Tell me about your Toelke Chinook

[TxAg]

I am expecting a Toelke Chinook this week that I received in trade. I've owned many of Dan's bows but never a Chinook.  

I've read old threads regarding these bows, and I spoke to Dan for a few minutes on the phone today.  However, I'm still curious to hear more first hand accounts.

Likes? Dislikes? String choice? Noise? Speed? Size? Arrow choice? You get the idea....

[Tutanka]

Probably my least favorite grip, the one that I owned felt "fat" across the grip, not narrow like the lynx or whip.  The positives were good speed, very quiet like all Dans bow (not as quiet as a whip), shot a slightly stiffer arrow than a same poundage whip.  

All in all a good bow like all of Dans, I just prefer a more narrow grip.  If I was to order another one I am sure Dan could narrow the grip.  For me though its hard to beat the Lynx.

I'll be interested to see what you think of it.

[Jim Wright]

Jeff, the Chinook will have the same excellent manners all of Dan's bows have. Mine was 60"s, and chronographed a 10 to 1 arrow at 186 f.p.s. at my 29" draw with a dacron string. In addition to being very fast, Chinooks are very quiet even by Toelke standards, you're going to love your new bow.

[TxAg]

Jim, i'm a little concerned about noise. I've shot his kestrel and lynx....both fantastic, but a little louder than my Whips.  How was the B-50?....quiet enough, or should i wrap the string ends in wool yarn?  My arrows will be about 9 gpp

[Rick Richard]

Suprised to hear about noise with the two bows mentioned.  My Lynx is just as quiet as my Whip HS and even quiter when shooting Woodies.

[Jim Wright]

Jeff, the only string I shot on my Chinook was  one Jared made that came with the bow, a b50 with "catwhiskers". I discovered this, if I had been shooting my Whip or especially my Super D for awhile then shot the Chinook I noticed the difference even when other shooters around me were commenting on how quiet the Chinook is. I let one of them shoot it and it was as quiet as they said. It surprised me that such a tiny difference in noise struck me when shooting the bow but It did.

[Rick Richard]

Listen to Jim.  If anyone knows about Toelke bows, he does.

[TxAg]

Sounds good guys. Thanks for the info.  Dan is sending me a b50 string to try.

[NBK]

I've had both and prefer the Whip.  I agree with Tutanka's comments about the grip, but it didn't bother me; it's still a good grip.  In my perfect world I would have a matched set of the chinook and whip, same poundage, same grip, etc. that I could use for different scenarios.

[Sean B]

I have a 60" in Bocot.  Its as smooth a shooter as my Widows.  Its quiet and other than my Widows, its probably the best shooting bow I've owend. You'll love it!

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

Everything Dan makes is excellent. I have a loooong draw and that is the only reason I am not trying to get a Chinook right now.

[Bowmag]

My chinook is dead in the hand and very smooth and quiet. I got mine with the draw a little short but it does't seem to mind being overdrawn a bit.  Every time I get it out I'm surprised how quiet it is. I find the grip very comfortable. Dan made it to fit my hand and he did a very good job.

[TxAg]

I received my new-to-me Chinook. Like all of Dan's bows, it is very nice! The finish is great, the wood choices mesh well, and I love the feather light weight.

Additionally, I am surprisingly pleased with the fuller grip. I might even like it better than my Whip's grip.

The strung profile is a full 8" shorter than my strung 64" Whip. That should prove beneficial when I get it in a tree.

Looking forward to receiving a new string from Dan later in the week. The current string is fine, but I think Dan's string will be quieter. So far, it is spitting out an arrow pretty quickly.

[Biathlonman]

I adore my #51 t/d with classic grip.  Put and sbd string on it and yarn wrap the ends.  I found that much quieter then Dan's string and gave me about #5 worth of performance.  I've owned everything Dan makes but a Kestrel and the the chinook is my favorite.  The grip comment is one thing you you have to watch out for with Dan's bows.  Unless you specify they are all slightly different.

[TxAg]

Figured I owed an update.

I had ordered a b50 from Dan which got lost in the mail for a couple days...no worries, I'm patient (well, I try to be).

Got the string today and lathered her up. I'm really impressed how quiet the bow is. No wool wraps, no super heavy arrow...just a really quiet recurve. I was amazed. She's pretty quick, too. I don't have a chrono, but the recurve appears to be a bit faster than my longbow. That figures since it is 5# heavier, but the I'm shooting a heavier arrow and a "slow" string.