Custom Bow Suggestions

[Sam McMichael]

I like a very traditionally styled lonbow. I own 5 bows form Howard Hill archery, so I would recommend them if you like that style, Also, in the old school styling you should look at Northern Mist. I have shot them, but unfortunately, I don't own one yet.

One piece of advice I will pass on to you is to carefully consider the extra cost add-on features. On my custom Wesley Special Hill bow, I paid extra for bow tips made of Cape Buffalo horn. When you consider that my bow has a high gloss black finish and the tips don't show up at all, I wonder if it was woth it.

The suggestion to peruse the classified section sounds like a good idea.Lots of luck and have fun shopping around.

Although not for sale, both of my Wesley Specials draw 65# at 28 " draw. I like that draw weight in a longbow; however, due to a shoulder injury I have been shooting a 55# bow. It is easier to handle, and I don't really feel that I am giving up much at all in performance, so if you find a great deal in a slightly lower poundage, think twice before you pass it up solely on that lesser draw weight.

The best thing is to try to shoot one first. No matter how pretty a bow is, no one can say whether it will "fit" you or not, except you.

That being said, you might take a look at Sarrels Archery. Bob's Blureridge takedown longbow is IMHO the best longbow out there. He also makes a mean recurve too.

Bisch

[stingerslinger]

Andrew,Texas State LB championship May 25 & 26 if you can wait.Lots of vendors and bowyers at this shoot.

[Sixby]

Most bowyers start their bows in that range including me. However if you get a reputation for expensive bows then most of the sales become expensive bows lol. My onepiece d and r is in your price range and that is a very nice bow that is extremely quick and just as good a shooter as the ones costing twice as much. I believe you will find that with most bowyers and not just me.In other words the field is wide open for you to get just about any bow you want.

God bless, Steve

[TRAP]

$750.00 just happens to be the base price of a Tall Tines T/D Recurve.  I'd give Brian Wessel a call if I were you.  You won't regret it.

Trap

[Arwin]

You may want to try a hybrid bow if your more accustomed to a recurve. Browse the St. Joe River Bow site.    

 This one is 60 inches long and 58@28.
 

[britt]

Hill Country Harvest Master and Lost Creek bows. Under 650.00. Fast and quiet.

[parshal]

I asked the same question about this time last year and got a similar response to Easykeeper's.  Over the course of six months I think I bought 20 bows from the classifieds.  Basically, for about $50 shipping (both ways, buying and selling) you can try almost every imaginable bow.  If you stick with the popular bows you shouldn't lose money.

 

Originally posted by Easykeeper:

$750 in the classifeds will buy most if not all of the premier bows that are out of your range if bought new.  And you don't have to wait 6 months to almost two years to get it..                

The classifieds is the best place to find out exactly what you want in a custom.  Buy, sell, trade, and explore.  Assuming you don't trash the bow while you have it there will be very little value lost when you go to resell.

[TxAg]

Originally posted by BAPilot2:
Wow!!!

I didn't expect such a response.  I greatly appreciate all the fine information and suggestions.  

I have looked at the Holm-Made bows (very nice and reasonable), as well as the Kanati, Fedora's, and Great Plains bows.  All are beautiful and impressive workmanship which makes choosing just one a somewhat impossible task.

I wish there were a few traditional shoots going on near where I live (DFW area in Texas).  There was a traditional only 3D shoot put on by Cowtown Bowmen about 3 weeks ago but due to work constraints I was unable to attend.  I'm thinking that having the opportunity for a bit of hands-on shopping would enable me to narrow the field a bit.  If y'all know of any please fill me in on where and when.

As for buying a used bow I am willing to consider that as well.  Specifically, I want a bow with a draw weight of 60-70 pounds, optimally 65 pounds at 28".  If anyone has such a bow, longbow or recurve, with which you are willing to part, please let me know.  Send me a PM with a few pics.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Andrew

I live in Dallas and have a couple Toelke Whips you can shoot if you'd like. Shoot me a PM.

[Bjorn]

There are lots of great bows out there within your budget. Beware of custom bows you can't try before you buy. My preferences may not be yours-find out what YOU like and don't like.
Some bowyers will send you a bow to try out.............Toelke, Fedora, Schaefer, BW, Stalker-to name a few. Yes you will have to pay for shipping but that is a lot less than ending up with what you don't like. Shooting friends bows works great too!

[Brianlocal3]

For my money it is hands down JD Berry archery. GREAT bows, and a great bower who has been at it about 33 yrs

[Safari Scott]

Stalker makes an unbeleivable recurve. Think South does some around 700 for a base model.

[Nathan Killen]

You can get a very nice Stalker recurve for $625.00 ! Give South a call, you wont regret it, plus his lead time is around 10 weeks ! Lots of different options too !

you can also check them out at stalkerstickbows.com

[Feather Flinger]

If you're in the DFW area you can check out Horne's Archery in Boyd 30 minutes northwest of Ft Worth. His longbows are in your price range. I have a recurve and a longbow made by Mark if you'd like to meet up sometime you can shoot mine.

[pamike]

I bet you are really confused now!!

I think Sixby gave you some good advice .... All bowyers have an entry level bow that shoots just as good as their high end fancy wood models.  That really opens it up!

[wazu02]

Would definetly start with used bows and end up trying them all. Buying and selling bows has been a big part of the addiction for me. There are some excellent deals to be had at the moment.

[Plumber]

shoot all the bows you can at shoots an such.ask alot of questions.when you start to close in on what you want start looking in the classifieds.take your time.It will pay off in the end an you will be happy.I like silvertips.

[twistedlim]

First of all I would not place Black Widows up on a pedestal..  They are very fine bows but there are a lot of other bows that are equal to or better.
I must chime in again for Toelke.  Wonderful bows (pick any) great service and fast build time.

Jerry at Great Northern is also near the top but there are a lot of great bowyers and a few lemon  

[steadman]

Stalker Stickbows. Keep you under that price and about a two month wait  

[BAPilot2]

Gentlemen,

Sorry for the delayed response from me since my original posting and my one follow up a few days ago.  Work has been running me ragged and I am only now able to make the time and revisit the Trad Gang.

I thank you for all the comments and the great suggestions.  You have helped me realize that the best course of action is to not be in a hurry and to invest my time in going to some of the larger 3D shoots.  I really like the idea of attending the Texas Longbow Championship held in May.  I intend to make that shoot if able and I will be joining the Traditional Bowhunters Of Texas.  They list numerous shoots here in Texas.

Likewise, I like the idea of buying a used bow from one of you here on the classifieds.  I have been perusing a few of the bows listed herein and I must say I am very impressed with many, if not all, that are listed.  

As for those who live near the DFW area, and have volunteered to let me put a few arrows down range with your bows, I will be sending you a PM.  I thank you for your generous offers.

Thank you one and all.  
Andrew