Trad Gang

What are the best reflex deflex longbows makers out there?

I understand that everyone will have their own opinions but i would like to hear what they are and why so i can narrow it down to a top 5 for me to check out.


Thanks!
Lance

I've got a Mikuta longbow best shooting bow I've had!

Centaur.  Jr.

Look at a John Maus Lonewolf.

super shrew
Northern mist superior
Whisperstick bows (local bowmaker in Michigan)
northern mist baraga
bob lee

Just my opinion these are all nice choices

Hornes!!!  :notworthy:

I feel Seven Lakes is a great longbow.

My list of favorites....and I've owned a bunch, is as follows-
1.Thunderstick MOAB
2. Super Shrew
3. Black Widow PL (with LAG style grip)
4. Stewart's Slammer
5. fill in the blank-the list above is from firsthand experience. There are a bunch of great ones that I have never tried with the new Turkey Creek longbows being at the top of the list. Good luck-Mike

Well, Having owned a Massie Long bow and a Toelke Whip....I would go with the Whip. Dan makes a great Bow as many will attest to here. Cazadores de Tejas, Suty

Massie...now Belcher/Massie

My favorites in no particuliar order, that I've owned or shot:

Acadian Woods "Tree Stick"

Robertson Fusion

John McCullough Griffin

Leon Stewart Slammer

Horne Brush Bow

Thunderstick MOAB

RER,,
Shrews,,

A&H ACS CX
Widow PL
Turkey Creek
Tomahawk
CM Crusader

Of the ones I've tried.I would like to try a Border Harrier GL and a Black Swan metal riser.

In my experience the adcock acs, the cari-bow Siver fox and perigrine and I just recently shot a centaur that really impressed me but this is really subjective and you should try as many as you can and make your own mind up good luck and have fun Delin

1. Centaur (Jim Neaves), especially the Chimera or Double Carbon: combines all good features in one bow: ultra smooth to draw, fastest bow I shot (except Saluki Ibex), very stable though they are short and very maneuverable, perfect handle (that gets customized to your hand), exceptional nice bowyer that makes your dreams come true.

2. Bigriver (John McDonald): simple appealing design with very good shootig characteristics, reasonable priced
3. Lightning Hunter (Gordy Morey)
4. Border Griffon GL (dunno if this is the kind of R/D bow you where asking for): look what Pete Ward wrote about it

Leon Stewart Slammer in either 3 piece or one piece. One of the best I have shot in twenty years.

A&H ACS CX
Fedora Xtreme
Morrison Dakota
That's my list!

The best I have owned is the Habu VyperKahn I bought from a tradgang member. Shoots a  fast and accuate arrow. 47# @ 28 and I use 490 grain 2115's.
I had a Navajo Scout that was also a good shooting bow. This one was 53 @ 28, used 2115's on that one also.
Many others I havn't tried that I am sure are good also. Try as many as you can.

I haven't tried them all, but the ones I have liked the most:

Morrison Dakota
Jason Kendall's Kabekona
Fedora Xcellerator
Toelke Whip
Centaur

morrison shawnee
navajo apache
morrison 1 piece dakota
sarrel's superstition
whip
Fox triple crown
treadway black swamp
blackcreek banshee

THESE ARE MY FAVORITE

Lance, you had the best...  :)   I think you need a 66-68" longbow again...and knowing the style that you like...find another Matlock, a Massie longhorn, Liberty English, Wallace Mountain...or the 66" PLV that I just got rid of... LOL.  Did you ever get one of JDs ELBs?
Bob

Black Widow PL

Centaur, RER Vortex, Turkey Creek, 7 Lakes and a Treadway. Lance right now, I think the real sleeper is Turkey creek, I hear great things about them, thet are quiet and quick with no shock. Shawn

My vote is cast for Treadway.  I have a 64" with just a little r/d and it shoots like a dream, really smokes an arrow, and is as quite as a mouse fart.

number 1. Centaur dbl carbon

after that in no particular order;

Morrison Dakota or Cougar
Black Swan
Treadway

I have to go with my Mikuta longbow

My 2 sons Kevin and Tyler, My wife Lisa and Myself ALL own and shoot Mikuta longbows.

I don't mean to "load" your poll.....

