Short Longbow-what to buy?

[Jesse Minish]

I have a Cascade 56" Brush Hawk on order. I'll let you know what I think of it when I get it.

[randy grider]

Treadway longbow, amazingly smooth for a 56" bow,no stack, quick,quiet, no handshock, and very reasonably priced.

[limbolt]

Super Shrew,or Dwyer Endeavor if 58" isn't to long.

[ishoot4thrills]

Definitely the Shrews and Dave Beeler hybrids.        

[raideranch]

Shrew Classic Hunter without a doubt.  I like the 52".

[champ38]

Yep my vote goes to the Classic Hunter, absolutly amazing bows. I draw my 56" to 29 1/2" with no problem....and as for short bows being "sensitive", I dont think so, at least not the Shrew Classic Hunter.

[Wal]

Only had a few shots out of a couple, thunder child and brush hawk, both good, but the brush hawk is what I would have taken home,

Cheers

[OS]

St. Joe River makes a 58" longbow,  I have a 60" and draw 29 1/2 inches on it and many that thing is a rocket!!  At 54# it shoots faster than my friends 63# Black Widow recurve!! The other things that impressed me was I was able to shoot my 535gr. carbons, 615gr. Alluminums, and 700gr Ceadars all with perfect arrow flight in inside a 3" group at 15 yards without have the change a thing!!  Talk about stable and forgiving bow to shoot wich is hard to find in a long draw on a shot bow!!They make some shorter recurves as well and those things SCREAM an arrow. Worth checking out!!

[amar911]

Originally posted by champ38:
Yep my vote goes to the Classic Hunter, absolutely amazing bows. I draw my 56" to 29 1/2" with no problem....and as for short bows being "sensitive", I don't think so, at least not the Shrew Classic Hunter.

That is exactly my experience too, including the same draw length.

Allan

[JDinPA]

I have a martin rebel that I use for bowfishing  that is 52" that I just love.  I have a 29" draw and it doesn't stack.

I owned a Shrew a long time ago and it stacked on my 29" draw. Ron makes a great bow, but the one that I owned wasn't a good fit for me.

Some of the older Bear recurves are a smaller bow and are good shooters.

[NBK]

Haven't shot them all, but I love my Dwyer Endeavor.

[L. E. Carroll]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned a Morrison ILF... I have a Mini 14 [ actually a 13" ] riser and a set of carbon/maple cored 58# "C" length L/B limbs ....exactly 56" amo and 53 1/2" n-n when strung.. beautiful, stable, smooth, fast, bow and it's easy to travel with... besides the fact that it allows some adjustment to draw weight and tiller adjustment.

I personaly have owned several of the ones previously mentioned and this bow along with a 2 pc C/H Shrew [ wish John Mc Colough made a 2 pc. Griffin this short ] Would be at the top of my "A" list.

With your draw length, you could actually use "B" length limbs and get a 54" Bow on a mini riser or go up to a 15" riser with "B" limbs and still have a 56" bow.

Gene

[Prairie Drifter]

No one has mentioned Maddog. He makes longbows from 52" and up. I have several 52" bows that draw out to 27" no problem.I draw 26" and love mine. Best part is the wait is only 2-3 months and the best prices around.

[Recurve50 LBS]

I've shot several Mohawk longbows (as well as many others like Hornes, Shrew and Black Widdow) owned by my friend and fellow Trad Ganger, Bentpole. He would know if Mohawk makes any short bows.In my opinion you can't go wrong with a Thunderstick because this is the best shooting bow I've shot.
I own a 56" Thunderstick Mag that's 45# @ 28".

[South MS Bowhunter]

Centaur, Centaur, Centaur!

[ballen28115]

Dwyer Endeavor, 50@28, 58".  I draw 29 and change with no problem  This is a very well made, dead in the hand, stable bow and the Dwyers are top notch folks to deal with.

[TRAD101]

I have a cari-bow wolverine 58" long,It's my go to treestand bow. fast,smooth and quiet. Abe builds a fantastic bow.

[Mojo Rising]

I second the Morrison Mini-14 ILF.

[amar911]

Originally posted by Mojo Rising:
I second the Morrison Mini-14 ILF.

Definitely a GREAT choice!!!

Allan

[30coupe]

Originally posted by MartinD:
One of Jason Kendall's Kanatis would be one to consider.

You beat me to it. If you are drawing 28" or under, he makes a 56" Kanati that would be awesome. Nothing against the Shrews, but you can buy a new Kanati, a quiver, a dozen arrows, broadheads, an arm guard, a glove or tab, and still have money left over compared to a new Shrew. Jason's bows are smoking fast, dead in the hand, deathly quiet, and stack free. The quality is second to none.

Disclaimer: I am not related to or associated with Jason Kendall in any way (except as a customer), but I have shot enough of his bows to know what they are. My Kanati is my go-to bow, and I can't see that changing...ever.