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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Michael Arnette on December 02, 2013, 05:54:00 AM

Title: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Michael Arnette on December 02, 2013, 05:54:00 AM: Guys, Who makes the best short bows 52"-56"
I caught the short bow bug again after finding an affordable vintage Kmag to try this late season. I remember going through this terrible trade off and settling on longer bows when I first started in traditional with longbows and thought I had settled this. Frustrating and exciting at the same time.
What do you guys have to say about short 52"-56" recurves and how they shoot.
I have shot TallTines 62" bows for the last 5 years and really like them but am considering shorter bows for next season after banging around and missing some shots due to long limbs in the treestand.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: ishoot4thrills on December 02, 2013, 06:00:00 AM: Uh.....Browning? I have a 56" Wasp that smokes an arrow and shoots great.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: bentpole on December 02, 2013, 06:12:00 AM: How about a Black Widow PSR? Depending on your draw length a Widow KB would be my choice.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Don Batten on December 02, 2013, 06:13:00 AM: Lee Hoots would be my first choice.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: sticksnstones on December 02, 2013, 06:49:00 AM: The only really short recurve I ever liked was a 50" Ambush from Two Tracks.
Thom
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Gator1 on December 02, 2013, 07:01:00 AM: I would look at the RER Arroyo.

54 inch with static tips good Short bow smooth and quiet.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Jayrod on December 02, 2013, 07:03:00 AM: Just my thought but call Brian at Tall tines and have em make you a 58" bow I know he made one for uncle b "Barry Wensel" cause of his height...sorry Barry!! And having clearance from the tree stand
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: jt85 on December 02, 2013, 07:10:00 AM: The Toelke Chinook is worth looking at.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Piratkey on December 02, 2013, 07:14:00 AM: RER , BIGFOOT , TOELKE
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: mahantango on December 02, 2013, 07:42:00 AM: Shrew, Hoots, Big Jim's Thunderchild. Can't go wrong with any of these.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: nineworlds9 on December 02, 2013, 07:54:00 AM: My choice would be Hoots; handles a long draw like no other short recurve Ive tried, and quiet for a recurve.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Bowwild on December 02, 2013, 08:13:00 AM: If I were buying it would be a Cascade or Morrison. I like some "meat" in the riser.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: hunthold on December 02, 2013, 08:42:00 AM: If your draw is 28" or less, the best limb clearance treestand/butt on ground recurve would be rodney wrights stalker. (40"s strung). Stable little bow and quiet.
The only other recurve in your 52"-56" range that "i" have shot that impressed me with smoothness and great cast was toelkes kestral. (48"s strung).great bow! A 50" sheepeater static would suit you well too. Fast, quiet and good for a long draw.
If it was a longbow you were looking for, I could name a "bunch"...
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: FerretWYO on December 02, 2013, 08:45:00 AM: Herb Mealand of Pronghorn.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Ray Lyon on December 02, 2013, 08:58:00 AM: why not stay with the Kmag??? I've got a 1962 Kmag and I love it. I shot a nice doe from a tight treestand last month. I'm using a 56" Super Shrew, 60" 1971 Super Kodiak and a 64" 1957 Kodiak. If I need a short bow, I reach for the Kmag. It's quiet and shoots great for me and is super handy.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: D. Key on December 02, 2013, 09:07:00 AM: My choice would be the Toelke 52" Kestral.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: 59Alaskan on December 02, 2013, 09:13:00 AM: absolutely love my 56" Hill Country Cree.

I typically like longer bows, but this bow has definitely earned a spot for me. I am working my way out of anything less than 62" except this bow...for some reason it just shoots well for me where I wasn't able to consistently handle other shorter bows (I have a 29" draw).

