Shakespeare or grizzly

[WJackson11x]

I have a choice of a 70's grizzly at 45# or a Shakespeare at 55#. not sure what model Shakespeare. The guy wants $100 for either one.  What would be the better choice? What bow is the better of the two as far as shooting and value? I know there are a lot of variables as far as weight, length, and personal choices.  I've got a 40# Black Bear that I have been learning on and would like to step up in weight a bit. Thanks

-Wes

[Cyclic-Rivers]

The Bear if they are equal in shape.  The price is more than fair if the bows are in good shape. Bear bows tend to have a better following therefore easy to sell.

I am partial to Grizzly's though because thats what I started with and tend to shoot them well.  

Personally if it were me I would make an offer for both.  That way if you ever decided that 45 lbs wasnt enough you would have he heavier bow. Or if you prefer one over the other, you could sell one and keep the one you like.  

the Shakespeare is a good shooting bow as well.

[OldSkoolArcher]

Depends on the model of the Shakespeare.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Actually Nick is right. There are some very desireable shakespere models.

do you have more info?

[WJackson11x]

Unfortunately I do not have anymore info on the Shakespeare.  What model should I be looking for? Going to meet the guy today to look at them.

[Bladepeek]

Like Charlie said, the bear probably takes the honors for value for average models. Having said that, I had a Super Necadah 54" 40# that I recently sold to another Trad Ganger. Missed it terribly. Just bought a 55" Necadah, 45# for $90 and I'm a happy camper again. Both the 54" Super Necadah and the 55" Necadah draw well beyond my 29.5" without complaining and at that draw length they sling an arrow just like a hot state-of-the-art bow of today. Plain Jane, not a piece of fancy on it, but this one is a keeper!
Ron

[Night Wing]

If you've already got a 40# (and used to it) and looking to go up in poundage. Going from a 40# bow to a 55# bow is going to be an eye opener.        :eek:

[Bladepeek]

Night Wing. I didn't even notice the poundage. You sure got that right! Been there and done that!

[wooddamon1]

Like Charlie said, make an offer on both. If you can't do that, get the Bear.

[59Alaskan]

I wouldn't try to go from 40-55# in a single step.  

In terms of bows I have only shot one Shakespeare and many Grizzly's so I cannot say what my opinion is.

[huntnmuleys]

id buy both at that price, as long as there straight and in good shape.  personally, i also started with a bear grizzly and love how they shoot, but ive shot some nice shakespeares as well.

[Barry Rowland]

I had some great times with a couple Shakespeare recurves back in the early 80s.  Nice bows.  I would buy both if I could.

[WJackson11x]

Thanks guys. I'm going to attempt to buy both of them, if he'll take my offer. I'll let ya know how it goes.

[Dave Worden]

If you're looking for a shooter, I'd take Shakespeare over bear every time.  As a matter of fact, I've bought 8 or 9 Shakespeares (two for friends, the rest for me) and one Bear (because the guy wanted to get rid of it).  I let my son shoot the bear till me tried my Shakespeare.  That's when I found out that the Bear had TERRIBLE hand shock.  Now my sons and I all shoot Super Necedahs.  All that being said, if 55# is too heavy, you'd be much better off with the Bear.  And yes, the Bears are generally worth more because people collect Bears, not Shakespeares.

[30coupe]

Dave, what Bear model had the hand shock? I've had several and never noticed hand shock. Some of the shorter ones, like the Kodiak Magnums, had considerable finger pinch, but that was not unexpected with a short bow.

I have never shot a Shakespeare. I've looked at several, but the grip never fit me on them. I would hesitate to jump 15# in one fell swoop. Ten is doable though, so if you get both you could transition from the 45# to 55# a bit more easily.

I went from a 45# Grizzly to a 50# Herter's to a 55# Mahaska. The 5# jumps were a piece of cake. Now I move back and forth from 46# to 55# with no issues, but I do shoot all of them fairly regularly. Lately the Kanati and Shelton have been getting the most attention though.

Let us know how you come out on the deal. If they are straight and in decent shape, $200 for the pair is not outrageous. If you can do the deal for around $150-175, you shouldn't ever lose any money should you decide to sell one or both.

[WJackson11x]

Guys, I got an awesome deal from a great guy! Told me I could have both of them for $100. He said he didn't shoot anymore and would rather someone that was going to shoot them take care of them.  He said his Uncle got him into shooting archery to help him get sober. He is now sober and lost interest in shooting. I'm going to post pics on another thread.
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=112992

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I'd say you made out Very, Very well!

cheers to that fella A. for getting sober and B. passing you a great deal.

[Jack Shanks]

Yes, great deal on both! Your Grizzly is a 1971.