A Stupid Question (or is it?)

[Captain*Kirk]

I've managed to acquire 7 or 8 bows over the years, the majority being vintage Bears. I bought each one for it's own specific reason (mostly looks or dimension/purpose) and am always on the lookout for "just one more"...
However, the choices of bow manufacturers and models, not including custom bows, is dizzying to the point of insanity. How do most of you end up choosing a bow, either custom or manufactured? There are so many choices that I sometimes feel paralyzed.

[GCook]

It's a valid question but the amount of differing answers you'll get will probably leave you with even more questions than you started with.
Personally I have a production bow, one custom I got used (Tall Tines) and a couple of custom bows frome Randy Madden, creator of Primal Tech bows.
I liked Randy's bows from the first time I picked one up.  Grip, smooth draw, quiet, shockless shot.  I like the Tall Tines as well.  Especially how easy the grip locates every time you go to draw.  That said it's a closer queen and doesn't get shot anymore. 
I'm a utilitarian.  A bow is a tool.  Hunting is my primary purpose and of course that means practice all year round so I've been shooting my hunting bows for 3D as well.  Recently though some old injuries have decided I needed to step back in weight for the 150 to 200 arrow days so Randy has me one about ten pounds lighter on the shop bench now. 
The big thing is a bow doesn't have to have exotic woods and be beautiful for me.  It needs to shoot and be quiet.  The performance of the bow is for me.  But others see you shoot well and the bow is beautiful it tends to work well for the bowyer as well so Randy pretty much has artistic license on my next one.
I prefer a 58-60" long bow as I blind hunt a lot and my 27.5" draw length doesn't challenge most bows for stacking.
That said I am on the list for a Sarrells one piece longbow and I'll end up with a Bob Lee as they are a couple of the great Texas bowyers and I respect that enough to own at least one

[hawkeye n pa]

I essentially shoot one bow and have come to realize the bow is a small part of the equation.  That's not saying I didn't try find to THEE bow at one time though:)

[Captain*Kirk]

I essentially shoot one bow and have come to realize the bow is a small part of the equation.  That's not saying I didn't try find to THEE bow at one time though:)

And that's part of the problem. THE bow for you might not be THE bow for the next guy.

[M60gunner]

I haven’t come up to that “one bow” yet. Probably never will. Only time I went with another bow by same custom maker is my Wes Wallace LB. And that was a toss up as well but having one of his bows for years I knew what to except.

[dhaverstick]

I am a sucker for exotic wood combinations. I also know what kind of grip I want on my riser and what I like that riser to look like. If I can find all 3 of those together then I have to fight myself to keep from reaching for my wallet.

My most recent purchase was from a bowyer in South Africa. He is one of the very few bowyers I have seen use amboyna burl in both the limbs and riser. When I saw an example, I knew I just had to have one!

Darren

[Pauljr77]

For me, I was drawn to the design, I met the bowyer and that sealed it for me. There is no magic bow.

[McDave]

I have a lot of bows.  I didn't plan it that way, they just grew “like Topsy.”  The main reason for buying more bows in recent years has been that as I get older (I’m 78) I find that I need to go down in bow weight.  However, aside from that, I have some left-handed bows because I like to shoot left-handed, I have a number of low poundage bows that I use for students and grandchildren, and I have both longbows and recurves because as my mood changes, I like to have the option of switching between them.  I have some classic Bear bows because I like to collect them, and I have bows that I will never shoot again because they are too heavy for me now, but I can't bear to part with them.

However, if I had to get rid of all of them but two, I would keep my 40# Bob Lee Shikari for 3D, and my 47# Bob Lee Ultimate for hunting.  To be honest, I could be just as happy with only those two bows as I am with all of them.  But if I had to get rid of one of those two and just have one, that would be tough.

[PrimitivePete]

Lately I have been more interested in self bows and getting my hands on bows made by well respected bowyers. I love the originality of the self bow and unique expression of the wood itself. Outside of that I have been extremely impressed by a relatively simple looking longbow that exceeds the performance expected, the JK Traditions Kanati, this bow is excellent !!!

[Sam McMichael]

I own a fair number of bows, both recurve and longbows. When I got interested in longbows, I went with a R/D at first. I have also tried the selfbow. When I tried the Hill style bow, it just seemed the perfect fit I had been looking for. That was in 2003, and I have been shooting this style ever since. As my age and health are currently working against me, additional bows don't seem likely. That means I have apparently found "that" bow with my most recent acquisition. Fortunately, it is a great bow from Northern Mist. Funny though, I shot my first longbow, a Bamboo Long Hunter, better than any other I have owned. I wish I still had it.

