Decisions - Trad Wooden vs DAS DaLaa

[F Thomas]

A few years ago I gave my bows to my son-in-law for him and my grandson to use because I was moving to the Philippines.  He and my grandson are not using them, but trying to ship a full length longbow or recurve air to Manila from anywhere in the US is cost prohibitive.  Possibly costing more than the bow itself.  It will have to be a takedown!

Last week I found a small archery range on the 5th floor of a mall here and got to shoot!  WOW!  What a blessing.  I had a gentlemen come up to me that was watching me shoot and it turns out he is the President of the Philippine Barebow Archery Association and asked if I would like to join their club.  YES!  You guys have no idea how stoked I am!!!  Fellow Archers!  

My dilemma!  In the past I usually would buy used traditional bows.  Most recently I was shooting with a 40# Reflex Deflex longbow for target and have four Steve Abbott Longbows and two Kodiaks and a Howatt for hunting.  

I am in the Philippines.  I have no plans to return to the States soon unless I need to come back to go to the Veterans Administration. Praying that isn't the case!  LOL!

So, I'm looking for a bow I can order online and was considering the DAS DaLaa bow from 3 Rivers.  Having a bow made would be great, but time for delivery appears to be long from most bowers.  I would like to compete in barebow competition and go hunting (researching the opportunities to head into the jungle here or elsewhere in Asia - sounds like an adventure - biggest worry malaria, dengue fever and terrorists).

I have a whole cart ready to purchase at 3Rivers with a DAS riser and limbs, but just can't get myself to commit.  

Thoughts on shooting trad with a metal riser and limbs?  I have read a lot of positive reviews of the DaLaa, but I have never shot a metal riser and limbs. The DAS also allows for easy change of limbs and even switching to ILF for hunting and target.

[Bowwild]

I'd have no qualms at all.  I don't have a Das but I have TT Titan 2, Bear A-Mag, and Strickland stick- all metal risers.  Good shooting bows all.

The only thing a metal riser bow lacks for me is the appeal of exotic woods in the riser.

[Susquehannabum]

Buy the DAS. They are great shooting bows. You will get over the fact that it's not wood very quickly. I would order it with ILF fittings for more choices on limbs.

[Gil Verwey]

I shot longbows for years. I have had many recurves also, which were all wood. I have 4 DAS bows and like them all. I would say go for it.

Good luck
Gil

[Mr. fingers]

Question is do you want wood or metal? You can get either in a takedown from 3Rivers. Their Tomahawk line has  3 piece takedown. The nice thing though about the DAS is options you can change grips,limbs, shoot off the shelf,with a elevated rest, or you can use a plunger. And different limb options. How much do you like to tinker? I use to like all the stuff when I shot compounds all the tuning options. Now I just like the simplicity of wood its light beautiful warm when it's cold (not an issue in the Phillipnes) and nothing to buzz loose.
Good luck new bow shopping is is one of the funnest parts of archery!

[forestdweller]

I think it comes down to personal preference and your priority's.

The wooden riser is more traditional and will dampen vibrations including sound better.

The metal riser will have more mass for more stabilization but will not be as good as the wooden riser when it comes to sound and vibration dampening.

[SteveB]

My DAS is as quiet as any wooden bow. And just as "traditional".

[katman]

Das is a great riser imo. You can shoot any ILF limb with it by switching out the ilf bushing for the das bushing in the limb. I prefer the das connection over the ilf. Also have not seen noise and vibration in the riser be a problem when properly tuned.

[F Thomas]

Gentlemen thank you for all of your responses.  As a result I went ahead and pulled the trigger to purchase the DAS DaLaa 21 inch riser with black wood core limbs at 37# @ 28.  I'll be adding heavier limbs for hunting.  This setup is for barebow competition.  Now I'm excited!!  

Thanks again!

[katman]

You will have a very smooth drawing bow with that riser length.Congrats.

[David Mitchell]

Metal risers are very "traditional" as they have been around a very long time--way before compounds ever came on the scene. I bet you like the new bow.

[danshao]

I prefer my ilf bow for quick assembly. That and plus a metal riser looks like it can take a lot of abuse, not that I ever abuse it.

That or wooden one piece.

I have a wooden non ilf takedown bow and as much as I enjoy shooting it and as well as it shoots for me, having to use tools for assembly and screwing bolts and all those small parts like bolts or washer or hex screw, just make me don't feel like picking them when I'm deciding which bow I'll take for tomorrow. But that's just me.