Black Tail Bows

[Scamper]

Hi

I got in under the wire and am ordering a Blacktail Sitka

Very excited!

Love to see pics!

[MnFn]

Under what wire?

[McDave]

Under what wire?

+1?

[Scamper]

I mean before they stop accepting orders

Tomorrow last day for an undetermined period

[Bowwild]

Yep, they've announced "in stock" purchase strategy except for special order Legacy bows.

[Jim Wright]

I believe after today they will stop taking any new orders with the exception of the Legacy Series starting at $4500.00

[McDave]

Seems like an odd direction for a high end bow company to go.  I can think of 6-7 different things I would like to choose on a $1,500-2,000 bow, like wood, grip, RH/LH, split/3 under, poundage, limb length, and other embellishments.  I could easily wait for the rest of my life (I’m 77) for something like that to turn up on the already made rack.  I don't think I would be likely to opt for a $4,500 model instead; unless they just coincidently had what I wanted on their rack, I’d look elsewhere.

[George Vernon]

They have introduced the 'Classic Series' longbows and recurves for $895.00.  Beautiful bows that mimic the Elite series but without some of the whistles and bells.  Take a look on their website.  I purchased a 60" Classic Recurve with the bocote/ebony diamond wood combination.  Compares favorably to my Snakebit recurve.  I think it's a smart move to offer such quality at such a good price.

[beendare]

Seems like an odd direction for a high end bow company to go.  I can think of 6-7 different things I would like to choose on a $1,500-2,000 bow,

I get it. The production snafu’s with all of those different options has to be overwhelming.
 
I own a company that has these same issues and its a nightmare with all of the moving parts and customization.

My guess, they realized they will still sell the same amount of bows…and in simplifying their process, its much less headaches. This move might even improve the quality and consistency of the final product through that simplification.

I dont own one but have seen them, fantastic bows. Best wishes to the owner…

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[Sam McMichael]

Even if I were rich, I would not spend that kind of money on a working tool. I would be worried about getting the dings and scratches that are inevitable with a hunting bow. They sure do look good, though.

[GCook]

What Sam said.

[Friend]

Wonderful artistic creations...

[George Vernon]

Bruce makes a good point about how time consuming it can be to handle all the custom options Blacktail offered.  And there are things not visible that they do.  For example, in their custom bows they have, internal to the riser, a reinforcing layer a bit like an I beam, but thinner, that is not seen but is said to add a lot of strength to the riser.  One of the reasons they offered a lifetime warranty on the riser.

They are also making the Tomahawk longbow for Three Rivers while Norm Johnson is making the limited number of high end custom longbows for Three Rivers.  Maybe they have such a high production load, they can no longer handle all the effort of the custom bows unless you get into the really pricey ones.

Regardless, from my perspective the new Classic Series is an outstanding bow. 

[MnFn]

Thanks for the update.  I think it’s probably a good deal.  I have owned three Blacktails, I bought them all in used condition, so I didn’t have any choice anyway.  They were all great bows, but the middle one was too big for me.  I don’t much care about fancy wood either way, but most of my bows have had nice wood. I am more drawn to the shape, design and handling characteristics of a bow.

I think I would be drawn to buying the Classic, if I were looking for a new recurve.  It seems like a good deal to me.

[2wfstlhunting]

On reading the comments, I am pleased and encouraged NOT to see the kind of insulting rhetoric that I sometimes find at times on archery sites.  That said, I own two Columbias/longbows (a one piece and a take down) and love them and use them in the field. I have other bows that I enjoy also but this is about Blacktail, so:  I believe that with the combined issues of demand, supply, and personnel that the decision was made to take a "Time Out" on new custom orders, which has an enormous customer service requirement .  I think that all in all, it was a professional and polite way to get the word out as to the business decision which they have taken.  It will go back to normal at some point, but they need a breather.  It is an AMERICAN business that does a quality job and has first class customer service. Enjoy the fact that they are there and do what they do.  Traditional Archery is a niche business, and people who build quality equipment for us should get the support that they deserve.   

[dnovo]

I've always admired their bows.  Simply outstanding work and attention to detail.  The thing that stopped me from being interested back when I could have afforded one was the lack of a simple 1 piece longbow. Or a 2 piece  that looks like a 1 piece when assembled.
I think they make besautiful bows for those desiring them.  Great performers also.

[FITTER]

Didn’t realize the made the Tomahawk bows and custom bows for three rivers….. a lot of irons in the fire.

[Trenton G.]

Ever since they came out with their Trout-hide bow a couple of years ago I've wanted one. Hopefully at some point down the road the opportunity will come back up for one.

[Bowwild]

Blacktail bows are my favorite bows of all the great bows and I've owned 20 or more different customs. This company is very innovative and cutting edge, especially for a company that's been around for quite a while.

If this newest move results in more in-stock, no-wait bows, that will be terrific.  Surely if the pile is large enough most folks will find something that would work for them.   

Surely the traditional market is still booming?  I wouldn't think COVID would be impacting supplies for bowyers, maybe labor?  It seems like waiting times are getting longer rather than shorter. I did some checking on line of some bowyers I've bought from in the past, some more than 10 years ago and they are still cranking out bows.

Glad to see it!

Oh, if I could afford to be a sheep hunter, I'd also afford to have a Legacy with bighorn artwork.  Alas, I didn't stay young enough, long enough to get that done.

[beendare]

 I wonder if it might end up being a trend in the industry?

 I talked to South Cox a minimum of 4x on my Riser build….can you imagine doing that 100x a day?

Whereas, he could build a bunch of different wood combos and just put them on his website where they get gobbled up faster than they can make them.

 It might be worth pulling the trigger now if a guy has been debating this….

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