Thinking of Getting a New LONGBOW...Suggestions Please.

[Nala]

Hey all,

Seeing pics of all these great bows over the past couple of days has caused me to look around at a possible replacement for the bow I have now.  Right now I shoot a Barta Longbow at 45 pounds.  I have had it for a couple of years and it has been a great bow.  It shoots good and is comfortable, sometimes though you just get the hankering for something new....or different.

Some of the bows I have admired and thought about in the past are the Tomahawk by 3 Rivers, the Thunderstick MOAB, Howard Hill bow, and a few others that I can't recall right now.  I would be looking for a 1 piece that is under $500-$550 or so.

What other bows would you recommend I check out?  Which one would you pick from my list and why?  Do you have any experience with any of them?

Thanks for your time.

Nalajr

[m midd]

the tomahwaks are great bows.. i like great norhtern longbows but you may check out crow creek bows.. they are also great bows you should check out the dalton it around the price you want to spend.. Good luck

[Sixby]

EagleWing Onepiece. God Bless and Have a great Thanksgiving. steve

[Margly]

These three longbows are very good:)

Firefly longbow
Centaur longbow
Hawk Hunter from Border bows


Margly

[BDann]

I love my MOAB!  You can't go wrong with one, although I'm sure that the same could be said by dozens of others as well.

[Whip]

Before this thread is finished you will probably end up with a list of twenty or more bows.  And you won't be any closer to knowing what you want than you were when the thought first crossed your mind. I'll throw my suggestion out and say take a look at a Dwyer. The MOAB is a great bow as well.

Any chance of getting to one of the larger shoots or shows to give some a try?  Or is there anyone in your area that has a number of bows you could try out?  

There are big differences in shooting style between some of the bows you have already mentioned and the only way to know which one you might prefer is to actually try them.

Another option might be to use the classifieds here and buy a bow to try.  If it isn't exactly what you want you can resell it with little or no loss of money, and then try another.  When you finally find "The One" go ahead and order yourself a brand new custom bow.

[Ben Maher]

Tomahawk, MOAB and a Hill ... Three great bows and you can't go wrong with any of them. If you can't get to a shoot to try some maybe just go with your instinct and get the one that really sings out to you.
Some of us , the cool kids who sit up the back of the bus ... we shoot Hills !

[Bullfrog 1]

You have to decide what type of longbow. There is a HUGE difference between a Hill and say Centaur. For me I like a bow with as much R/D and still maintain a D shape. I have tried MOST. I am shooting a Dwyer original and LOVE it.   BILL

[GingivitisKahn]

You mentioned Hill bows.  You owe it to yourself to at least try one.

 

[cbCrow]

Take a look at Lynn Harrelson Archery. He is a sponsor here.

[Mudd]

Are there any major shoots within driving distance?

I would suggest that you find the nearest major trade show or shoot and plan yourself a road trip vacation.

If it's possible go early, stay late and make it at least a to day trial period for yourself so you have the time to go back to whatever bows feel "right" so you can shoot them multiple times.

I will add another name to consider just in case you aren't able to follow the above advice.

Don't overlook these 3: Bama Hunter by Nathan Steele, Spirit bow by Bryan Holley, and 7 Lakes by Mike(?).

Every bow mentioned in this thread are worthy of the recommendations they have received.

As the day wears on the list is likely to just grow longer. Most of these recommendations are based on the personal experiences of the poster.

All are valid!!!!

God bless, Mudd

PS: "Warning" This kind of thinking can be one of the causes of "Bowaholicism"...lol

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Not to long ago I was in the market for a Longbow I was only getting one to go to the Longbow Safari and I bought a Pronghorn and now I love it sweet shooting and I will be use it on all my hunts. To quote Tred Barta " I am a Longbowman " find a Longbow you like buy it and then keep looking for a new one it is almost like hunting. I love this stuff

[Mudd]

"find a Longbow you like buy it and then keep looking for a new one it is almost like hunting. I love this stuff"...CA BOWHUNTER


Here is one classic example of a symptom of "Bowaholicism"....lol

God bless,Mudd

[BowHuntingFool]

Look into a Big River Longbow, right in your price range as well! No handshock and quiet as a church mouse!

[ron w]

All the bows listed above are good examples of longbows that I'm sure you could be happy with,,I would also look closely at Northern Mist,Great Northern, and Holm-Made. 3 more to add to the list.

[Swamp Yankee]

I too like an R/D bow that still retains that "traditional" D shape.  Dwyer and Mohawk are two I like.  The advice to shoot as many as possible might save you some $$ in the end; but isn't always practical or even possible.  All the opinions here should help you sort through all the possiblities and options.  Good luck and have fun!

[Jim Wright]

There are many great bows to choose from but I.M.O. Dan Toelke makes the best d/r longbow available today. You can see his Whips on  www.montanadows.com  and I noticed there is a used, recently made Pau Ferro/Black Glass very classy looking Whip in the classifieds with stringer, bow sock, extra string and I believe a Thunderhorn leather quiver for $450.00

[Mike Vines]

A couple fine examples of Michigan craftsmanship are    http://stjoeriverbows.com/longbows.html   and    http://www.twotracksbow.com/  

Why don't you plan on taking a break from all that nice Floriday sunshine, and visit us up here in Michigan at the end of January for the Kalamazoo Traditional Expo.    http://www.gnbco.com/    You will find so many funtional pieces of art that you will be in hyperoverload.  And you can test drive just about every model on the floor.

[mooseman76]

I'll second Dan Toelke.  If you are looking for a d/r bow he has the Whip/Classic whip (thumbrest handle/leather wrapped locator grip).  If Hill bows are your thing Dan makes a great one called the super d.  There were a few in classifieds last I checked at some great prices...Mike

[Jmgcurve]

I do not have any experience with some of the other probably just as great bows mentioned, or on your list. However, I can truly recommend a MOAB, for mine is fantastic. Longbows have given me "problems" for years - constantly trying to find one I liked, but always returning to my recurve. Long story short, Jim's MOAB seems to have solved my issues and he really worked with me to get what I thought was needed. It shoots fantastic, and has made meat this season, so I am happy.