Soliciting Opinions(What do you reccomend?)

[Ragnarok Forge]

Mudd,

It might be a bit of a wait but I would go to a big trad shoot and shoot every recurve I could find in the lengths your looking at.  That way you can find one that fits your hand just right.

[Stumpkiller]

Originally posted by cacciatore:
If you want a smooth recurve you need to look for a short riser and long limbs.If you want the max stability and accuracy you need a riser with a good mass.So many to try.Ask some friends of yours what they can loan you.

That's a good point.  In the late 60's/early 70's the rage was long risers with mass forward (the "humps" at the limb roots) for stability and accuracy.  Now we're tending towards minimal risers with long limbs that give smoothness and are light to carry . . . but more sensitive to release errors.  As I said before, there are trade-offs.

One piece, take down, shelf, rest, technogizzy string materials . . .        Remember what happens when you marry for looks.  You need to show up puppy eyed at a traditional shoot and ask to handle a few bows.

[ron w]

Do you want to stay with a 50's style bow. If so I would lean towards a Great Northern Ghost or a Holm Made by Chad Holms. If you can do a 3 pc. there's a bunch to look at. I have a 64" Zipper 52#@30" I draw 29", it's the smoothest and most forgiving bow I have ever shot! A Black Widow PCH with 60" limbs is a real sweetheart also!

[dirtguy]

Damon Howatt or Martin Hunter.  Its a 62" bow, smooth draw, shoots where I look.

Bear Super Kodiak - 60 " bow, just shot one this weekend for the first time. Drew smoothly and found the bulls-eye right away.

[Bowwild]

Mudd,
As you know there are tremendous fans of every recurve out there.  

I've been doing a lot of looking and buying this year. I'd do it different if I were starting now.

Although I don't want to diss any of my current holdings, if I were to buy a bow for my son today I'd buy him a Schafer Silvertip. I can't give a higher recommendation than that.  By the way, I don't even own a Schafer ... mine isn't due until April. However, I did try one for a few days and was "sold" after my first few shots.

If you don't care about nice woods, the best shooter I own is a new Strickland Stick.  He will even send you one for two weeks to try. It comes in 58, 60, & 62". It has a metal riser and a fantastic, highly thought out grip...modeled after older bows. It's the one that's been with me on 33 trips to the treestands this year. It comes completely camoflauged. Designed by a fellow who has been the coach of many Olympians and is a fantatic traditional hunter.

[Bowwild]

Oh,

If you like the old Bears. Check out a nuclear version of the Super Kodiak by Brandon Stahl at Rose Oak. I have one coming to me after a 9-month wait in two weeks!

[DennyK]

60" Black Widow PSAX-smooth as butter!

[bentpole]

Brother Mudd, going to tell you a little story.     I had a 58" Kohannah Kurve made for me by Bob Rouselo. I told him I wanted all grey actionwood with black glass front and back. He said "over the grey actionwood?"I said Yes Sir.Well after I received it I had my Bud Steve who was still shooting wheels, come over and shoot it. Told me he had to have it. I said order a new one he said " nope want this one give you what you payed for it". Steve shot 2 does with that bow this year already.He does make it in 60"'s too. Still a bargin price too.That bow is scarey fast,quiet and accurate!   :eek:   Best thing I can still shoot it whenever I want!  

[Hatrick]

Just an opinion but if I was in the "not sure" want to "try something" stage I would go with a used Martin Hunter, or If you're lucky enough to find a good one, a 1960's Howatt Hunter. $175 to $275 will get you a lot of bow here. At 62" if you slip a high strength string onto an older Howatt you've found a bow that will shoot with anything out there. I've rerinforced the tips on some, and on others have just relied on the brazilian rosewood tips (not recommended by some) all with good results. Same limb design for 50 years says a lot.

[HATCHCHASER]

I would like to try a Kohannah Kurve in 64" and a RER retro in 64".  I have never tried a recurve over
60" and think that is why I haven't kept a recurve.

[Zmonster]

I have a 56 Kodiak thats a sweetheart to shoot. I feel its grip is similar to longbows. Im also a big fan of RER's bows, and have been looking real hard at the Retro they are offering. Check them out. Im sure you will not be dissapointed.

[buckeye_hunter]

Timberhawk or Assenheimer. Both are at good prices from good people and shoot well.

[ARCHER2]

Thunderstick Ramhorn
Navajo Diamond
Kohanna Kurve
Kota Killum
All these are good shooters and real smooth.
Good luck with your search.
                           Charlie

[Jmatt1957]

wapiti t/d recurve by Kieth Chastain fast and quiet- dead in the hand- shoots where you point them.now if I could only point where Im looking.

[Night Wing]

Don't overlook a Blacktail take down or one piece recurve. They come in 60", 62", 64" and 66" lengths. They're expensive and the wait is long, 13-15 months. But, the wait is worth it. I own two Blacktail TDs.

[erierik]

Howatt Hunter is my choice.

[DBinAlamo]

my Hornes take down mountain bow has been my go to bow for awhile...DB

[Hill Hunter]

I would say that you should look into the Assenhiemer bows, very quiet, shoot where you look and a true craftsman who stands behind his bows. I have a Black Widow and they are great bows, but for the price difference I would go with Don's bow.

[Kip l Hoffman]

IMO teh Hoyt Gold Medalist is the finest shooting recurve ever made.  Bar none.  The bow that wins the Olympics year in and year out is nothign to sneese at. However they don't come in anything but aluminum risers.  I had and still have several of Earls deflex reflex long bows and really enjoy shooting them. Beyond that there is just too much of personal preference to give much in the way of guidence.  Get one that is light enough in poundage that you can handle it well and start trading bows like all the rest of us.  I finally found the PERFECT bow only to grow so damned old that I am having the bowyer cut the poundage down to 57 so I don'thave to find a replacement.

[Outwest]

Got it figured out yet Mudd.

John