length.
Price is always a consideration but I am willing to spend what I need to spend.
Any insights. thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Bob
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My favorite is a Morrison Shawnee with carbon foam limbs. Super smooth and quiet(probably faster too!)
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Hey Bob, where in Ky are you?
I have a couple of Crooked Stic LB's that you'd be welcome to shoot.
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I'm in WIlliamstown, its about 1/2 way between Lexington & Cincinnati.
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toelke whip.
smooth and sweet.
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I really l ike Fox long bows & the Howard Hill longbow.
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Please give Chad Francis at Lost Creek Bows a call...He builds that smooth drawing hard hitting bow you are looking for!
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I'd take a long hard look at JD berry archery. There are alot of great bows and bowyers but for my money it is JD Berry bows. And the performance is there too so no need to worry about that for hunting
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I build longbows but, That said, just about any of the bowyers that are sponsers build great , high quality longbows that will satisfy the most demanding. I could name most of them but do not want to leave any out.
God bless in your search:
Steve
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If you like your BW and are looking for a Longbow...I would take a serious look at Kent's bows from TimberGhost archery. His belly mounted longbows are amazing!
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Take a look at a Big Jim's buffalo bow.
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I have a 70" 21st Century longbow that is super smooth and fast. Might want to look at them.
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Are you looking for another R/D bow like the Widow or a more traditional straight limbed Hill style bow ???
Lots of difference in the two styles yet both are called longbows..
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Personally, I'd pick up a couple of used ones off the classifieds here - maybe an aggresive r/d longbow from any of the sponsors on here and a l-o-n-g "D" type and see which you like better. You can always sell the "3rd place finisher" after you make up your mind or you will like them all and not be able to part with one :) )
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Good luck, I recently made the switch to longbows. I have been able to try out quite a few and have really enjoyed mohawk bows and holm made osprey. I shoot 31" as well, and I would recommend at least 66" in mohawks and a 64" holm made osprey/goshawk. I have been really impressed on how the osprey shoots, and would venture it isn't much slower than my recurves.
I love shooting the longbows, something about them.
There are so many awesome bows out there, and guys like Sixby make stable bows that really shoot a fast arrow...from what I hear!
Good luck!
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Big Jim Buffalo is my favorite longbow. I had a LAG a few years ago and for me the Buffalo is big notch above it.
Big Jim is easy to work with and has a bunch of options and offers several great looking woods without added cost.
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I have to throw out Raptor Archery as a suggestion. Ted makes fantastic bows, self or backed, composite, straight or R/D, even very nice English Long Bows. And there is just something special about holding a real piece of wood in your hands that was hand crafted just for you that makes you want to shoot it every free minute you have.
If you are not sure exactly what you want though, I would also say to get some used ones. You can usually sell them again for about the same price as you got them. It's really the best way to find out what you truly love. Good luck. Let us all know what you end up with.
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Second Morrison Shawnee! Also look at Mark Hornes Traditionalist and brush bows. I would not discount a Tomahawk either
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You can't go wrong with a Heart Land Bow. Cory makes a quiet, smooth and pretty bow. Excellent communication between buyer and builder. The BEST experience I'v had with a bowyer. Bowyer is Cory Engert 402-672-0300.
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I am in your position now, Im the best and worst shot with a longbow I know. I have only shot 2 longbows but my second hand toelke whip is a keeper. Maybe a 64" would be adequate for your draw? I also suggest buying used.
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Go for the gusto - Howard Hill and shortly followed by a Northern Mist. These are great longbows.
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I love my Osage and Elm custom Maddog, shoots sweet and fast, and didn't cost a fortune. Mike will make them plain Jane or fancy, they are all shooters.
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Big Jim Thunderchild if you want a short, smooth longbow
Northern Mist Classic if you want a Classic American flatbow styled longbow
Ed Scott Owl if you prefer more of a Primitive bow
Stalker Longbow if you want a longbow that has more of a recurve grip
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Big Jim Thunderchild if you want a short, smooth longbow
Northern Mist Classic if you want a Classic American flatbow styled longbow
Ed Scott Owl if you prefer more of a Primitive bow
Stalker Longbow if you want a longbow that has more of a recurve grip
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Black Widow PL . An improvement over the LAG and the performance is hard to beat. Big Jim Buffalo bow and the Wes Wallace Royal, are good ones too.
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Originally posted by Sixby:
I build longbows but, That said, just about any of the bowyers that are sponsers build great , high quality longbows that will satisfy the most demanding. I could name most of them but do not want to leave any out.
God bless in your search:
Steve
Steve, that is truly the definitive answer to this often-asked question
DDave
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caribow Peregrine 66" is something to look at if you like a pretty bow
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My favorite bow on this earth is my Sarrels Blueridge takedown longbow. Take a look at Bob's bow and see what you think!
www.sarrelsarchery.com (http://www.sarrelsarchery.com)
Bisch
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The Peregrine is only available in 62 inch length...the Featherhorn is Abe's longer longbow
DDave
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Try the classifieds. I sold a custom made 59'er that was one awesomely crafted bow, but I could not shoot it well (all me, not the bow).I picked up a Leon Stewart Slammer Special that I shot extremely well from the first arrow.
I got it for 1/2 what a new one would cost, thinking I could sell it for what I paid for it if I did not like it.
It's not going anywhere! I would certainly buy a new one if I was in the market.
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I just recently got a Byron Ferguson Safari 66" long 61# @ 28"
This is the best bow that I have ever shot in my more than 50yrs. of shooting .