BUT    :thumbsup:      :thumbsup:      :thumbsup:     :thumbsup:   4 votes for Mikuta longbows

For those who list more than one bow, could you explain the reason for your rankings (some, like joeare, do just that-thanks!)?

Dave in Ft. Collins, CO

Black Widow PL

For me the best shooting longbow I've owned was a Martin Vision. Fast, quiet, and for me, extremely easy to shoot. Crow creek makes a good shooting bow. Shrew was another very easy to shoot bow. River's Edge makes a great little bow in the Vortex.

I owned a Morrison Cougar that I think would tie with the Martin Vision for number one. Very smooth, accurate, and quick. Just too heavy for me in the longrun.

So, Vision, Cougar, Shrew, River's Edge, Crow Creek.

Chris

1-Black Widow PSR 53@27 56"                      
2-Black Widow SAV 51@27 58"
3-Black Widow PL  55@27 62"
4-ACS
5-Silver tip

On my list the MOAB is first because I shoot it the best. Some bows just fit and the MOAB fits me. Even though I list 2 thru 5, there really isn't alot of difference. I am not hung up on speed, so I really can't compare between them. Quiet and stable is what matter most to me. I had no problem getting any on the list "hunting quiet" and all on my list seemed stable and easy to tune. You may not particularly care for any of the bows on my list once you've shot them.....There are a ton of quality bows out there and each one of them is somebody's favorite! Find your favorite and have fun. Mike

Seven Lakes "Long Night"
Seven Lakes "Short Night"
Herb Melands "Pronghorn"
Robertson "Stickbow"
Howard Hill "Big Five"

I don't think this thread is going to help much......

For me, my #1 is the Chek-Mate Crusader.  After that, going on both my experiences with the bows and with the bowyers.....

Navajo, Marriah, Turkey Creek

Chad

Give me a Dryad longbow from Mike and Jason Westvang anytime.

I know the answer to this question!

-Thunderhorn Coupstick
-RER Vortex
-Peckerwood Iroquois
-Shrew/Griffin
-Centaur

*I've owned over 20 different R/D longbows and this is just my opinion.*

Herb Meland's Pronghorn, no handshock, fast and quite. 56@28   62"

Pronghorn would have been #6 on my list.

Shrew
Northern Mist
Crow Creek
Morrison Shawnee w/Dakota limbs
Black Swan

Long time no see, Lance.  Welcome home!    :wavey:  

I've owned and shot lots of them and my favorite is still an old Robertson Stykbow Mystical.  In the short bows with lots of D/R, I like the Centaur.

My top five in no particular order:
Dwyer
Saxon
Northern Mist
Mahaska
Howard Hill

It is important to go with a bowyer who is established, and has put a lot of time into evolving their designs. Based on that criteria, along with craftsmanship and performance.........

1. Liberty Contender
2. Kim Sha Mattawomen II
3. Dwyer
4. Deathwish
5. Wes Wallace Royal

If Ghost Dog is going to share (thanks by the way), I'm sharin' too.  In no particular order, though.

Liberty English, Jack Harrison American Wolf, Turkey Creek, Robertson Purist, Howard Hill Cheetah.

I've got a 3 piece Sapphire longbow coming that I'm pretty excited to try as well.  High expectations for that one.

One piece longbows, Massey Longhorn, Allen Boice English or Contender or Chief,BlackWidow, Tomahawk SS, Wes Wallace, Jim Loyless Moon Traditions Longbows from North Louisiana these bows shoot where ya look!    :wavey:

ORIGINAL harrison
stewart slammer
robertson
fred anderson
john fazio makes a darn nice longbow

Newell's dead on about John Fazio.  I've got a Soverign that is faster at #60 something then bows ten pounds heavier.  Only reason it's not on my list is it's  a touch more R/D that my favorite style.

I think Sunset Hill deserves a special mention for the style of bow as well.

Northern Mist Baraga is truly a standout in every way.  Fast, quiet, and very nice shooting manners.

Dave

Cutty ya got like the Sunset Hill , I like the string travel , very quite, and no handshock , and built more the way Howard Hill use to build them , the real Hill style bow!  :)

I would have to say my favorite longbow is a Liberty Chief followed by a 64" Abbott.

