What's important to you in a bow?

[Kris]

All the above for sure and my ability to shoot a range of arrows through it accurately and with perfect arrow flight!!!

Kris

[Mongo]

Ergonomics firs and foremost.  If it doesn't fit then it will be difficult to repeat my grip.  

Smooth draw secondly.  I have a 30 1/2" draw and want to get the string back without it stacking on me.

Fit and finish ranks third.  If it has a poor finish or defects in it I'll never be confident enough in it to take it hunting.

Hitting where I look and quietness are functions of tuning and arrow selection (for me).

[ericmerg]

fit
smooth draw

hits well
 weight(what good is a bow if its only 12# at my 27" draw lol)

[bigbadjon]

I think all of those features in the original post are basic requirements and are delivered by a lot of modern makers. Some other things I use to narrow my selection is:
A high mass riser, they are more accurate.
A high sight window, also aids accuracy.
At least 64" in length, even in recurves.
A take down feature is very desirable.

Ease of shooting is king for me and nothing turns me off a bow more than a compressed sight window.

[Adam S. Daugherty]

mass in riser for stability.  Smooth draw, dead in the hand feel after the shot.  FF compatiable, not for the speed, but after shooting FF, i feel like I have a floating anchor when shooting a higher stretch string material.  Shafer Silvertip takedowns fit the bill for what I like in a bow better than any other I have owned and shot.  I guess that is why I have shot the same bow for going on 9 years now.  In general I like the ST, brakenbury, wes, wallace, tall tines, norm johnson style of takedown recurves.

[rick7]

the grip  if it does not feel good in my hand i dont shoot it very good.

[bayhunter]

Originally posted by Bjorn:
The bowyer is most important to me.

Bjorn can you elaborate on what you mean by that?

[BWD]

Usually starts with the grip. Some bows just fit, and some don't. As long as it fits, has good performance, and don't look too fancy/gaudy we usually do alright. Fit and a good tough finish are important also. I don't abuse my bows, but I don't baby them either.

[RC]

It has to shoot where I`m looking without me doing anything different in my shooting style.RC

[Danny Rowan]

LOL, Jon,

ME TOO! Nothing like a Tip.

[Plumber]

the frist thing is the grip
then shootability
If I dont like the grip then I wont shoot it.

[LongStick64]

Cast, nothing more is as important

[joe ashton]

the grip
smooth draw
cast
pointability (is that a word?)
workmanship
customer service
mojo  

[cahaba]

1. It must shoot where I'm looking.
2. Must be very stable and forgiving.
3. It must shoot quiet.
4. It must have good cast with heavy arrows  
   around 10 gpp.
5. It must be able to take abuse. I try not to
   abuse my bows but accidents do happen.
6. It must have the right sized handle for me
   and it must be straight.
7. Fit and finish.
8. Warranty and longjevity
9. Bowyer or bow company must have a solid
   reputation.
10.It must be a Hill or 'hill like".

[bowless]

A comfortable draw weight and a grip that just feels right.