New Longbow Purchase Suggestions

[Caleb Andes]

Alright guys I have been shooting my bear super kodiak for about two years now and I am 100% positive im addicted to trad. SO.. now its time for a longbow haha :-D I know absolutely nothing about longbow companys so if you guys would suggest some companies and model I would appreciate it.. I'm looking for something around 66" or less.. is that possible?

[rastaman]

Cari-bow, Montana Bows (Dan Toelke), Talltines, Stalker recurves (makes longbows now), Howard Hill, Black Widow, Centaur, Two Tracks Bow Company, Eaglewing archery,  A & H archery, Apex Predator, Big jim's Bow Company, JK Traditions (Kanata), Dryad Bows, Maddog archery, Zipper Bows, Stewart Archery....

these are only about half or so of the bowyers that sponsor this site...the others are just as good.  Try to go to one of the big shoots and shoot as many different models as possible..or if there is a traditional club in your area, join up and shoot some of the different bows.  Some of the bowyers will let you "try before you buy".  My biggest concern when i buy a new bow is the grip.  i know what kind of grip i shoot best, so if i get a new bow, i send a copy of the grip or a xeroxed copy of my hand and a tracing with a description of the grip i want.  There are a number of used bows on the classified here on this site & right now it is a buyers market for used custom bows.
i know this wasn't much help, but you really need to try some different bows before you commit that much money for a custom job.  Good luck in your search!  

[Bowhunter4life]

Randy listed a bunch of fine contenders, but missed my two favorites...

Morrison, and Thunderstick... I really like the Morrison Shawnee, and the Thunderstick MOAB to be specific.

The Morrison Cougar or Dakota are both top contenders on my short list too...

Best of luck with your search!

[Ragnarok Forge]

Wes Wallace Royal.

[TxAg]

check out the classifieds.  you can get a custom bow for 30-50% off

[Over&Under]

Originally posted by rastaman:
Cari-bow, Montana Bows (Dan Toelke), Talltines, Stalker recurves (makes longbows now), Howard Hill, Black Widow, Centaur, Two Tracks Bow Company, Eaglewing archery,  A & H archery, Apex Predator, Big jim's Bow Company, JK Traditions (Kanata), Dryad Bows, Maddog archery, Zipper Bows, Stewart Archery....

these are only about half or so of the bowyers that sponsor this site...the others are just as good.  Try to go to one of the big shoots and shoot as many different models as possible..or if there is a traditional club in your area, join up and shoot some of the different bows.  Some of the bowyers will let you "try before you buy".  My biggest concern when i buy a new bow is the grip.  i know what kind of grip i shoot best, so if i get a new bow, i send a copy of the grip or a xeroxed copy of my hand and a tracing with a description of the grip i want.  There are a number of used bows on the classified here on this site & right now it is a buyers market for used custom bows.
i know this wasn't much help, but you really need to try some different bows before you commit that much money for a custom job.  Good luck in your search!      

Can't say it any better than that!

[freeman]

SO many good ones out there. That said, my next new bow will probably be a Liberty or Northern Mist.

[awbowman]

For what it's worth, shoot as many as you can.  Grip is a key IMO!  You will know when it's the right one.  Don't pick one with the attitude that "I will MAKE myself shoot this bow well"  Good form will let you shoot any bow decently but a bow that FITS will make you a great shot.

[seven crows]

great northern, howard Hill

[Lee Robinson .]

What is your draw length? What types of shooting conditions? That will have a lot to do with what style and length of longbow I would suggest.

[ripforce56]

There are way too many to mention, many great bow builders out there! As mentioned above shoot as many as possible straight limbed D style, R/D, differant handle shapes and go from there! here are some other names Bama Bows, Holm-made and Northern Mist, Dwyer!

[riverrat 2]

Ron Laclair, Shrew Bows.

[mjh]

Time to go to a shoot or event with bowyers and try a bunch out, I like Dwyers, Howard Hills, RER XL, Pronghorns, Robertsons, and a whole mess of others  you might not like what I like though...

[David Mitchell]

The list is going to be confusing as you can already see.     The best possible advice I could give is to find a large shoot where a number of bow makers set up to see as many for yourself as you can.  Try a lot before you buy.  What any of us here suggest may not be at all right for you.  There is no substitute for hands-on experience.  You can also see and shoot some good used bows.  You may find that longbows in general do not work well for you.  If you really enjoy shooting the recurve, you may want to stick with that for a while longer until you really get your form grooved in.  Jumping around to different bows can be lots of fun but can also screw things up if you aren't careful.  Best of luck on your archery ventures--it's a great way to enjoy life, the great world the Lord has made, and find wonderful friends as well along the way.....Dave

[canadian]

Of the few I have tried, the Cari-bow peregrin is my favorite.  But if you ask 10 people you will get 10 different answers.  It is very personal.

[Mojostick]

Dan Toelke makes the Pre-64 Winchester of trad bows. His Whip or Classic Whip are 10's.

 http://montanabows.com/cms/

[Rob DiStefano]

do consider that there are basically three kinds of laminated wood/glass longbows - hybrid aggressive r/d (closer to a recurve), hybrid mild r/d ("D" braced shape and somewhere between an american flat longbow and an aggressive longbow), and the american flat longbow (think: howard hill).

the hybrids have some "snake" r/d in the limbs and so will work well at shorter bow lengths for a given draw length.  the hill american flat longbow styles will require added length to work properly, typically 4" or more longer than a hybrid longbow.

handle shape, grip type and shelf cut are other factors that matter to a far lesser degree.
   
good luck, enjoy the ride!  

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Herb Meland is the bowyer that makes Pronghorn Longbows their awesome and so is Herb. Blake

[BowMIke]

My two favorites are Morrison Shawnee and Centaur Carbon Elite. Hard to top that pair!(for me anyway!)

[Archie]

Black Widow PLs are a fantastic longbow.  Mine is an excellent piece of work, and shoots like a dream.  48#@31", 66" bow