Anybody got a Kanati and an Elkheart?

[limbshaker]

Just curious if any of you have or have had both. I don't think one bow is "better" than the other, just looking for thoughts between the two.

I'm a longtime Kanati fan. Love it and it shoots great.

Recently got a Helms Deep and love the grip and speed and its very accurate. But I'm considering ditching it and going to an Elkheart.

Just looking to see if you Kanati or Elkheart fans had any thoughts between the two.

[kadbow]

Both good bows. I love the grip on the elkheart and the fact that you can get a 2 piece takedown. Kanati is a great shooter. Haven’t checked in awhile but Jason didn’t offer a td when I had one of his. What weight is your helms deep?

[limbshaker]

Thanks for the info Kadbow!

Yeah Jason doesn't offer a T/D version as of now either.

My Helms Deep is a 51#@28. Feels a few pounds lighter than that though, it's strangely smooth.

[nineworlds9]

The Kanatis are great bows, but you are limited to one model and a set of choices for customization.  Nothing wrong with that at all, Jason has found a formula that works quite well.  With Gregg and his engineering background you have a bowyer that's continuously trying to outdo himself.  

What I can comment on directly is the Elkheart vs the Helms Deep.  I have owned both and currently have a Helms and one of Greggs last Shrews, a special one.  I own The Helms as a representation of Greggs current work and the late produced Shrew as an example of Ron LaClair's legacy to trad archery and Gregg's artistry.  The Helms and Elkheart are very very close in character IMHO.  Gregg can provide/confirm on the draw force curves but to me the Helms is just a whisker smoother while the Elkheart is just a bit quieter.  I would say it comes down to do you want a recurve with its curvy shape or a longbow.  I like both so I own both.  I sometimes liken the Helms to an Elkheart that had the limbs pounded flat and recurved on an anvil.  The character differences are subtle and certainly apparent if you can shoot them back to back, and Gregg can certainly weave in some tweaks on a custom to suit the individuals preference.  I would take either into the woods and know I had one of the most purist hunting bows currently available.  In a traditional wood/glass bow it is hard to beat the pointability or manners of these bows.  I have always felt that they shoot like a bow 6" longer.

[limbshaker]

nineworlds,

Thanks very much for the comparison. I can confirm that the Helms is crazy smooth especially for it's length. It's actually a few pounds over what I normally shoot, but it's so easy that I don't notice the extra weight. It is very natural and pointable, as much so as my Kanati.

My Kanati is a little bit of an oddball since it has a straight grip. But it fits the hand very nice, and is more contoured and repeatable than it appears. It shoots great for me, but I always have the "new bow wants" and I was really impressed with the Helms Deep. Its got my name on it, and is getting pretty beat up so I could probably never sell it anyways.