Custom vs production bows

[wollelybugger]

I just sold a Silvertip because I wasn't shooting it. I am shooting my Martin Savannah. I have two Robertsons sitting in the closet that aren't getting shot but I won't part with them. I dont care who makes the bow as long as it works for me.

[Paul WA]

Ive shot great shooting production bows, The Martin hunter is a great one but I love my pronghorn its smooth and quick...PR

[D. Devall]

Paul WA,

this is off subject but i love your quote. oh so true.

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

Here's what I figger. Take my word with a grain of salt.  

Pretty much ALL bows are production bows. If its made by a bowyer at a shop, for the intent on selling to someone, then its a production bow.

Its just that there's some production bows fit like it was custom taylored to your hand. Like its an extension of your arm.

Someone mentioned the words "assembly line".  I was at a bow factory recently that we've all heard of before...there were 3 or 4 fellas in there working on bows, and each one had a specific task that had to be done before a bow got shipped off to its new owner.  But I wouldn't go so far as to call that an assembly line...that phrase brings about a negative feeling, of something thats made cheap, quick, and without much quality control. And this company definitely does not fit that description!

In my opinion, the only true custom bow is a self bow. And then, its only custom until it gets sold to someone else. (Unless its built for that 1 person only)

[Apex Predator]

I think you picked a poor bow to compare to a "custom".  I've owned quite a few of both lately, and there isn't much difference.

[James Wrenn]

A good bow is a good bow no matter who makes it.I have shot some bows I just did not care for and others I really liked.If they were custom or off a boat from China had no bearing on if I liked the bow or not.Certainly not enough I could come out and say all custom are better than production bows.Shot plenty of custom eye candy that looked better than they shot FOR ME.

To me it is all about the shooting.Don't care if a bow is crafted by the best bowyer in the world or popped off the end of a line of guys that don't speak English.Some off both don't shoot like I want and some do.  

[Friends call me Pac]

How did this go so wrong?  All I wanted to do was say one of my bows felt better to me than the other.

Some read between the lines and all of a sudden this became some kind of silly argument. Others read what I wrote and understood me with no problem.

It never was about which is better for anyone in particular only me.  I picked up two bows that i own and drew them.  One was very easy to draw and the other wasn't.

I never knocked anyone's bow not even my own because it had served me well.  It just didn't feel as good to me after shooting my other bow.

Did I pick a poor production bow to compare to my custom?  I don't think so since I own both of them.  I could certainly feel a difference or I would not have said anything in the first place.

[mancole5]

I agree with you pac! I have just recently got into traditional shooting and have began my journey with an old Shakespeare bow I found in a closet. I am pulling 41lbs with that bow and decided that I was ready to get a "custom" bow for me. I had planned on getting something around 45-47lbs, but low and behold my finished bow weight turned out to be 50lbs and I truly believe that I could pull heavier. I made and easy 10lb jump! On the draw and hold between the two bows...night and day!

[George D. Stout]

When you use the phrase, "felt like trying to bend a steel pole",  that is a pretty critical statement.

I've shot hundreds of production bows, and most of them are very smooth with  few exceptions.  

Glad you are tickled with your custom.  I am very happy with my production bows.

[Orion]

It's pretty easy to confound production/custom differences with bow design differences.  Usually, it's the design rather than who made it or how, that distinguishes a good shooter from one that isn't.  There are well designed "production" bows, and well designed custom bows.  There are also examples of each that aren't very well designed.

[acadian archer]

Orion just scored a robin hood with his comments

[horatio1226]

I like customs because they are sculpture.When you ask somebody what their "dream bow" is, it is hardly ever a production bow, There is nothing wrong with production bows, they just aren't what most would consider dream bows. It is about supporting craftsmanship  and the tradition of working with your hands. It is about knowing that someone actually put their heart into making something just for me. It is just the way I want it. I was never unhappy with my production bows but would much rather put my money into the pocket of somebody who is trying to preserve the tradition of craftsmanship and artistry which seems to be harder and harder to find. You just have to be careful that you buy a custom from someone who has a reputation of having a great design. Everybody knows who's building the great bows.I have always been happy with the look and performance of my customs and all the money went to the family of the artist who created it.

[JCJ]

I've owned several custom and several production recurves. From my viewpoint it's pretty tough to find a custom bow that is significantly nicer than a 60's Howatt Hunter or Super Diablo or, 1960's Bear Kodiak or Super Kodiak. In fact from a visual standpoint I find the Kodiak and Super Kodiak's about the most elegant looking bows made. The modern custom bows with non-stretch strings are faster but I'm not sure if that is a design factor or the difference due to strings. The one thing I do not like about the vintage production bows is the shiny finish. I end up cutting that with auto clearcoat polish to a low sheen.

[Scott F]

My tradtech titan is a custom for me, I get to change the limbs whenever I want.