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check out these bows.... i have a few in stock too...Kirk
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bows%202012/Big%20Foot%20Obsidian/768withbows.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bows%202012/Big%20Foot%20Obsidian/768withbows.jpg.html)
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bows%202012/Big%20Foot%20Obsidian/LaramysMountainLion3.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bows%202012/Big%20Foot%20Obsidian/LaramysMountainLion3.jpg.html)
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bows%202012/Flatliner/SANY0051.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bows%202012/Flatliner/SANY0051.jpg.html)
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bows%202012/Flatliner/SANY0028-3.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bows%202012/Flatliner/SANY0028-3.jpg.html)
These are just the D shaped long bows.... I have a hybrid long bow series too....
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If super smooth is the goal and still have longbow pointabilities, I would put my money on the JD Berry Appollo or Taipan.
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Originally posted by Brianlocal3:
I'd take a long hard look at JD berry archery. There are alot of great bows and bowyers but for my money it is JD Berry bows. And the performance is there too so no need to worry about that for hunting
amazing bows the JD Berrys, they are cheap and the wait isn't that long too.
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I've shot a lot of r/d longbows and my favorites by far have been 60" Pronghorns. They have a well-deserved reputation for soft, quiet shooting and still have good speed.
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Smooth as silk= Javaman Falcon (or his longer version with your draw)
Performance = Centaur
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I really appreciate all the replies! Y’all have made me aware of some awesome bowyers that I did not even know existed. Unfortunately all you did was make the choosing more difficult! :knothead:
I guess there really is no substitute for shooting it so I guess my next step is to just start to buy bows until I land on one that suits me.
I just purchased a Contributing membership to check out the classifieds. My druthers is a new bow but used might be a good way to gain some experience.
Do many bowyers have a test drive program like Black Widow? That may be another option for me.
Once again I am much appreciative of the knowledge y’all are sharing.
Bob
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I've not yet had the privilege of shooting one of Kirks or Sixby's bows.
That said, if I was to buy a new longbow my point of focus would be the close interaction with the bowyer insuring the communication necessary for a truly "custom" bow. These two guys are on here regularly and a wealth of information. I'd flip a coin and give one a call.
There are too many great bowyers out there to wade through the anecdotal evidence. Good luck.
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the thing to do is decide what kind of grip you like, recurve style or the old longbow style, I personally like the recurve style grip; I seem to get a better fit and get the same grip on the bow everytime, given these requirements then choose from a host of different bows, I like Toelke and stalkers just to name 2
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take a look at a kanati. i looked at one and have stopped looking. best bow that i have ever shot and i have shot a bunch
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Originally posted by Kirkll:
check out these bows.... i have a few in stock too...Kirk
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bows%202012/Big%20Foot%20Obsidian/768withbows.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bows%202012/Big%20Foot%20Obsidian/768withbows.jpg.html)
These aren't really my style of long bows, but how about that knife? You aren't by any chance selling that are you?
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Bob you can go to the (Sponser Links) section on Tradgang and take a look at a plethora of Bowyers with longbows available.
It would certainly be hard to narrow it down to just a few with so many options and choices.
You will see many members shoot and prefer all kinds of different style longbows for various reasons.You will get all kinds of recommndations here and they will be good bows.Many good bows wont be mentioned at all.
Its good to do some research and possibly go to a traditional shoot and actually try many different bows and see if you can find a bow that suits.
They do have some traditional shoots in kentucky in the Summer to attend.Cloverdale IN. may not be that far from you well and they have a show in June
The Classifieds as you mentioned is certainly a great place to find a qulaity bow at a reasonable price while you look for a Custom one made for yourself.
Your choices may be limited by your 31 inch draw length.Some bows will be to short for you IMO.
Good luck
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jd berry .get one .top of the line in d bows hhill style.
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I'm in Georgetown, probably about 30 minutes away and have a Thunderchild and a Shrew that should handle your draw length fine. My archery elk hunt starts Saturday but after that I'd be happy to make you dinner and let you shoot my bows. You got to bring the beer though! :)
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Liberty Bows Edge
http://www.libertybows.net/Edge.php
I have a lot of recurves & longbows, this one is by far my favorite :thumbsup:
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Toelke Super D, Toelke Lynx are awesome. From what I've read, Leon Stewart Slammer LS or the LS R/D longbows are excellent too!
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Chuck at Two Tracks will do you right. The Longwalker gets my recommendation. :thumbsup:
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I'm a JD Berry fan. Great bows, good bowyer to do business with, reasonable cost. His American styled bows are smoking.
Good luck on your quest... it is fun!
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Check out the Legends Bows Cyclone!! I love my mine! Gorgeous and such a smooth shooting bow. Www.legendsbows.com (http://Www.legendsbows.com)
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Originally posted by Biathlonman:
You got to bring the beer though! :)
Beer?!?! What kinda Kentuckian are you??? I'll bring the Bourbon!!! :thumbsup:
Seriously though, that is a very generous offer & I thank you. I would be delighted to try your bows out & would be happy to bring the beer :)
Another poster asked the question of the type of bow that I prefer. While I love all types & styles of bows my preference for my next bow is a R/D longbow with a recurve style well sculpted riser.
That said I am strongly interested in a Hill style longbow as well & will most likely purchase one of each.
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Originally posted by Blueridge:
Black Widow PL . An improvement over the LAG and the performance is hard to beat. Big Jim Buffalo bow and the Wes Wallace Royal, are good ones too.
X2 Once I got my PL and a PLV my LAG has not been out the house.
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I think you'd like the new hybrid longbow from Tall Tines archery.