Although Lance asked for R/D longbows, a lot of Hill style bows have been mentioned, so here are my top picks for a straight limbed longbow or a bow with a little backset.

1. Liberty English (A Hill style that shoots more like an R/D)
2. Howard Hill longbow (still an awesome bow)
3.Massie Traditionalist (If you can find one)
4.Northern Mist
5. Great Northern

That Northern Mist Baraga is a shooter for sure!

Everytime we do a list like this I'm reminded of all the good bows out there I'd still like to shoot.

Massie Longhorn and Traditionalist are on the list.

Plus, Harrison Siberian Wolf.  Talk about R/D!

My favorites (of the bows I have owned or shot)...

1. Toelke Whip
2. Toelke Whip
3. Pronghorn (Herb Meland)
4. Toelke Whip
5. Toelke Whip
6. Toelke Whip
7. A&H ACS CX

If I could only have one bow for the rest of my life it would be a Whip hands down.  Dan's workmanship is second to none and a nicer, more knowlegeable guy you won't find.  Smooth, fast, quiet, beautiful, all the things you look for in a bow (and a wife-HA!!!)

Good luck with your search.  You really can't go wrong with any of the established bowyers.

QuoteOriginally posted by Cutty47:
Everytime we do a list like this I'm reminded of all the good bows out there I'd still like to shoot.

Bingo!  My 5 favorites would be from the 7 or 8 that I have any significant experience with.  Way too many (great bows I'm sure) that I have never shot.  Maybe one day I can make a list from a respectable sampling.

1. Super Shrew
2. Northern Mist
3. Black Widow

Alphabetical

A&H/Adcock ACS-CX

Black Swan

Morrison Dakota(Shawnee)

Shrew/Griffen

Fifth is to close to call on to many bows.

I've shot or at least held most of these listed but curious about the Leon Stewart Slammer...anyone have pics etc. they would share?

Morrison Shawnee Dakota
Morrison Cougar
Griffin/Shrew
Pronghorn
Thunderstick III

Reason: for me they seem to have a nice balance of smooth draw and performance and are a quiet.

My list:

1.  Crow Creek Black Feather 3-piece T/D - the craftsmanship is top drawer, the finish is unlike any I've seen before and I really like it, and it is a great shooting bow

2.  Fox Royal Crown one piece - this is a hits where you shoot bow, is very quiet and dead in the hand, excellent craftsmanship, as well

3.  Dale Stahl Hybrid - I shouldn't have shipped this one to Denmark!  All Bocote bow, Bocote veneers over Actionboo cores.  Another great shooting bow.  All of the Stahl bows I've owned and sold     :mad:   , have been great shooting bows.

4.  Morrison ACS - This bow is one of the fastest bows I've ever owned.  It was a great shooter, too.

5.  Border Harrier GL - this one is in the future.  I should be receiving it sometime next month or early September.  If it shoots anything like Pete Ward's review of the Border Griffon GL, it may well climb UP the list.

Lance,

For your purposes, I would think Fox Triple Crown or Border Harrier GL.  Both of these bows are available in longer lengths.

Bill

For one piece longbows, I've yet to anything that tops the 21st Century bows for smoothness, speed, lack of handshock, etc. I particularly like the 21st Edge and Lonestar. I can't believe we've been four pages without them being mentioned:).

For takedowns, the CX is hard to beat. I'd also put one of my faves, the Acadian Woods Treestick, near the top of the TD list.

TM

Thanks guys! Ill take this and put together a list of how many have recommended this or that and go from there.

I will have to find a big event that is close so i can go try out as many of them that are there.

Thanks again...and i see some names of bows i have never heard of mentioned again and again so ill have to do some internet browsin!

Looks like the ones with 5 or more votes are...

Centaur
Shrew
Northern Mist
Turkey Creek
Black Widow
Massie
A&H / ACS
Morrison
Hill

just below that...

Soverign
Thunderstick MOAB
Tolke
Swan

So many bows so little time and money.....sigh

Thanks All!  :thumbsup:

1) My Horne
2) Mark Horne's Horne
3) Curtis's Horne
4) Faith (Guess the maker...)
5) Hope (If'n you're wrong handed!)

Spot the theme  :D

I've got the same bow "My Horne" once I got it there was no need to look at any more. Horne's have everything I need in a bow.

