Overwhelmed

[Bow Bum]

At the number of bow manufacturers.

I'v been starting the process of shooting trad again and have a hankering to replace my mid 70's Kodiak Hunter. I'm not real satisfied with how it sits in my bow hand and feel its not as repeatable as I would like.

At any rate, I'm dumbfounded by the number of bow manufacturers to really begin to decide where to look for a different bow. There are alot of custom shops with custom prices, but I don't hear/read much on here about production bows or custom bows with a working man's budget in mind(whatever that really means)say less than 500 bucks?

Maybe I'm being unrealistic? Used custom is probably the better route, but then I'm back to the "Which mfg/bowyer question"


Any tips would be helpful.

Thanks,

Brian

[Stumpkiller]

A Martin Hunter would be around $560 and is a fine bow.  The Bear Super Kodiak at $500 and is a little less "scooped" than the grip of the K.Hunter, plus the riser is a bit longer/beefier for more stability.

The only way to know which recurve will feel right to you is to feel it in person.

[xtrema312]

well given you are from MI you need to plan on going to the Kalamazoo expo and shooting everything you can get your hands on.  Also find other trad gangers in your area to shoot bows.  That  will go a long way in helping you build a base for what you like and don't. From there study the bows for sale to get a feel for value and then go the used rout.  You save a lot and can buy and trade without being out a lot.  That is how I did it when I decided to move up from my old indian and Pearson short bows. I have now had about 15 custom bows all but one used, I have  shot close to 100 bows and I am still trying stuff.

[AdamH]

Kohannah, Holm-Made, Two Tracks, Mohawk, Chek Mate, All Customs & at your $$ ....... Happy Trails ....

[straitera]

Trade that Bear for whatever you want. Add cash for the right deal. New is out of my league.

[Blake Dustin Adams]

big jim buffalo bow

[Whip]

Yep, plently of options out there for you, and some of the ones to consider based on your budget have already been mentioned.  The Kalamazoo show would really be well worth your time to attend just to get an idea of what you might like.  There will be plenty of them to look at and shoot and you can really narrow down what feels good to you.

[Al Natural]

There are alot of very good custom bows.  X2 what Whip said. Once you decide keep an eye on the classifieds, be patient and you will find what you want right here.
Al

[PEARL DRUMS]

I second the Kzoo show. It is without question the best way to narrow your search. You dont have to buy one that day, but at least know what bow you are looking for when you scour the used bows. Bring a few arrows and a glove with you and have fun!

[R. Graddy]

You are right, there are a lot of choices out there. Have you thought about a hybrid longbow? I think Lost Creek Longbows start at $500 new. Chad Francis is a sponsor on this website.  His bows have wonderful grips, IMO you can't go wrong with his bows.

[Andy Cooper]

What everyone else said! It is a blessing to have such a large number of high-quality choices!

[BamaBarebow]

Don't know if your stuck on recurves or longbows, but there are plenty of customs around $500, you just gotta look.

[reddogge]

My advice is to hold off until the shooting and 3-D season starts and ask people if you can try their bow.  Most people would be flattered.  That way you will have a pretty good idea of what type you want and what poundage to look for.  Best deals would be used.  People trade up all the time.

[Mudd]

Shoot as many bows as you can get your hands on!!

Just don't try to own them all....lol

Now if I can just follow my own advice....lol

God bless,Mudd

[hvyhitter]

Shoot as many different bows as you can....some bows just fit your hand better and are easier to shoot, others dont fit well and its always a struggle.....Buy used when possible and trade/sell if the bow doesnt work out.

[buckeye_hunter]

I am in the shoot as many as possible camp to find what you REALLY are comfortable shooting. GO TO KALAMAZOO!!!

Go to the Kalamazoo Trad Archery show in January. You will be able to shoot every bow you can think of there. Many of them will be in the 500-600 dollar price range. Some will be more expensive, but some will be cheaper. I go almost every year even though I have no plans to change what bow I shoot. All the different bow makers will let you shoot their bows for free. Make sure to shoot some of the bows you don't recognize. You may like some of the more reasonably priced bows better than the more expensive ones.

K-Zoo is the weekend of January 28,29,30 2011.

***I am NOT saying there is anything wrong with the higher price bows. These guys all do great and priceless work...

[Lancelot]

Check out Predator Bows as well on ****. I found some excellent bows for less than $500.  His recurves are much like the Bear Super Kodiak.  Very well performing bows.

 www.huntersniche.com/predator_bows.htm  

Lancelot

[longbowben]

The classified is the place to go there are great deals on custom bows,I just bought a HH wesley special with ebony riser and tips with a takedown handel for 300 to my door.That bow sells for $800.

[Mudd]

longbowben some folks have all the luck....lol

I'm glad we don't swim in the same stream. It's a good thing when I don't have to compete with the lefties for bargains...lol

God bless,Mudd