Another choosing a new bow delima

[JARHEAD1371]

I have been shooting a 64" ACS 50#@28" 3 piece longbow for a couple years now and I love it. But I can't help be regret selling the BW PSA V I had several years ago. It was 58" 55#@28" and shot amazingly.

I've received the go from the Lt to purchase a new bow. This will be a present to myself for finally graduating college with a BS in education to teach middle school science and social studies, and it will not be a bow that will ever sold. My dilemma is, do I stick with an ACS or switch back to BW? Either way, the bow will be 55#.

If I go with another BW, the biggest problem is narrowing down the wood choices for the BW PCH X. I know these are tough decisions, but any advice is appreciated.

[acedoc]

Sold only on bw/acs ?
Consider a centaur or an ilf setup. The ilf could theoretically be a lifetime bow. Swap out parts and have fun

[fling]

I'm a bowaholic and I've bought and sold lots of bows. I've never owned a A&H but its on my list. I just got a Big Foot Sasquatch TD longbow. And it is becoming my favorite bow ever. The limb design is like no other on the edge of a recurve. But what I like most about this bow is that it put that arrow right where you look. Take a look at Kirks bows and see what other have to say. As for me I'm sold.

[Scott F]

Semper Fi --

I'd recommend printing this thread so that you can reference it in a few years and chuckle.  I've had a couple 'forever' bows, but none of them still live at my house...

I admit that there are many different reasons to get a new bow and earning a BS is right up there in my book.  Congrats on that accomplishment and enjoy your bow.  Seems like you really like BW bows, so in that respect you really can't lose; they are great bows.

FWIW, I'm a believer in the ILF option that acedoc put forth.

[M60gunner]

I was going through this same delema a dew months ago. I had a BW and was looking agian. But I wanted for some reason to go retro so I got on Vintage Works list. I got to have a 62 replica. An'it it hard delema to be in?
I received my limbs from Kirk at Big Foot for my Bear TD. I have had them out a couple things mes now. I am impressed so far, not with just the limbs but with Kirk and his personal service. I have an itch for a set of his ILF limbs now.

[Harmless]

you know your going to buy a Widow, here's some different woods to look at  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=134127;p=1

[acedoc]

Most of the top edge bowyers are offering ilf limbs. They cost a lot less than a complete bow and you can get the flavour so to speak of the bowyer in a familiar grip package. Tuning also seems to be easier.
Will update with a full comparo once my ilf setup arrives viz a viz my td longbow.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Its a great Delema to have.  

I agree, forever bows seldom are these days anymore lol.

My only recommendation is to take your time, try lots of stuff, look at lots of pictures about how different woods look together and when its time, then place the order.

[JARHEAD1371]

Originally posted by acedoc:
Sold only on bw/acs ?
Consider a centaur or an ilf setup. The ilf could theoretically be a lifetime bow. Swap out parts and have fun

I'm looking at BW and ACS because I have owned both and they are the most comfortable for me. I really like the ACS because of the simplistic appeal to a longbow, but the sheer beauty of a BW is a huge draw for me. I have looked at Centaur before, but I prefer a 3 piece take down. If memory serves, they only offer a two piece bow. I would look at them right now, but their site is blocked here at work.

[JARHEAD1371]

Originally posted by Scott F:
Semper Fi --

I'd recommend printing this thread so that you can reference it in a few years and chuckle.  I've had a couple 'forever' bows, but none of them still live at my house...

I admit that there are many different reasons to get a new bow and earning a BS is right up there in my book.  Congrats on that accomplishment and enjoy your bow.  Seems like you really like BW bows, so in that respect you really can't lose; they are great bows.

FWIW, I'm a believer in the ILF option that acedoc put forth.

I know what you mean, it's amazing how life constantly changes your plans. I sold my PSA V to a friend's son several years ago and I have regretted it. Fortunately, he is still actively shooting it and I'm very thankful for that.

If you will still be in the Quantico area in the future, it would be great to shoot with you. We should be getting stationed there after my wife graduates from Naval Postgraduate School next December.

[joe ashton]

Congratulations on your completion of your education, that is a job well done.
I'm thinking the Bw.
Joe

[smokin joe]

Given your criteria, I would opt for the ACS and get exactly the ACS riser I want while knowing that the draw weight of the limbs will need to be adjusted downward as the effects of age kick in. That way the riser becomes permanent and you can still shoot it long into old age by getting new limbs and selling the old ones. And, of course, those ACS bows are incredible performers, so that is a factor as well.

[acedoc]

You are right centaur has a two pc takedown and the option adds 400 usd to the price.
Why I went ilf was the simple reason that my bowyer couldn't make me exact fitting limbs for my bow without having the riser shipped back- guess that's acceptable in a custom bow.
Then again ilf is an accepted format with multiple limb and maker options. Most of the bowyers we see on are a small niChe option and usually one man outfits. Ilf is larger than that and most bowyers of note are making limbs for the same.
But that's me being a world away from USA and dealing by email / net.
You could get bows to test drive even. I guess the bw have such a program