Lenny’s recent thread on ILF bows, (How many are shooting ILF bows?), has gotten me interested in putting together an ILF hunting bow. Seems that there are a bunch of risers out there, many I have just now heard about. I’d like to know all that are available, and I’d bet from the interest on that thread, that some of you others would as well.
Let’s start a list. Giving what you know, like/dislike about each. What materials, if they are made for shooting off the shelf or rest, lengths, ET. Find pics and post if you can.
Let me start.
I am not very knowledgeable in ILF setups, but have had a couple. I may have made mistakes in my descriptions. If so, please point them out.
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1.
DAS (Dalaa/Master)Machined Aluminum
Some draw weight adjustability
Tiller adjustability
Center shot adjustability
Burger Button Hole (for screw in type rest)
Will take any ILF limbs, (but you have to change bushings).
Comes in 17 and 21” lengths
Likes:
Quality Product
Dislikes:
The sideplate for the adjustable centershot is flat (because it turns) and would at times catch the feathers on my arrows.
Would prefer an all wood or phenolic more traditional looking riser.
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2.
TradTech Pinnacle• Accepts TradTech & all ILF Recurve and Longbow Limbs
• 19” ILF Riser with the Beauty of Wood
• Crafted of Thick Phenolic Layers and Maple Hardwood Lams
• Custom-Made by Samick Exclusively for TradTech’s Design
• ILF International Limb Fitting for standardized use with all ILF Limbs
• 19” Long Riser in RH/LH yields a 60”, 62” or 64” Bow w/ ILF Limbs
• Weight Adjustable up to 10% of Minimum Limb Weight
• Easy Tiller Adjustment for Split or Three Fingers Under
• Lateral Limb Adjustments Allow Perfect Setting for Any Limb
• Narrow, Medium Wrist Grip w/ Shelf Radius for Arrow Rest Rug
(The bove is Trad Tech's description)
Likes:
Wood
Radiused Shelf
Inexpensive ($250)
Accepts ILF limb bushings as is
Dislikes:
The Quality you would expect for the price. (Not BAD, but rough around the edges, sharp corners and edges. It’s been a while, but I remember it as a bit heavy and clunky. (This might just be my poor memory).
NOTE: The above is about the original design. I just read on Pete Ward site that there is a new sleeker version out now.
ORIGINAL NEW STYLE ================================================
3.
WARFA design developed by Bob Gordon. Who probably started the whole movement to putting ILF limbs on hunting style bows. He basically adapts old metal compound bow risers, and machines the risers to accept ILF limbs. There are several old risers that make a nice WARF bow. Not sure of them all, but :
HOYT TD3 (one of the best)
Black Bear
Proline
(That is all I know that other more knowledgeable folks can chip in.).
Likes:
Cheap. (You can build one yourself with parts now available from Lancaster for under $80).
Dislikes:
Not much to dislike. May be getting hard to find old risers to convert. Forget the lengths, but most are on the long side 19+ inches. Can be heavy. Can be clunky. But if you build your own, you can trim them down.
Here is a Hoyt TD3 that I had owned
Sidenote:
Pete Ward has full details on building your own at his web site. Plus a real slick TD3 conversion that he did, and got a nice film dip on. I hope he sees this and pitches in. He got a lot of knowledge on these things.
Hope you all can pitch in and educate us on all the rest of the stuff available out there.