Many good ones to choose from. One day I will pick up an old Browning Wasp. I have heard nothing but good about them.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Jim Wright on December 02, 2013, 09:16:00 AM: The Toelke 52" "Kestral" is a jewel of a short recurve! I draw 29 1/2" and have shot a couple of them at Dan's place, like all his bows they are well-mannered and exceptionally quiet and in addition they are very quick. I believe on his website (www.montanabows.com) there is still a picture of Jared at his 29" full draw showing the working tips. I am admittedly a shameless Toelke fan but Pete Ward did do a review of one a few years ago and gave it rave reviews along with chronograph results that you can read.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Bob Morrison on December 02, 2013, 09:31:00 AM: We have a 52" ILF. That you can use several different Manufactures limbs with.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: SELFBOW19953 on December 02, 2013, 09:41:00 AM: X2 on the Two Tracks Ambush!!
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: nineworlds9 on December 02, 2013, 09:51:00 AM: I feel the need to follow up..If super short is your goal the Kestrel is a fine bow with a super grip and ace craftsmanship. I dont know what you draw, I owned and sold one and IMHO 29-29.5" is its absolute limit for a comfortable draw. If you're willing to go longer than 52", say 56" the Hoots will blow your mind on smoothness, it'll easily go 31" and not feel like its hitting a wall. Also, while I haven't personally shot either of these- the Sheepeater Spirit is a super shorty and also one of our very own Tradangers, Cody makes both 43" and 46" super shorties! Check out his site Tenbrook Archery.

+1 for Morrison if you're going the ILF route.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Kip on December 02, 2013, 09:55:00 AM: I took my 70's model K Mag out of retirement since I have bought a few ground blinds.It also works fine in a tree stand also.Killed my first bowkill deer with it in 1976.Kip
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Mike Mecredy on December 02, 2013, 09:55:00 AM: I haven't held one, but only seen pictures, but honestly I'm intrigued by this post By Tenbrook. http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=132226#000000

It looks like a good recurve, it's being drawn to 29" and the length is 43". Might be worth looking at.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: sunny hill archer on December 02, 2013, 09:57:00 AM: Lee Hoots
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: pitt98 on December 02, 2013, 10:24:00 AM: Kempf Kwyk Styk, 54" or 56".
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: tracker12 on December 02, 2013, 10:49:00 AM: I sure like the look of those Hoot Bows. But for the price hard to beat and old Bear K Mag.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Bladepeek on December 02, 2013, 10:50:00 AM: This is a right hander and I'm now shooting lefty. Chuck at Two Tracks is going to get an order for a lefty Ambush soon as I can get the nickels scraped together. 50" and perfect for a tight blind.

(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/bladepeek/Archery/Two%20Tracks%20Ambush/AS8.jpg) (http://s299.photobucket.com/user/bladepeek/media/Archery/Two%20Tracks%20Ambush/AS8.jpg.html)

(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/bladepeek/Archery/Two%20Tracks%20Ambush/AS2.jpg) (http://s299.photobucket.com/user/bladepeek/media/Archery/Two%20Tracks%20Ambush/AS2.jpg.html)

(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/bladepeek/Archery/Two%20Tracks%20Ambush/AS3.jpg) (http://s299.photobucket.com/user/bladepeek/media/Archery/Two%20Tracks%20Ambush/AS3.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Steelhead on December 02, 2013, 10:54:00 AM: The Toelke Kestral is a superb one at 52 inches.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Mike Vines on December 02, 2013, 11:24:00 AM: 50" Ambush by TwoTracks. I'm a longbow guy, but I love my Ambush.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Spurs on December 02, 2013, 12:12:00 PM: 54" pch widow is awesome!!
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Stone Knife on December 02, 2013, 12:15:00 PM: My 54" Bob Lee is second to none :readit:
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Prairie Drifter on December 02, 2013, 01:48:00 PM: I'll have to add Mike at Maddog as he has the 54" Kaliska. Also Jess at Sierra blanca bows. He has bows from 48" on up, based on the old Rocky Mtn Recurve design. I have bows from both and they are great bows. I have to say I am a short bow nut as the longest bow I own is 54". I have tried a lot of bows but stick w/ these two bowyers.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: on December 02, 2013, 02:23:00 PM: I have a 52"52 pounder Pearson right hander that I now wish was a left hander. With a tab it shoots pretty nice for me; if it was a lefty, it would see a lot more use.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: JEFF B on December 02, 2013, 03:03:00 PM: my 50# samick Horse Bow i love it
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: KENDALL TECHAU on December 02, 2013, 03:23:00 PM: I have a 52" Bears Paw T.D. that I really like. Worth taking a look at.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Gen273 on December 02, 2013, 04:08:00 PM: TimberGhost 52 inch static tip

Cascade is a good short bow as well.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Whitetail Chaser on December 02, 2013, 05:27:00 PM: I'll throw in a vote for Hoots as well. Mine is 56 inches and smooth as butter. Pretty quick too.

