I'm going to be ordering a recurve bow in the next two to four weeks. At this point, I'm thinking about going with either a Morrison, RER, or Blacktail bow. I'd like to hear opinions from folks who have had a chance to try two or more of these bows out. I tried a Blacktail years ago but I've never hat a chance to try the others. What other bows are in the same class as these three?
Well I have shot a Morrison and I have shot lots of RER bows(still do). Of the two I prefer the RER's. That being said ...What works for me might not work for you. I would suggest you shoot them first if possible then make your decision. don't think you would be at all disappointed in the RER. Great bows and not as big on the price tag unless you want them to be.
Others would be Robertson Falcon, Silvertip, Black Widow, Border to name a few. Out of the ones you mentioned I have only shot the Blacktail and Morrison and they are both excellent. I shoot the forward handle design risers better so my pick would be either a Morrison or the Robertson. I would love to own a Silvertip and probably will one of these days - also an excellent bow and very easy to shoot well for me. You really need to shoot the bows you are interested in before laying out the cash to make sure it fits you and your shooting style especially since the bows you listed have such different designs. Good luck with your decision!
Regards, Ken
I have a Morrison and a Blacktail. I love them both. You would not go wrong with either. I have never shot an RER.
All three are great bows: I prefer the Morrison but I'm biased :D
Whatever you choose, be sure to spend some time shooting it before you plunk down your cash. As already said, I don't think you could go wrong with any of them but you will probably shoot one of them better than the others.
I prefer the Morrison but along with everyone else all your choices are great bows and bowyers. I would try to see if they have test drive bows or see if anyone in your area has one you can shoot.
I'm not sure where I'll be able to find a Morrison or RER to try out. The Footed Shaft is the closest traditional shop to me and they have lots of used bows. I'll have to keep an eye on their used bows list and make the 2+ hour drive when they have a Morrison and/or RER.
Trad shoots are great places to get a sampling of different bows. I still ask to shoot any bow I've not shot yet when I see one at a shoot. Most times, folks are more than happy to have you shoot their bow and tell you their experiences with it.
Shot all and can say the the morrison an the RER are faster then the Blacktail I shot. But that being said speed is not everything. Norm makes the best looking bows out there and are smooth and silk in IMHO. Bob makes a super looking bow with the beat snakeskin job going and are smooth and fast. You can spend more money and not get a better shooting bow then RER they have a great finish and are smooth quiet and fast. Best thing you can do is shoot all three and then decide.<><
I have owned a Morrison and an RER (briefly), and have shot one Blacktail. All are good bows, backed by good people. The Morrison and RER just weren't quite right for me, doesn't mean they won't be perfect for you. I shoot Wes Wallace and Robertsons the best of any I have tried. If it were me, and I could stand the wait, I'd order the Blacktail. It's the closest of those three to a Wes Wallace, which I prefer over everything else. Good luck.
Looks like I'll have to add the Schafer Silvertip, Robertson, and Wes Wallace to my list of bows to try before ordering. I've tried a couple Wes Wallace longbows and they seemed really nice but I've never tried a Silvertip or Robertson.
I keep hearing very good things about the Toelke bows? I have never shot one but they might be worth a look based on what others are saying.
Robertsons a very nice. I have had 3 of them and all were great shooter. Not to hard to look at BTW!<><
How soon do you want to get your bow? If that is a factor you might want to do some research on wait times. All the bows you listed are top notch and Bob and Kevin give great service(can't speak for Norm as I have never needed his help). Pick what fits you best and scratches the itch so to speak.
Choosing is half the fun, that's why some of us choose so many. :D
Wait time isn't too much of an issue. I'd like to get the bow by August of next year but it's not a problem if I don't. I'm due to get a Randall Model #5 knife in the next couple months and I was crazy enough to wait almost 5 years for that so I suppose a one to one and a half year wait for a bow doesn't put me off too much. It looks like I'll have to spend some time just trying to figure out which bow to go with so it'll likely be a while before I get this bow.
I'm leaning towards either osage and cocobolo or osage and ebony. Not sure what I'll go with on the limbs though, maybe osage veneers.
I prefer the RER bows over anything I have shot and I have owned mosyt all of them. Blacktails are sweet but a long wait and Morrisons were just finicky for me and I owned 3 of them. I would choose the Rivers Edge only because they have in stock bows and the Blacktail wait is over 15 months and they are pricey. As far as performance the RER is right up with the best. Shawn
All things that are worth having are worth waiting for....it was 13 months and now I have a bow that I will have for a loooooong time! Blacktail Bows!
i have had RER and morrison never shot a blacktail but between the two go with a RER hands down overall better bow in my opinon give kevin a call great guy to work with
RER will work with you in trying a bow before you buy-test drive-and then if you want mods from there Kevin will custom it to your desires. I have RER bows and a blacktail.RER are the best bows out there for my money but everyone has their favorites.
The blacktail is smooth and beautiful but for half the money RER will make a really fine bow for you.Both have long waits but are worth it.
Wallace bows are definitely worth a look, the Mentor line are prime bows also.
I live about a three and a half hour drive (one way) from RER. I'll first try contacting them about a test drive but I'd also drive there if need be. It looks like RER bows are very well liked and I think the bow I want would be a bit less expensive from RER than it would be from Blacktail or Morrison. Now I've got to get an RER to try...
If it were me,I would set up a time with RER that I could try ALL their stock bows.I have found that the same model from some bowyers will vary between individual bows.I haven't tried the RER though.
You might try the Robertson before you make the trip.You would have something to compair the RER to.I think Robertson will ship you any in stock bow for a test.You could also do the Widdow test drive first.I know all the shipping would be a little costly but not as expensive as buying new bows and selling them used.
The best and most fun would be to go to some shoots and try bows.
I've called RER for a demo bow and didn't hear back...
They may be at a shoot or show. Kevin and Sue are always a pleasure to deal with!! Shawn
Mike RER no longer sends demo bows out. One bad apple spoils the whole bunch.<><
Having owned a Morrison and a Blacktail, I would go with the Morrison. It is definately the better performer and quieter, at least on the ones I had. The Blacktail was nice looking, but Bob can do some amazing things with wood and snakeskins, although the one I had was plainer. I have never shot a RER, but heard great things about them.
I've checked out the shoots RER plans to attend in 2007 and the closest one is in their hometown and is a three and a half hour drive each way. I'll check with them to see how I might try one of their bows out. I'll be checking with Robertson and Morrison too since it looks like those are both great bows too. I've shot a Blacktail and I think I can get ahold of a Wes Wallace so the three that may be tough to try are the first three.
I've had a Blacktail and Morrison. Hard to pick between the 2. The beauty of a Blacktail is hard to beat. I have too many bows coming or I would order a new one. I just keep my eye out for them on the classifieds and hope I'll find one sooner or later.
I say "One of Each" !!!!!!
Of the 3 I prefer Morrison. If I was that close to RER, I wouldn't hesitate to drive on over. They are good bows.
all of them will shoot within 5fps. all of them are smooth. one of them you could get for hundreds less. your choice