Are custom made bows better??

[Seeking Trad Deer]

FWIW...Fedora does NOT use a CNC machine.  He makes his bows by hand.  Plan on some time with him as he is a friendly fellow with a lot to share.

[Deadeye33]

The most I could possibly afford would probably be arond $350.  Is it even worth visiting Fedora if that is all I can spend??

[Mark Trego]

Yes.

[mooseman76]

yep.  I'm sure you'll learn lots.  I suggest you shoot some of his bows and then stop at cabelas and shoot the martin and bear longbows.  You see if there is any difference between a really good custom and a stock bow.  I thought the martin savannah was a great bow, I don't care for the grip on the bear montana, I hear great things about martin vision, and I know Fedora's are shooters.  I don't see a whole lot performance wise between the customs and stock bows.  Mostly grips, but you'll run into that between different custom bowyers as well.  I believe you can get a plain jane fedora for 400-450, could be wrong though.

[mooseman76]

Jeff, was just gonna tell you there is a Savannah on the classifieds, but saw your post.  If you are going up to Cabelas again anytime soon Fedora's shop is only about 20 minutes from there.

[Green Arrow]

Hey Deadeye33,

i think someone said it already but come to one of the 3d shoots that are coming up and you can usually find great deals on bow, and all the vendors will let you try out ANY BOW!  you can shoot all the different styles weight etc... and then you KNOW what you want.  That is what i did and i'm really grateful that i did.  most shoots have a blanket swap too and folks sell all kinds of great stuff.  that is also a good time to find a great bow at a good price.  

good luck!
Kyle

ps.  the baltimore shoot is one of my favorites  

[30coupe]

I love my Mahaska. It is a custom made for someone else originally. Yes, I bought it used. I favor the slimmer, longbow style grip it has over some of the custom bows with recurve style grips. Kent will make whatever grip you want if you want a new bow. His are not much higher priced than the factory bows. Take a look at his website:

 http://www.mahaskacustombows.com/