Carbon Griffin Takedown

[tenbrook]

My name is about to come up on John's wait list for a Griffin Longbow and I am trying to decide what to order.

I have a 29.5" draw so I am thinking the 64" bow would work well.  I have heard John has started to put carbon on the back of his bow as an option.  Also I am thinking of ordering this bow as a takedown as it will be my primary hunting bow and the takedown option will be eaiser to travel with.

My questions are.

1) Would 64" be the best lenght for my draw?

2) What are the advantages of the carbon backed bows?  Are they worth the extra $$$ ?  Are there any disadvantages to going carbon backed?

3) What kind of takedown system does John use?  Is it a style of takedown that is known to be a durable/good one?  I have heard people rave about "Big Jim's" takedown system being great.  And I have heard people complain about other bowyers takedown systems being junk.  How does John's takedown stack up? Would a take down bow have as long of a life (be as durable and not become loose after years of shooting) as a 1 piece long bow?

Thanks

Tenbrook

BTW.  If you have Griffin pictures please post em!

[Izzy]

He uses the bolt system for his takedowns. Many fine bowyers use it and most reinforce the riser with phenolic. My takedown Shrew use phenolic in the riser and that along with the bolt gives it gives a it a really welcomed weight, I prefer it to my one pieces.They are durable. I shot his carbons at Denton hill and to my laymans  eye there wasnt much difference as compared to boo cores. Never shot a 64"er but I bet it would be smoooooooth.

[snag]

Hi Tenbrook,
  The 64" would be a good length for your draw length. I have one and love it! The advantages of the carbon? In my opinion, for what it's worth, it can't be justified. You usually only gain about 3-5 fps. I like the feel of a wood limb better. I don't know anything about his takedowns. I'd be interested in this too. How long have you been on the list? Here's mine.

 

 

 

[shadman]

I have a similar draw length as you and much prefer the 64". I had a 60" but in my opinion did not compare to the 64". They are great bows!

[Crash]

Get the take-down, I'm on my second one and there are no problems whatsoever and it is handy as a pocket on a shirt.  As for the carbon, mine have both been bamboo and I don't think I would give up the pretty factor for a few fps.  The one I have now is as fast as any bow has a right to be for 45 pounds.  I've heard that carbon has a different sound to it that is a little harder to quiet down, just what I've heard, don't know for sure.  I do know that my bamboo one is very quiet with some wool yarns on it though.

[snag]

I agree Crash. Carbon in the limbs just feels and sounds different. The bamboo core in the 64" is smooth drawing and through to the end of the shot and very quiet just with a wool silencer. I am a recurve guy for the most part. But this Griffin has made me a believer!

[tenbrook]

Snag, I think I put my name down in mid 2008.  I spoke to John a few months ago and he said my name would be coming up in early 2011.

Sounds like maybe I'll just pass on the carbon.  

Bow bolt looks rock solid thanks for the info there.  This is what he uses correct?

 http://www.warrenarchery.com/tbb.html

[Crash]

Yep, that's the one.

[Blackhawk]

I would not hesitate for a shorter Griffin if that's important to you.  

I know guys love the 64", but archers with 29-30" draws love 60" bows.  That length may be marginal for long draws, but I would think a 62" would be ideal.

At any rate, these Griffins are awesome bows and know you will love whatever you get.

P.S.  I tend to agree with the comments on the carbon...so save the money for some arrows.

