Wes Wallace recurves

[Kajun Archer]

I saw a recent post this week comparing the work of Wes Wallace bows to Norm Johnson's Blacktails.  Both risers are similar.  I am really thinking about dropping the string on a Blacktail, but I do like to research all possible candidates.  Can anyone relate helpful information on the Wes Wallace bows and compare to Norm's?
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[STEVE R.]

I heard it said, that Wes taught Norm all that he knows. That why the bows look alike.

[Winterhawk1960]

Kajun Archer,

I believe that was my post about the "Mentor" that I recently acquired. From what I understand, both Wes Wallace and Norm Johnson worked with Jim Brackenbury. After Jim's untimely death in 1991 they both started building bows under their own respective companies. They are very similar in both looks and feel, they also shoot very much the same. I own a recurve built by both of them and their work is without a doubt some of the best out there.

There is however quite a bit of difference in the "wait time" to get a bow from Norm or Wes. Norm's wait list is around 15 months and Wes told me that he was up to about a 7 month wait time.

The performance of either of their bows is pretty much "six of one, half a dozen of the other" and you can't go wrong with either choice.

If you are wanting a bow with all the bells and whistles......it is, in my opinion hard to beat the "looks" of a Blacktail. I put myself back on Norm's list for another one less than a week after I recieved my first one. That being said, I will in the future have Wes build me one too.

So many bows.......so many bowyers.......so little money.

I hope this helps..........

Winterhawk1960

[Tom]

Don nailed it.

[cacciatore]

I third Don.

[[email protected]]

Both are highly respected bowyers in Oregon.

Bob

[CoachB]

I use to own a Mentor takedown and wish I had it back, I plan on ordering a one-piece from him as soon as I can get the money. Great looking and shooting bows.

[JRY309]

I have had both Wes Wallace Mentor and Blacktail Elite,they were both fine,beautiful and excellent shooting bows.You can't go wrong with either one in my opinion.

[Bowwild]

I received a new BlackTail Elite VL last Wednesday. I don't know how it compares to Wes Wallace's bows. I own several other models of custom recurves and this BT is VERY nice!  Mine is a one-piece Leftie.  The bow looks terrific.  The most noticeable difference in this bow and my others is the grip. The grip puts the bow hand knuckles in a perfect 45 degree angle and crammed right up against the arrow shelf. The bow shoots very well.

[snag]

Norm only talked with Jim about bows. Wes worked for Jim. But that doesn't matter either way. You judge a bow on it's own merits. The Blacktail has a narrower throat in the grip area. The grip on the Blacktail is the result of many years of refinement, some based on input by customers. I have shot both. I own Blacktails.

[BowZen]

I own both. Both are GREAT bows. Can't go wrong with either.

Karim

[dennis rice]

I like the Wes Wallace Menter the best

[Night Wing]

I own two Blacktail take downs and I'd like to own a one piece Blacktail, but that 15 month wait is a killer for me, not the money. I've looked at a one piece Mentor, but I sure like the way my Blacktails shoot and this is why I haven't pulled the trigger and ordered a one piece Mentor. I do like Wes's 7 month wait.

[Ben Maher]

Haven't owned a Blacktail but have owned a Wes Wallace t/d ... in every respect a beautiful bow that shot like a dream .
You can't go wrong with a Wallace.
Ben

[Bowwild]

Night Wing,
I struggled with TD or 1-Piece. I love the lines of a 1-piece vs. the TD of most custom shops because I don't like the abrupt lines of the TD riser where it meets the limbs (face of the bow). It has nothing to do with performance to me it is aesthetics, at least once you are talking about top-of-the-line customs. I like the Bear TD and the Predator TD because the riser and the limbs taper together. The Black Widow limbs and riser blend nicely. I am thrilled with my 1-Piece BT Elite VL, my only 1-piece. I'll have a Rose Oak 1-piece this November.  I realized that I almost never take my TD bows apart so why not have the aesthetics I like?  Of course aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder.

[Night Wing]

Bowwild,

I chose the take downs for only one reason. I like the extra mass weight in a take down bow. But, I too like the lines of a one piece bow. I've been looking at one piece bows and so far I'm drooling over a 64" Wallace Mentor, a Rose Oak 62" King Panther and custom made Damon Howatt 62" Hunter. The DH Hunter  has the least amount of wait time, but I've got a 30" draw length and the DH Hunter is "supposedly" good for up to a 30" draw length so that makes me leery of the Hunter.

[Kajun Archer]

Don,
I have seen both of your bows and they are truly works of art.  I do think I prefer the beauty of the Blacktail.  It is just a personal opinion.  I would be happy with either.  I have to convince the family that this is an art investment which will last my lifetime.  I have two kids to put through college, and my wife reires in 6 years after teacher for 30 years.  I am satisfied with my Hoyt Dorado for the present and have become addicted to the backyard fun.  I shot a friends Blacktail again this weekend and some of the guys could not believe the groups I had on a borrowed bow.  The arrows my friend were using were a bit heavier than mine, and the impact point was low. I will take a 2 inch group at 15 yards with 3 arrows anyday with a borrowed bow.  Got to love it.
Craig

[Pointer]

I own both...they are superb bows...the finish on the blacktail is a little nicer, the performance of the mentor is better....both of my grips are checkered so they feel alot alike...slight edge to the blacktail there. I loaned the blacktail to my nephew and kept the mentor for myself.

[Diamond Paul]

I have owned a few W. Wallace recurves; the best shooting bow I own is a 64" WW takedown.  He is great to deal with, his grip is, to me, the best I've ever felt.  I have shot one Blacktail, but never owned one.  They are maybe the finest looking bows out there, but they don't shoot any better than the Wallace.  Either one is going to be a good choice.  Good luck.