Black Widow vs Blacktail

[snag]

I agree George. I love Norm's bows because of the fit in my hand, the sight picture the riser gives you, the even draw and quiet release and low handshock...but if you can add looks to the package it's a plus.
I also agree if you can shoot them to determine what you like that's the way to go. Unfortunately I couldn't do that. So, for the first couple of yrs. I was buying and selling longbows and recurves to shoot them and find what I liked. There are a lot of good bows out there. Good luck and enjoy the journey!

[V-Archer]

Since three weeks I own a Blacktail Elite VL T/D 46# @28". I must tell you it is indeed a beauty and great to shoot with.
Before this BT bow I owned a Great Plains Palo Duro 47# @28" B-model recurve which I really liked. As comparison between the two: The BT shoots 10 fps faster and to be honest it took me a couple of days to get used to the grip but now I'm fine and can get my arrows in a 6" ring at 20 yards which gave me more problems with the GP. I have changed to a slightly different shooting style/technique for my BT compared to the GP but, for me, it gives better scores that way.
Since I am mostly shooting 3-d competiton, speed and quietness is not really an issue but it sure makes a difference between other recurve shooters at such an event. I like a quiet bow that also has good speed.
One time, at a 3-d shoot, I had the opportunity to shoot a BW PMA T/D which was quite noisy with string silencers installed. I told the owner to adjsuts/tune the brace height but he replied that he did not want to do that as he liked the bow the way it is. So you see, and also what George is saying, it all depends on personal preferences.

V-Archer

[cacciatore]

I own 3 BW PSA and 3 BT, I don't have to choose I enjoy them all. The Widows for sure are noiser and they require a stiffer arrow spine at the same D. weight. About the speed they look to shoot pretty the same(could it be the different hand position?)What I noticed is the newer BT VL limb with bamboo cores look to be much faster than the old ones. At hunting distances I don't see that big difference and I keep shooting both

[Shawn Leonard]

Pat to answer your question, RER bows, Zipper bows, Fedoras, Fazios bows and a host of others. I am not sold on fast bows but I like the best of both quick and quiet, so RERs are for me as would be the blacktail as they are way quiter and easier to get quiet than any widow made. I should also say I owned one blacktail that I shot better than any bow I have ever owned and would love to get it back!! Shawn

[snag]

cacciatore, what spine do you shoot in your BT's? I shoot 85# spined POC out of my 55#.

"..,I don't have to choose I enjoy them all." I didn't have to choose, I wanted to choose. I find if I stay with one bowyer's bows I can get more consistant and improve in my shooting.

[cacciatore]

Snag,the Bt I am using right now is a 61# @29",60" axle to axle VL,bamboo lims I shooting GT 55/75 at 610grs with nock adapter and 70grs weights at nock end 100grs in front al adapter and 145BH.Very good flight!they group together.About Cedars I ain't tryed yet but I guess 85# 29" can work just good with 125 BH

[San Paolo]

Hi Ciao) Cacciatore,
what kind of BW and BT do you own? I'd like to see their pics, would you like to send them to my e-mail ([email protected])?
That's true BW likes stiffer shaft but BT is excellent with heavier one.
Anyway after testing both I think BT outperforms BW in speed but BW is better in forgiveness (just my two cents). I own a PSAX bocote.

[overbo]

Order your BT and pickup a used BW.Give you a couple years to shoot the BW before the BT get here.Then compare.

[BAK]

"the Bt I am using right now is a 61# @29",60" axle to axle".  Are we trying to mix our species here or are we not sure what we are shooting?

[Straitshot]

I currently have both a BW PSAX and a Blacktail Snakebit. They are both 60" bows. The PSAX is 49#@28" and the Blacktail is 50#@28". I have had both bows now for several years and have used both in several 3D tournaments. I like them both and shoot them both equally as well. I have noticed little if any difference in speed, cast, and noise and can go from one to the other with ease. I can personally vouch for both companys that their customer service is top notch. I enjoy shooting them both. As others have mentioned, when it comes to looks the Blacktail wins hands down, yet the Widow has a appeal all its own and the guys at the Widow Works have been steadly improving over the last few years on the looks of their bows. You can't go wrong with either.

[L. E. Carroll]

I think you should throw a Silver Tip into the equation......... I have and have had several Widows, alas no Blacktails, I would definately check out S-Tips before laying down the cash!!
With a "tip" you give up nothing in either the looks or performance... my $.02
Gene

[cacciatore]

Well there are infinite bows to throw in the equation, we are just comparing this to makes,for people considering a buying.   What Sraitshot sayed