Wes Wallace and Blacktail question….

[Mitch H]

I have tried out a newer WW Mentor, and have one coming my way, but I have not had the opportunity to actually shoot a Blacktail yet.

For anybody who has had the opportunity to own, or at least shoot both bows, please tell me how you liked each, and were they pretty similar in feel?

Thanks……

[Wheels2]

I have owned/shot both although several years ago.  I can't say a bad word about either one.  If you shot them blindfolded, you would not be able to tell them apart.  The difference lies in the wood options.
A used Wes Wallace or Blacktail is on my "wish list".

[Mitch H]

That was quick….Thanks Wheels2.  

I am hoping that somebody chimes in and tells me the Blacktails are no good before I make a phone call tomorrow.  

[Wheels2]

If someone does tell you they are no good, he is probably trying to get on the list ahead of you.

[bearsfeet]

I picked up my BT from the adds a few months ago and have been loving it! Funny thing is it is the exact woods I wanted to order a few years ago but ended up buying another horse... Horses are now gone and I wish I had a second BT  

[1screagle]

I had a Blacktail 60#@28" 60" and a Wallace with same specs. Both drop dead gorgeous with the Blacktail detail having more intricate detail that set it apart. The Wallace was perceptably faster. I met Norm in Portland last year and found he was a man of great charactor just as Wes. No matter the choice you can't lose, must be something about the air in Oregon for there is a handful of great bowyers in that state. There is no right or wrong answer to the question. For me Wes has always surpassed my expectations at more than fair price and reasonable turn around time. I had enough bows at one time where it bothered me to have some sitting and waiting for their turn to be used. I sold everything but the Wallace's and a special Dwyer and have never looked back. Even if I could afford to have one bow from each top bowyer in the country I'd be better off learning to shoot one bowyer's bow's the best I could. I feel I made the right decision for me, Wes is a world class bowyer offering working man prices which affords me to have more than what I need.

[cedar]

I own both and have talked with both bowyers.  As far as shooting and feel, I don't notice much difference, both are fine shooting bows.  The difference is in the looks.  Blacktails have more detailed work and narrower limbs with bigger limb tips.  Wallaces have a much smaller tips and wider limbs.  Risers feel similar but with different options.  Wood choices are the same.  Both men are excellent craftsmen, you won't be disappointed.  One difference is Blacktails are 18 months out(just received my second one in Oct), Wallaces are about 7 or 8 I believe.  Any other questions, pm me and send your specs, I may be willing to part with my first Blacktail if it fits you.

[Mitch H]

Thanks for the feedback guys, it is really appreciated.  

My decision is not to pick between the two bows, I already have a new Wallace Mentor on the way. I am debating on ordering a Blacktail. My main concern is that the Blacktail will be too beautiful for me to take out and hunt. Heck, I will have to fight that problem with the Wes Wallace.

[Easykeeper]

I have two Blacktail TDs and a Wallace Mentor one-piece, all three are nice but there are some definite defining characteristics between them.

The grip is very different with my Mentor being much wider side to side and lower wrist.  The Blacktail grip is narrower with a deeper and smaller circumference in the throat.  Personal preference on which one you would like, but I prefer the Blacktail grip.  

Like someone above said, the limbs on the Blacktail are narrower than the Mentor.  Speed is hard to measure without a chronograph, which I don't have.  I do know the Blacktail needs a stiffer arrow, which leads to a heavier arrow (same shaft, different spine), and the Blactail seems faster, but both are fast enough.

I feel less vibration in the limbs in the Blacktails than in the Mentor, but that might be the slightly heavier arrows the 'tails are tuned with.

All in all both are great bows.  I'd agree that the Blacktail has a slight edge in "refinement", but my Wallace is a really beautiful bow.  The Blacktail was also more expensive last time I looked.

You can't really go wrong with either, at least from my experience.

[mjh]

I've had the opportunity to shoot many of both makers, ended up with two blacktails eventually, like said yea can't go wrong with either one...why the blacktails, mostly esthetic, grip??but then most quality bowyers can get that right for yea....final finish???...like I said an esthetic quality of the blacktails was a final decision maker....

[BD]

I'm thinking about ordering one of these 2 bows as well. The Mentor with the features I want is $300 less than a similar Blacktail. I just don't know if the Blacktail is worth another $300 having never shot either.

[[email protected]]

"My decision is not to pick between the two bows, I already have a new Wallace Mentor on the way. I am debating on ordering a Blacktail. My main concern is that the Blacktail will be too beautiful for me to take out and hunt. Heck, I will have to fight that problem with the Wes Wallace."

On the Solona Texas ranch hunt this last January I stumbled and dropped my BT and received a pretty good "beauty mark" on the riser.

Every time I see that scar I just smile and remember the great time there with quality folks.

Bob

[Easykeeper]

Originally posted by BD:
I'm thinking about ordering one of these 2 bows as well. The Mentor with the features I want is $300 less than a similar Blacktail. I just don't know if the Blacktail is worth another $300 having never shot either.

This is maybe just me, but I would be very hesitant to order a custom bow if I had not spent some quality time with a sample first.  Too much money and time involved.  There are lots of nice bows, Blacktails and Wallace are only two.  I bought a lot of bows from the classifieds before I ponied up for a new Blacktail and I'm glad I did.  What I would have ordered is not what I found out I liked.  I could have been happy with many of the bows I bought used, and have kept several, but when I finally ordered one I knew exactly what I was getting.

[BD]

Do either have a try before you buy program?

[Blackhawk]

I have owned both and found both to be different in looks and feel.  They were not identical to me as some have indicated.  

Probably the most difference is in the grip, and that's what is important to most of us.  I found the Wallace bow riser big and full...and clunky feeling.  The Blacktail grip and riser was noticably smaller and more comfortable...and better looking.  

The performance for both was about equal.

Before jumping in with all that money, I would spent time with both bows to see which you prefer, but I would also keep an open mind and look at some ot the other custom bow makers out there too.

[Cold Weather]

I just received a new Mentor..its a gorgeous bow.

I have thought the BT was similar-they sure look like the Mentor model.

however, I have heard several comments from competitor bowyers on how great the Blacktails are..

how beautiful they are.

I would order one with confidence.

really dont see how I could try one, unless I knew someone who had one and I dont.

[Easykeeper]

Originally posted by Cold Weather:
I just received a new Mentor..its a gorgeous bow.

I have thought the BT was similar-they sure look like the Mentor model.

however, I have heard several comments from competitor bowyers on how great the Blacktails are..

how beautiful they are.

I would order one with confidence.

really dont see how I could try one, unless I knew someone who had one and I dont.

You can definitely order either a Blacktail or Wallace bow and be assured of getting a beautiful and good shooting bow.  The thing is there are subtle differences between them, or between them and any other expensive custom.  There's a bunch of fabulous bows being made and it just comes down to personal preference.

The classifieds is the place to explore all the wonderful bows available and the good thing is if it doesn't work out you can usually get your money back by reselling or swaping for something else...      

[Surffever]

As Easykeeper mentioned, it is possible to find great used bows from highly sought after bowyers.  I have 3 Blacktails I found scouring the classified ads.  And I was able to find almost exactly what I was looking for in both 1 piece and takedown.  This made it possible for me to get a lot of quality shooting time with Norm's bows to be sure his design worked for me.  Now I wouldn't hesitate to order a new one.  Except I love these used bows so much I really don't need a custom.  I will be looking for a Wallace soon to compare.  Then maybe a Brackenbury as well.