I would be very interested in a 56 inch Widow KB if I were in the market for another shorty bow.

Brett
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: doubleo on December 02, 2013, 09:44:00 PM: I have a 54" RER Arroyo that is a great bow. The short TimberGhosts are sweet looking bows.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: KAZ on December 02, 2013, 09:46:00 PM: 54" Black Widow KB...
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Hermon on December 02, 2013, 10:03:00 PM: 54" Wild Horse Creek Mariah
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Stumpkiller on December 02, 2013, 10:13:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by ishoot4thrills:
Uh.....Browning? I have a 56" Wasp that smokes an arrow and shoots great.
I draw 29-3/4" and my short bow is a 56" Browning Wasp. Any shorter and, for me, the finger pinch is unpleasant. Quite a bow (good looking, fast and quiet...able) and if you are patient can still be had for $85 or so. Probably the best deal in recurves at present.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Meateater on December 02, 2013, 10:38:00 PM: I have had excellent experience with Fedora 52 and 56 bows. They are smooth and very forgiving. My draw length is only 26 inches though.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: JDunlap on December 02, 2013, 11:12:00 PM: I've heard good things about the Bob Lee Dark Archer--short, fast, smooth is what I've heard. Haven't shot one but those who have can chime in.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Gordon martiniuk on December 03, 2013, 12:46:00 AM: I have a 54" trophy hunter stealth Jack made it shoots very well ,, my 68 k mag does not near as good a shooter,
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: tenbrook on December 03, 2013, 09:26:00 AM: I make a 43" Recurve that you might want to consider as an option....They are amazing little bows!

http://www.tenbrookarchery.com/recurves.html

(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN2757_zpse89c88e0.jpg) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/matter_daddy/media/DSCN2757_zpse89c88e0.jpg.html)

(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN2774_zpsfa28a6ec.jpg) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/matter_daddy/media/DSCN2774_zpsfa28a6ec.jpg.html)

(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN2776_zpsdb0c42d7.jpg) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/matter_daddy/media/DSCN2776_zpsdb0c42d7.jpg.html)

(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN2784_zpsee2f7d71.jpg) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/matter_daddy/media/DSCN2784_zpsee2f7d71.jpg.html)

(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN2779_zpse1fa51d3.jpg) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/matter_daddy/media/DSCN2779_zpse1fa51d3.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: KentuckyTJ on December 03, 2013, 10:08:00 AM: Bob Morrison
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: 30coupe on December 03, 2013, 01:29:00 PM: I haven't shot a Kestrel, but if my Chinook is any indication, I'd have to say go with a Toelke bow. Mine is quick, quiet, smooth and the craftsmanship is first rate.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Achilles1 on December 03, 2013, 10:47:00 PM
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on December 03, 2013, 11:14:00 PM: I build my Yeti at 52"-54" & 56" . The unique part about this design is that it shoots at a lower brace height than most shorty's do and they maintain a good string angle too.

Here are a pair of 52" TD Yeti's

(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bows%202012/TD%20Yeti%20RC/IMAG0487.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bows%202012/TD%20Yeti%20RC/IMAG0487.jpg.html)

(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bows%202012/TD%20Yeti%20RC/IMAG0498.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bows%202012/TD%20Yeti%20RC/IMAG0498.jpg.html)

(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bows%202012/TD%20Yeti%20RC/IMAG0503.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bows%202012/TD%20Yeti%20RC/IMAG0503.jpg.html)

(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bows%202012/TD%20Yeti%20RC/IMAG0500.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bows%202012/TD%20Yeti%20RC/IMAG0500.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: ozy clint on December 04, 2013, 05:46:00 AM: what about the border ghille dhu. that one yononindo posted about looked amazing and no doubt shoots as good as it looks.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: rbcorbitt on December 04, 2013, 08:19:00 AM: Check out the post on PW by pete p titled "Micro Static and a 250# whitetail" about Recon46 and 47 by bowyer JD Lund of Whisperstick Bows.

