How long do you give a bow before you decide its not for you?

[stujay]

The hardest thing is to start thinking about letting a bow go that you just got...but first impressions are rarely wrong.

[Night Wing]

I tried for two years to master a hybrid longbow. The grip never felt comfortable to me. I prefer the pistol type grip of a recurve.

The first shot of the day was always about 5" to the left. Since I didn't have confidence in my ability with this longbow, I sold it to a fellow TG'er.

[buckster]

It's like that girl you always wanted to kiss, then when you did.... well it wasn't right.  It doesn't take long to know.

[Steve Jr]

I second what over & under says. Wish I would have kept some but can usually tell in short order if they are going to shoot well for how I shoot.

[Dimondback]

Bows are like women....there are lots of them out there, some curvy, some flat, some heavy, some light, some fast, some slow...you have your expectations on what you think you will like in each one...you get your hands on as many as you can until you find the one that just fits and gives you more pleasure than frustration...then you keep her!

[TxAg]

Hahah, well put Dimomdback

[Builder]

I tend to agree with Steve, sometimes you have to give it a fair chance.

Like buying a new pair of boots, they are not as comfy as those old worn out ones but given a chance they will fit like a glove.

I am guilty of selling a few bows probably a little too quick that I wished I had back.

[Brianlocal3]

Well I may in the future regret my choice but as of now I am getting THE exact bow that I saw that started my wander lust for a Hill style bow.  I have worked out a trade for a Belcher Union Jack and I extremely excited about recieving it. Hopefully it lives up to my expectations, and if not, well I still have the Huron that shoots darts for me.  And if I do decide to try another bow, instead of being smart and getting another NM Huron with a straight grip Ill probably end up trying a GN Bushbow and only time will tell. But I do believe I am done for now.  I have a good solid shooter that I am very comfortable with and a Hill style on the way to solve my curiosity on Hill style bows.

[Zradix]

Took me 3 shots on one recent custom to not like it.
..took 7 days of trying to convince myself that I could like it before I put it up for sale.

The next bow took me about 3 shots to like it a lot and it just keeps getting better...

You either like it or you don't.

...the hard part is when you have to part with one you like to afford the one you THINK you might like more...

[Terry Lightle]

About 10 minutes

[Sixby]

Anyone that buys a custom EagleWing and doesn't like it can return it within a week for a full refund minus shipping and 100.00.as long as the bow is in the shape you received it. I don't want anyone to have one of my bows that doesn't like it. Thats the confidence I have in my bows. However I also know that there are going to be some folks and bows that just are not going to get along.
An observation I have had over the years is that there is a type of person that starts second guessing their decision and the bow before they ever get it. Those usually get an immediate refund and thanks for their consideration. There is no sense in having a problem when there is not one to begin with.

God bless you all, Steve

[WESTBROOK]

Brian, you did good sticking with it for a good while, it was a new style bow for you and you do have to that a little time.

A style of bow you are familiar with you can judge fairly quick but, going to some thing unfamiliar you have to give it some time.

Good choice on the Union Jack!

Eric

[Brianlocal3]

Thank you. I am excited to get the Union Jack in my hands.

[TxAg]

Most recently....it took me a week.

Sometimes it has taken me a month or so.

Generally my mind is made up quickly, but I try to give the bow the benefit of the doubt.

[Mojostick]

Bows are kind of like food. You often know immediately if you like it or not, after the first taste.

I bought a K Mag that I knew I didn't like after the first shot. LOL I shot about 10 arrows thru it before boxing it up.
But I bought a Super Kodiak and several Kodiak Specials that I fell in love with after the first shot.

[GreyGoose]

Since returning to trad, I haven't gone through enough bows to have a hard time limit for that question.  I DO know what I like and don't like as much about the two bows I have right now, and this influences what I am keeping my eye out for in the future.  I  don't think I'd look for one to replace a bow that is "comfortable and shoots amazingly" UNTIL I'd been able to put my finger on what didn't suit - but only because I don't have enough $ to try it that way!

[Brianlocal3]

I understand the money issue, which is where trading comes into play.  And I did figure out that I am not a good enough shooter to shoot a longbow with a locator grip, the straight grip allows me to hold the bow correctly whereas the locator causes me to roll my wrist.

[huntnmuleys]

While I agree, I have been known to give a longer trial period depending on what I paid for the bow. I had a custom black widow done and couldn't throw it in the ocean with it, but it got a bit longer trial.....

Great advice on the if ya find a good one buy it not have one just like it made, been burned there before too...

[Orion]

Doesn't take me but a few minutes to decide.  That's why I don't buy bows sight, or I should say shot, unseen.  If there's a brand/type of bow I'm interested in, I make it a point to shoot it, or one just like it, before I buy.  

If I already have or am familiar with a brand and model from a particular bowyer, there's not much risk in ordering/buying another with similar dimensions.  But if it's a bow I've never shot before, I make it a point to find someone who has one, and take a few shots with it.  Or, I attend the bigger shoots where most of the vendors will let you try their bows and shoot the bow I'm interested in there.

Over time, a bow I like may lose out to others, but it's a relative thing.  It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I like others better.  Then it has to go down the road.  Don't do as much of that as I used to though.