Choosing a longbow

[MIBIGHNTR]

I am in the process of attempting to choose a longbow.  There are not any decent traditional shops near me in MI.  I read many good things about several different bows, but it is hard to make a decision without being able to actually feel/shoot them.  

Any pros/cons on the following on my "list"??  Centaur, Toelke, Omega, Javaman....

Much appreciated!!

Mark

[NBK]

How long have you been shooting trad?
Bows are like beer... when you had your first you couldn't tell the differences between most but with experience you develop a refined taste and preference!
If you're relatively new to this, then the Classifieds are your BEST FRIEND.  $400 will get you a great used longbow.  Buy it, shoot it and then go back and sell/trade for another.  Keep going till you refine your taste and preference.  Good luck and have fun doing it.

[Orion]

Compton Traditional Bowhunters will be holding it's annual rendezvous and shoot at Barrien Springs, Michigan, in a few weeks.  Lots of vendors there, and you can shoot all their bows. Good way to get a feel for what you might like.

[Jack Hoyt 75]

Sounds like you need to make a trip to Compton in June and or KZoo Trad Fest in January and have a chance to shoot a bunch of longbows.  If you like short get a Javaman, if want 3 pc. Look up Heartland in NE or Hill Country in OH, if you want more traditional style call JD Berry.  Of course everyone like The Toelke bows also and i would take on over a Centaur.  Seriously, look up and attend Compton and or Kzoo.

[stevem]

Please keep your money in your pocket until you can go somewhere and try some different styles.  I started with D shaped limbs and a handle best described as a broomstick (Martin M-14).  I could never understand why anyone in their right mind would shoot such a thing. I had read about hand shock before, but until I owned this bow did not know what it was. Keep in mind this is just what a large following likes.  I eventually got into bows that had r/d limbs and near recurve type handles, and really like this style.  Wish I had tried a few different types and could have skipped the D limbs and straight grips.  By the way, a Toelke Whip is one I like very much.

[Archer1977]

Cant go wrong with a Dwyer either.

[Chain2]

I don't know where you're located but Great Northern in Nashville has some great bows. I love his Bushbow.

[dringge]

Someone already mentioned going to a big shoot. I cant imagine a better way to spend a weekend. Talking bows, arrows and shooting. A great time.

[Tradcat]

I would suggest a Maddog Archery Prairie Predator Longbow if you don't want to invest a lot of money. Mike Mecreedy will build you a custom model for under 300 bucks. They are FAST  bows and Mike is a great guy. On the other hand, if you want to cut through the chase of buying, trading, etc until you find "the bow", I would contact Dan Toelke and get him to build you one of his Whip longbows. They are nothing short of amazing ! His lead times are very short and his customer service & bows are the best ...IMHO

[Tradcat]

Can't go wrong with a Great Northern Bushbow either !!!

[Bow man]

Come To the Compton Rendezvous in two weeks. You can shoot a bunch of bows there

  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=149861

[Terry Green]

It's all about form once you have good form and the magic T as I have described on the shooters Forum you should be able to shoot any Longbow decently however some bows will just click with you get to a shoot if you can and see what bow fits you the best...... nothing wrong with the ones you named  at all I don't know anything about the Omega but I  know about the others good quality bows that shoot where you look again that all depends on good form

If you were concerned about your form go with a straight Limb Longbow vs a reflex deflex they're a little more forgiving but make sure they have a positive grip not the straight one that way you are sure the same hand placement every single time.... if your form is on go with whatever design you want... of the ones you mentioned you won't have a problem in my opinion..... go to Compton's if you can.

[Zradix]

lots of good advice in these posts.

I'm have yet to find a good archery shop that caters to trad locally.

I'm not sure where you are in MI, but I do know that Javaman bows are made in Fenton, MI by Gregg Coffey.

....all the other bows you listed are not made in MI.

I haven't ever heard of the Omega brand. They might be nice or maybe not...just no clue.

The others I know are respected brands.

Comptons would be a great start.
Also there is a GREAT show in K-zoo in Jan.

[catman1]

Look at the 66" Whip "Classic" No thumb locator, it fit's me like a glove and I've had Whip's with the thumb locator and just didn't like them. They don't call them LONGBOWS for nothing. The longer the better, super smooth and draw like butter.

[Homebru]

I can't help but advocate going to Compton's.  It's coming up in just a couple of weeks.  Bowyers will let you "try before you buy" to your heart's content.  Problem is, if you get fatigued from shooting too many bows.  Do yourself the favor of spending Father's Day weekend in Berrien Springs.

homebru

[legends1]

Take a look at our diverse selection of longbows on either our Facebook page, "Legend's Bows" or our website:  http://legendsbows.com/

[Chain2]

I would like to add another thing I learned. It parallels what Terry is saying. I've been shooting trad for about 5 years. I wish I knew what I know now when I started. I also wish I could know now what I'm going to know next year. It seems simple enough, just a crooked stick and a string but the mental thing is like golf. I think I'd go a different route. I'd forget about a lot of FOC weight and just get a reputable boaters bow, shoot a balanced arrow I could kill paper with until I was confident that I could pick up most any bow of my weight and draw length and shoot it correctly. Stay on this forum, Guys like Terry, Dave and Moebow will get you thru the process

[Rough Run]

Trad Gang is a fantastic site.  It provides invaluable information, instruction, insight and experience which can greatly shorten the learning curve for all - especially the beginners, such as myself.  Like everyone, I am limited by the time demands of work, family & other commitments so this site's forums are tremendously helpful as time is a limited commodity.  

I have become active in area archery clubs, but timing does not always align for consistent participation.  I also have found that many of the bows I have seen and admired do not fall into the parameters of my abilities, so shooting them would not really provide the answers/info I am searching for.  And, I have an inherent reluctance to ask a new acquaintance to handle/shoot their bow, although I wouldn't think twice about letting someone else shoot any of my equipment - just a personal quirk, but another obstacle for me, none the less.

My belief is that you have to start somewhere - gather all the information you can from this great place and, when the time is right for you, make a choice and make it happen.  You may strike gold or you may just add some landmarks to the map.  In either event, I think you will be better off and, closer to the place you want to be.

[MIBIGHNTR]

Thanks so much for all of the valuable insight!!  It all makes perfect sense to me, being a bit anal and having an extremely logical brain (engineer).  It certainly seems like a journey where you may have to try many to find that one that becomes part of you.  Again, much appreciated gentlemen!!

Mark