Try Before You Buy

[Friend]

Some times trying before you buy is not possible. I am firm believer in that yet, I do have a bow on order which I have never tried. I have great faith in Big Jim. Still seems hard to believe I still ordered one before trying since I was burned very badly once.

The reason I brought this up is that even if you are fortunate to get a fit, then there may possibly be a much better fit with a different configuration from the same bowyer. I had shot a Tall Tines 58”- 54#@28( my draw -28”) several months ago and was rather impressed. Today, I shot a Tall Tines 62”-64#@28. The 64#’r is far more wt than I desire yet, managed it rather easily. The bow handled well from the start and was naturally comfortable. My already favorable impression of the Tall Tines has moved up another notch. I could not help but imagine what the 62”r would feel like at 50 – 54 pounds.

Rob DiStefano was both kind and generous in sending me his prized Mohawk a couple of weekends ago to give it a run. The major issue now is that I feel the Mohawk is a must-have.

Try before you buy is the best option when possible.

[Bowwild]

I agree with Friend.  I've done 3 test-drives now. I bought two of them and the 3rd might not be sent back either.  I reckon for me it is "Try and Buy"?

P.S. Friend won't tell you this, but he is giving back in a big way with the archery kids in his part of the world!

[Bjorn]

Let's see...........we are talking 3 different bows here and you already have one of them on order, and like the other two-OK so far?
Seems like the only solution is to order the other two as well.
Easy fix....................

[Friend]

Bjorn - Of course the market changes, however I am not in the market for either of the Tall Tines previoulsy mentioned. I was trying to make a point, apparently  poorly communicated, to try before you buy. If I had ordered a 58" TT's for myself then I would have been greatly disappointed for not having pursued the 62"r after experiencing the difference. Fit is both personal an individualistic.

[Rick Wiltshire]

I agree - if at all possible try before you buy.  

I was reading great things about 3 different three piece takedown longbows, I went to Kalamazoo and shot all three and, while all were nicely made and nice shooting, only one fit me - so I put in an order.  

Had I not had the opportunity to shoot them all I may have bought the "wrong one for me" and ended up selling it shortly after getting it.

Rick

[helo]

I agree with the try before you buy if possible. I wish more bowers had the test drive program. I think it is great when the companies do have one.

[Whip]

Test drive programs are great for the customer, but I'll bet they are not so great for a lot of bowyers.  If you have ever sold a bow and packed it up for shipping you know that is a time consuming process.  Not to mention boxes and packaging materials, and the loss of money from having a brand new in stock bow turn into a used bow.  Test drive programs cost bowyers money, and ultimately all business costs must be paid for by paying customers.

So if a bowyer does offer a test drive program, keep that in mind, and don't put him throught the trouble of packaging and shipping out a bow just to satisfy your curiousity.  Take advantage of it if you are truly serious about buying a bow from him.  

Your best bet is if you are able to attend one of the big shoots or shows and are able to test drive a number of bows side by side.

[Bjorn]

Ah, I did misread you Friend..........I have done three trials and bought two..............but my fav and go to bow was a shot in the dark, never seen-never shot bow that is just the best I have ever used. But, just the same I would want a trial if it were possible.

[sawtoothscream]

i have to buy on reviews since i havnt even seen a trad shooter in my area in years. first time worked out great, ordered without ever shooting the style of bow or length and im shooting awsome with this bow.

just bought a 56" beeler 52# at 28"  its 10" shorter then the one i just got a month ago. curious to see how i end up liking that bow. will see on tuesday.

that being said i was looking at the mohawk site earlier today and liking what im seeing.

[Rob DiStefano]

attempting to find "the right bow" will always be a quest of sorts for most archers - and hopefully not of the don quixote type.  how many of us have been chasing down "windmill bows" for decades?

there is an art of sorts to deciphering what stick bow type and length and holding weight and handle shape will work "best" for each of us.  sometimes, the longer you've been in this game the harder it actually is to sort out through the thousands of stick bows dangled before us, and make that all important decision that captures our dollars, time and effort.

it takes purpose and common sense to choose wisely.  i've failed on both of those criteria for far too many times, always jaded by stuff other than the reality of what the bow will offer for my real world requirements.  

what requirements?

the short list dictates: aesthetics, functionality, design, performance, usefulness, cost, delivery time.  put those in your prioritized order of importance.  and best of luck in choosing wisely.

oh yeah - i've had my "best bow" for the last 2 years or so.  i'm real lucky.  it only took me over 50 years to find it.  

That Rob guy...he's a good 'un    
Rob has always taken the time to help me with stuff like this too!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

The thing about buying a bow, you have not tried there are 2 things you must consider upon arrivel.

1. You should expect what everyone expects, a certain level of workmanship.

2. You should not have any expectations of fit, just hope.

Of course you can do your homework and talk to the bowyer which may get things close,but at the end of the day, you are still taking a gamble. albeit a calculated gamble like all professional gamblers will do, but still a gamble none the less. So if you are unhappy with the product, you just lost, no hard feelings, sell or refine and move on.

Good Luck with your Big Jim, sounds like they are great bows.  

[TRADSTYK]

I hope I did not make a mistake by ordering a 50# savannah without shooting one. I guess I will hope for the best. Have read several positive reviews.

[moththerlode]

Good thread, just stepping in I sold all of my compound equipment and made the plunge, all used bows, all off of the trad sites. obviously all untried.
It is interesting how the long bows get moved around so much , which helps find "thee bow". I guess the good thing about buying used is you can move em without much of a hit, or just trade for another.
I did just make the plunge on one of the Shrews that Ron just had listed in search of "the" bow. It will be the last for a while unless I make some trade's.

                Scott

[Bowmania]

I've probably ordered 12 to 15 new bows.  The only two that I shot before ordering was a Widow and a Chastain.  I adapted to every one of of them.  Oddly enough the one that I shot the best I never would have purchased if I had shot it first.  Cleaned a course with it and not a trad course there were 50 yarders.

Bowmania

[Friend]

Bowmania - I believe that extremely competent archers can adapt and shoot virtually any bow quite well. Those of us with a lower set of skills, which most likely is the norm, will not share your same experience. I strive continuously to reach your level of competency however I am still several rungs down the ladder. Good on you!

[GO Rogers]

Like Brother Cyclic-Rivers said, Expect great workmanship, and hope it fit's. I know my Maddog Archery Longbow will be an excellent piece, and I do pray it will work for me.  

[CRS]

Definitely try before you buy is the way to go.

[Mudd]

I can only speak for myself but the trial and error of bow selection is a part of the journey that is highly enjoyable for me.

Yes it does involve an investment and I am positive that I lose some money doing it but it's money that I don't spend on porn or booze or race horses or cars ect, ect, ect....

My hope is:
I keep trying different bows and while I own them I take the opportunity to let others come over and shoot them as well that I use that time wisely to let others see what is really important in my life.

I pray that even as we are having fun shooting and talking traditional archery that they would also see what is the most important part of my life and come to know Him as well.

God bless,Mudd