Martin ML14 Mountaineer-Wes Wallace Royal Longbow comparison

[Swamp Yankee]

I am primarily a recurve shooter interested in learning how to shoot a longbow.  I bought a Martin ML14 a couple of years ago but it "kicks" so much that I don't enjoy shooting it.  I like Wes Wallaces Royal longbow and would like to know if it will have significantly less kick before I drop the bucks on it.  I'd like to hear from anyone who has actually shot both of these bows.

[bentpole]

Wes Wallace absolutely.

[ron w]

I have shot both and the Wallace is a much nicer bow in my opinion. The Martin is a good bow but you have to shoot it a bit differently. Try using more pressure with the heal of your hand and a heavy arrow, that will take some of the hand shock out.

[SteveL]

It will have way less kick  

[Canyon]

I gotta special place in my heart for the Martin ML-14 having killed my first Trad Elk with mine. I learned you gotta shoot heavy arrows with the Martin. With that said they are not near the class as a Wes Wallace bow which will not have near the shock if tuned up right

[Overspined]

wes wallace will BLOW the ML away. I say that with complete authority. I did the same thing and first bought an ML. Waste of time. Like shooting a .500 NITRO. Wes' bows are great. I mostly shoot Hill bows, but have one Royal too. You will not regret a Wes Wallace Royal unless you just get the wrong draw weight...

[Swamp Yankee]

Looks like it's not just me; comparing the ML-14 to a .500 NITRO sounds about right!  Effective yes, comfortable not so much.
I've played with brace height and arrow weight and been able to reduce the shock quite a bit; but it's still not fun to shoot.  Quiet as a church mouse, fast enought and nice to look at; but still miserable to shoot.

I will also take a look at Mowhawk and Hill as well for a reasonably priced quality "D" longbow.

Thanks everyone

[ron w]

One more bow you should look at are the longbows from Northern Mist....real class act!!!

[bentpole]

I would take the Wes Wallace over the Martin. But check out Vince at Mohawk .Talk to him. Can't beat the price and the easiest to shoot Longbow out there. My 2 cents.

[adkmountainken]

i like my ML-14, yes there is some hand shock but i love the bow.

[dennis rice]

Wes Wallace all the way

[Ragnarok Forge]

Wallace for sure.  If you call him to order tell him Clay said hello.  The wife and I have ordered 5 royals from him and have two more planned for next year.