Morrison, Sky, Titan Aluminum ILF’s

(Strictly talking about ILF Aluminum risers here in the less than 18” length.)  

Among you fella’s who attended Kzoo, and had a chance to check out each one, which impressed you the most?  I’d like to hear your thoughts on each?

[Freeze]

I spent most of the weekend looking at and shooting the ILF risers.
Personaly I would rate them as follows.

1. Sky 15"
2. Morrison 14"
3. Titan 17"

All shot exceptionally well.
What I liked best about the Sky was that with the bow in my hand I did not feel as much of the aluminum in front of the grip.

Just my opinion, as they say, your mileage may vary.

[Lenny Stankowitz]

I own a Titan but I did get the chance to shoot the new Sky TDX at the expo this year.  Ever since I saw pictures of the TDX on the net, I wanted to give it a try.  I was both impressed and disappointed at the same time.

I was impressed with the overall looks of the riser.  The finish was perfect.  I really liked the way the limb pockets were designed.  I really wanted to see the camo version but I didn't see one there.  I only saw black, carbon dip, a rosy color and kind of an emerald green.  The single carbon limbs were quite classy looking and quite smooth to draw.  I liked the idea of having two plunger holes, one for an elevated rest and one for shooting off the shelf.  

On the downside, I expected quite a bit more in the way the shot felt and sounded, especially with the harmonic dampers in the riser.  They didn't seem to do much, if anything.  The bow seemed quite noisy in my opinion, even after I raised the brace height.  Compared to my Titan, the riser had a fair amount of vibration.  The grip was nice but the riser in front of the grip seemed to be squared off sharply and didn't feel good in my hand.  

Lastly, I think they could have done without the milled out sections in the sight window.  Not really sure if this was done for cosmetic reasons or for weight and balance reasons but It just gave the riser a cheaper look in my opinion.  Kind of had a KAP T-Rex look to it.

Over all, I have to admit I really wanted to like it.  The pictures I saw online were really awesome but it really didn't compare to my Titan with the Black Max limbs.  At least for me it didn't.  I really expected more for the extra 300+ dollars or so.

As far as the Morrison goes, I never got the chance to try it.  I have heard really great things about it but 14 inches is a little short for my tastes.

Like Freeze said, "just my opinion...your mileage may vary."

[R.V.T.B.]

"What I liked best about the Sky was that with the bow in my hand I did not feel as much of the aluminum in front of the grip."

Interesting.  I haven't gotten to shoot a Sky riser yet but when I look at the photos posted it looks like there is a lot more of the aluminum riser protruding in front of the grip than is on the Titan.

[Lenny Stankowitz]

RVTB...

"What I liked best about the Sky was that with the bow in my hand I did not feel as much of the aluminum in front of the grip"

I think Freeze was referreing to the 15" TDX riser, not the 17".  The 15" has a completely different design, different limb pockets, different grip, etc.

I agree with you.  On the 17", there seems to be quite a bit of riser protruding in front of the grip.  That's what I was talking about when I mentioned that the riser was squared off sharply and didn't sit well in my hand.

[Freeze]

For clarification:

"What I liked best about the Sky was that with the bow in my hand I did not feel as much of the aluminum in front of the grip"

I was refering to the 15", I did not shoot the 17" with the harmonic dampners.

I would also like to point out that I was looking for a really short riser.  At 17" the Titan was handicaped for me, though I will admit that it was an excelent riser, just not as short as I was looking for.

As always .... your mileage may vary.

[Kris]

Good overviews, thanks.  Did anyone get a picture of the Morrison 14" alum. riser they could post here?

Kris

[Ron Bushong]

Try this:
 http://www.morrisonarchery.com/New-2010-ILF-Mini-1525.jpg

[Kris]

Thank you, Ron

I had recently checked the Morrison site and these weren't posted yet.  Good pictures.

IMO these risers could look a little more organic/woodsy if Bob was making his own wood grips in a nice exotic wood or similar.  I don’t think it would be too hard to craft one myself though.  Certainly he could provide the blanks then a person could shape their own.  I didn't make it K-zoo this year but wanted to talk to him about this.  

Kris

[Lenny Stankowitz]

Kris...

I think I read somewhere that the TradTech grips would fit on the aluminum Morrison riser.

Maybe for a fee, he would do the pinecone carving on one.  That would be COOL!!

I asked Mr. Morrison about the grips.  Here's his reply to me:

"Jim,
    I know Das fit it, trad tech also

Thanks,
Bob"

[Lenny Stankowitz]

Thanks Jim...

[pseman]

What is the max draw length you can shoot comfortably on the Morrison? It is great looking bow, but it would max out at 58 inches right? Did anyone with a DL of over 29 shoot the Morrison? If so, did it stack?

Mark

[vermonster13]

That depends on the limbs you use. Mine was a 60" bow with the extra long Swans and didn't stack at all. A set of long W&W Winex were ok but needed to be backed off to shoot comfortable at 30" for me.

[Lenny Stankowitz]

I can't say for sure with the Morrison Mark but I just saw the other day where Jason Wesbrock is shooting a Titan with long limbs.  He says it is a pleasure to shoot with his 32" draw.      

Now, if you have ever seen Jason shoot, that dude knows what he's talking about.

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Originally posted by Lenny Stankowitz:
I can't say for sure with the Morrison Mark but I just saw the other day where Jason Wesbrock is shooting a Titan with long limbs.  He says it is a pleasure to shoot with his 32" draw.          

Now, if you have ever seen Jason shoot, that dude knows what he's talking about.

Lenny,

Thanks for the compliment. I sincerely appreciate it. And yes, those Winex longs are a dream to shoot on that riser, even with my long draw length.

[8888blk]

The big appeal of the 15in. Sky riser is the radius shelf. I dont think any other metal riser has one. Keeps your hand closer to the arrow if you want to shoot off the shelf.