Need help...Opinions wanted

[Hunter74]

Ok so I just dove into this traditional stuff thus spring, and been loving it!

Now that I've been at it for a few months I want to add a take-down recurve to my arsenal. The 3 that I have in mind is a Bob Lee Ultimate, Robertson Fatal Styk or Palmer take-down. I'm somewhat stuck on these 3 because from research I've done there about the most efficient bows out there. However the Shafer Silvertip has high regard amongst many people on this forum and also has my attention.

So I would love if you guys could chime in and tell me of these 4 bows which would you pick and why? Also if you could tell me any comparisons in performance that you have done I would like to hear about it too.

Thanks,
Josh

[Brock]

really Josh you need to shoot all of them or as many as possible by finding out anyone here lives within driving distance for a day of shooting and is willing to let you try them.....

I have shot a Schafer and Robertsons...no experience with Bob Lee but have never heard a bad thing and see very few for sale....and like the others usually that is because someone is in serious need of cash or the bow is way too heavy for them for whatever reason.

Schafer is great bow....Dave makes an awesome recurve and many think they are better than the originals...but then again something can be said for a bow made by a legend.

Roberstons....Dick has been making bows for a very long time...not as long as Bob Lee (Red Wing Archery and following) but is well respected and his bows are beautiful, smooth to draw, light in hand and accurate as hell.  I have a Montana Falcon and also a Fatal Styk.

Of those two...for shooting and hunting I take the robertson as I personally shot it better then and do now as well...but you will hear as many say Schafer and I cant argue with them.

Dick Robertson has a try before you buy...you can get a demo bow while leaving them credit card of course...they ship you bow...you can buy that one or one of their others in stock or custom order one if nothing suits your fancy but you determine they shoot great.

I am not sure if Dave has the same deal for Schafer but a quick visit to website or call to him and his lovely bride will figure it out quickly.

I would personally take the Bob Lee over the Dick Palmer...just personal preference but nothing to put my finger on.

Of the four I would say Robertson, Schafer, Bob Lee and then Dick Palmer based on my shooting of the first two and what I know about the others and have heard from actual owners.

I fully encourage you to shoot them all or atleast a couple...and if more than one shoots where you are looking, feels naturally in your hand, draws smoothly to your anchor, is not too heavy for accuracy and form......then pick which one tugs at your soul and you find yourself being drawn to no matter what.


keep em sharp,

ron herman

[ishoot4thrills]

If efficiency in a take-down bow is what you're after, take a look at the Pittsley Predator. Hard to beat in performance as well as looks and shoot-ability.

[WESTBROOK]

They are all top performers, indluding the Predator as Doug mentioned, it comes down to wwhich one fits you the best. I'm partial to Robertsons, they are great people to deal with and every one of there bows I've ever picked up feels like it was made for me.

Eric

[Hunter74]

Keep em coming gang... I know a lot of this is subjective and I really hope to be able to try them all at some point.

[Derrick in Missouri]

Get one of each!! I dont think any of them will dissapoint you

[Hunter74]

Originally posted by Derrick in Missouri:
Get one of each!! I dont think any of them will dissapoint you

Hah..man I wish I could..but that'd be expensive... I think I'm going to start with buying one off the classifieds and see how I like it then move onto the next... Anyone know if there's any big traditional shoots in WI yet this year???

[NBK]

Josh,
Not sure where you live but we have the Rib Mt. bowmen shoot a week from now (Aug. 11-12th) in Wausau.  It's trad only and I'm sure Kevin and Sue Termaat of RER bows will be there.  I'll be there for the weekend and I'll have a few bows you could try including a Tall Tines recurve which is in the same ball park as the bows you mentioned.

[Hunter74]

Mike that sounds great... Wausa isn't too far from me.

[Bjorn]

You need to shoot a bunch.. The reason there are so many bowyers is that there are so many preferences.

A little warning about Robertson try before you buy thing, one tends to never send the bow back. So, my next bow from him is going be, if I can swing it and the longbow gods don't strike me dead, a custom low wrist left hand recurve.

[GRINCH]

Josh go to a shoot and try different bows,you'll be surprised.

[LeeBishop]

I know that a Bob Lee take-down is a well-built bow. I toured their shop at the start of this year while I was interviewing him for a documentary film.

I'm pretty sure they have released the bow by now, but they have a new quick release design that is FANTASTIC.

There are no bolts to tighten down. They just slide into place, click in, and are just there. Take it apart in two seconds.

How did they test it? They dry-fired the bow on a machine thousands of times for a week and had no failures.

They said it was almost torture being in the shop listening to that slamming sound coming from the bow all day long for a week.

I saw the prototype and it's beautiful. I just saw that they have those bows online now, so it's not a secret anymore.     They first released their new stabi-lock limbs for their limited 1-60 numbered 60th anniversary bows.

It looks like they are out for everyone else now.

[Whip]

Where are you in WI Josh?  There is a great shoot at Ojibwa Bowhunters this weekend in New Berlin.  I'm headed over tomorrow and will be shooting a Fatal Styk.  I also have an older Bob Lee takedown that I could bring along.  I can't help with the other two, but I wouldn't be suprised if you found someone carrying one at the shoot that you could try.

[tomsm44]

A good friend of mine shoots about a 2002-2004 Bob Lee take down recurve and I love it.  I live in north Louisiana and went with him to Bob Lee's factory in east Texas this summer.  Bob wasn't there, but his son Rob and grandson J.J. were two of the nicest and most helpful people I've ever met.  The new Stabilock system on their bows is awesome.  I'm sure the others are great bows as well, but I know you wouldn't be dissapointed with the Bob Lee.

I am shooting an early '60s Red Wing Hunter right now, so I may be a little biased toward Bob's stuff.