Forward Handle Longbow Opinions?

[Whitetail Chaser]

Hey Everyone,

I am in the market for a forward handle longbow (preferably 60" or less in length).  I am normally a recurve shooter, so I want something that has more of a pistol-style grip.  Of course I would like to buy 15 bows, but I can only afford one.

These are the ones I am most interested in:
Kanati
Hoots
RER Vortex
Lost Creek
Thunderhorn Coup Stick
Hill Country Harvest Master

Any others?  Let me know what your experiences have been.  Are any of these noisy? I HATE a noisy bow!  

Thanks for your help.

Brett

[String Cutter]

Ron La Clair's Shrew?? Ain't never owned one but everyone seems to love them??? And he's a sponsor here too...  http://www.shrewbows.com/

[L. E. Carroll]

I have two, 9+ like new [ I can't find a mark on them] Coup Stick's what specs are you looking for? I just found, after buying and trading over 50 bows in the last 3 years "The Bow For Me" a 59#TFIII 60".  If I have the "One" your looking for, I'll make you a great deal on it.
Gene

[Tim Fishell]

There are many good ones out there.  IMO you wont find a better one than a Shrew.  They are dead in the hand and whisper quiet.  I have 6 of them now both recurves and longbows and for me they are one of the best bows out there.

[curtinmo]

Kanati-Mine at 58" draws smooth to my 31.5 inch draw,is super light in the hand but no shock and quiet.I cannot find anything I do not like about the bow.....Curt

[DEAN]

[amar911]

Two suggestions: in a one or two piece the Shrew Classic Hunter, and in a three piece the Morrison ILF. Both are deflexed riser designs. Depending on your draw length you may want a longer or shorter length bow. I have a 29 1/2" draw length and own both 56" and 54" Shrew Classic Hunters as well as a 56" Morrison ILF Mini-14 riser with the "C" length Dakota longbow foam/carbon limbs. They are all fantastic bows. I must admit I shoot the Morrison somewhat better most of the time, but the Shrew is much lighter and a bit handier. I certainly won't sell any of the three bows, and all of them are great hunting tools. The 56" Shrew Classic Hunter should fit about anyone, and for draw lengths less than 30" the 54" CH is fine (better for 28" or less draw lengths). Check out Morrison Archery's website for recommendations on riser and limb lengths for your draw length. I like the Mini-14 best of the risers. You may be able to add a little to what Bob recommends, but not much. The quickest way to start breaking a bow is to overdraw it. Over-stressing any mechanical device may lead to its failure, and there is a reason Bob Morrison and others make those recommendations on draw length.

Allan

[vermonster13]

The 56" Black Swan Hybrid is one to consider. Can be had in a 1pc or 3pc.

 

[T.L]

I would add a Toelke Whip to your options. Super craftsmanship and a very quiet shooter. Depending on your draw you may be able to get a 58" or 60".
Tom.

[john1271]

black creek banshee. contact john sullins at sipsey river ,jim gainey is the bowyer

[bretto]

The Kanati is a good choice. Jason makes a great bow. Super guy. He has a pretty quick turnaround. And You won't beat His price. bretto

[ron w]

I have 2 reverse handle longbows, both are Green Mountains. They are not made any more but smooth ,quite and seem to point well. A friend has a Northernmist and a Northwind Gem both forward grips and very nice bows, reasonable cost also.   ron w

[WidowEater]

that Treadway definitely doesnt have the lines of a true forward handle longbow.  Im not too sure on the Black Creek either.

I think for a handle to be "forward" the limb has to hit the fadeouts and plunge down the back part of the handle(the part that faces the shooter) and then there is the riser hanging out in front of the bow.

[Whitetail Chaser]

I guess there are WAY TOO MANY options out there.  I will have to look into a few more of them.  

I guess a "Forward" and a "reverse" handle are not exactly the same thing?  Several of these short hybrid bows have deflexed risers with a forward handle that is not a reverse handle (where the limbs come in from the belly side).

Thanks for your help guys.

Brett

[Jerry Wald]

I have a 2 piece - 56" - 58#@28" Super Shrew in Shadow Gray (if you look under "shrew bows" in the POWWOW) you can see it...she's a beaut    

It's quiet already and I am still waiting for silencers...problem we have in the north is that there aren't any stores up here that stock bow equipment AT ALL.

I also have an ACS longbow (very nice bow - smooth and quiet and fast for a 54# bow), but it's 64" and a 3 piece and it's nice but you want something shorter.

Only downside for the Shrew is the wait time to get her, but she was worth the wait    and cheaper than the ACS.

Jer Bear

[jdemoya]

Take a look at the Risen Son bows, old Elburg bows. No one has ever made a reverse handle bow as good as the Elburg Jaguar line. The Jaguar Magnum is probably the best bow ever built, IMHO though.

God bless,

Jose

[Red Beastmaster]

I have a Thunderhorn Coup Stick and really like it. It is the one bow I can pick up and shoot well right from the first arrow. Duane is a heck of a nice guy to do business with too.

[Whip]

Certainly plenty of good options listed.  The RER Vortex is a great short longbow, or the LX model is the 3 piece version.  
There is one Vortex listed in the sponsor classifieds right now, and another 4 currently in stock.  Or of course, custom order one made just for you.....

[Whitetail Chaser]

I've heard good things about the Risen Son bows, but I have yet to see a picture of one.  I have searched a bunch of places but have not found a picture of them to see what they look like.

Anyone have a photo they would like to share?

Brett

[Danny J]

I havent shot all the longbows suggested but I have shot a few.  I would recommend my 56" RER Vortex or my 54" Treadway. Great shooting, easy to tune and quiet bows. I have a few longbows and those are the two I use for hunting.