robtattoo is right on the money. I lead a group of some 1300 folks who use and restore antique sewing machines. Long ago we identified what we call the "pitty pat" factor (Hey, it's mostly ladies :^). If you come on a machine that makes your heart go pitty pat, that's your next machine. It may be in bad shape, it may be overpriced, but you know that if you don't get it, you'll at best always wonder what it would have been like and at worst definitely regret it.
I've had a lot of bows in the last few years... there are very few bad ones out there. Get the one that appeals to you, that lights you up... that makes you think, "My buddy is gonna eat his heart out!". If at all possible, exercise patience (yeah, right...we guys are noted for that!) and find one that you can actually handle and draw. When you draw it, if it makes something in your brain go "that's sweet!" , then it's yoiur bow.
Dick in Seatttle