explain widow naming convention to me

[ks_stickbow]

Ok I see posts for SA III and SA II, but on the widow website they are PSA III....etc.

On my bow it says SA III is that the same as PSA III?

[Bill Kissner]

The "P" stands for "precision" crafted instead of handcrafted. Precision bows are carved on CNC machines at BW.

[Dave Lay]

no. I think 2004 widow went with cnc machining on thier bows for a more precise fit and the p is for precision, all the limbs can interchance on the psa's for instance but they wouldnt be a exact fit bow to bow on the older sa's  i am sure some one will post with a better deal than mine but that is how i understand it..

[mooseman76]

These guys got you down the right path.  Your bow is essentially a handmade SA.  The PSA is made on a CNC machine therefor made to much closer specs from bow to bow.  PSA limbs will fit on your riser, but you may or may not get an exact fit depending on how it was made.  Black Widow also offers a service where you can send in your riser to have it made closer to the CNC specs so any limbs you order will be a close fit.  I believe they tell you it will be better, but probably not perfect.  They will do this for a fee, not sure how much they charge...Mike

[ks_stickbow]

Thanks guys makes sence...my bow says 2-2005 so they must of went CNC after Feb. 2005

[mooseman76]

I believe the CNC started in 2003.  Some people asked for the hand made ones after this and I know of some that were made.  Not sure if they still do it or not.  Does the serial number on your limbs and riser match?  Could be that the riser was made pre CNC and the limbs ordered later.  2005 they definitely had CNC, just not sure when it started, but I believe around 03...Mike

[ks_stickbow]

Yes, the serial #'s match.

wiould there be any bennifit to having one hand made vs. having one cnc made? Seems to me cnc would be better, but maybe the person who ordred it thought maybe that more atention to detail would be payed if it was hand worked...who knows.

[mooseman76]

No real difference in it I suppose.  Like was mentioned before the CNC makes it possible to order a bunch of limbs with a guaranteed fit.  From what I've read on alot of sites it seems that the handmade is considered more "traditional".  I could care less either way as long as I liked the bow.  I think some of the handmade orders were because you could get them with wood limb wedges and not as much phenolic in the bow.  Maybe more wood and less black phenolic in your bow.  I like em both ways so as long as it works and pleases you that is all that matters...Mike

[Rico]

You want to see a hand made bow check out Hera's Post  on building a td The rest are made with machines.

[ks_stickbow]

Originally posted by Rico:
You want to see a hand made bow check out Hera's Post  on building a td The rest are made with machines.

Does Hera make and name black widows?  

[Tater 2]

ks_stickbow,
       Do your limbs have phenolic wedges or are they wood? I believe the "P" series was added not only because of the precision crafted but also due to the use of Phenolic limb wedges and more Phenolic in the riser.

[Dan Worden]

The changeover to "P" series varied by model. It wasn't a direct "as of this date" cut off.

[ks_stickbow]

No it does not have the phenolic wedges.

also in the PSAIII's riser on widows site has white phenolic surounding the red, mine has black surounding the red. although it apears there is more phenolic in my riser then pictured in on the widow site.

I am willing to bet it ordered like this.

Just so's ya'll don't get the wrong idea...I love this bow and wouldn't trade for nothin....just doing some research.

 

[Otto]

SA's, PSA's, and  MA's, PMA's.... The P series is in all practicality the same bow as the non P series.  As guys above have stated, the only difference is that some of the rough cut work is done on a CNC mill vs. a band saw where the work is held by hand.  They still do the final riser shaping and finishing by hand and the limbs are still laid up and tillered by hand.  To hear some describe it, BW tosses a chunk of wood into a hopper and some machine magically carves a bow.  Others think a CNC makes a bow less "custom".  Say that to Norm Johnson, who makes Blacktail bows (arguably the most awesome  looking bows around) and I'm sure you'd get a smile.

Wood vs. Phenolic wedges will not tell you either as they will still make you a bow with wooden wedges.  The best way to tell if your bow was made pre CNC is to call BW with the serial number and they'll tell you.

[Rico]

wiould there be any bennifit to having one hand made vs. having one cnc made? Seems to me cnc would be better, but maybe the person who ordred it thought maybe that more atention to detail would be payed if it was hand worked...who knows.
  I have only seen his hand made bows to my knowledge does not name or make bw like described above most bows are made by machines

[ks_stickbow]

I have only seen his hand made bows to my knowledge does not name or make bw like described above most bows are made by machines [/qb]

ROFLMAO.....you're funny

Actualy ALL traditional bows are made by hand with the aid of tools (machines)

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Thanks guys. I am not the original owner of this bow, as you probably can guess, and did not want to call the widow people and waste thier time with a second hand bow. It's not that important anyways since I just shoot them.

[fatman]

Jeff, I have e-mailed BW regarding second-hand bows, and they provided me w/ the original mfg specs...real nice guys

Kevin

[Bill Kissner]

Actually there is a difference in the PSA vs SA limbs. I have owned both and the handcrafted limbs have a more gradual taper from the fadeout to the tip whereas the precision limbs have more of the taper in the last few inches of the limb.

I prefer the precision limbs for two reasons. One, they are a little more stable. Two, in my opinion they are much quieter.