I have tested both sizes and can easily handle draw length of 29 1/2" ! Neat bows!
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: KSCATTRAPR on December 04, 2013, 08:53:00 AM: Wild Horse Creek Mariah recurve. I have a 54" and it shoots and looks amazing. Mike makes a heck of a bow.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Mike Falkner on December 04, 2013, 09:37:00 AM: I've owned three good short bows. Wasp, Kmag (still have it, killed my first bow deer with it), and RER Arroyo. The Wasp was probably the coolest and was my first "real" bow. Kmag has the best grip, and the new-to-me Arroyo is a smooth, quiet screamer that I'm still working on tuning.

I like short bows - I'm 5'8. But I draw a solid 28"; with the Kmag I need to stagger my string fingers a little to avoid string pinch. I just relax my ring finger a little and put the weight on my middle finger (thanks Joebuck); makes for a smoother release.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: tarponnut on December 04, 2013, 10:34:00 AM: Mike Dunnaway at Wild Horse Creek bows makes an awesome short recurve called the Mariah, it's 54". He's one of the best bowyers to work with, too. I'm ordering one in early 2014 for turkeys.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Paul_R on December 04, 2013, 11:20:00 AM: Realizing this is shameless self promotion since I have one for sale I'm going with Two Tracks Ambush! :thumbsup:

Awesome little bow.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: leatherneck on December 04, 2013, 01:09:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by Don Batten:
Lee Hoots would be my first choice.
x2 I have shot several and the HOOTS is my choice. They are fast,quiet,and well made.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Dave Worden on December 05, 2013, 07:50:00 AM: 54" Shakespeare Super Necedah. I've been shooting mine for 40 years.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: 15andin on December 06, 2013, 12:57:00 AM: You like your Tall Tines, why not call Brian and see what you could get down to? Depending on what riser length you have you might be able to get down to 58". I just had him make me a shorter set this summer and I couldn't be happier with the new shorter limbs.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Fattony77 on December 06, 2013, 03:20:00 AM: Michael, I was gonna mention how good those Tenbrook bows looked for a recurve, as well as the Timberghost w/ static tip limbs. My latest fascination & next on my wish list is a short longbow & I've been looking REALLY hard at the Timberghost. He's located in Springdale, AR so I've been thinking that that's not a very far drive & if he ever gets any in-stock bows, I'd take a little road trip & check it out. I think Springdale might even be closer to Claremore than it is for me. Just a thought... :D
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Roger Norris on December 06, 2013, 07:19:00 AM: My Shrew Li'l Favorite recurve is the best of the breed, IMHO.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: ghoster808 on December 07, 2013, 12:54:00 AM: I have a 56" Striker TDL that I really like, accurate and hard hitting. If you like a low mass weight bow this is a good 'un.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: R.V.T.B. on December 07, 2013, 07:22:00 AM: Stay with Bear. Get one of the new takedowns, an "A" riser with #1 limbs will give you a 56" bow.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: Hoser1268 on December 07, 2013, 11:32:00 PM: Here are 2 54" Morrison bow's one longbow and recurve. (http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q87/hoser1268/Morrison%20Bows/IMAG0177.jpg) (http://s134.photobucket.com/user/hoser1268/media/Morrison%20Bows/IMAG0177.jpg.html) (http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q87/hoser1268/Morrison%20Bows/009.jpg) (http://s134.photobucket.com/user/hoser1268/media/Morrison%20Bows/009.jpg.html)
I love these bows and they shoot great.
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: WESTBROOK on December 07, 2013, 11:41:00 PM: Java Man :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Who makes the best short recurve?
Post by: elkken on December 07, 2013, 11:43:00 PM: Best one I have ever had was a Cascade 52" Nighthawk Magnum ... smoothest short bow I have ever drawn ... phenolic riser and yew limbs ... sweet !!