If you had a choice,,, of the top bowyers today for a longbow build, who would you choose? Let's just say that cost is no consideration but shootability and looks is on demand. Who would you choose?
Ron King of Fox archery
If you're talking true longbow, i.e., ASL, Nate Steen, Steve Turay, J.D. Berry.
Dan and Jared Toelke- Toelke Bows
Loaded question Centaur, Java Man and Big Jim, Caribow, Black Widow and JT traditions make my eyes smile. Doesn't hurt that their performance matches their looks.
Randy Madden.
For an ASL, I would get another Northern Mist, or perhaps another Howard Hill Archery bow. Good looks, good performance, good customer service.
Jim Neaves- Centaur Archery
If you're looking for a takedown, Herb Meland of Pronghorn Custom Bows makes an exceptional 3 piece longbow.
I'm wouldn't have to leave Montana:
Robertson Stykbow
Bear Paw Archery
Tolke
Schafer
Centaur
Howard Hill
Hurst
Thunder Horn
Had good experience with Toelkes and great interaction with Kirk of Bigfoot , Jim Neaves of Centaur and Big Jim.
wonder why does Montana have a cluster of such great bowyers ?
I'd go with Randy Madden and Primal Tech bows!!!!
Bisch
I have a Great Northern longbow that I really like.
What is the selection criteria...speed, smooth draw, bow shock, shoot ability, eye appeal?
Duane Jessop and family (Thunderhorn), Ron King for sure, and the Toelke's
Too many good ones out there, but if I had to narrow it down I would call Abe Penner with Cari-Bow and add another one of his to my collection.
"Longbow" is a sort of vague term these days. Are you wanting an ASL (Hill style) or a hybrid--half longbow and half recurve? Hill style for me would be Howard Hill Archery or Steve Turay of Northern Mist. Nothing at all wrong with a hybrid--I own a couple but it's sort of hard for me to refer to them as a "longbow". Lots of good bowyers named above who build hybrids.
Rich Wormington Yellowstone Custom Bow .
This thread got dislocated somehow, probably me running 90mph after all the TX hunts.
Sorry for any confusion. :campfire:
A few bows that I have had built in the past but are a little too much bow for me now due to aging and both shoulder rotator cuff surgery's:
Black tail by norm Johnson, Fox by Ron King, Black Widow by Ken Beck, 21st Century by Jim Plume, A & H by OL Alcock, Longbow by G. Fred Asbell, Longbow by Dick Robertson.. some of these I have had 2 built. My quest is for a longbow with reflex/deflex that has the wow factor in both looks and shoot ability. Prefer center cut. I am considering Jim Neaves at Centaur and Shafer Silvertip by Dave Windauer.
I am a big fan of Centaur bows by Jim Neaves. Top performance and beauty.
Many great choices in bowyers out there today, I've owned most, my personal choice is Herb Meland, Pronghorn Custom bows.
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I received my new takedown Toelke Whip yesterday! It's super quiet and dead in the hand. Gonna be a great addition to along with my Whistler and Chinook! Made it just in time...leaving for a javelina/hog hunt this week.
Robertson for me
Hands down, Steve Turay. Any model of his Northern Mist bows, my preference being his three piece Skanee.
Jason
For a R/D LB I must add Wes Wallace. I have two. Still reasonably priced and good choices of materials.
If money were no concern... Acadian Woods Tree Stick 3-piece, or Cari-bow Silver Fox.
Really hard to buy a bad bow these days,really like my Wild Horse Creek Destiny
Quote from: Terry Lightle on February 27, 2023, 08:43:41 AM
Really hard to buy a bad bow these days,really like my Wild Horse Creek Destiny
I'm with Terry on this
Another well made bow is the Yellowstone longbow. I had several a few years back before dropping weight and they were very nice bows.
I always choose Toelke. You won't find better people than Dan and Jared! Their bows are the best on the planet. Quiet, fast and dead in the hand--- and works of art!
For an ASL I like my St Patrick Lake American Styk by Erik Hoff and for a hybrid I like my A & H ACS.
Toelke. I have my 3rd whip on order...
Randy Madden - Primaltech bows
Dan Toelke
Quote from: Huntnjim on February 26, 2023, 01:15:06 PM
My quest is for a longbow with reflex/deflex that has the wow factor in both looks and shoot ability. Prefer center cut. I am considering Jim Neaves at Centaur and Shafer Silvertip by Dave Windauer.
Both great choices. If you haven't shot a Toelke, I think you should drive to Ronan and pay Dan and Jared a visit. You won't be disappointed.
My Toelke Whip is a great bow. I don't see how it could be better.
All of our Sponsors are TOP SHELF....Maverick. :saywhat:
For me it would be Frank san Marco.
Cari-Bow !!