Whip vs big Jim buffalo

[Dan bree]

Anybody shoot both of them . How do they compare

[sidekick]

First, I love Big Jim bows, and currently have a Thunderchild and a Desert Bighorn recurve, one of my favorites. I had a 60" Buffalo, and while it was drop dead gorgeous, I could never shoot it well. I now have a 64" Toelke Whip that I'm shooting as good as any bow I've ever had. The Buff was 41#, and the Whip is 42#. Perhaps the length plays some part in the difference. Both are great bows, but the Whip is a really special bow to me.

[nineworlds9]

For draw lengths 28" and above I feel the Buffalo shines at 64" and longer.
I don't care for shorter than that and feel one might as well go with a 56 or 58" Thunderchild if flirting with the idea of a 62" or less Buffalo. I also don't like how the taper of the limbs from fade to tip squares out at less than 64".  The 64"+ bows still have a pleasing narrowness to the tip to fade.  Jim's tips are really cool looking and unique.  He has probably the bigger latitude in grip shaping options.

Shootability wise there would only be subtle differences if shooting a 64" Whip and Buff blindfolded.  I give the Whip a slight edge in quietness, and the Buff a slight edge in smoothness due to the wider flatter limbs.  

I'd say in the end it comes down to aesthetics and wait time.  Both bowyers offer exceptional customer service.  Dan's wait time is in weeks not months.  Jim has unrivaled access to the most exotic woods known to man.  Dan also makes some insanely gorgeous bows.  Jim can now also build the Buffalo cut past center with the use of G10, so this is a potential game changer.  

Go with your gut, you won't be disappointed.

[nineworlds9]

I'm on the list for a 58" Thunderchild myself.  Due October.  It will be cut past center as well and incorporating G10 and Leadwood in the riser.

[BWallace10327]

I think each is an excellent bow.  I winner would be decided by the grip and how a shooter feels holding it.  They both look great, have plenty of speed and boast shooting characteristics that any archer would be more than pleased with.

[Steelhead]

A Couple excellant choices.Had quite a few Buffs and two HS Whips in 64"

I actually prefer the 62 inch Buffs most overall as far as my favorite length and I draw 29".Thats me and my experience shooting them a lot.Loved shooting the Buffalo.Cant think of any negatives.

The HS Whip is a superb all around bow.Nothing to pick at with it either in my experience.Mine were fast shooters.I used SBD strings on those

I like its narrow deep cored limb combined with tiny tips and pretty aggressive limb layout.Very well balanced.You have the option of the built up thumbrest grip or classic grip.The thumb rest is a cool feature for looks alone.Some prefer it and some dont as far as personel tastes in grips.

The risers longer on the Whip I believe and you might get more mass weight if thats what you want with the whip by going with the phenolic riser.Not sure if the Buffs offered in phenolic?When I had  mine made I dont think it was an option?That may have changed?

I think if you want a 2 PC. T.D that the locket/ socket used By Big Jim is as durable as it gets in the looong run and Assembly is hassle free.No  threads and no hollowed out risers.

I have had mostly good luck with bow bolts.But did have one blowup at full draw.The all phenolic T.D by Toelke should be as strong as it gets with the bow bolt hardware.

Both are superbly made and designed and both bowyers have great customer service and reputations that have stood the test of time.

In short I was very happy with both.