Kestral Vs Chinook?

[Bob Abeln]

Anybody shot both? Notice any difference in speed, quietness etc? Getting a Kestral. How do you like the Kestral? Thanks, Bob

[Bob Abeln]

Come on Toelke shooters!!!!!

[Michael Arnette]

Ive shot both...both are great but I'd go with the chinook for better shooting.

[Guss]

I just picked up a Chinook, probably the finest shooting bow I've owned...!! Owned a Kestral and liked it, very shootable for such a short bow, but if forced to choose I'd go with the Chinook. The bow bolt in either is a big plus for the added weight in the grip area..!!

[Bob Abeln]

I'm thinking for treestand and ground blinds the Kestral would be better is my reasoning.

[Guss]

I agree, the Kestral will make a great hunting bow...!! You won't be disappointed!!

[nineworlds9]

Both great bows in their own right, for pure shootability I would go Chinook all day, hands down one of the finest shooting recurves available, truly longbow quiet.  Kestrel is a great shorty if you really need the length down.

[indianalongbowshooter]

Have to agree about the Chinook, going to be hunting with one this year and its one of the easiest bows to hit with Ive ever shot and very smooth pulling.

[Biathlonman]

Not a thing wrong with a Kestrel, especially if you have a shorter draw.  I own a two piece Chinook, but can't help but look at a Kestrel when I see them for sale.

[Jim Wright]

Bob, I owned one of the first Chinooks Dan made, a 60" bow. I have shot a couple of Kestrels at Dan's place and liked them very much. Both bows are quite fast and well-mannered as all Dan's bows are. I remember the Chinook being very, very quiet but as it was a bow I owned, I took the time to fine tune it. I draw 29" and never found the 52" Kestrel uncomfortable to shoot. If someone wants a short recurve he could hardly do better than the Kestrel and the Chinook is the finest 50s style recurve I've ever shot, there's no wrong choice, pick one.

[bowfanatik]

Originally posted by Jim Wright:
Bob, I owned one of the first Chinooks Dan made, a 60" bow. I have shot a couple of Kestrels at Dan's place and liked them very much. Both bows are quite fast and well-mannered as all Dan's bows are. I remember the Chinook being very, very quiet but as it was a bow I owned, I took the time to fine tune it. I draw 29" and never found the 52" Kestrel uncomfortable to shoot. If someone wants a short recurve he could hardly do better than the Kestrel and the Chinook is the finest 50s style recurve I've ever shot, there's no wrong choice, pick one.

So Jim you claim that someone with draw 29.50 probably can shoot 60# without problem on fingers ?

[nineworlds9]

Bowfanatik the 60" Chinook will easily handle 29.5".  The 58" will also, I had one.

[Jim Wright]

Bowfanatic, 60 lbs. is going to be a load for a majority of shooters with any bow. I shoot 2 fingers (middle & ring) under so the 52" Kestral was no problem whatsoever. There is a picture on Dan's website of Jared holding a Kestral at 29" and you can see the string angle. The little bow makes the older mass produced short recurves I've shot look a lot like firewood to me.

[flyne]

Had a 52in Kestrel 2pc and loved it just needed a higher draw weight so i sold it great little bow and in my opinion smooth to 30in draw no problems

[tippit]

I've had both.  My Kestrels & Pikas are what I prefer...but I love short bows.