I will be turning 40 on my next birthday and am wanting to have a full custom longbow built for myself. I have it narrowed down to these two builders and know what woods I want to use. Both have really great reviews on all their bows and I'm just wondering what's everyone's take on either the Centaur Glass model compared to a Big Jim Buffalo as far as smoothness,noise, and shootablity. Speed is not a major concern but would like to have as much as I can get without sacrificing any of the before mentioned attributes of the bow.
That's a tough choice! Both are top shelf. Me personally I'd go with Big Jim. Simply because I don't prefer finger grooves and I believe the buffalo is quieter than the centaur. And Big Jim's s nack for combining wood combos and esthetics is unmatched! IMO
I would say the centaur is a tough one to beat. Especially with all the custom options available, they are really heirloom quality.
I would go with the dark matter option for the riser and wood scales on the side. You get the look of wood with the strength and weight of the dark matter.
The glass centaurs are really sweet shooting bows and very quiet.
Man that's a tough one! I've shot both and would go with the centaur for the smoothest draw cycle. But also I think the wait on a big Jim might be better? If you haven't already id give Randy Madden at Primal Tech a good look his bows are on par with either of those big names.
Thank so for the input so far. The wait time is not a problem with either builder. I'd rather wait for a great bow as get a good bow faster.
Scott E. I hadn't thought of the dark matter option on the but would go with the XTL lams for little more spunk. How much more mass weight would the DM add to the bow?
M. A. I'll give them a look for sure but I've wore out goggle looking at reviews of each bowyer I mentioned. All have good for both which makes it even harder to decide.
Centaur for me, I haven't liked the Big Jim bows I've tried.
I have a Centaur and wouldn't switch.
For the Centaur owner did you have the XTL laminations added to yours or standard lams. If so what advantage did it add to the bow. Quiter, smoother, faster?
I would go with the one that got it me sooner,LOL, they are both excellent bowyers/bows.
Centaur with XTL lam
My opinion is biased.
I haven't ever owned a buffalo that I could shoots. I once had a 58" that was just too short for me. I have owned 3 centaurs. I think it's all about what you want. Personally, I think Big Jim has the best wood around. Both guys are masters of their trade.
I had a thunderchild that I had at the same time as my centaur and the centaur was definitely faster, but the thunderchild was quieters and way more forgiving.
Either way, you won't be upset.
I like my Treadway Black Swamp :D
I know I'm no help! Sorry...
I have only shot the centaurs, they are awesome. I would not hesitate to buy a buffalo as well. If I get another centaur it will be a glass model.
I am biased also to BigJim but both are great bows . I like the grip on Jim's bows better but it is personal choice .
Whatever you do I would get a two piece even if you think you won't need it .
OOHH and everyone knows BigJim has the best wood :thumbsup:
If you know the 2 Jims, they are like David and Goliath! :biglaugh:
Why did you have to ask such a tough question!
I have owned and shot all the Centaur models and several Thunderchildren and Buffaloes.
A fully loaded bow from either bowyer would be hard to choose between, both are top shelf with customer service to match.
The Buffaloes IMHO shine at the longer lengths 64 and up, because his limb design is wider and flatter with a less radical taper from fade to tip, this is magnified in the shorter ones 62" or less.
Centaurs have a short riser fade to fade with a narrow deeper cored limb that tapers to a very narrow tip, with a long working section. Pound for pound definitely more springy feeling with a very even smoothness almost an even 2.5#/inch all the way to the max. The Buff feels more like a classic r/d longbow, but again like I said they are super smooth to me in 64" and up. If you genuinely want a shorter Big Jim bow I would rather go with a 58" Thunderchild.
Big Jim now offers G10 risers with scales also, and can cut them past center, so the sky's the limit on how radical you want to go. I have seen some of the latest work with his resin impregnated burl woods and it's insane.
Jim Neaves can do the bows without finger grooves too FYI
Both bows from either maker are whisper quiet when tuned.
The glass Centaur is quicker.
Both are very forgiving. The XTL lam will add torsional stability and durability.
If you want a bow that has the feel of a hotrod sports car taken to the limit, a bow made into functional art, the Centaur is a natural choice. They are special, and I'll be honest they shoot so well for me I keep selling them because it takes the challenge out of it! LOL
If you want a bow that showcases elegance, artistry with natural materials, with the spirit of bowhunting deeply infused into it and a real signature to it with great performance than a Big Jim bow is a natural choice.
My advice would be to keep looking at pics, talk to both bowyers who are extremely approachable and friendly, and if possible shoot one of them similar to your specs, and then decide.
Best advice, get one of each!
Jim does make a fine bow!
QuoteOriginally posted by drewsbow:
I am biased also to BigJim but both are great bows . I like the grip on Jim's bows better but it is personal choice .
Whatever you do I would get a two piece even if you think you won't need it .
