Toelke Whistler

[Longbow 56]

Can I hear how  you feel about them.  The lynx that I had I felt that I had a hard
time finding an arrow that was weak enough for it. 

[slowbowjoe]

I shot one for a few days as a "test drive", Dan sent me a Whip HS and a Whistler to help me choose; 62" Whip HS, 42@28, 60" Whistler, 46@28. Both were bows in stock, I was bowless at the time due to a blow-up and wanted something readily available.
Both shot beautifully, with all the compliments we hear about Toelke's. My grip preference went to the Whistler, with what is for me a more defined and more natural locator than the Whip's. Both were classic grip.
I went with the Whip, only because the Whistler was at my upper limit for poundage, and I had more control at 42#. And because the Whip was perfect for my eye, and I didn't favor the veneer on the Whistler.
I may offer the Whip for sale now and order a custom Whistler, or Pika, tailored to my preferences and easy to wait out in the weather and short days we're having.
Meanwhile, the Whip shoots like a dream, and I know the Whistler does as well.

[Longbow 56]

Thanks for the reply, did you find them easy to tune?

[slowbowjoe]

Absolutely easy to tune (as in easiest to tune bow I've had to date). Little to none required, as you get it set up from Dan. With a note for some suggestions if necessary.
I had a head start on spine since my wife has had a Whip for several years. I found my bow (and the Whistler) to like a spine a few pounds higher than expected (shooting wood), which I believe is simply the performance level these bows exhibit.

[Crash]

I received a 58" Whistler in a trade 5 days before our season started, it was such a great longbow that it is the only thing I have carried all season.   Exceptionally smooth on the draw, whisper quiet, quick as a cat and very well mannered.   I have had problems shooting short longbows in the past, but I feel like I can't miss with this thing.   It possesses every quality I expect from a bow, I couldn't be happier.   

[Longbow 56]

That's one of my concerns is shooting  a 60" longbow as I'm shooting a 64" now

[slowbowjoe]

Longbow, what is the 64" you're shooting now? The Whistler might well feel as forgiving and smooth, or more so, than a longer bow of different design. Since we're all about Toelke's here, an example is that the 60" Whistler probably feels like a 64" (maybe longer) Whip... it's in the design. That's why you'll commonly see well crafted, highly R/D'd "short" bows, like 56", 58", able to comfortably handle long draws (those more experienced are welcome to correct me, or add insight, if I'm wrong here).

[Longbow 56]

I'm currently shooting a 64" A@H ACS which I really like, but a 60" Whistler has me thinking.

[slowbowjoe]

I have no experience with the ACS, so can't add anything there, but I'm sure the featherlight Whistler with a slim riser will feel quite different than a 3 piece with hefty riser (looks like the A&H's are all 3 piece?).