Need Help. Kanati VS Toelke Whip

[shedhunta]

In the market for a one piece longbow.  I am currently shooting a 58" thunderhorn heartstopper 3 piece and I love it.  Killed 4 deer this season and watched them all fall.  I know!!!!! "if it isn't broke don't fix it"  Bow is a little too heavy to shoot a lot for me 53# at my 27" draw and it is too damn pretty to mess up.  I will keep it forever and use for travel hunts but I miss a one piece.  I would get a one piece thunderhorn in a heartbeat if Duane was still making them.  

Looking at a HS whip or a Kanati so far.  I draw 27" and want to end up around 50# Hunting 99% whitetails and turkey.  I will try to shoot both first if I can find them.  

Looking for pros and cons of each if you guys can help. The Kanati is about 225$ cheaper for starters and with the bowyer recommendations it looks like I could get away with a slightly shorter bow which is great since I am treestand and ground blind hunting.  Whip looks more readily available(less build wait) and I hear Dan is great to work with.  If I had the money I would order both and then choose but that is not going to happen.  Any information and opinions are appreciated.  Thanks, Gary

[30coupe]

I don't think you could go wrong either way. I haven't shot a Toelke bow yet (just traded for a Chinook, but won't have it for a few days). I can tell you that I love my Kanati. It is 46# and zips an arrow through whitetails with ease. Kanatis also like heavy arrows, which helps with the penetration as well.

I had Jason build my Kanati in 2006 I think. Since then I have bought, sold and traded more bows than I really want my wife to know about, but the Kanati just stays at the top of my signature. For a short longbow, it is very forgiving. It even forgives me for flirting with all those other bows. I can shoot something else for days or weeks, but when I pick up my Kanati it just does its job and puts the arrows right where I point it. Jason is also a great guy to deal with. There is a reason he has a waiting list and it's not just because he's a one-man operation.

I have heard NOTHING but good about Dan Toelke as well, and the same goes for his bows. The comments on Toelke's bows are very similar to Jason's.

You my friend have quite the dilemma. Either way you go, you win! What a bummer!

   

[nineworlds9]

I haven't shot a Kanati, heard good things.

Toelke Whips on the other hand ROCK.  Simply one of the best shooting, best looking, and best crafted bows around.  They may seem expensive, but trust me, he and his son's craftsmanship is up there with a few bowyers who's work goes for more.  Theyre actually a great value.  Dan will hook you up.  He will build you something spectacular.  There are a few others I'd recommend but they all cost more or have longer wait times.

[screamin]

I'd get the Whip!

[nineworlds9]

...

[Zradix]

I've had a whip HS
It is a GREAT bow.
Dan was an absolute pleasure to deal with and very informative.

That said, I've also wanted to try a Kanati for years.
I've emailed Jason a number of times with questions and he has been extremely courteous and helpful as well.

You may want to ask Dan about using just black glass to save on the cost. When I bought mine he had a deal going with Kent that makes the Plenty coup hat. They called it the Plenty coup special.

Basically a whip hs with black glass and made from stock riser material of limited choices....don't confuse "stock" wood with cheap or ugly. I chose bocote as it was the most dense wood offered....it was beautiful.

Same bow as the whip hs. Same form same limbs..just limited wood choices with black glass.

Same custom grip too..wanted me to send in a tracing of my hand and all.

Maybe he still offers something along these lines.

   

   

 

 

[Zradix]

If it makes any difference to you...
I'm pretty sure the whip is quite a bit more slender than the kanati...

Here's a pic right at the fades...
 

[Birdbow]

Shedhunta,
  Shooting a Kanati, 56", 52 @ 27 this season, my first. Love it and the value for price can't be beat (IMO). Got it with basics, black glass, bamboo cores, and actionwood riser. Filled my antler-less tag earlier with it and it shoots well for me, quiet, smooth and forgiving. Haven't shot a Toelke so I can't offer any opinion on it. Best regards, Todd

[Masham Man]

Order a 58" Leon Stewart Slammer Special. You will love it!!!

[nineworlds9]

Originally posted by Masham Man:
Order a 58" Leon Stewart Slammer Special. You will love it!!!

Ooh, don't even get me started on how sweet Leon's bows shoot!  Can't wait for my Lil Slammer 56 to be done early 2014!  Leon is my top pick of all bows besides Centaur.  I'd have told him to just forget Toelke and Kanati and go straight for a Centaur, but I was trying to be cost conscious for him  :D

[shedhunta]

Thank you everyone!!

[Froggy]

Owned them both along with a boat load of others. I have four Kanati's in the fold now, guess that tells you how much I like them. Its a bow on any given day I can pick up and feel good shooting whether I feel on or not. Extremely forgiving and quiet, and great performance also, so spine tolerant sometimes I believe mine would shoot a drink straw or a broomhandle equally well.Only other longbow I own now is a Caribow Wolverine that shoots very well. Hands down the Kanati is best bow of its type for the money, and Jason is as good as it gets to do business with. But with that said, nobody can say which you would like the best, only you can solve that one.

Lanier

[Lamey]

2 completely different bows, if you can shoot each.  Both fantastic, more options available for the Whip... Kanati is less $$....  literally cant go wrong with either.

I will say the Whip is the quietest r/d longbow ive ever shot.

[M.Kerry Bird]

I've had both custom made and felt the kanati was the better bow. I wasn't happy with the whip at all. The kanati had better performance and was easier to shoot.  The fit and finish were  about the same on my bows.