The same thing applies here as with any other--try one and make your own decisions. I've shot them, and owned an old Gary Holmes--nice bows, but not the bow for me.
Although there is nothing wrong with not caring for this or that bow, you'll hear a lot more from folks that like a particular bow than not--that's the nature of message boards. Folks that like a particular bow are more prone to post than those that don't. I know I get hesitant about giving my opinions sometimes, due to being called basically everything but smart and honest in the past.
Again, as with any other, if there was one bow or one design that was head and shoulders above all others, then that would be the only bow on the market or every other bowyer would be copying that bow, and every serious tournament archer and every serious hunter would be shooting the same bow--obviously not the case.
Some folks like selfbows, some like Hill bows, some like Shrews, and some like bows that are in-between one or the other.
Message board opinions are one tool to use, but not something to base a final decision on--at least not IMO. I've been on these boards for many years, and some of the bows I've read rave reviews about I wouldn't pay $5 for. I'm not saying they were junk (at least most weren't), I just didn't care a bit for them. Different strokes for different folks. I've shot bows that rattled my teeth, but others have said they have "zero" hand shock. I've seen posts about how smooth a bow pulled, when to me it felt 10# heavier than it was marked. Perceptions vary as much as opinions.
Anyhow, that's my 2 cents. Lots of Shrews on the market--hopefully you will get a chance to try one out and make your own call.
**Edit** Thought of one more thing I wanted to add before I step (fall?) off my soapbox.
A lot of us have owned a lot of different bows. I LOVE longbows (LBR stands for "Long Bows Rule!"), but I don't love ALL longbows, if that makes any sense. I couldn't list all the ones I've owned, much less the ones I've shot--too many to recall. Even though I've owned and shot umpteen different longbows over the years, I would never say "you will like this one because I do". I can tell you what I look for in a bow, what impresses me, what I don't like, etc. but again--the things that make me like a bow may not mean a thing to you. Kinda falls back on what I said before--message boards and opinions are a tool, but not something I'd base my final decision on. I'm constantly learning and developing my skills and preferances, so it's possible the bow I love today could be replaced by a different bow in the future. I say that even though I've had the same favorite for the past 10 or so years.
This is just an attempt to help someone avoid some of the mistakes I've made (some can be pretty expensive mistakes).
Chad
Topic: tell me about a shrew (Read 1137 times)