1. Massie Longhorn

2.21st Century - all of the top IBO shooters are shooting them.

Pretty short list.

Huntsmanlance,
I don't mean any disrespect to anyone or their suggestions, but its just my opinion that the very best bow out there is the one that fits you and your needs the best.  I have a longbow, and a second one on order, from a bowyer that wasn't even mentioned on this thread his bows are exactly what I like and what am comfortable with.  To me this makes these bows #1!  When I decided to make the switch to traditional, I shot a lot of bows, when I found the one I liked I knew it before I shot it, it was kind of like love at first touch!

>>>>Tim------->

Tomahawk, Turkey Creek, Southern Draw, Black Creek, Adcock

What Tim said...I've sold or traded away a number of the mentioned bows for one reason or another, settled on a bow I like, and bought a second for back-up.  The make/model is immaterial, but it does all I want or need...I've quit looking.  Good luck in your quest.

Here is my top 5.  I have either shot or own the bows I describe.

1.Toelke R/D Whip - The grip rocks.  Dan Toelke is a perfectionist, really.  Lightest 55# long bow I have ever held.  It packs a wallop! Dan is always helpful.
2. 21 st century - Lonestar or Edge..get carbon
3. Checkmate
4. ACS..any flavor
5. Howard Hill...Wesley special...you can show up to your local club wearing a reflective fire suit with a satellite dish on top and you will still be more traditional than half the crowd there with this bow.

Just my $0.02

Robtattoo,
You forgot one bow. My Horne !!!!
 :biglaugh:  

Bill

My list is two...

Wes Wallace Royal Takedown
Treadway

Dave

Ok my top five:
1) Toelke Whip
2) Cari-bow Tundra Wolf
3) Hill Wesley Special
4) Black Widow
5) Robertson Purist

I own or have owned 4 out of the 5,, Whip is still number 1,,Frank.

cactus cal

May I suggest going to Denton this weekend.Whats best for me or the next guy may not be best for you or the other guy.I loved the Horne's combo hunter I tried at Denton and thought it was the one untill I shot a hummingbird.I then went back and got the Hornes to shoot side by side and the hummer still won...for "me".

hummingbird,shrew,Morrison Dakota,centuar and I'd hafta say A&H acs since OL wasn,t taken order's in some time.

At Denton you'll be able to try 1000's of $$$ worth of bows for free to see what "you" like

Good luck

oop's LOL the Horne's would make my list as well and I'm sure there's other nice one's beside's the one's I've tried

I could think of atleast 15 more good ones......and about 300 Id dont care for.. :)

ACS

Cari-Bow Perigrine
Morrison Dakota
Horne Traditionalist

The best is the one I am shooting that day.

1. 1 piece Adcock ACS CX
2. 3 piece A & H
3. Centaur

There are MANY more that I have not had the pleasure to shoot but being on the right side (LEFTY SIDE OF COURSE) there are not as many to try out when you go to shoots  :)

Brent

Massie Longhorn and hopefully the Belcher/Massie Longhorn.

I like my Tomahawk SS

What Bob Barnes said.

You sold a Matlock?????   :banghead:

Morrison

pronghorn and liberty   also the venerable Meigs duo-flex

Bob Lee
Black Widow
Great Northern
Morrison Archery
A&H Archery
Fox Archery
Shrew Bows
Thunderhorn Archery
Dwyer Longbows

i shots some good ones at atar. i shot checkmate, turkeycreek, widow and some others. all fine bows but they didn't shoot any better for me than my tomahawk diamond ss. some of them did shoot just as good, just not better


      benji

Where do we find info on the Turkey Creek

www.turkeycreeklongbows.com (http://www.turkeycreeklongbows.com)

Oh and I guess everyone knows what my favorite longbow is by now?

Kim Sha archery/ shadow

Oh well, why not.

I like an R/D bow that has a more classic "D" shape when strung. The 2 that always shoot the best FOR ME are:

Harrison HSS
Northern Mist Baraga.

A&H ACS CX is my goto bow, but to fill up the list of I would include, Morrison, Black Widow, Massie, and MOAB.  As bows that I have owned and really liked, in no specific order.

I haven't shot them all but I have shot a bunch..............in no particular order

Thunderhorn
Lonetree
Pronghorn
Rivers Edge
Crow Creek

And then these from the investigation work I've done.

