What Makes a Bow Great?

[Even]

Hello all,

I've been mulling over different aspects of my current longbows, lately, and looking at others a lot.   I've become curious enough about bow design to seek out other opinions, if you wish to share your thoughts. 

In your opinion, what makes a particular bow GREAT, or "the one you will never part with"?   

If you ask, or look at a thread about favourite bows, you see as many different favourites as there are builders, or archers.  My question is: what is it about that bow, its qualities, that make it your favourite?

Accuracy?  Feel?  Fit to your frame?  Arrow speed?  Looks?  Something completely different? 

I'm interested in what people think, regarding why they love particular bows.

[Bowsey Wails]

Familarity. It feels like part of me. I look, it shoots where I'm looking. Not every bow that I've owned felt that way.

[katman]

The grip is #1 for me then well timed limbs.

[Wudstix]

^^^^^^^THIS!!!  I have three Big River bows; one recurve and two D/R Longbows, one is a Mild D/R and the other a 21st Century clone.  The recurve is a Kodiak clone.  They all melt into my hand and shoot where I look.  The longbows a tad better.  Also, have a MOAB that truly is the Mother Of All Bows.  Again they need to fit your hand and shoot without thought.
 

[MnFn]

Success, as in  “I regularly hit what I am looking at”.

[Even]

Success, as in  “I regularly hit what I am looking at”.

I have a few bows that will hit what I'm looking at, for sure, but only a couple (82# Zebra Grevy, 60# Sentman) that just seem to feel naturally like its hard to miss a shot.  I love that about them: that feeling like the arrow is going to end up where I want it, without having to think about it. 

Do you have a several that give you success, or just one or two, out of curiosity?   Wondering if being a better archer widens one's choices, or if it still comes down to that "magic"?

[Pat B]

A bow that fits your style of shooting, fits your hand and shoots where you are looking. After all, without these attributes it's only a bow. 

[McDave]

For me, the thing that makes a bow great is the same thing that make for a great employee, trail companion, or hunting buddy: how do they work with you in a variety of situations?  The pedigree helps you to decide which bow or person looks promising, but it's only what happens when the chips are down that really matters.  That's why the Robertson longbow that I listed on the St Jude’s auction is the best bow I’ve ever had.  No other bow that I own or have owned has shared as many experiences with me as that one has and come out smiling every time.

[PrimitivePete]

One that takes a beating and keeps on ticking

[Tajue17]

easy to find arrows and just seems to always hit where ya want..... I have some really ugly bows that will do that and much prettier bows worth 5 times more that won't.

[Even]

One that takes a beating and keeps on ticking

Durability is good!  I've only broken two bows, one oldie that luckily I re-glued, and has been great ever since.  The other, I slipped on a wet log, stalking a blacktail, and split it.  Grr.  Tough is good, for sure.

[Wudstix]

I try not to abuse my bows in the woods, but one that shines in almost all situations.  My MOAB and Big River D/R Longbow 21st Century clone fill that bill.  Have killed more game with the MOAB.
 

[Ben Corbett]

For me looks, be it design or woods are first attraction but "GRIP" is deciding factor!

[Even]

I see quite a few mentions of grip here.

 I do have to say, on my two favourites, they both have a "ridge" back side to the grip that just fits the heel of my palm, and orients the bow without my even having to think about it.  On others I have, I do need to hunt a bit.  It seems a big factor.

[Jerry Gille]

"What makes a bow great?"  The person shooting it makes it great in my opinion.  Or in my case - not so great. 

[kennym]

I see quite a few mentions of grip here.

 I do have to say, on my two favourites, they both have a "ridge" back side to the grip that just fits the heel of my palm, and orients the bow without my even having to think about it.  On others I have, I do need to hunt a bit.  It seems a big factor.

This^^

When I'm hunting, I don't want to be hunting for the right grip to shoot my bow.  It needs to be natural without thinking about it.
Thinking is bad when it counts for me...

[Wheels2]

I also like a good looking bow.  My metal riser ILF is very functional but my Covert Hunter is a work of art

[Friend]

When the fit is so natural that it is merely an extension of your arm.

[Wudstix]

Bow has to melt into your hand.
 

[Even]

When I'm hunting, I don't want to be hunting for the right grip to shoot my bow.  It needs to be natural without thinking about it.
Thinking is bad when it counts for me...

For me, there is a LOT of truth in this... the more I think, the worse the shot becomes.  When it all feels like a trained, reflexive response, and I don't have to think, it all comes together.   If I have to think about the shot or the bow, and adjust, it usually goes for poop.   

Perhaps as one gets to be a better archer, thinking and reflex come together better?  For now, that ain't me!

A bow that seems to aid me in making reflexive shots, is huge for me.