A dangerous idea....

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Shadowhntr
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Re: A dangerous idea....

#16 Post by Shadowhntr »

Crazynate wrote:I have bought really expensive custom bows before that I never even shot before buying. I think I learned the hard way because archery is all about feel. That doesn't mean any top end custom bow is going to feel right for me. There is not a bad bow out there being made in my opinion. They are all good. It trying to find the one that feels right is hard. I started going to all the big shoots and shows test shooting every bow I can get my hand on. This past year at Compton I probably shot 30 different models in 4 days. I keep notes as to what I like and don't like. Paying 600 plus for a bow with pretty woods won't do you any good if it doesn't fit you right. You'll end up like me trying to make a bow fit your style versus having a bow fit your style. It took me 7 years to find the right custom bow for me. I've owned 6 of them and now I keep my 2 best ones ready at all times for hunting. Getting a new bow is exiting and fun just take your time and don't pick a bow 100% in looks or how it shoots for someone else. Just my opinion.
Excellent advise. Time, and trial and error were key for me as well. However...its not always possible for individuals to lay hands on a bow. Shooting beforehand reduces risk of a bad match to zero, but then again those who have no way of trying lots of bows of interest will miss out on many fine bows simply because they could not shoot one. Yes it's a bit of a risk to buy without first shooting. But doing my homework with lots of scrutiny and common sense spending much time...both bows that came to be my best evers were bought without prior shooting.
Many quality and confident bowyers are now offering test drives. A great option....
The element of surprise can never be replaced by persistence.

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Shadowhntr
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Re: A dangerous idea....

#17 Post by Shadowhntr »

dahyer wrote:It is impossible to rain on my parade shadow. It was just a thought I was thinking and I like the idea of putting aside a hundred or so bucks a month and getting something really nice. I like the looks of the toelkes too actually really like the super d. But im still new in the trad world, I don’t know what I truly like better long or recurve. I’ve personally always struggled with satisfaction so I don’t know if any bow will ever satisfy the inch. That’s part of why self bows are so appealing.
....and who knows? Your Cadillac could come from a stave like you said earlier. Like what several have eluded to here, we each have our own idea of what the perfect bow is and for our own very personal reasons. That's why we all agree it's really something that in the end you have to figure out for yourself. I well knew what I was looking for because of prior purchases that didn't quite fit the bill for me. Once I knew what I wanted...it helped narrow down the field. Like Nate said...there REALLY aren't too many poor bows out there if you stay away from some of the foreign bows. Here in North America most are really pretty darn good. All depends on what you are wanting in a bow. Earlier I expressed what I wanted, why I wanted, and how I went about it. Now it your turn to make your way to your dream bow.
The element of surprise can never be replaced by persistence.

stumper
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Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2016 7:40 pm

Re: A dangerous idea....

#18 Post by stumper »

Indeed shadow. And while getting into the woods with any bow gives me immense pleasure, the thought that continually comes back to me is bringing something I’ve made into the woods. If anything this thread has made that more clear...... time for more research.
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

Captainkirk
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Re: A dangerous idea....

#19 Post by Captainkirk »

Dave, one thing I can say with certainty;
For me, anyway, my used Bear bows are a good fit, and even at 50 years old are way better than I am as a shooter...all but one (Tamerlane) purchased for under 200 dollars on eBay or classifieds.
They aren't so pristine that I fear scratching them or anything else, but for less than the down payment on a custom, I have a bow(s) that suit me, shoot well, and make up somewhat of a quaint vintage collection. Not trying to dissuade you if you feel a custom is in your future, only saying that perfectly adequate bows are out there for a fraction of what a custom will cost you.
Are the newer customs faster? You betcha.
Are they better tuned for accuracy? Sure, probably.
Do the exotic woods and finishes look better than a beat-up second hand bow? Undoubtedly.
But, that being said...I am hunting in heavy brush, and limiting my kill shots to less than 20 yards. Are my used bows up to the task? Absolutely. Probably moreso than I am.
Aim small, miss small!

stumper
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Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2016 7:40 pm

Re: A dangerous idea....

#20 Post by stumper »

Captainkirk wrote:Dave, one thing I can say with certainty;
For me, anyway, my used Bear bows are a good fit, and even at 50 years old are way better than I am as a shooter...all but one (Tamerlane) purchased for under 200 dollars on eBay or classifieds.
They aren't so pristine that I fear scratching them or anything else, but for less than the down payment on a custom, I have a bow(s) that suit me, shoot well, and make up somewhat of a quaint vintage collection. Not trying to dissuade you if you feel a custom is in your future, only saying that perfectly adequate bows are out there for a fraction of what a custom will cost you.
Are the newer customs faster? You betcha.
Are they better tuned for accuracy? Sure, probably.
Do the exotic woods and finishes look better than a beat-up second hand bow? Undoubtedly.
But, that being said...I am hunting in heavy brush, and limiting my kill shots to less than 20 yards. Are my used bows up to the task? Absolutely. Probably moreso than I am.
Yeah old bears may indeed get the nod. Been looking at a lot of them. Maybe I can send you a few listings I find interesting and you can tell me your thought on them?
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

Longtrad
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Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2016 2:26 pm

Re: A dangerous idea....

#21 Post by Longtrad »

Bear is making a new run of the old 1952 static recurve this year too, might be worth looking into

https://beararchery.com/product/at86a06445r/

stumper
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Re: A dangerous idea....

#22 Post by stumper »

I saw that. Pretty bow.
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

Captainkirk
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Re: A dangerous idea....

#23 Post by Captainkirk »

dahyer wrote: Yeah old bears may indeed get the nod. Been looking at a lot of them. Maybe I can send you a few listings I find interesting and you can tell me your thought on them?
Absolutely. Send them my way.
One thing about buying an old Bear (or Pearson, Wing, etc...) is that you aren't investing much; which means you can STILL save for that custom, or buy a bunch of older bows like I did.
Aim small, miss small!

Longtrad
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Re: A dangerous idea....

#24 Post by Longtrad »

Thats true, I got this bad boy for 75 bucks off ebay

Image

Captainkirk
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Re: A dangerous idea....

#25 Post by Captainkirk »

Longtrad wrote:Thats true, I got this bad boy for 75 bucks off ebay

Image
Nice haul, Clay! Give us the stats!

Clay's bow is a perfect example of what I was saying. There are thousands of those old bows in perfectly good condition that can be had for a song if you know the value of the bow (so as not to overpay) and you know what you want.
Aim small, miss small!

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