Cari-bow
Yellowstone
Lewis Hollow
Thunderstick
Horne

bentpole-thanx for the link

John Schultz
Griffin
1p Adcock
Pete George
Steve Abbott

Some of these may not be the Fastest. But they shoot right where you look........

Northern Mist (whisper, superior, baraga)
Griffin
Great Northern Traditional
Wallace Royal
Bob Barnes BBO

I got a chance to shoot a Treadway thursday at Denton Hill. Mike makes some awesome longbows,and his price is very reasonable.

Bill

Northern Mist
Treadway
Griffin/Shrew
Matlock
Black Swan Carbon Classic

I have a Turkey Creek Longbow on order that I am sure will fit in this list too  :)

Top 5

1)My Chechen/waterfall Bubinga Checkmate Crusader
2)My Cocobola/waterfall Bubinga CM.      Crusader
3)My Curly Maple/Actionwood     CM.      Crusader
4)My wifes Cocobola/Yew         CM.      Crusader
5)Hmmmmm .............still looking.

I swear by my American (Schulz) longbows.

95% of all the bows above are not available in the Netherlands so I guess I have to vote for my own made R/D bow(s)as I have no comparison.  ;)  
You guys are lucky to have that many bows to select from.

V-Archer   :archer:

Just shows the variety of great bows available to us today. My favorites are:

Griffin
Shrew
Thunderhorn Coupstick,
Navajo Scout
FREDERICK "YEOMAN"

ok, I'll throw my vote in for my Striker Stinger.

I have owned only 5 different long bows and the last two are Black widow take downs. I have shot a couple at the michigan expo that were sweet but they didn't offer a take down that I was comfortable with.
Shot a bow bolt style and a BW nock off of the locket socket at the show and broke both of them in the building. I shoot extra poundage and don't feel that bow bolt can handle 80+ pounds or even above 60lb's.
I am also not interested in a bow that isn't a 2piece take down. I travel a lot and it is super convinent. I have not shot a bow that shoots as smooth as my widows. Super fast and quiet. I have 2 more on the way and a third one in the works. Yes they are expensive if you go for the fancy ones but you get what you pay for. Great people great bow.
Just my two cents, BigJim

PLX Bocote  67 lb. 62" -First widow
PLX Bubbinga/osage 82lb. 64"
PLX Cocobola  85lb. 64"
PLX Osage 90lbs. 64" on the way
Plx Cocobola ?lb. in process

Black Widow PLX Osage TD
Black Widow PLX Kingwood TD
Black Widow Bocote TD on the way

I just purchased a TurkeyCreek 2 days ago.And absulutly love it.I'll be posting pics soon.tradrick

Around here almost every one shooting a long bow swears by a Prong Horn, By Herb Meland.

But look around.  I do not think you can limit it to five..  While surfin the web I have looked a bunch of nice long bows..  Just clic the links at the top of this page for starters.

I like and own:
Black Widow PLX
Hornes Brush Bow
Hornes Combo Hunter
Ancient Spirits Sequoia (waiting on delivery)

Northern Mist
Great Northern

Big Jim

With those bow weights, I gotta ask...

So...how big a ole boy are ya?

Hill
Northern Mist
Miller
Dwyer
Deathwish

morrison wolverine
morrison dakota
schafer  silvertip longbow
wilderness bows
coup stick
i haven't got to shoot a whole lot of different ones but these would sit as my top five. have fun with the hunt.
matt

Shrew
Northern Mist
Marriah
Great Northern
Schafer Silvertip Longbow

As Fredbear92 mentioned Fox  www.foxarchery.com (http://www.foxarchery.com)  Frank

Well I'm pretty new to trad and haven't shot a lot of long bows but do own and have shot many of Tim Finley's Kota bows.  Very nice!!
I am surprised they weren't mentioned anywhere on this list.  
Of course my favorite.. my first homemade bow but it is not for sale at any price.

i have not shot a lot of bows but so far i like
jerry hill bows
k and m super mountain bow by bill kerner
and hopefuly my new bow when i come over in sept. will tell ya about it then.  :archer:  wolfman

1. MOAB- Jim Reynolds- Quick and hard hitting
2. John McCullough- smooth

You want my honest, obviously biased opinion (based solely on what I've shot)...best I've shot to date:

1. A&H wood riser ACS/CX - on the order list...best longbow I've shot. If they can come close to my weight and it shoots as good as Greg Hall's lightweight wood riser bow I've shot, this is as good as it gets.

