Shopping for a new bow

[zigman]

Hello Tradgang,

I have been lurking in the shadows for a few weeks reading your threads and those of several others.  This is my first post because I think this is where I can get good guidance with my questions.  
As a child I lived near Brock Park in Houston, and after discovering the old archery range, and learning that old lost arrows could be found in the woods behind the targets, I talked my dad into a fiberglass bow to shoot at those targets when no-one else was there. Then came a Ben Pearson Varsity that still hangs on my wall today. In the early 80's I went to the dark side and did the compound thing before I got a great deal on a Howatt Hunter. I finally overcame being crosseyed and could group well enough to hunt ethically. But alas, my pride got the best of me when I couodn't group like my buddies with compounds and I returned to the dark side.
Last month I found myself tsking 40+ yd shots a pigs with a high end compound and realized I was just shooting a single shot rifle. Out came the Howatt Hunter and I am hooked on trad again. I am getting groups again except they are a little to the left. I know from the past that that will resolve over time...yes I tried lefty and it didn't work.
The neck of the family has noticed my enjoying archery much more again and she suggested that I go visit the Bob Lee shop(I now live in Jacksonvile.) I used to lust after a Black Widow during previous forays into trad.
My question is: do ya'll think I should go after my previous dream bow, or should I go with the local bowyer that will be able to watch me shoot and get to know me to offer guidance while I
select my first custom bow?

Thanks for your help,
zigman

[cyred4d]

Welcome to the wall. I have owned a black widow and have shot several Bob Lee bows. Both are excellent shooters. My advice to you is to visit the Bob Lee shop and shoot a few of the bows. Then contact Black Widow and use their try before you buy program. That way you will know which you prefer.

[cyred4d]

I said wall and meant to say campfire. One of those stupids must have hit me in the back of the head again.

[Bow man]

You may even want to wait a few more months and travel north next winter and hit the Kalamazoo Mi Trad Expo and there you can shoot 100's of different bows and be sure you find just the right one for you.

[TWarrows]

welcome to the gang.. IMO at least travel to a large shoot..Like the Tenn. classic  or the hill and try a few bows. but thats just my 2cent...

[KentuckyTJ]

Welcome from Kentucky. Yep go somewhere to shoot and hold as many as you can. Good luck with your new bow whatever it ends up being.

If I lived near the Bob Lee folks I would surely take advantage of their expertise and guidance--they have been at it a long time. Both Lee and BW bows are top drawer--I have owned a number of each and still do own a Widow and a BL TD Longbow. I think you should try both, but you can't go wrong with either one. Besides, if the bug has bitten you, the first won't be the last bow you ever buy, either.

[JJB2]

I would attend Comptons or another shoot where there are multiple bowyers there.  I was convinced that I wanted a widow for my next custom bow and went to K-zoo to try it out and ended up falling in love with the Zipper SXT.  The grip just fit my hand far more naturally than any of the others.  Good Luck.

[ncsaknech1ydh]

I could not agree with cyred4d any more. After trying alot of custom bows over the years, I now shoot BobLees exclusivly, I have them filling up every corner and closet in my house, you will not find a better shooting bow in my opinion, and they are absolutly 100% fantastic to work with, JJ at BobLee handles most of the orders, he will bend over to work with you before and after the sale. I wouldn't look any further. Do your self a favor and don't make the same mistake I made early on with traditional bows, choose a bow weight you can handle and don't over bow yourself. DK.

[Over&Under]

Welcome...I vote again on trying as many as you can.  Bob Lees and Widow's are both top notch.  Black widow has test drive program so you may be able to test your dream bow to find out if it truly is "that" bow....and if Bob Lee is close you can try those to and make the decision from there.

[GRINCH]

There are a good number of good Bows out there waiting to be shot,I would heed the advice you've been given to try as many as you can,you might be surprised at the results.

[OP-archer]

Welcome to the "Gang."  Having owned three Bob Lee's I can honestly tell you I wish I had never sold them.  They are great bows.  That being said, a Widow is also a fine shooting bow.  The new prices on the high end Lees are comparable with the Widows.  So, the price is a wash.  Widow has a "test drive program" and you may want to check that out.  Shoot some Lees order the Widow "test drive" and make up your mind.  Your're in a great place.... good luck.

[snakebit40]

Welcome!    

[huntingarcher]

I would probably start with a BobLee just because they are very close.Take advantage of their now-how and history of trad bow shooting.
You can never have to many bows,so you will end up with a BW sometime any way along with many others.I personaly do not know anyone thats shoots Trad bows, that only has one bow.It's like a sickness, so many bows so little time.

[Shawn Leonard]

I really don't agree with try as many as you can,  unless you can make it to a big shoot, by the time you do all the try before you buy programs you could of bought a brand new custom. I would look into a used Bob Lee or go to their shop and try a few of their bows. It was said above once you get hooked you will own several anyway. I say get a bow and get shooting asap and don't wait to "try all you can", there will be time later on to do that. There is a Lee for like $350 on the classifieds right now. Shawn

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

Im a Houston Tx Firefighter if you still live there I can bring a Widow with me when I come to work ( I live 170mi from Houston ) and you could shoot it all you want might could also bring a few others for you to try.Any thing to help a guy get into this Trad game,,,,,,,Sam,,,,,,,,
  Just send me a message

[overbo]

And the search begins
good luck