New Recurve Purchase, thoughts?

[damascusdave]

I have a three piece takedown with two sets of limbs that are exactly the same weight...not my idea, the original owner likely ordered it that way...the static recurve limbs make a 62 inch bow and the r/d longbow limbs make a 64 inch bow...check out the RER LXR if that interests you...a lot of bow for 950 bucks

DDave

[Steelhead]

I have had quite a few Widows and Blacktails
They are both excellant bows.Some will prefer one and some the other for various reasons
Widows seem almost bombproof
Blacktails are about as perfectly put together as any bow could be.They are truelly high Art and of heirloom quality!
I have a BT Snakebit TD right now and its phenomenal for me.

Its not a bad idea to have 2 sets of limbs IMO.One longer and lighter for form work (But you could still hunt with it) and 3-D and extended shooting and one a bit shorter  and slightly heavier for hunting in tighter cover and with a little more pop.

I think I have had about 7 Blacktails.The somewhat newer bows are better IMO.He has made a few changes over the years.The grips are not duplicitous exactly in size or style..The one I have now is a medium grip and smaller than some I have had.This is great grip for me.If you had one custom made I think you request a few things like smaller throat,larger grip,smaller grip etc.

I think the Blacktails shoot better with a custom string in a 10 strand with built up loops and wool puffs.

At your draw of 29 you would do very well with a set of 64 inch limbs and 62 inch limbs on the BT.I would not go 66" or 60"

The PCH and PSAs Widows are very good bows.I did not care for the heavier MAs.But thats just me.A 58 or 60 inch PCH would work for you.I think thier a great bow and lighter in the hand and you get good working limb with the shorter bow on that short riser

A bit more mass with the PSA and you could also get the 62 inch length which you may like

I draw about 30" and had no issues with the 60 inch PCH and found it very comfortable and accurrate.

I think the wait on the BT has shortened a bit as he enlisted some help in building the bows.Norm Johnson is a true Master bowyer and Artisan.

[tnhornhter1099]

I have 2 Widows and one Blacktail snake bit,  all 3 are great bows, if I could only have one, I would take the Blacktail, but thats just me, I would suggest you shoot both if possible and then decide, either way you really can't go wrong, One other thing to consider, if you go with the Blacktail be prepared to wait a LONG time for your bow.

[Car54]

Might want to check out Wes Wallace bows.  Very smooth & fast.  Workmanship is outstanding. Can't say anything bad about my bow. Check out his website.

[Sant-Ravenhill]

Kirk,

Why would you post pictures of a bow that ugly? Gorgeous wood and work!

Having shot various recurves, including customs, you really can't go wrong as long as you shoot the bow first. We are blessed with many excellent bowyers today and as everyone says, try before you buy.

It seems like some bows as soon as you pick them up are just perfect for you and your shooting style.

[Frank V]

Oh boy for me this would be an EASY choice. Blacktail Elite by far, the fit & finish is so superior to most any bow & the seams where the limbs join the riser are very small & almost hard to see. It's a quiet bow that's relativily fast.
Enjoy!

[DennyK]

Which ever you choose -get one set of limbs and dress them up with a snakeskin. Like others have mentioned I had extra sets of limbs but typically used the ones that were on the bow. Wouldn't trade my PSA's for nothin. Can't comment on the way Blacktails shoot, never had a reason to own one. They are very beautiful bows from the pics I've seen in various threads on this site.

[pinky]

Wow !  Hidden mounts, how sweet is that!
So many bows and bowers to choose from,  happy shopping!

[Jaydub]

Kirk I'll definitely check those out, that's a beautiful bow!

[Surffever]

I have a Blacktail Elite with 2 sets of limbs, 45 and 52.  I do tend to use the hunting weight more.  But I also put the lighter limbs on at least once or twice a year and spend a week or so just working on form and technique.  I find it easier to work on that stuff with the lighter limbs.  Then I bring that work back to the hunting weight limbs.  I may not use them as much as the other set, but I do enjoy using them.

[Surffever]

And wait time is way down on Blacktail Bows now that Norm has help.  He told me around 9months and getting shorter.

[elkken]

I have had both BW PSA and the Blacktail Elite. My favorite BW is the MA and it is closer to a BT Elite than the PSA. I like both bows, both great shooters. The BW was quieter and was more of a hunting bow that could take a beating and keep on ticking no matter what. I feel that I need to be more careful with my BT Elite, it is very good looking bow, fit and finish is excellent. The BT was harder for me to quiet down. I like the grip on both, I prefer a bit higher grip and the BT Elite fits me perfectly ...

As for the two sets of limbs my experience is that one set ends up gathering dust or I ended up having another riser made for the extras if I really wanted to shoot them often.

I am a big fan of buying used bows so I can try LOTS of bows and not have the wait. Also if I don't like a bow that I have bought I don't have too much $$$ invested and can resell it.

