Which Big Jims bow to get

[acedoc]

I paid up my deposit for a big jim buffalo today. Now its gonna be some months before I get the bow in hand.
So you all aficionados- which big jim model to get for speed and smoothness ?
Leaning towards a 2 pc 66 inch buffalo 55 pounds at my 31 inch draw.

[Trenton G.]

I had a buffalo for a while and loved it. Unfortunately it was only 60" and didn't love my 29 inch draw. I would love to have a longer one though. Very fast and stable and the craftsmanship is second to none.

[Alexander Traditional]

I own more Buffalo bows,but I also like the two Thunderchilds I have.

[achigan]

I’m absotively, posilutly Big Jim can answer that! I only have a TC that I’m thrilled with.

[Terry Green]

I own a TC....that's all I can answer for.  1st hunt, 1st shot, 1st kill.  Gotta live that!

[nineworlds9]

I gravitate toward hybrids/longbows and have owned multiple iterations of all of Jims bows except the new Yukon and the 3pc Bighorn.  I am a Mountain Monarch man.  Speed and smoothness?  My 64" MM is one of the smoothest bows Ive ever owned and has a great zip to it AND quiet.  Love the Buff and TC for what they are but to me the Monarch takes the cake.

[Chad Orde]

Love the Buffalos’ 62-64 inch at my 29 draw
Thunderchild are we some too
Mountain Monarch is on the list

[Alexander Traditional]

I forgot to mention his three piece Buffalo,they are really nice.

[GCook]

I'dove to have a Monarch.  Maybe someday.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[acedoc]

Really leaning on a 2 pc 66 inch buffalo - I have been known to change my mind before.

Any negatives of a buffalo vs the recurves - I would keep the shorter bow out of the picture. I can draw right upto 33 - truncated it to 31 to gain arrow choices.
Thanks for your time

[nineworlds9]

Jim can build you a 68" Buffalo for your long draw if you like. 

The 66 would be fine to 31 but the 68 would let you open your draw a bit more. 

The Buffs are plenty zippy but the curves do gain you just a bit more oomph pound for pound and are more dead in the hand IMO.  Honestly, the Monarch is so quiet for a recurve I jokingly told Jim its a Buffalo with flipped tips.  When it comes down to it some folks are very particular with whether they want a longbow or recurve just for the looks, also with the longbow you don't "have" to have a stringer if you know what you're doing. Those could be factors for you so go with your gut.  If longbow was your first impulse it might be good to stick with it?   

[acedoc]

Jim can build you a 68" Buffalo for your long draw if you like. 

The 66 would be fine to 31 but the 68 would let you open your draw a bit more. 

The Buffs are plenty zippy but the curves do gain you just a bit more oomph pound for pound and are more dead in the hand IMO.  Honestly, the Monarch is so quiet for a recurve I jokingly told Jim its a Buffalo with flipped tips.  When it comes down to it some folks are very particular with whether they want a longbow or recurve just for the looks, also with the longbow you don't "have" to have a stringer if you know what you're doing. Those could be factors for you so go with your gut.  If longbow was your first impulse it might be good to stick with it?

I cut my teeth on a r/d longbow by Ed Boyd . I got a heavier ilf and put down the stiffness to increased poundage. It was the toelke which when shot side by side which made me realise that the ilf is not smooth. Was in a dilemma and had decided to let the ilf go but she is punchy and accurate as hell.
I love my toelke but I have to be spot on with my form or she will shotgun - days when I hold it together she is better than a 1911.

I think when the time comes I will take your advice for a 68 incher if the big guy says so.
Btw this is a link to the ilf when paired with a SRF sight - shooting at twilight
Still not super with posting pics

View this post on Instagram

[BigJim]

First off, I think you should get at least 1 of each!!! Having said that, I have a 32" draw length (actual and not embellished..when I do what I'm supposed to)  and choose to shoot a 58" Thunderchild, 60" mountain monarch, 62" Desert BIgHorn, or a 64" buffalo.
Yes, I can build you a 68" buffalo, but I believe it to be an albatross. I have built maybe 4 and loathed building them. Didn't care to shoot them and prayed I made weight or I would likely still own them.
If a 64" or 66" isn't smooth enough, drop a few lbs off of the draw weight and they will feel as smooth as butter. This is the case with most every bow out there that is long enough for your draw length. The buffalo is not a "D" style bow. At 68"s you will loose speed even with a 32" draw length.
Thanks, BigJim

[acedoc]

Thank you for weighing in!  Your opinion matters a lot. I would at present define a smooth bow by my toelke recurve 64 & 52 @31.
I would like a 64 inch bow and preferably a smooth hybrid longbow to complement my recurve in every way - including looks (polar opposite of black glass and phenolic).
I will take your word for the performance and design parameters as you would know your bows the best. I am just not sold on the shorter longbow (bias, I guess).
Regards

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Why settle for only one?   

[acedoc]

Why settle for only one?   

I like being married, that's why !
These bows cost a decent bit- nothing like the black tails but still a bit after the currency conversion.
Also I believe that fewer bows etc promote better sight picture and muscle memory. Well maybe I will fork out for a toelke whip after this

[Yakbikeski]

I own a 66" Buffalo (2 piece) and a 64" MM.  I have a 31" draw.  The Buffalo was my favourite bow (and i have several custom bows) until I received the MM this summer.  As others have said the MM is very quiet, super smooth in the draw, and I would say shoots an arrow faster than the Buff.  I like the grip in the MM better as well.  Unless you are a dedicated long-bow shooter, I would go with the MM.