Bob Lee bows

[Mclineman]

Any Bob Lee bow owners? I’m thinking of purchasing a BlackHawk recurve with the stabi loc system. Any suggestions or reviews would be greatly appreciated.

[Friend]

Am quite fond of the Ultimate.

Have a 2nd Ultimate with identical specs on order.

[Wheels2]

Bob Lee (Palmer) has been around for quite a while.  Not the best performing but solid shooters.  Like any recurve, if the grip fits you, you will like them.
If you can find someone near you that has one, I recommend shooting it before spending the money. 
But that goes for ANY bow... I have bought too many bows only to find that I didn't like the way they felt and shot after spending the money.

[McDave]

The Blackhawk is a fairly new model, and doesn't seem to have any reviews yet.  But it seems similar to the Ultimate, which Friend and I have, maybe with a few less bells and whistles.  The Bob Lee design has been proven over many years and 3 generations of the Lee family.  Like Wheels said, the fit of a bow is very personal, and what one person loves another person might hate.  That said, the Bob Lee standard grip is probably loved by more people than any other standard grip in history, so the odds are pretty good that you'll like it.

If this bow is anything like the Ultimate or the Heavyweight, it is a Heavy bow!  This of course is good for shooting stability, but some people would prefer a lighter mass weight bow.  Keep that in mind.  Another thing to keep in mind is whether you really want to pay $300 or so extra for the Stabi-lock.  I have one on my Ultimate, and it works fine, but to be honest I have never had it apart other than to learn to use it and once in a while to make sure it hasn't stuck together.  The basic Bob Lee two bolt attachment system is one of the best there is.  I have it on several other Bob Lee's I have, and really could wish for nothing more.

The Ultimate will probably be my go to hunting bow for the rest of my life, given my age.  I have several other bows that would work just as well, but they are too fancy and I would hate to get them scratched, whereas a scratch on the Ultimate would just give it some character.

[Mclineman]

How quite is the ultimate and speed as well?

[McDave]

The Ultimate is probably the quietest recurve I have, but it is still not as quiet as some of my longbows.  I would say it is quiet enough that it should not be a factor in your decision.

My Ultimate is 47# at my draw length, and shoots a 416 grain arrow at about 185 fps.  I would say this is not spectacular, but is adequate.  I would say that once you get to “adequate” speed, the distinction between bows is really how much a bow helps you to get the arrow where you want it to go; which is somewhat subjective.  I think some companies, such as Black Widow and Bob Lee, could build bows that would achieve higher speeds, but only at the sacrifice of being “Forgiving.”  If you want bows that shoot faster, they are out there, but you better be able to handle them.

[Friend]

Am shooting 11.5 GPP for my hunting setup out of the Ultimate.

My point-on is identical to my Dryad, Border and TimberGhost. My site windows are identical from my point-on in.  There are no adjustments to be made when hunting nor do I have to make any at IBO or ASA 3d events. Note: I typically shoot much lighter hop arrows at 3D events.

I am certain there would be differences in velocity on paper. Yet, for my practical apllication, I do not discern a difference. Note: the previous three bows mentioned are  few of the elite performers.

[Mclineman]

I’m not as concerned with speed as I am quietness. I’m shooting a custom longbow made by a friend of mine and it is stealthy quite.

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

Bob Lee still make the Dark Archer?  Or did it get renamed?

[NY Yankee]

I don't know where Weels2 gets his information but a Bob Lee bow is not a Palmer bow. They may have been together a long time ago but they are 2 different companies. As far as "performance" goes, Bob Lee has ben a top-of-the-line bow for decades. I have just a (standard) Signature model. Mine uses a FF type string and arrows just POP out of the bow. I have no issues with noise. I do wish the grip was a bit thinner, but I'm not going to change it. I have several other very good bows to compare it to and it's one of the best. They build great bows. The Stabiloc system is just a refinement to a great bow. They have a video about it on their website.

[Friend]

I am, personally, grip sensitive. A 5"  throat circumferance is my max comfort zone.  The Ultimate has a 4 1/2" throat circumferance  which is ideal for me.

[bucknut]

I had an Ultimate for a while.  They are fine bows with probably the smoothest draw cycle of any I've shot.  Shoots where you are looking and very quiet.  Can't speak of the model you are speaking of.

[Tradcat]

I sure wished they still made the one piece stick longbow. I’d buy one right now!

[BAK]

It would seem marketing dictates they can make more money only selling 3 piece models.  I have had a couple of their one piece bows years ago and loved them.  Just not a take down fan.

[mec lineman]

Hello Mclineman, I'm  Mec Lineman !!

[nineworlds9]

Mec,
I have owned five of them, from Signatures to the Ultimate, over the years. All were shooters. Ive always loved their standard grip. The Stabilock system is very nifty, maybe a little pricey, but it does add a lot of mass and stability and honestly not many systems takedown as fast or effortless. They are great all arounders. Not the fastest but not slow, pretty quiet for a recurve and very stable. Ive shot my two highest 3D scores to date both with a Bob Lee, the first with a 68" custom version of their 3pc LB and the second with the Ultimate I had. Dont ask me why I cant hold onto one. For me I think its cause they are widely available and I know I can always find another hehe.