I've been on the fence but have finally decided to make the switch from recurve to longbow. Been looking at the toelke whip but would really like to know what other SIMILAR one piece bows are out there. Mostly concerned about noise and vibration, craftsmanship and glue lines (especially riser fade feathering an idead wood lams). I'd like it to be as close to perfect (I guess we all do) as possible.
I started another thread about the toelke whip and Berry taipan and have realized I'd like to go a bit further.
Thank you
Cheers! Pat
You cannot go wrong with a Whip. His build quality and attention to detail is second to none. His fancier creations are stunners and the wait time can't be beat on customs.
That being said, you may want to consider bows like the Leon Stewart Slammer, Big Jim Buffalo, Holm-made Osprey/Goshawk/Kingfisher, Black Widow PL series, Northern Mist Superior or Ramer, Mohawk Sparrowhawk, Wes Wallace Royal, or Poison Dart bows. All those I just mentioned are shooters and beautifully built.
Lots of good bows mentioned. I also like Liberty Chief, J.D. Berry Taipan, Robertson Stykbow Vision and Great Northern Critter Gitter (the older 64-inch model).
Is wait time for a custom a factor for you? Tolke is a couple weeks from what i hear. I waited a year for my Caribow. That said, it won't be my last Caribow. Abe builds a phenomenal bow!
Can't go wrong with a Maddog for a first custom. High quality workmanship, outstanding performance, affordable price and a relatively short waiting period.
Holm-Made Goshawk.......beautiful bows and very good performance.
I see you are from Connecticut at least part of the Time. Any chance you could make ETAR in July. That would give you a chance to shoot a bunch of bows from a lot of bowyers. Then you can make a decision on what is best for you
Mike Treadway makes a fine longbow too ;)
Looks like you have a lot of choices. Shoot everything you can get your hands on, it's awful expensive to buy em all.
I am from CT, but am out of the country almost year round... Would love to be able to make it to a show but it isn't possible yet.
Not so worried about turn around but I can't afford to get on a yr long waiting list since I can't predict where I'll be when the time comes (work moves me around a lot) and what the country's importing laws will be.
Having said that, the whip sounds​ like a good option.
Thanks for all your feedback, keep it coming if you've got it!
St Joe river bows. Great quality deflex reflex great people to work with. Can't find a smoother pull imo.
Toelke Whip, Java man Elk Heart, Caribow Peregrine. The Toelke wait time is awesome and quality is still top shelf.
I prefer the Pika to the Whip, but certainly nothing wrong with a whip. I'm a huge Toelke fan, all others get conpared to a Toelke for me.
Dwyer long bows!
I have owned a number of Standard and Classic Whips. They are superbly well-mannered bows, smooth-drawing, fast, devoid of hand shock and very, very quiet. They are flawlessly crafted from beautiful woods, will come with a nice bow sock, 2 strings you won't have to replace and will get to you in a few short weeks. There is truly nothing not to like dealing with Dan and Jared.
Love my Big Jim Buffalo. The only bows I have seen that are prettier or as flawless in craftsmanship is another Buffalo or TC. works of art. The Buffalo is a great performer as well plenty fast, Minimal hand shock less than my Bear Grizzly recurve! And as quiet as a church mouse.
rmsgrear.com look through the list. Maybe give them a call. If you have an idea of what grips you get along with they will help you out. Huge inventory to look through.
There will be as many names on this list as there are makers.
I would like to recommend what many consider THE ORIGINAL deflex reflex longbow....a Robertson Stykbow...his current model is the Primal Styk and also has a variant with OverDrive limbs that are even more reflex but still a D shaped bow at brace height.
I have his Primal Styk and it is a fine bow that throws an arrow with authority.
Another that I would never have know if not for this site is the Mohawk Sparrowhawk longbow. I bought one that was the original prototype that a gentleman here shot for a while and did a write up on here for TradGang. What a sweet shooting bow...sold it to buy a Wolfer but wish I would have kept it as a back up longbow to my Primal Styk.
The only other longbows of this design I have show is a Wes Wallace and it too is one of those bows that is just magic in the hand.
Lots of good choices...you need to find yourself a big traditional archery shoot or someone that has one of the bows listed and shoot it for yourself. Everyone is different and though I absolutely adore the Robertson, Mohawk and Wes Wallace RD Longbows....you may think they suck.
Best of luck....
Kimsha Mattawoman II. It might not quite be a full DR since the curves arent extreme, but Im no expert on the matter.
(http://i.imgur.com/gWybJsN.jpg)
I've shot a bunch over the years. Currently shooting a Toelke Whip and I really like it. It is a great compromise in design; light, very quick, very quiet and shoots beautifully with no bad habits. Others that I like are the Robertson, Great Northern Critter Gitter and the Liberty Contender
I am partial to Herb Meland Pronghorn 3-piece takedowns. Owned 2 one-piece Pronghorn bows and prefer the 3 piece takedowns. Very smooth draw and good cast.
Lots of choices out there...I like my St. Joe River Bow Torrent. Pretty quiet, very quick, and looks beautiful.
You can't go wrong with a Toelke Whip.
Great shooting bows, amazing build quality and even more amazing build time.
For me , a Black Widow Longbow and a Toelke Whip are my go to bows that get packed in the bag for every trip, hunt or roving stump shoot I have been on for the last 3 years.
Been shooting for 35 years and they don't come any better than these two.
(Allen Boice at Liberty builds a wonderful line of bows ... his Chief may suit you too...)
The best bow I've ever owned is a jk traditions kanati. Quick, quiet and dead in the hand
I'm going to throw another vote in for Kanati. Probably the best I've ever shot. Will never part with mine.
Black Widow for me....
(http://i.imgur.com/QrrgWFz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QsjpLPb.jpg)
I really like my PL... and the service is top shelf!
Good luck, shoot straight and God Bless,
Rodd
Timber point Icarus 64 inch
Toelke's bows are awesome. Can't go wrong. Awesome shooting, quiet and solid upstanding guy.
I've had a couple Caribow Peregrines which I like a bit better but customer service is highly lacking.