What other bows besides Bears?

[Bel007]

I have picked up a few older Bears and am enjoying shooting them, but have little knowledge of what else is out there.

What other sweet shooting older recurves would you recommend looking into?  I'd like to find some other bows from the 60s and early 70s with simple lines, nice wood, and smooth shooting qualities.

What would be on your short list of vintage bows to visit?

[Migra Bill]

I would give Ben Pearson's a try. They are priced more reasonably than Bears. They have nice wood ans imple lines. Most people (including me) will tell you they are not the shooters that the Bear Kodiaks are, but not a bad shooting bow for the money. I think the best shooting Pearsons are the Mustangs.

[Bjorn]

Howatt's are worth a look, some shoot just as well as Bears.

[Blackhawk]

I'm with Bjorn on this one.  Some of the nicest looking and greatest shooting bows are those lovely Brazilian Rosewood Howatts from the 60's.

Bob Lee's Wing bows were sweet also.

Mr. Pearson, like Bear, made a ton of bows which are pretty good, and prices are down somewhat.

[Jack Shanks]

I just got rid of a Shakespeare Necedah that I bought last summer that I wish I had back. Nice wood and a good shooter. Didn't really need it for my collection so put it on the auction site and it brought a whopping $56.

I also have a Howatt High Speed that has beautiful wood although I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. I need to replace the missing side plate and rest first. Howatt fanatics claim they out perform the Bears of the same era.

[NumPls]

Don't overlook two biggies: Hoyt & Black Widow. Those two are typically pricey, but very hard to beat in terms of their shooting qualities.

Ray

[d. ward]

thats weird I never mett a bow I did'nt like.I love em all bd

[Big Bird]

Originally posted by Yorktown5:
Shakespeare Necedah, Colt (made by Wing), Herters and Brownings

I like my bears.but those shakespeare necedahs are really fine shooting bows.I have 5 of them 1 x32 and 1 x30 and 3 x26.also have a colt woods master thats a good one also.

[OldSkoolArcher]

I like my Super Necedah X-30. Sweet Looking and Sweeet Shooting!

[Blackhawk]

Some of those zebrawood Shakespeare Necedahs were not only pretty good looking, but they are still workhorses.

[mtquivers]

I would second the Hoyts. I've got a Sky Hawk TD that's an awesome shooter. The Hoyts sure could design a bow.

[DAVE1275]

Another option would be an Indian,they made alot of different models, good shooters, fairly low priced.I have a mint zebrawood Indian Savage sweet looking bow never shot it but looks good.

[reddogge]

Hoyts (I have a Pro Hunter), Howatts, Shakespeares, Wings, are all great bows for the money.  My Pro Hunter is one of the fastest bows I own.

[Bel007]

Thanks for all of the input gang.

[jrbows]

For the money shootability and aesthetics I'd try a browning too.

[AALLFAB]

There are so many great bows out there and only the big names have been covered so far. I could make a huge list of one off or even small production bows that are out of this world. I am with Bow Doc in that I have met very few bows that I did not love. Also me and another person could shoot the same bow seconds apart and one of us pass on it and the other feel it is the best bow in the world. They are like women and we all feel a little different about perfection. Additionally a Bowyer could make 10 exact same bows on one day and they will all be different in shooting. There are a few pretty sure things out there new and old but the only way for sure to tell 100% is to have it and shoot it in YOUR hand. Jim

[Ssamac]

Wing and Browning are my favorites, and since owning a few, Browning if you like a bow with some heft to it. IMHO, they shoot the arrow flatter and faster than Bear bows. I was amazed the first time I shot one.

Wing makes a great bow too, always smooth.

Of course, Bear is a super bow and there seem to be a lot more of them around to be had.

Sam

[azdriheat]

Black Widow bows I thought were among the very best, especially the H-101. I also liked some Groves models.

-Joe-

[Howattman]

Originally posted by Bjorn:
Howatt's are worth a look, some shoot just as well as Bears.

SOME?????