Why Leon Stewart?

[Bob B.]

I have been researching his bows, both the older longbows with slight reflex/deflex and his slammers.  My question to those that own them is why do like them so much?  Why are they "better" than others?  I would appreciate any opinions.

Bob.

[tukudu]

Bob,
   To be as honest as I can it his slammers in my opinion are an extremly shootable bow, very, very stable in hand, good mass weight, quiet, no handshock and easily accepts differing arrows.Perfomance on his bows is as good as others. He has put a lot of time in coming up with the new slammer design and did not release it until it was ready. The limbs possess strong torsional stability and are not affected by hand torque and bad releases. There is no such thing as a flimsy limbs on his slammers. As such they are inherently very accurate and stable. His worksmanship is fantastic and if its not right he will make it right without any questions. He takes a great deal of pride in his workmanship. He probably has one of the best grips on the market and his leather work is impeccable. In my opinion he is true "old school" and loves high character woods, gets excited by nice looking hard rock maple and chooses core limb material for its inherent smootheness and performance. His latest enhancement was to offer a shortened  riser on the three piece slammer which allows the entire limb to work and just makes this new three piece come alive. I have the longer riser and it is one bow that has stayed on my rack and for me thats says alot. The finish on these bows is bombproof. They are made to hunt with, lean on and use without fear of hurting them. Try that with some of the others and tell me how they look after a year in the field. Sorry to carry on. tom

[swampjoe]

Well said Tom, my slammer is the easily the most shootable bow I've owned.  And the purtiest too:).

[Killdeer]

I wish I were smart enough to tell it like Tom.
All I know is, I have some of the finest bows made in my bow rack. After being teased year after year at Baltimore, I have decided that I have got to get one of Leon's bows before I die. Hopefully, that will happen this coming May. These bows are most civilized in the hand, have great speed and hit where I point them. There is a smoothness to the whole shot that reminds me of oiled glass.

Killdeer  

[Mitch-In-NJ]

From the first time I shot mine I knew it was the bow for me.  I thought "this is what a bow should shoot like".

I had tried a few other bows and each had something I didn't like.  This one feels like it belongs in my hand and it shoots like a dream.  Kind of a subjective answer, I know, but isn't that what you wanted?

[tukudu]

Killie have you been doing a background check on me? I think you pretty much nailed it down yourself. tom

If you want to see a real freak show some time go to one of the big PA longbow shoots. I did one near Leon's house and I would sware that out of 150 shooters 100 of them were shooting a stewart bow. Now that is wierd.

[Steve G]

Leon makes a wonderful bow, I love to shoot mine, I go to an archery club where he belongs and see many of his bows there and have got to shoot some of them, I like my one peice Slammer more than some of the others I've shot. There is one guy there who has qutie a few of Leon's in fact I think he's been ordering one a year for some time now, well I saw him at a 3-d shoot this Spring with a new 3 piece Slammer with awesome Yew limbs that was 70" long, mine is 68" well this ins't the first time this we have exchanged bows on the course and his shot real good but even with all his Stewert's he LOVES mine in the way it shoots!! But it ain't going anywhere! The more you talk up any bow the harder it becomes for it to ever live up to an expectation, even with Leon's bows.

[hvyhitter]

I have 2 of his older r/d longbows that I've had for several years they both fit my hand ,spit an arrow nice and hit were I look. I've shot just about everyone elses one piece longbow out there and many shoot as good but NONE WERE BETTER and Leons fit and finnish on a bow is about as perfect as can be. I dont know about his 3 piece as all take down 3 piece longbows do nothing for me. I have been looking for another older one piece in the 70 -75# range but havent found one I liked for the right money, might have to break down and order one.

[maxwell]

It made me smile the first time I shot it( a slammer) I now have several including a double shelf model thats really cool, booth shelves are on the same side. Just fun to shoot

[lone hunter]

Don't know if "better" is the correct word. When you buy one of Leon's bows you are kinda joining a fraternity. I was put on to the bow by a friend and TG member some years ago. Got a 66" RD bow that two weeks later blew through an elk. Ordered a 3-piece slammer when they came out. Actually flew to Penn. and stayed with Leon for 5-6 days. Camped at a shoot, buckskinners or something, where they have the little league tournament. It was just like meeting an old friend. I thought the airlines had hijacked my pocket knife that had worked up 24 elk. Leon came out of the house and gave me two of his knives.
I believe he is maintaining old-school philosophy with new innovations. His bows are bombproof. Grip, smoothness of draw, more than adequate speed and shootability are all part of the package.
So, "better" is just a subjective word, a phrase you'll hear alot. I like his bows because they do what a bow is supposed to do and will do it for a long time.
Guess Iam old-school too because I rely on the RD bow.

[Jaeger]

You know, I have yet to have the opportunity to shoot one his bows. I have spent a fair amount of time talking with him at a varitey of shows and for what it's worth you won't find a nicer man. I know that doesn't affect the shootability of the bow but I think it is part of the total package.

[Bob B.]

Thanks to all who have replied.  I have indeed talked with Leon on three occasions.  I have found him to be a straight forward man who takes great pride in his bows.  He is genuine and so very easy to talk with.  I wish his website was up as I really would like to get a good look at one of his one piece slammers.  He is excellent at explaining the cast and tiller of his limbs and why they work so well.  I appreciate all the input.  Does anyone have a preference over his older r/d longbow or his slammer?

Bob.

[DEERDOG]

Only shot the Slammer. I would like to know also.

[Pat B.]

Does he have a web sight ?

[Leo L.]

website

[MYSTIKBOW]

I don't own one myself but I've shot Maxwell's
TD Slammer a couple of times. It's a very fine shooting longbow. Draws really smooth and shoots right to where you point yer hand.

[Bob B.]

His Website is down, his computer is done and he said he needs another.

 http://www.stewartsarchery.com/

Bob.

[Lost Tracker]

I have several Stewarts and a couple of his recurves as well as several metal riser curves. My Stewart tree pc slammer, 72 inches long is my goto bow. At my 31 inch draw it is the smoothest bow I have ever shot as well as quite a looker. I shoot this bow almost every day . A friend has an older r d long bow about ten years old, and it realy shoots well, we can both pick it up after not shooting it for some time and shoot as well with it as any bow we currantly have been shooting. Yep , they just plain shoot. It has been said very well above  as well..you will not go wrong with a Stewart... lost tracker ps ..I  am one of the 100 out of 150 &>)

[tukudu]

Bob,
   I spent last Friday with Leon at the Forskville shoot and had a chance to shoot a 60 inch slammer takedown with the new short riser. Very stable, no hand shock and whisper quiet. This bow limb was just flat out working the whole length and the performance showed it. I really liked it and I have a 64 incher that i thought was pefect. As ususal the look and feel was great. I have been shooting my tip and never skipped a beat when that bow hit my hand. tom