Questions for purchasing a new longbow

[Lectrajack]

So, I am quite new to traditional archery.  I am currently using my dad's (Graps on here) recurve, but I am very interested in getting a longbow.  My dad just got one and I am jealous!  :p  What would be some good tips for purchasing my own longbow?  Also, I'm hoping to stay around $300-500 if possible, so any pointers on good brands that won't break my wallet for my first bow would be very much appreciated.

[northener]

Howard Hill Archery

[VictoryHunter]

For your price range Maddog Bows are great! Give Mike a call, he is really cool.

[Grey Taylor]

Every single bow out there has someone that loves it... and someone that doesn't.
Which will it be for you?
Only you can decide what you like in your hands. See if you can get to a shoot and try out different vendor's bows, see if guys at the shoot will let you try their bows; it's a good group, most will be happy to give you a try.

Guy

[Red Beastmaster]

Please look at Abbott longbows. I have been shooting them for many years. They are very good bows at the low end of your price range.

On the site you can see Steve's stock bows. They are in various weights, lengths, and wood combinations, all ready to ship.

I am now shooting my fourth Abbott, it was a stock bow.

Good luck.

[nineworlds9]

Lost Creek Bows by Chad Francis.  Have him build you one of his new Envy models, you will LOVE it.  Beautiful, very quick for a longbow and easy to shoot.  Check out my post "Way more than a working man's bow- new Lost Creek Envy" on Pow Wow and you'll see mine.  Super bow.  He can easily build you one for under 500 more like 450.  Mine was 560 but only cause of the fancy exotic woods.  

Here's the link:
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=133048

Maddog was also a great suggestion.

[Brianlocal3]

Personally, when I was in your shoes I bought many a longbow from the classifieds, trying many different bowyers and many styles. I have found MY perfect bowyer and bow style in JD Berry archery. They just fit me.  It is a great opportunity to buy from the classifieds to find what you like

[bigb3303]

I would recommend maddog, affordable , with great customer service!

[nineworlds9]

The danger with the classifieds is you will soon end up with a bow rack full of bows LOL!!!  I started out doing the used thing, and it is great to try stuff, but it can be addictive.  I have since started to cure myself (sort of) by buying new bows.  I find the ones made just for me much harder to part with and so keeps me from spending money on used haha.

[slivrslingr]

Buying a bow is a very personal thing, what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.  The best thing to do is go to a shoot or good shop and try as many as you can to find what works for YOU.  That said, there are many good bows in the classifieds, but you would be hard pressed to do better than a Toelke Whip or a Liberty Contender.

[Fletcher]

Buying used is a great way to try a bow without spending a bunch of money in the process.  You can generally sell them for about what you paid.  If you can stand the wait, The Kalamazoo Expo is coming up the last week of January.  There will be several bowers and lots of used bows to try.

[old_goat2]

Watch the classifieds! If you've been shooting a recurve, maybe ease into it with one of the 3 piece longbows that has basically a recurve riser with longbow limbs. I just got a set of Dryad ACS longbow limbs to put on an Orion riser I already owned, absolutely love it, I've seen them go for your price range on the classifieds here. I had the regular Orion longbow limbs before these, these are 5 lbs heavier, MUCH faster and MUCH MUCH QUIETER shooting the same arrow, pretty incredible. New is nice, used cost half as much and shoots just as nice!

[damascusdave]

If you have some basic woodworking skills and tools consider buying your longbow in blank form...I have two I got that way...I paid 300 for one and 150 for the other...both are quality r/d bows

DDave

7 Lakes

[bulldog18]

Bamabows hunter or tribute.

[Jim Picarelli]

Originally posted by bulldog18:
Bamabows hunter or tribute.

This  ^^^^^^^

[ripforce56]

Bama Hunter longbow custom made at $389 one of the best values out there!

[Bladepeek]

Jason, since you're from MI, come to the Kalamazoo Expo the end of January. There will be all kinds of longbows there that you can try. Definitely try an aggressive r/d longbow and a "D" type (maybe a mild r/d type and a string follow?)

There are definitely differences! Personally, I love blondes, redheads and brunettes, but do have a preference  

[gringol]

There are way too many good ones.  I suggest you try some out to narrow the field a bit; figure out the grip, length, mass, etc that you like.  Also, don't over do it on the draw weight.

[Zippee]

Yes...Bamabows.  You will be happy you did.  I shot about 60-70 arrows last night.  Can't wait to do it again tonight.

Unbelievable value and Nate couldn't be a nicer guy.