anyone have one? Thoughts / opinions?
Ive always thought Martin had some real nice bows
I'm curious as well. It's a really good looking bow but you don't hear much about them
Seem to be over priced considering they are made of plywood. The older Super Diablo's were made from beautiful hardwoods. $900.00 is way to much for a plywood bow
That's a really nice bow. I don't know if it was that model,but I shot someones at camp one time,and it was really nice.
I recently picked up a newer Martin Mamba. It seems to be a solid bow. I didn't see any plywood in it.
What I call plywood is the died laminated wood they make the bow from.
I'm with you jeffg. Way too much $$ for plywood bows, no matter how fancy a name you give the laminated wood.
Aren't all laminated bows "plywood"?
No. The plywood bows are thin layers of cheap wood around a 1/16" laminated and glued together with epoxy under great presser and died different color to look like to look like good wood or something else.
Very few people will agree that laminated hardwoods are "plywood " or "cheap." Many bowyers use laminated hardwoods because it adds mechanical strength to the bow. You are paying more for the labor and expertise involved in building a bow and less so for the he materials. You don't know what you are talking about.
You don't have to get nasty and insult my intelligence. It is my opinion based on my experiences that are different from yours, that is all.
First and foremost I'm not getting into mud slinging or bashing of any traditional bow company that's sticking to its roots. Isn't this why we are all here on this site? To support the traditional archery community?
I have a entire stable full of Martin Damon Howatt bows, Dream Catcher, several Mamba's, a few hunters, Super Diablos, Scorpion and I can assure you that they are all shooters. I have shot nothing but Martin Damon Howatt bows for the last 25 plus years. I never shot a Martin Diablo Elite and I know Martin has had its share of set backs and issue these past recent years, but I can assure you that the name Damon Howatt doesn't get put on a bow that's a dud. I have been looking at this Martin Diablo Elite since it came out and will most likely buy one in the next few weeks and I can assure you that I will be posting a review as soon as I run some arrows through it.
Thanks, JMG
Quote from: jeffg on February 20, 2021, 03:46:33 PM
No. The plywood bows are thin layers of cheap wood around a 1/16" laminated and glued together with epoxy under great presser and died different color to look like to look like good wood or something else.
Well my Mamba is nothing like that. I has 4 layers. The thinnest is 3/16ths and the other three closer to an inch.
I don't know squat about the bows. I do know that on most forums they have a pretty good rep.
Just for the record I didn't give anywhere near MSRP.
Alot of archers like the diamondwoods,Dymalux and laminated impregnated risers for thier bows.Experienced high end custom Bowyers use it alot.The Bear Super Kodiak Commerative Edition used woods similar to the Diablo Elite and its a fine looking bow with scrimshaw inlays,gloss finish etc.
I do understand the all allure of exotic woods.
These other options can be both nice looking and highly functional as riser woods and also limbs made from actionwood and laminated bamboo.Which are used alot for utilitarian reasons.
I'll start by saying I've owned two bows made from "exotic" woods. While they looked nice, I certainly can't say they performed better than my current bow, a Java Man Elkheart. My Elkheart has no exotic woods in its makeup, and IMO it looks great. I like the fact that I didn't add to the depletion of exotic wood supplies.
I willingly paid for the craftsmanship and design expertise put into my Elkheart. I paid a little over $900 for it. If I'd wanted fancy imported wood, I would have, and should have, paid more.