OOHH and everyone knows BigJim has the best wood :thumbsup:
If you're getting a 2 piece, that answers the question for me.. I would without a shadow of a doubt, get the buffalo. I believe the take down method that Big Jim uses is my favorite of all of them. His craftsmanship is second to absolutely none.
QuoteOriginally posted by drewsbow:
I am biased also to BigJim but both are great bows . I like the grip on Jim's bows better but it is personal choice .
Whatever you do I would get a two piece even if you think you won't need it .
OOHH and everyone knows BigJim has the best wood :thumbsup:
If you're getting a 2 piece, that answers the question for me.. I would without a shadow of a doubt, get the buffalo. I believe the take down method that Big Jim uses is my favorite of all of them. His craftsmanship is second to absolutely none.
Thanks for all the insight into this decision fellas. It is proving to be most difficult. If I could I'd buy one of each just so I didn't have to decide.
QuoteOriginally posted by DanielB89:
I had a thunderchild that I had at the same time as my centaur and the centaur was definitely faster, but the thunderchild was quieters and way more forgiving.
I own both. I have to say Daniel's whole quote is spot on IMO. And I would emphasize the above.
I mostly shoot my Centaur, but every time I pick up and shoot the thunderchild, I am amazed at how accurate I shoot, and how quiet the bow is...
It is nice to know you cannot make a mistake :-)
I had a Centaur,Jim Neaves was great to work with. I had a 60" wish I would have gotten the 62" I wasn't as good then either. I sold this bow.
I still own all five of my Big Jim's bows. I have two 64" one piece Buffalo's,two three piece Buffalo's,one is 64" and the other is 66" I also have a 58" Thunderchild. I really don't see myself selling these bows.
I've been mainly recurve guy for yrs ,bought set of Centaur ilf limbs off Jim last year and killed a bunch of whitetail with them .so being a dealer Jim reached out to me about selling his all glass bows and got my first one month or so ago and fell in love..even being 60 inch shooting my 31 inch draw was smooth and quiet .. extremely accurate also .Will have a chimera tommorrow at 62 inch to setup for hunting season.Jim is a class act ,always aiming to please
With that said Big Jim makes some beautiful bows and first chance I get I want to try a thunderchild.Met him at ATa show last year and super nice guy.
I am in love with both of them,Iam glad to don't have to choose.what's ever you'll choose you'll not be wrong.
nineworlds9; that was a response I really really enjoyed reading.
Big Jim Thunderchild
I have had 6 Centaurs.They were 60 and 62 inchers.I have a longer draw.I have had the double carbon,single carbon Chimera,Dark Matter tripple carbon and all glass.Never had the glass back and belly with XTL lam.My favorite was the all glass 60 incher that was my 1st one.I would like to have that one back!Its a thrill to shoot the Centaur with all that speed.:)I would like to try that all glass with XTL.
I like the 60 inch model personally.
I have also had 5 Buffalo's and two 56 inch T-Childs.I bought my 1st Buffalo quite a few years ago.I liked the design and construction and they were similar to a Widow in appearance and design.But not so pricey back then.His bows were under the radar then.I had the two PC. T.Ds and one piece and even the 3 PC with 2 sets of limbs.I had the 62 and 64 inchers and shot my brothers longer one.
I really preferred the 62 inch ones the most.That 62 is a sweet shooting bow for me.I preffered it over the longer ones.I put alot of Arrows through those bows!I really like how the limbs dampened out on that 62" length and how crisp it shot and it it was quieter as well because of that.Its a nice length for hunting as well.I would definatly own another in that length.It did not stack for me and I was able to work the limb a bit more for enhanced performance.
Thats my experience with those 2 Bowyers excellant products.Both are great guys with superb skills and 1st rate customer service.Two of my favorite hybrid style longbows.
If you could put thier models in every length and material design to the test you could make a truelly educated decision on whats perfect for you.But thats hard to do if not impossible unfortunatly.
Thanks for all the responses. After much more deliberation I have decided that I am going to order the 62" glass Centaur with juniper limbs and cocobolo riser with the XTL lams and sheep horn tips. Just something about the lines on the Centaur keeps drawing me back to it. Sleek and smooth looking. Hey if I still want a buffalo afterwards I'll turn 41 the next year :)
:thumbsup: Good Choice
I am not biased.... well I am! :bigsmyl:
Big Jim bows are all I shoot, by choice: Service, advises, best woods and availability to discuss your hunt, and above all, your bowhunting adventure.
F-Manny
Like this one? NICE!
http://www.centaurarchery.com/images/w-cocobolo-juniper.jpg
Yes sir. Low wrist grip without the diagonal accent.
I hope you enjoy your new bow and remember you can always get a BigJim when you start to itch again :thumbsup:
If you get on the list now, you have a year to save and decide on a model.
Get both!