I'm hanging with George and 4nolz for sure,, I shoot bear exclusivly and have shot and owned other custom bows that were all great but for my Michigan blood it feels better in my hand and my heart carries it better when afeild in the fall for sure. I can't explain it but it almost feels lucky.. if that make any sense,,LOL,, I wish Will good luck with the company and I too hope to see more recurves and longbows on the tube doing what their made to do best,,shoot and hunt,,JB
P.S. I would love a shrew favorite,,awsome bow,,makes me melt thinkin about one in my lineup.. Tim Fishell,, ya better keep a close eye on her buddy<
I just bought a 2007 production Kodiak Mag. and just love it. I never thought I would say this but its better that a custom bow that I bought!
George...for $700? I can name a whole lot of custom bows that are lights out shooters and easy on the eyes for less than $600...
Turkey Creek, Sapphire, Yellowstone, Toelke, Liberty, Kabekona, Kohanna, Acadia, Checkmate, Thunderhorn, Thunderstick...do I need continue?
Just in case, what about Rose Oak...a sponser here, as are more than a few others on the list...
Heck for $700 you could own a BLACK SWAN CLASSIC, or Border GL GRIFFON...
There's loyalty...and well...
Nice looking bows. Has anyone shot one? Do they perform above their standard bows?
JL
Performance is the same as the standard models, just a whole lot better looking. It's only money and if a Bear is what makes you happy, then by all means that's what you should get.
Well, this took a direction I wasn't expecting!
I agree they're pricey, but George and 4nolz have very valid points.
Cutty, you're right too: there are some very reasonably priced bows out there today, but for every one that's reasonable, there are two that are out of my price range with no reason for the difference.
These are out of my range too, but it sure was a nice surprise to see Bear making a nice looking bow again. I wish Primos the best of luck.
Wow this thread can go a bunch of different ways...
Black Widows as "factory bows"...that's funny (and I've never owned a widow...) Bob Morrison owns a CNC too....
I hope the overall quality of the Bear product comes back in line with its history, as there was a rash of complaints over the last year of broken t/d latches, bows replaced 2 or 3 times with the same problem, multiple delaminations...and those were on the BRAND NEW ones...(not the new clear glass series, though...)
Is that $700 MSRP, or real-world pricing in the stores? If it's real-world, it really is too much...sorry, but it just is, for a mass-produced product. The Hatfield's and Martins have gone up in price in a manner that is grossly not in proportion with the market over the last two years, which means that their prices went up roughly 20%...how many of you guys had a 20% raise total over the last 1.5 years??
You can get a Morrison for just a bit over $800 if you choose some reasonable woods...
As far as shootability, yeah, the Bear products will shoot, and are comparable with many customs, but will not shoot with "all" of them...
I paid $700 for a new Border (now $900+ due to the currency situation...), and I'm sorry, but it's a better bow. Don't like the overseas factor? Then how 'bout a Robertson? Bob Lee? Morrison?
Don't get me wrong...Bear has good bows, good history, and good products...but there are better customs out there for a comparable price.
Oh yeah--and in the spirit of the thread, it's about bloody time that Bear started using clear glass...but let's hope they don't price themselves out of it straight out of the chute...
Take Care,
Marc
I haven't seen them yet, so I don't have an opinion. I do like the old Bears, and IMO it's the monkey behind the bow that makes the difference in where the arrow goes.
I have to disagree that wood choices are the only difference in custom bows vs. production bows. Grips, tiller, built for a particular draw length, how deep the shelf is cut, different lengths in the same bow style/design, etc. are some of the things many custom bowyers offer. These may be minor to some, but they are still things that you can't get in an "over the counter" bow. They require time and add a personal touch.
Hope the Primos gang can do as well with bows as they have their other products. Seem to be a good bunch of folks.
Chad
My B/W take downs cost considerably less than what Bear wants for theirs. I'll stick with a custom bow.
Why is a Bear Surpreme, made with clear glass and exotic wood not worth as much as a __________(you can fill in the blank)? Must be 'designer-lable' thing.
Couple things about Bear- you are not waiting months or a year to get a bow, and they stand behind their warranty.
Better, best, overpriced..........all that is subjective to the person buying/shooting the bow. If you like them, I think thats great. If you don't, that's ok too. I just won't try to tell you your bow is somehow inferior because I may not like it. Sorry, that's just how it is..........
I really like that TD version! That is one sweet looking Bear! I'm sure the Bear collectors will pony up to put these bows in their collection. Hope to get the chance to try one out some day!
JL
Jeff W--
You are absolutely right, and I agree with you 100%.
I don't care what anyone shoots, as long as they enjoy it! A $50 garage sale bow, in good shape, will provide as much enjoyment as anything else!
I'll put my $320 WARF up against pretty much anything, but NOT for looks...LOL!!
But if I'm having a truly frank discussion with someone, and they are looking long and hard at that $1300 brand new takedown Bear, and ask for some input, I'll recommend a half dozen other bows in a heartbeat....
Jeff, just had to add that I agree with you 100 % as well...very good point about telling people their bow is inferior just because you don't like it...
...for the record, I DO like Bear bows...
I had a Grizzly I picked up for $150 that was a heck of a shooter before I realized I preferred Lb's.
This isn't the site to be critical of one bow versus another...there are other sites for that...lol...
Apologies if I offended anyone...
...but I still think Rose Oak 'Curves are among the most beautiful made and an excellent value...
Got a B/W Longbow....LOVE IT!!!
Got a standard Montanta Longbow....LOVE IT!!!
I would love to have one of the Bear Supreme Take/Downs.....just cause!!!! :bigsmyl:
I haven't shot one yet but I have seen a couple of them and the flaws in the finish were so ridiculous that they shouldn't even have made it out of the factory. Not that they are not worth the money or good shooters but I expect something of quality when paying that price. I own a lot of Bear bows and there are some great shooters out there but to stay in this market they need to be producing a product of quality and they don't have it right now. dino