I bought a new BW longbow a few years ago and loved it. Easily as good a bow as I've ever owned. Ah, but I have an addiction to buying bows that way outstrips my income ... so I sold it and bought a Thunderhorn. Like the BW, it is as good a bow as I've ever owned or shot, and this particular one, bocote, was the most beautiful bow I've ever seen. Ah, but the addiction ... I know own a Lightning Longbow, just over half the price of a comparable BW, and it too is as fine a bow as I've ever owned (and ironically, built by a fellow named Gordy). My point is that MOST of the best-known and many or most of the lesser-known custom bowyers today are producing amazing products that perform far beyond anything I could have imagined in my youthful days when I longed for but could never afford a Bear. BW is one of these, but not the only one. Enjoy. dave