Need help deciding on a Shrew

[joevan125]

I shot the the shrew classic this weekend at the Howard Hill shoot and it was to light for me. Which one of there bows has the most mass and would be good for my 30in draw. Also i would know what shrew you guys shoot and why you like that particular bow.

[Tim Fishell]

I would think if you went with a 60" Super Shrew with a solid pheonolic riser that would get you the most mass weight.  The Classic Hunter has a little bit shorter riser and with your draw length you would either have to go with a 56" Classic or 60" Super Shrew.

[Tim Fishell]

Oh sorry and to answer your other question I have a 52" and 54" Classic Hunter, a 54" Lil' Favorite, a 58" Shrew Scout, and a 58" Shrew Samurai.  I don't know if I could pick just one.  They are all great shooting bows and I seem to shoot them all equally well.  Sorry I know that does not help you choose one but that is just my take on them.

[joevan125]

Does the Classic Hunter have thinner limbs than the other bows Tim

[Tim Fishell]

Not that I have noticed.  Ron or Gregg would be able to answer any design questions you have on the bows.  From what I know and have been told by them the risers are shorter on the Classic Hunter.  I believe the Classic Hunter risers are 14" and the Super Shrew are 16" risers.  The Classic Hunter does seem to draw smoother than the Super Shrews but I am not sure why that is.

[joevan125]

Would love to hear from some more shrew shooters

[David Sapp]

I shoot a std 60" Super Shrew and a 64" Bevellock Griffin, both about 49@28 and I draw to 29 or so. Both are very smooth and natural shooting bows. The 60" will do very well at your draw length, but many folks will say that the 58" would also. I can't say as I've only shot a 58" a dozen or so times.
 
Ron obviously could tell you about the heaviest mass weight that he could make for you, but personally, I really like the featherweight qualities of the bows I have. Even with a loaded GN quiver they are such a pleasure to carry and point so well.  Carrying one of them can be a nice respite from the tank like Widow recurves that I also enjoy.

[WESTBROOK]

All Phenolic, as Tim said or the standard Diamond wood will give you the most mass weight. Gregg usually has various colors of D.wood.

The Super Shrew has the longest riser, so that will give you slightly more weight also. My 60" SS with D.wood is only 3oz. heavier than my 56" Classic with Osage and Phenolic riser.

I draw them both 30" and they work very well.

Eric

[amar911]

I can't add anything to the good advice given by others above. These guys know what they are talking about.

Allan

[Steelhead]

Having had couple 58 inchers and  two  60 inchers I would definatly recommend the 60 inch bow for you.I draw 30 and the 60 incher is gonna feel better IMO.The phenolic sounds great as Tim mentioned and if you add a bow bolt TD it might add a little more weight possibly.For a little more mass weight if you prefer that a bowquiver is gonna help obviously.

[R H Clark]

Hey Joe get the 60" With a black Pheonolic riser and Olive Ash veneers 50-55 lbs @ 28".That way maby I'll get a chance to buy the one I want at a discount.  

[kadbow]

Joe,
I saw on another thread where you liked an ordered a Black Widow.  If you ask me, the Black Widow and the Shrew are on totally opposite ends of the spectrum with respect to how they feel in the hand.  The BWs are heavy and the Shrews are super light.  I don't think you will find any Shrew that comes close to the feel of a BW.  I like the Shrew end.  I have a Classic Hunter and a SS and slightly prefer the SS due to a little more mass wt.  I also had a Scout and shot it as well or better than any of them, just prefer longbows.  I have two TDs on order and will probably get one CH and one SS.  Should here from Ron in a few weeks.  I will probably sell the CH I have now to help with $ for the two new ones.  Then there is the carbon and foam option to consider.  Right now I am leaning to staying with wood and glass.  Decisions decisions.

[WESTBROOK]

What Mark said, you will never get a Shrew to feel that heavy.

The first time I tried shooting a Hill style longbow it was all over the place, light as a feather. All I was used to shooting was Sky T/D recurves, one with a metal riser.

A few years ago I decided I was going to learn to shoot a longbow, got a good deal on a used Robertson. Started the same way as I remembered, all over the place. Didnt take long for the bow arm to strengthen and stay right where its suposed to. Dont take long for your body to adapt to a change.

Eric

[Red Boar]

For what it is worth, I shoot the lightweight Super Shrew substantially better than I did my much heavier Morrison Cheyenne.  The Shrew is a delight to hold.  The grip, as has been mentioned many times, is just about perfect (at least for me).  My Clasic Hunter coming is Osage and phenolic, so it will probably be a touch heavier than my current SS.   I'll  provide pics and impressions when it arrives.

[oddan]

I have a 54in Classic Hunter and a Widow 54in PSRx. The Shrew can be made the perfect weight by adding a quiver and arrows. For me it makes all the diffrence. They are 2 diffrent bows in mass weight but the Shrew is more forgiving for me. Try to shoot a Shrew with a bow qiuver and then see if it still feels to light. Out Door Dan

[Big Ed]

As stated before a 56" Classic or a 60" SS is the only way to go with the 30" draw. I have owned most of the other size lengths and have determined at the 30" draw the 56" Classic and the 60" SS to be the most stable ,forgiving and just a pure joy to shoot.Go with the phenolic with the T/D option and you should be happy with the mass weight. Ed

[amar911]

I hate to keep saying "me too", but Ed is 100% correct on every point in my opinion. Do consider in addition such options as foam core limbs, carbon backing, and exotic hardwood veneers. You might as well go for the most you think you might want so you don't wish you had added options when it is too late. I would also add that if a shorter length is more important than added weight, go with the Classic Hunter, but if mass weight is your priority, go with the Super Shrew.

Allan

[jack benson]

Smith and I have a six Shrews we (now)share in our stable of bows.

Range from a 58" Limited Edition to a 54" Classic Hunter. All are in the 45-55# range in draw weight. Although the bows were purchased over a number of years and slight changes in design, they all "feel" very similar and shoot well.

IMHO, the length is best determined on the type of shooting planned to do with the bow. I like my LE when shooting 3D and at shoots, not only because of appearance, but venue. However, both Smith and I prefer our shorter bows when hunting (we hunt much in our wood lot and willow patch where the shorter bow is much much more maneuverable). That is something to take into consideration. My next (and there will always be another "next")Shrew will be a 52" Classic with foam core. Shot it in Kalamazoo at the beginning of the year and knew I had to have one for the Shrew armory.

My first experience with a Shrew was shooting a friend's and what struck me was the lightness of it. I love to still hunt and a light bow in hand is a definite plus.

Ron will guide you in selecting a Shrew.

Hope this helps...

jack