Good luck to ya, Ken

[atatarpm]

I have both and wow you have a hard decision to make. I love the weight of the Widow and the hand grip of the Black Tail. Both bows are apsalutly wonderful to shoot. All my bows range from 60 to 65 lbs. Amd yep all my other limbs just set on the shelf some where in the house.

[Orion]

Jaydub:  You started by asking about two bows. Widows are different from most other bows because they have rear mounted limbs, grip forward risers.  Not better or worse, just different, than most other recurves.  If you've never shot the other style, would be nice to try before you buy.

You might be able to solve your target vs hunting weight limb dilemma by ordering your next bow to complement your existing bow.  If the bow you currently have is 40#, might consider getting a 50#er, or vice versa.

I,too,find that I leave most of my bows set up, and don't change limbs very often.  If I have an extra set of limbs I like, I usually end up buying another riser.  Good luck.

[JohnV]

Suggest you try to shoot bows that interest you before spending big bucks on them. I do not like some of the most highly regarded bows for reasons such as bow is very heavy, don't like the grip, don't like the shelf height, etc. Until you actually hold and shoot a specific bow you will not know about these things.

[Bowwild]

I've had both bows in a couple of models: PSA,PA (1-piece), PCH Widows and 1-Piece Blacktail Elite and Snakebit TD.  All were terrific bows but I have none of them now. I just liked other bows better.

I have three bows with extra limbs. Both sets are about 5-6 pounds lighter than the other set. To date the extras stay in limb sleeves (the lighter sets).  I'm at an age that I'm afraid to practice with limbs that are less draw weight than what I intend to hunt with. I fear loosing strength and degrade my ability to move back to the heavier limbs. I keep the lighter limbs in case I have to drop down for physical reasons.

If I were to choose between the BLK Tail Elite and the Widow, I'd choose the Elite for the workmanship. Although, I liked the grip on the Widows a bit more. I also felt the Widows were much more finicky about stringing (with a stringer of course) and I always feared twisting a limb. I think the Blacktail medium grip is a bit higher than I prefer in a medium grip.

These days I would never consider ordering a new bow until I had tried the Classifieds here to get a used one. It is amazing the beautiful bows that are sold here on Trad Gang.

The best feeling grip on a bow too me are the Fox High Sierra and it's 1-piece bro- Maverick.  Some folks don't like the brass inserts in the TD High Sierra though. The Stalker is also nice and I'd bet the Wes Wallace is also great.

By the way, a poster in this thread built me a great bow. It had a great grip but I asked the grip to be changed. I wish I had not. The customized grip shoots great but it feels more awkward in my hand than the one he originally put on it.

[beaunaro]

I've never shot a Blacktail. Heard that the quality is great.

I've only tried one BW at the TBOF one year.

I'm not sure what model it was, but I didn't like the bump it had at the shot. Not exactly hand shock...but a definite bump/

I would have to steer you toward a Zipper.
Like a lot of bowyers, Bill is excellent to work with. His quality will take a back seat to no one.

The bow points and shoots so well it is almost uncanny. Quiet, dead in hand, great grip, a real joy to carry and shoot.

Mine is the 58" SXT 52# at 28".

He will send you one to shoot before you order and that is what you should do.

Another good choice might be the Kent Roberts TimberGhost, esp if you like the forward handle BW style.

Kent has a pass around bow for you to shoot as well.

I haven't been able to shoot my TG as much as my Zipper as I ordered it with a few too many pounds and Kent is in the process of trapping the limbs to take off 2 or 3 pounds for me.

I expect when I get it back that this bow will also be very pleasant to shoot. It has a really nice grip too.

My Grandson came home form Compton's with a new Holm Made River Runner and he loves it. Chad will make sure you are happy. He builds a great bow.

Lots of good ones out there and it's good to shoot them first if you can.

[Scott Barr]

Your short list of BW and BT are two  of three I narrowed down to (I allow for change though).  I like Morrison bows too, mainly for workmanship and ILF option.  I have tried many high end bows.  It is like wanderlust.  Fun to try something new.  But i have settled on PSAX.  I like that I shoot this as well as any bow,  yet shorter for hunting.  I do think I will try one of Norm's new shorter risers that make a shorter bow similar in specs to my PSAX.  And yes, as others mention, Norm's build time is greatly reduced.  He now has two shops and help.  New shop is in Indiana.  Enjoy the search and decision.

[Brock]

of the two bows you mentioned dont own either one but have shot them both a few times...and both are great bows.  IF you already own a widow and like it...then would get the Blacktail as it is a great bow and will give you another feel...why settle on only one all the time.  

as for the limbs....I never seem to use both sets of limbs and just leave the hunting limbs on and shoot them all the time so found the only advantage to me for a take down is if.....IF...I need to ship it somewhere in luggage.  That being said the only bow hunts I have taken out of state I took longbows and recurves...and my recurve I did not break down for the car drive...and on plane I shipped longbows in pvc tubs as checked baggage. LOL

I would go with the Blacktail Elite....since you already have a nice Black Widow.