help deciding on longbow

[northern lights]

Well my couple month old longbow gave up the ghost yesterday, not going into make but definitely looking at something different, sad part is that  I was shooting her really well after years of shooting recurves, Anyway I'm looking at a couple of different in stock bows and like the looks of the poison dart that rms has, they also have a spirt that I like although I wish it was a tic heavier, lastly they have a used toelk whip that's seen some use, all three are roughly the same price (my range) and specs, the dart and spirit are new. I shoot three under and any info would be great, thanks.

[Sam McMichael]

My preference is for Hill style bows. I have 5 from HHA, one Northern Mist Shelton, with another on order. There are so many good bows out there, you will surely be able to find one that has all the mojo you're looking for. Shoot bunches of them and pick what suits you best.

[McDave]

There are three different kinds of longbows, that might as well be different kinds of bows altogether, as far as I'm concerned.  The reason I say that is because people generally have strong preferences for one or the other, like Sam, who prefers Hill style bows, and McDave, who prefers fully reflex deflex 3 piece longbows.

Hill style longbows have straight limbs and grips, and are not generally cut past center, or even to center in some cases.  They are considered the most traditional, and people who like them, like people who like Harley Davidsons, are very loyal to that type.  Slightly reflex/deflex one piece longbows, like the Toelke Whip, have curved limbs, somewhat contoured grips, and are generally cut at least to, or past center.  Fully reflex/deflex two or three piece longbows generally have fully contoured grips and are cut past center.  They are the easiest for someone used to a recurve to transition to, and shoot and feel pretty much like recurves.

Regardless of what you want to pay, it would be useful if you could first decide on a type.

[green valley gobbler]

Leon Stewart makes some of the finest longbows you will find anywhere-bar none!  I just ordered a 68" 3 piece takedown from him last week.  I shot a few of his longbows at ETAR this past July and was really impressed.  I wanted something custom so Leon mentioned to me about coming down to his shop to pick out some woods and shoot some other bows he had.  So last week my wife and I made the 3.5 hour trip and let me tell you it was well worth it.  Leon spent nearly the whole day with me showing me different woods and I shot some of his bows.  He had a 3 piece takedown that was unbelievably smooth and fast.  I nearly settled on it but I prefer longer bows, that one measured 64 inches.  He is a master when it comes to building a longbow and he is a heck of a whitetail hunter too, he has killed some awesome PA bucks with his longbows.  Do a search on here and you will read LOTS of reviews from many others who praise his bows.  To top it off he is a heck of a nice guy too.  I am really looking forward to receiving mine!

[katman]

Originally posted by McDave:
There are three different kinds of longbows, that might as well be different kinds of bows altogether, as far as I'm concerned.  The reason I say that is because people generally have strong preferences for one or the other, like Sam, who prefers Hill style bows, and McDave, who prefers fully reflex deflex 3 piece longbows.

Hill style longbows have straight limbs and grips, and are not generally cut past center, or even to center in some cases.  They are considered the most traditional, and people who like them, like people who like Harley Davidsons, are very loyal to that type.  Slightly reflex/deflex one piece longbows, like the Toelke Whip, have curved limbs, somewhat contoured grips, and are generally cut at least to, or past center.  Fully reflex/deflex two or three piece longbows generally have fully contoured grips and are cut past center.  They are the easiest for someone used to a recurve to transition to, and shoot and feel pretty much like recurves.

Regardless of what you want to pay, it would be useful if you could first decide on a type.

Great  information here    

[Stump73]

BigJim has some used stock bows on his website you may check that out.

[Cavscout9753]

Well, thats pretty tricky to answer. The Whip has a strong following. I'm an ASL fan myself, but R/D's have a lot going for them. Without knowing what you were shooting before it'd be hard to recommend something new thats along the same lines. The one thing I can suggest is look towards used. Either here, RMS, Big Jims, or wherever; there's some good deals out there!

[Keb]

Maddog longbow can't beat the price or performance period!

[Panzer]

Hard to beat a Bear "Montana" for the price.

[Bernie B.]

If i was going to buy a new longbow now I would get a Bryan Holley Spirit from RMSG (sponsors).  I had a beauty that I traded this winter because it was a little heavy for me, but I see another one in the future.  I don't think you'd be unhappy with one of these!

Bernie

Don't have experience with those bows, but I will suggest for you to check out the Sarrels Blueridge takedown longbow. Best longbow made IMHO! RMSG sells Sarrels bows too.

Good luck finding your new bow.

Bisch

[northern lights]

First off thanks for all the advice, has to be the best site going, but now I'm totally confused , grabbed my Kodiak off the rack this am (first I've shot a recurve since May), strung her up and went out back and proceeded to shoot the best I've ever done,, just seemed like a vice in my hand even after release, only thing I can figure is the extra mass weight, this close to season, think she's what I'll be climbing trees with and gonna take my time before deciding on another longbow, part of me is saying just stick with the recurves.

[Dave Lay]

Originally posted by northern lights:
First off thanks for all the advice, has to be the best site going, but now I'm totally confused , grabbed my Kodiak off the rack this am (first I've shot a recurve since May), strung her up and went out back and proceeded to shoot the best I've ever done,, just seemed like a vice in my hand even after release, only thing I can figure is the extra mass weight, this close to season, think she's what I'll be climbing trees with and gonna take my time before deciding on another longbow, part of me is saying just stick with the recurves.

im the same way, I love longbows and have one I shoot really well, but for me a recurve with some mass weight is the most consistant shooter I own

[northern lights]

Just got a Dwyer Dauntless, 62"and 52#@28, wow is she a sweet one, quiet, fast, draws soo smooth, and not hard on the eyes, best part is she's hitting where I'm looking, was worried about an adjustment this close to season but not now, she'll be going till and if I fill my buck tag, then might take the Kodiak for a flathead so she don't get jealous.

[tomsm44]

I looked at the Spirits a while back.  Never got to shoot one myself, but everything I heard about them was good.  I talked to a guy from rmsgear, can't remember his name, and he said they rivaled much more expensive bows performance wise.  He even said if I liked several different ones, he'd take them out and shoot them and let me know how they compare to each other. (He said the bowyer uses various limb materials, so the performance can vary a little, but that you can't go wrong with the bamboo or red elm limbed ones).  Can't get much better service than that.  Only reason I didn't get one is that I found a small operation bowyer that was willing to work out a trade for a knife I built for him.  Good luck with the search.

[M60gunner]

I have pretty much decided I am a recurve guy. Still have and shoot my Wes Wallace R/D LB but the recurve justs puts the arrows in there more consitinly. But if I was to buy another LB it would be a Wes Wallace. Mine is about 20 years old, still going strong and his customer service is great.

[Brock]

I have shot a few glass backed longbows over the years...and hands down the best overall was the Mohawk Sparrowhawk and now my Robertson Primal Styk.  

I shot Wes Wallace, Noble, Protege, Hill, Tomahawk, Great Northern, Mohawk, Robertson, Winterhawk, Bighorn, and Kim-Sha.  That Mohawk Sparrowhawk was about as perfect as they come and so smooth it was almost sinful.  I sold it to a lady in Texas...  My new Robertson Primal Styk is going to give the Mohawk a run for its money after I shoot it a comparable amount...but two of the best in my opinion.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I've got 3 of these Obsidian long bows in stock if you are interested..... Same exact limbs as my TD Flatliner design.... Excellent shooting bows.

 

[StickBowManMI]

Try a Griffin Longbow made by John McCullough. If you cannot reach him then I suggest that you try a Ron La CLaire "Shrew" Longbow. You wont be sorry. Just my suggestions.