[MnFn]

I have tried quite a few different bows. Now when I get interested in a new bow, something has to go.

A few times now, I have foolishly commented that I am done buying bows and I have the right one. And of course I hear about that from friends!

As far as which bows to buy, I am heavily influenced by people I respect and friends who are “sold” on certain bows. That is how I got interested in Tall Tines and Black Widow.  I have tried three BW and three TT each.

I know I have found the best Tall Tines for me in a 62” Stickflinger  at 49#.  As for the Black Widow, I seem to want to try a PL, but my favorite BW recurve is a PSA. I also have a Liberty English that I am fond of. It’s the only really long bow (68”) that I have been able to shoot consistent with.

So maybe one more.

[Wudstix]

I have "stumbled" on several bows over the years.  I have tried a particular bow and then bought one.  I have Big River bows, a MOAB, Kota, Bear Grizzly, DHH, and HTD recurve.
 

[Steelhead]

Yaa I know its would be dizzying to pick out a bow with all the choices.You could go round and round and round and still be like is this the one or what.

Most bows are really good bows.In fact most any bow made by a reputable Bowyer who has been in business for awhile is gonna be a good bow.Unless he had a bad day and the tiller is off.

Probably not as complicated if you know exactly what kind of bow you want.Like a 50s style recurve is what I want or ASL,60s style recurve, radical hybrid.Maybe its a 3 piece recurve or 3 piece longbow or a 3 piece that can interchange both recurve and longbow limbs.Thats pretty versatile!Maybe you want an expensive Art bow with the highest level of woods and fancy Artwork,checkering,engavings,inlays etc.

I would probably research opinions,reviews and general consensus that this Bowyer builds a really solid bow with good performance and has nice shooting qualities like low handshock,smoothness and quietness etc.All the things archers like in a bow.

Say you want a 50s style recurve.Its still gonna be like you said dizzying to make the choice when your gonna shell out the cash and have to live with your choice.If your rich no big deal.Just buy like 5 models and decide what you like most and sale the rest:)Once again thier are many Bowyers who build a fine 50s style.I have found a few I really love after owning and shooting many.It did cost money.I bought most used and moved bows on as I tried many out and came to conclusions based on my experience.A few stood out for me.Most all were good bows though

Hard to resolve the Canundrum.

Best way that I can think of is go to some of the bigger shows with alot of bows and shoot everything in what kinda bow your looking for and pick one out.Get a grip as close to something you love in the right length and poundage for your use and your draw length and you probably gonna be happy.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I essentially shoot one bow and have come to realize the bow is a small part of the equation.  That's not saying I didn't try find to THEE bow at one time though:)

And that's part of the problem. THE bow for you might not be THE bow for the next guy.

True statement I have been the next guy and was told best shooting bow and I really wanted that bow and it never shot good for me sold to a guy he says best shooting bow he's ever shot.

[Mike Bolin]

I am pretty much a utilitarian/plain jane kind of guy. I have owned custom bows with exotic wood combinations but have never kept one very long. I prefer a solid brown or gray bow without a lot of bells and whistles. I look for a solid, rugged build, the ability to get the grip I prefer, good customer service and probably most importantly, something that pleases MY eye. I have tried a lot of bows over the past 35 years, but I have pretty much settled on one...Black Widow PTF in autumn oak. I prefer (and need due to shoulder issues) a fairly light mass weight which has led me to a one-piece design. There are others that interest me, but I am content with my PTF.

[mangonboat]

I'm thinking its mostly a question of what do YOU want a bow for. Some only own 1 or 2 bows and focus on only one type of shooting. Some shoot the same bow every day, some rarely shoot but collect bows nonetheless. I have been shooting recurve bows for 58 years and have yet to find an archery activity I dont enjoy, but I think what I enjoy most is learning about bows and bowyers and shooting and folks who make the sport what it is. I like to trade with new folks and make connections,  to trade or buy /sell to try out a bow I'm not familiar with or heard about but never shot, send bows to friends, or young folks just getting started. I've accumulated more bows than I ever intended, and passed along a lot of bows that others rave about but I was underwhelmed, etc. I go through phases of inventory reduction, which never lasts because there's always something else interesting. Heck...I even found a 1961 Shakespeare X-15, 63" and 50#...a Captain Kirk bow!

[Eecho]

Yep, I keep a collection of a few vintage and current custom bows for different reason. And shoot them all off and on throughout the year. I lean more to having different styles of bows just to play with, how they shoot, and feel in the hand. Also, I'm a sucker for exotic wood combinations and really enjoy contrasting riser and limb woods.  But for down and dirty hunting I preferer not to use the "pretty bows" instead carry a good ole gray bark PSA.