[ken denton]

I had a 64" 47#@28" and drew it 28". John made it in 1999 with brown glass and it was and still is the quietest bow I have ever shot, but I sold it like a dummy. Let John put some of those beautiful veneers under clear glass so you can gaze at a beautiful bow all the time. You will never miss the carbon. Ken

[tippit]

I've been known to have a Griffin or two     For me anyway, the carbon in the Griffin seems to shoot a bit faster and is extremely smooth plus being as quite as the standard ones.  My 60" 45#@28 carbon Griffin shoots as hard as my 50-54# standard Griffins.  This fall it was the only bow I used...normally I'll shoot several different bows during the deer season.  I had complete pass through shots on a very large doe @ 20yards and a 12pt buck @15 yards. I'm impressed with it.  Some of my standard Griffins maybe on the sale block soon    Doc

 

[Sharptop]

Originally posted by tippit:
I've been known to have a Griffin or two      For me anyway, the carbon in the Griffin seems to shoot a bit faster and is extremely smooth plus being as quite as the standard ones.  My 60" 45#@28 carbon Griffin shoots as hard as my 50-54# standard Griffins.  This fall it was the only bow I used...normally I'll shoot several different bows during the deer season.  I had complete pass through shots on a very large doe @ 20yards and a 12pt buck @15 yards. I'm impressed with it.  Some of my standard Griffins maybe on the sale block soon       Doc

   

Wow, beautiful buck and bow!

[Blackhawk]

  Yes, nice deer...

[cacciatore]

Nice bows indeed.

[Froggy]

I will agree with Doc.... Carbon Griffin is as smooth as his all Bamboo cores, and just as quiet. And is definitely quicker by the eye. Here's mine. 60"51@28 Carbon Griffin.
 
 
 
 

[Mr Green 740]

I have a 29 inch draw and I just can't get accustomed to the feel of a 60" bow. Although i've never shot a Griffin I do have experience with carbon. In mu opinion the sound is different but I can't say louder. I do notice the difference in feel so I no longer order it in my bows. For the extra 3 or 4 fps it isn't worth it to me. I agree with Snag. Right now I shoot a 64" one piece with carbon but I have a 3 piece coming without. I don't think i'll be ordering anymore with carbon but maybe you'll like it. Try it yourself to be sure!

[Froggy]

The Griffin Carbon out of all the other carbons I have shot, minus a Centaur Chimera doe's not have that stiffer feeling draw or the pinging sound as I refer to, that Mr Green I am sure is describing. John evidently played around a good bit before jumping in the game. Of course, the last I heard there is only about six or seven of these carbons he has done so far.

[Yellow Dog]

That's a tough one. I was going to say Tippet would be the one to weigh in on the Carbon but I see he already has.

Had the opportunity to pick up a Carbon from John this summer, it was one of the first ones he did just playing around with it to see how it would turn out. I think it was the same bow that Chuck from Two Tracks sold this summer, 64" in the same weight. I have not seen one of Johns Carbons that wasn't film dipped, not saying they are all dipped but the few that are out there that I've seen pics of are dipped. One of the draws to Johns bows, besides the fact they are superb shooters, is they are so darn pretty.

Had a Griffin and a Shrew Little Favorite with the Bow Bolt and that takedown system worked flawlessly. Unless you plan on doing alot of flying/traveling the takedown option is nothing more than added cost. If I can't drive to where I hunt I ain't going, not a fan of flying but that's just me. With the Bow Bolt you can't tell the difference between a one and two piece bow. John will only do a Bow Bolt with a Phenolic "I" beam.

I have a 30" draw and shoot the 60" bows in lighter weights well but the 64"s are more comfortable. 64" Griffins are hard to find, John will tell you the 60"s are his bread and butter.

Don't mean to muddy the water but my favorite bow of Johns is the Fiftyniner. I hope I didn't make your decision harder.

The pic's are all 60" bows, the bow on the left is a Bow Bolt.

   

 

 

 

[Robhood23]

I am still waiting on the call!! I put in March of 2008! Kind of forgot about it until I saw this post!

[tippit]

John's Carbon Griffins this summer were all experimental so he made them without the fancy veneers thus the dipped finish.  I'm sure you can get whatever you'd like for looks.  I won't even bore you with the # of Griffins I own except to say I put a smile on John's face when he sees me coming    

I am a bow-a-holic.  I have quite a few carbon and carbon foam bows from different makers.  In general I like bamboo limbs...this one experimental carbon Griffin is the best of the bunch.  JMHO...Doc