smooth drawing longbow

[mike hogan]

hello everyone,im looking for some input from all of you experienced trad guys.what is some of the smoother drawing longbows out there.im sure there are a few,and i know the length of the bow can effect the way it draws and most certainly the pounds pulled as well.i have a 27 in draw length and i am currently shooting a pma 62'' 43 lbs @27.your lonbow suggestions,length of draw and poundage,length of the bow would be greatly appreciated-thank you

[threeundr]

Mike, I shoot a Big River longbow by John McDonald. It is 66" 45# @ 28". I draw 27inches and it is very smooth. You are right the length makes a big difference. I have traditionally shot longbows 64 inches or less. Some all the way down to 56 inches. My Morrison Cougar was 56" 56# @ 28". It was a smooth bow out to my 27 inch draw. I think smoothness can also be subjective. I have traded for bows that people claimed to be smooth, but they were'nt for me. These are just two bows of the many I have owned. Both are smooth to me and each one  covers both ends of the spectrum, short and long. I don't know if any of this helps you or not. It's hard to get around personal experience though. In the end you have to use what works best for you.

  -Leonard-

[Mike Burch]

The Acadian Woods Tree Stick draws like butter. Silky smooth.

The two I had were 62". I have a 60" on order. They feel as if they are 5# lighter than marked, but you put them on a scale, they'd be dead on.

Mike

[Stone Knife]

66" Howard Hill Big Five 48# @28 Smooooooooooth as silk.

[ISP 5353]

I have shot a bunch of them and there are several that are very smooth, but the very smoothest one I have ever shot is a 21st Century at 70inches nock to nock.

[DEAN]

TURKEYCREEK smooth as butter

[Dave2old]

No end to superbly designed and performing longbows these days. For easiest and smoothest draw, least handshock and stack, go with a reflex-deflex model, such as made by Lightning Longbows, Thunderhorn, Black Widow, and countless others. With your draw length and 62" length, you should be able to get into the high 60-pounds before noticing any stack or other draw problems. Best bet is to attend whatever Really Big trad archery gathering you have in your area ... Comptons, TBM Expo East, or a state trad annual banquet. Shoot every bowyers' wares you find there, and make your choice with hands-on experience. Either that, or buy the cheapest damn thing you can find and work up! Have fun, dave

[Labs4me]

Can't say enough nice things about my Black Widow longbow. Draws very smoothly and points quickly. I've been shooting Black Widow recurves for twenty years and never thought I'd enjoy shooting a longbow as much as I do.

At the Traditional Bowhunter Expo in Kalamazzo MI last year, I had a chance to shoot various longbows. Of course it's a personal thing, but IMHO nothing compared to the Widows I shot. Frankly, I WANTED to like a few of the other big name bows better, but after shooting them, I settled on the Widow.

Here's the best part- you don't have to take my word for it. Just attend the Michigan or Western States Trad Bowhunter Expo and you can compare/contrast the various longbows yourself. If you can't make the Expos, BW has a "Test Drive a Bow" program which allows you to shoot a comparable bow before you lay down your money and place an order.

What a country!!!

[mike hogan]

thanks people,so many to choose from.i will try hard to try a bunch before i buy.i will look into all the bows you have mentioned,they all sound like they are worth looking into,anyone else with insight with smooth drawing being the main concern-MIKE

[portugeejn]

If you have a chance, shoot a Martin Savannah.  It is the smoothest longbow of all I own (8).  

I also have a 27" draw, and although I prefer the looks of the classic "D" shaped longbow, the Savannah is smooth and "feels" less than the 55 pound weight it pulls (it is marked correctly, as I measured it with a scale).

RonP

[Orion]

You'll probably get a hundred favorites offered for your consideration.  I agree that the reflex/deflex design will yield the smoothest draw.  I've also found that bamboo core laminations smooth out the draw regardless of the design.

[LBR]

My 66",60@28 Chek-Mate Crusader gains 2.5# per inch out to at least 30.5" (my draw length).  Didn't bother to scale it any further.

Chad