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Author Topic: pika vs shrew vs elkheart  (Read 4450 times)

Offline Mark Colangelo

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pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« on: July 17, 2017, 11:00:00 PM »
So I have narrowed down my "short" r/d longbow build down to three choices. I would like to shoot one of each, but may not get that opportunity. Anyone have shot multiple or possibly all of these and have thoughts? I may only get to test drive a toelke pika. I am hoping to try a Javaman as well. Doesn't look like I will be testing the Shrew. Which should I try first, or is one clearly better in same way? Thanks guys!
Mark C.

Javaman Elkheart, Bear Super Kodiak
BHA NWTF DU RMEF TRCP
Oregon State BS Fisheries & Wildlife
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TSgt, USAF Active Duty

Offline Michael Arnette

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2017, 11:04:00 PM »
Man it's hard to beat the pika. Take a look at primal tech bows as well if you have a chance Randy builds a bow that is on par with any of those in my experience.

Offline MIBIGHNTR

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2017, 06:49:00 AM »
I've been very impressed with the Two Tracks Ogemaw as well.  Shot a couple at Compton and they were smooth out to my 30" draw and are available in 54" & 56".

Offline mikolay87

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2017, 06:55:00 AM »
I prefer my pika to my shrew. I havent shot an elkheart
All Lefties!!!
60” Big Jim’s Desert Bighorn 37@28
56" Toelke Lynx Recurve 50,46,54@27
60” Primal Tech Recurve 35@28
64" Toelke Lynx Longbow 38,47,51@27
64” Impala supreme 37@28

Online Tater

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2017, 08:26:00 AM »
I have not shot a Pika, but I am sure they are nice, I have shot the Shrew Classic Hunter, and the Elkheart. My go to bow is now the Elkheart, I never thought a short bow could be so smooth.
 I have 2 54".
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Online Guss

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2017, 08:39:00 AM »
I"ve owned several of all three, my favorite of those was the Pika...but my go to short R/D longbow is the 56" Kanati.

Offline Rando

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2017, 10:04:00 AM »
I've shot an older Shrew and currently own an Elkheart which is my go-to bow... can't say enough about how well that bow fits me and performs!
Randy

Offline Biathlonman

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2017, 11:19:00 AM »
I've shot all 3, much preferred the Pika.

Offline nineworlds9

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2017, 04:24:00 PM »
Pika shoots as good as the other two, arguably quieter than the other two, but the Elk and Shrew (OLD Shrew, Coffey or before) are a little more critical of tuning for sound/silencer type/placement IMHO.  Elk/Shrew might be a tad zippier.
 I'll be frank, with Dan Toelke's average 6-8 week wait honestly it's hard to not go with the Toelke in my book.  I love Gregg and his bows, but I just can't do a 1 year+ wait if I can't either buy a spot or sell it if needed.  Now if buying used that makes things more flexible.  I really enjoy all 3 bows mentioned but am always on the hunt for more riser mass, so I currently have a 3pc 56" Hill Country Bobcat and it's everything these 3 bows are, just more mass.  Roman also just released an even more compact 3pc bow, the Badger.
52" Texas Recurve
58" Two Tracks Ogemaw
60" Toelke Chinook
62" Tall Tines Stickflinger
64" Big Jim Mountain Monarch
64" Poison Dart LB
66" Wes Wallace Royal
            
Horse Creek TAC, GA
TBOF

Offline rocketman

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #9 on: July 19, 2017, 09:05:00 AM »
Tough choice!  I've shot all 3, bought and still own both the Pika and Elkheart, mainly because I just couldn't decide between them, still haven't.

Offline old_goat2

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #10 on: July 19, 2017, 11:38:00 AM »
I'd really like to shoot the Pika once, I know I like Dan's grip so it would be the only one I'd buy without shooting it first.
David Achatz
CPO USN Ret.
Various bows, but if you see me shooting, it's probably a Toelke in my hand!

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #11 on: July 20, 2017, 01:26:00 PM »
Haven't shot the Pika but currently have a Java Man Elkheart and a Shrew (my 2nd) and the Elkheart is
amazing. Both were made by Gregg Coffey. Smooth (mine is 54" for my 28" draw ) and not an ounce of stack. I also have Thunderchild which is NO SLOUCH.

Offline Ron LaClair

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2017, 01:39:00 PM »
The Shrew Classic Hunter II has been improved.
 

   
We live in the present, we dream of the future, but we learn eternal truths from the past
When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.
Life is like a wet sponge, you gotta squeeze it until you get every drop it has to offer

Offline Steve Clandinin

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2017, 09:01:00 PM »
After having shot most everything I would definitely add Big Jims Thunderchild. In all reality as good as they all are it's your choice.Chevy,Ford or Dodge get the picture lol
Quote from Howard Hill.( Whenever he taught someone to shoot) "Son make up your mind right now if you want to target shoot or hunt as theres a world of differance between the two"

Offline Warden609

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2017, 09:34:00 PM »
I have never had any issues with my Shrews. They have always been quiet and great shooters. The proof is in the work they do.
 
 
 
 
All of these kills were a 58" super shrew and elite wood arrows. Have fun choosing.

Offline KeganM

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #15 on: July 23, 2017, 12:30:00 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Ron LaClair:
The Shrew Classic Hunter II has been improved.
     

   
That is gorgeous!

Offline Steve Clandinin

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #16 on: July 23, 2017, 02:35:00 PM »
After having shot most everything I would definitely add Big Jims Thunderchild. In all reality as good as they all are it's your choice.Chevy,Ford or Dodge get the picture lol
Quote from Howard Hill.( Whenever he taught someone to shoot) "Son make up your mind right now if you want to target shoot or hunt as theres a world of differance between the two"

Offline Bladepeek

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #17 on: July 24, 2017, 03:40:00 PM »
I've tried all but the Pika.

I would guess they are all very similar. What it boils down to is usually one will feel a little "snappier", or steadier on the release, or the grip just fits better.

I tried the Java Man Elk Heart and Helms Deep at the same time, same draw weight, and same distance. I couldn't have told any difference with my eyes closed, so I got the Elk Heart. I hate the thought of finding myself out in the woods with a recurve and no stringer. The main reason I bought a Java Man over the other bows I tried? The grip is simply the best for me of any bow I've ever shot.
60" Bear Super K LH 40#@28
69" Matt Meacham LH 42@28
66" Swift Wing LH 35@28
54" Java Man Elk Heart LH 43@28
62"/58" RER LXR LH 44/40@28

Offline Roger Norris

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #18 on: July 24, 2017, 05:25:00 PM »
Shrew Shrew Shrew. No disrespect to the Pika, it's a fine bow. But the Shrew is the way to go.
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Offline pete p

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Re: pika vs shrew vs elkheart
« Reply #19 on: July 24, 2017, 06:21:00 PM »
pika. test drive one. no disrespect to the shrew but the pika is the way to go...

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