Comparing a 56" BW pchx 40@27 to my 42@28" 54" PIKA at my 26.5" draw length I was within a few fps of arrow combinations I tried in them---not enough to matter to me.  I'll take the Toelke hands down any day as I much prefer the feel of the PIKA and how smooth it shoots.  Performance is so close that it would not be a factor for me in choosing between the 2, just boils down to what I like the best.  I only whitetail hunt and 3d shoot with these bows and have had no issues getting trajectory I like and penetration has never been an issue ---at my rather short draw length so I don't ever see myself chasing speed.  I gravitate toward bows that I just seem to shoot the best and the Pika is one of them.  If you're looking for a bit more speed in a recurve I will say that the Toelke Chinooks I've had shot faster for me than the above bows.

Quote from: JgRg1215 on January 15, 2026, 09:22:28 PMHow does his longbow shoot and handle and how is the performance on them? He definitely builds a nice looking bow.

The grip is very comfortable. His limb design is one where you don't feel a lot of pre-load as with some other more extreme reflex deflex longbows. I don't have a chronograph, but it casts an arrow quite nicely. I think it's a pretty fast longbow. Others have reported zero hand shock. I'm finding there's a little hand shock with mine. It's far from the worst I've felt. Almost every single black widow PL I've ever tried has had more. It's an accurate bow. Brian cuts the shelf past center. I can also mention that, while I've never shot a stick flinger model, I've been told that this new model is an improvement on the stick flinger. But that's just me repeating what someone else said. Overall, it's a very good bow. Personally, I have a strong preference for my Thunderhorn 3 piece Heartstoppers and this Wessel, as good as it is, hasn't at all swayed me away from my Thunderhorns.

We have done as Ryan suggested but usually throw a bow square in our luggage.  But, simply threading one loop through the other and then pulling down on the end with the loop that you threaded through works.

For trips into the African bush, we also take extra strings that are ready to shoot as well as serving/tying string, nocks, nocking pliers, and even a fletching jig with some fletching.  Im sure that Im forgetting something.

 We manage to keep our duffles under fifty pounds with all of our clothes and gear.   We've never needed to launder any thing while there for a just over a week and that's changing hunting attire daily. 

You won't regret it Stringwacker.   

No they don't always go as planned but that's what makes the good hunts special. Thanks for posting you always share great content.

Take an arrow and hold it with the nock against the riser and make a mark with a magic marker on the arrow where the string is to mark the brace height you want. Now you have a tool to measure brace height and you don't need a bow square.

Trust me, the magic marker mark will not change the "tune" on your arrow. (Before someone asks). 

R

Be sure to get high-quality lenses and not just polycarbonate lenses. These lenses have a higher index of refraction and provide better optical quality. As mentioned earlier, Crizal lenses are fantastic.

You can also ask them to lower the starting point of the progressive transition. This will help reduce the distortion as well.

Whether shooting a bow or a gun being able to see clearly out of the upper corner of your lenses  is pretty critical. My latest lenses are made of Trivek I believe and I have very little distortion.

Good Luck!

I always just put a twist tie through my string loops when they're off the bow. That keeps them from untwisting.

I'm planning on going to this one for the first time this year if nothing comes up.

If anyone is interested in building selfbows the Classic is the place. They have the Selfbow Challenge where you buy a stave on site or bring your own and once you've signed up you will have lots of selfbow builders helping you get through your project. On Sunday you shoot the course with other Challengers for score and a possible trophy. We've had as many as 60 folks go through the challenge and end up with shootable bows by Sunday morning. There are folks building selfbows well into the night and early in the mornings so there is no excuse not to get it done.
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