Pittsley Predator Grip vs Martin Hatfield, Hunter , PSE Kudu, and others

[returntoarchery]

Had a chance to check out several bows today. I handled, didn't shoot, a Martin Hatfield and Hunter, Bear Takedown, a PSE Kudu, Bob Lee takedown recurve, and Quillian Canebrake. The Bear is a nice bow but the grip is too thin for me. Reminds me of a thin compound metal riser grip and a lot thinner than my recollection of my old 70's Super Kodiak I used to have. The Martin Hunter, PSE Kudo, Bob Lee and Canebrake felt pretty good in the hand. I've read the grips of the Pittsley can be thick. For those who's handled these bows, how does the Pittsley's grip compare?

Reason I ask is the Pittsley is a sweet looking bow to my eye. The others are nice but that one  is becoming a siren for me.       :D      

Thanks

[tradtusker]

the pittsley predator, has got a pretty thick handle that narrows at the top its pretty strange when you first get hold of it but took no time to get used to, i like the fact the grip on the pittsley puts the arrows right on top of your hand making pointing it very easy.

iv got a shcafer recurve and a couple shrews which are the 2 bows i think have very good grips, but i still wont sell my pittsley its a very hard hitting solid bow.

[bowdude]

The old and new predators are 2 different animals.  Both great bows but very different.  I have 1 of each and had to modify the new one to satisfy me.
  Not sure when they made the changes, but they were obviously for streamlining production.  The most obvious change is in the limbs at the mounts, which can be seen in a picture.  Also the handle if you can hold it.
  If you can find an old one you like, I believe they are the better bows.

[Bonebuster]

I own a Predator. For me its perfect. It fills my hand just right and consistent hand placement is
automatic. The grip could be considered thick, I guess.

As Tradtusker said, the arrow is right on top of your hand. This made a huge improvement in my shooting immediately. The small shelf makes tuning easy, and if you think they look sweet, wait till you shoot one. Mine prefers arrows on the heavy side.

I don`t collect bows like alot of people do. Looks are important, and mine looks good, but it has been around for a while. I will get a new bow someday, and it will be another Predator.

[ChuckC]

If you buy a Predator, try to handle it first.  I have handled several and the grips are all different.  Mine...is narrower and I really like it. My frind's was thicker, and I didn't like it (neither did he).   If that was the only one I ever handled, I wouldn't have purchased the Predator.  The predator is a great shooting bow that looks pretty sweet too.  
ChuckC

[stagetek]

My Preditor has a thick handle. I like it. It's 2 yrs. old. The Preditor site doesn't say the grips can be ordered different, so I assumed they were the same.

[Arwin]

You won't be disappointed with a Predator. The one I had was 56#@28 and shot a 2216 w/ 145 grains at 172fps! I'm STILL kicking myself for letting that one go!

[tradtusker]

yip i was shooting 800gr    arrows of of my predator she loved em!!!

[Kevin Lawler]

Beware of the low shelf. If you shoot a low nock point the feathers will eat your hand up. Also, if you hunt cold climates and expect to shoot/hunt with gloves on, it might be difficult with the low shelf. To solve these issues I just built the shelf up with leather.

[returntoarchery]

Thanks for the info guys. That siren is singing "Order me", "Order me", "Order me"......    :D

[SERGIO VENNERI]

You are going to love a Predator bow! Ron makes an awesome bow and I'm sure willaccomodate almost any grip that you requst as long as it does not compromise the structural integrity of the riser! I personally find the predator riser to be very slim and stream lined. if some one is interesed in posting pics, I can email pics of my 3 predators and all 3 have different grips. this is one of the fastes, most stable bows on the market Today!!

[tradtusker]

e-mail me the pics Sergio, ill post them for ya.
im interested to see the different grips.

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Andy; PMed ya some pics! Thank you! Don't know why it has to be so difficult to post pics!!??? why can't i just click and drag??I can keep 2 windows open on my Mac.

[tradtusker]

here are the pics Sergio sent me!
ah great looking bows sir!    

first 2 is the original with checkered grip and low shelf
 

 

then the Newer model with higher shelf and full small grip, and what a beauty it is!!!
 

then the one piece with full small grip.
 

thanks Sergio, nice bows

cheers Andy

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Thanks Andy; Where did you get the wild boar?? Nice Pic!

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Andy; How old is the Predator in the pic with the boar??

[tradtusker]

Sergio, its a big Northen teritory sow i shot up in arnhemland when i was over in Australia. im not quite sure how old the bow is iv had it a few years and got it second hand.  :D