ILF verses Custom wood riser

[ed cowden]

Been thinking allot about the ILF system and the differences between it and the Custom wood riser bow. Mostly you can get the same limbs, but what you don't get is a true longbow riser or grip. The ILF is more a recurve style with that type of grip. Comparing the 2 systems what do you get with the ILF over the wood riser. Is the system hard to set up if you change limbs. Does it stay tuned or is it like the compound always needing tweaking. I know the beauty is in the woods but what is gained in strength and harmonics of the metal riser.

[JRY309]

Personal preference for me,I like a metal riser ILF.I like a metal riser because I can change or remove the grip all together.On my Morrison ILF metal riser I don't have a grip on it at all.I just sewed on a leather grip to comfort the sharp edges.I like and prefer the narrow grip.Though it is not near as pretty as a custom wood riser.i just prefer it in my ILF bows.Mine stays in tune but when I switch limbs I'll double check my tiller to make sure it is ok.Once I have it locked down to where I want it,it stays put.

[Fastltz]

You are right about the longbow riser but you can get ilf risers in all wood. Zipper and others have very nice all wood ilf risers but again they are recurve style.

The ILF is more a recurve style with that type of grip. Comparing the 2 systems what do you get with the ILF over the wood riser.

Options, options, and more options.


 

Is the system hard to set up if you change limbs. Does it stay tuned or is it like the compound always needing tweaking. I know the beauty is in the woods but what is gained in strength and harmonics of the metal riser.

Because of the tuning possibilities, I find ILF easier to set up than an one piece or conventional takedown.  Tiller and weight can be adjusted, making arrow tuning a breeze.

It depends on the specific riser, but overall I find metal risers to be stiffer, with less flex and vibration.  They are also cut further past center, increasing rest and tuning options.  Many are designed to accommodate various grip styles, quiver styles and lateral limb adjustment if needed.  They are extremely durable.  

To each their own, but once you get beyond the beauty of the wood, the beauty of the functionality can make metal pretty darn attractive.

[Ric O'Shay]

I've always thought about bows the same way I consider what is a handgun. If it isn't a blue steel revolver with wood grips, it isn't a handgun. The same way with bows. If it isn't wood it isn't a bow and I wouldn't even consider one.

That said, I had an opportunity to shoot a Sky Archery 13" metal riser, longbow limbs with foam core. It was 58" and drew 58# @ 28". It was also Jim Belcher's personal bow. It drew and felt like a 62" bow and only 50#. Smooth, easy to draw and shoot. Extremely accurate. Needless to say, I was impressed.

Ric...

While it isn't blued steel, some of us see a metal ILF riser exactly the same way you see your revolvers.

Basic black, a wooden grip, and a whole lot of function.

[John Havard]

You can have a custom wood riser AND ILF all in one of you choose to do so.

[Bear Heart]

John beat me to it.

[ed cowden]

Dryad bows I will see you at Columbus, Ohio if it don't snow us out. From what I see here it seems like no problem adjusting for new limbs and if any thing it may be a better bow overall. I was concerned with quietness and if the bow would stay put once you had it tuned. If I was sitting on a mountain and had a nice bull elk standing 400 yards from me; I know I would pick the Remington with the Hart barrel and McMillan stock over the Winchester Pre 64 feather weight and the $2000 custom walnut stock. Come right down to it I think one was made for shootin and one was made for looking at. I think ILF is going to be my next step in archery.

[John Havard]

I moose hunt in Alaska with a bow every year.  Not an insignificant or easy venture to be sure.  Lots at stake and everything on the line.  A reliable bow is a necessity.   I can take anything (obviously) with me that I choose.  I carry an ILF bow.

I'm glad you will come to visit us in Columbus.  We'll be there with bells on!

[YORNOC]

I have been hunting with a Greenhorn Belgium made B+ metal riser for 15 years. I hunt with all my wood custom bows too, but competing at target archery taught me how pinpoint accurate these setups can be. You can fine tune it beyond what you thought possible.
That said, at close range shots I get hunting, my custom bows are plenty accurate to get an arrow in a baseball size area.
Here is one down fall of a metal riser...COLD.
I've had surgery on both hands, I don't know if this adds to it. The cold of a metal riser seeps right through the best gloves I have and kills my hands.
I've wrapped them in rubber, cloth, you name it.
I gave up.
When the temp dips below 30 degrees, I have a wood riser in my hand.
I've yet to try a wooden handled ILF setup. I'm sure they are outstanding.