2. Super shrew - unbelievably easy to hit with, second place only because of performance.

3. Sky Archery 3pc Rouge - incredible bow, no longer in production, still looking for the one I shot 6 years ago.

4. Morrison Shawnee/Dakota - superb 3 pc takedown, wish for a tad more reflex in the riser.

5. Acadian Woods 3 pc takedown - most forgiving bow I've ever shot, only performance and length puts it below the others.

6. Currently looking for a 3pc Thunderhorn...never shot one but others who have compare it higher than my previous #6 bow.

7. Centaur - shot 2 of Ray Hammond's, superb bow, would require me to work on the grip.

8. G&L Archery 3pc takedown - would be #4 on the list if still in production. Local GA maker that really knew how to make a sweet shooting bow.

Tim Mieggs makes the best bows this side of Nevada. I have a fifty pound takeddown longbow of his that shoots faster then my 60 pound recurve.

Black Widow pl for me  i have tried quite a few different brands but prefer the bw pl i have 3 off them plv 66" ca 65# at my draw 1  plga 64" 60# and 1 plx bocote 66" 53 # i shoot the 66" inch pl widows the best iff you have a draw over 28 i would go with the 66" bw smother and more acurate less finger pinch cleaner release
i have tried the tomahawks liked them alot but it is not as fast as the pl but very acurate  but it only comes in 64"
you cant go wrong with a widow they are super well made and customer service is the best i have ever come across  .

striker stinger long bow

I would like to see what Pete Ward would say.
Chris Kiefner

Pretty obvious by the answers here, along with the number of bowyers with big backlogs, that is is no one (or two, or ten) right answer.  

I've come to the conclusion that if there was one particular style or design that was head and shoulders better for everyone, then everyone would be shooting that particular bow, or every bowyer would be copying that design.

Heck, look at the most well known hunters and target archers, and/or folks that have been trying out different bows for the past 10-15-20 years and see how many of them agree on one bow--it's a diverse field.

I've seen this question come up several times in different places, and the answer is always the same--there is no definate answer.

Chad

Well said Chad or like a wise man once told me: "Whatever Floats Your Boat"!

The Royal by Wes Wallace

Allen Boice Liberty English
Northern Mist

Herb Meland's Pronghorn
Original Harrisons
Pete George Longbows
Sentman's Moosejaw
Dick Boss Longbows

for right now!  lol

The best longbow out there is the one you like, so try every one you can!!!!!!!   ron w.

My top 5 in no particular order are:

Fox Archery
Pronghorn
Centaur
Toelke Whip
Thunderhorn

Pronghorn

1 piece Morrison Dakota 64" longbow I have one at 43# and it is amazing.Carbon core foam back it feels like 20#.I cant express to you how fast this bow shoots and the way it feels.It shoots the same arrow as a 48# bow at the same fps.This bow is a star and if you dont believe me shoot it for yourself and youll seee!

Matlock
Whip

And the winner is Centaur.Nothing more needs to be written.

It's difficult to form an accurate assesment of someone elses bow you have shot because you have not worked up the proper arrow, tinkered with brace and nock height etc.. That said, some bows I have shot and liked were by J.D. Berry, Roy Hall and Bob Morrison. The R.D. Longbows I own are Dan Toelke Whips and if I own one or ten more they will be Whips, I don't know how you could improve on their looks or "manners", I have never known a nicer guy so dedicated to customer satisfaction or more knowledgable about all things archery and who still, amazingly delivers an order in about a month or less.

One piece Sky Rogue, now back in production by Welch bows.  One of the first true Hybrids designed by a gentleman with more patents, on bows and bowmaking equipment than anyone I can think of, Earl Hoyt Jr.

Semper Fi
Dan Raney

abbott longbow - yew and cocobolo, 64". good shooter, easy on the eyes. custom for $395.

http://sites.google.com/site/stringwalkerbowhunter/Home/harriermkiiglroyale

hmmmmmm

rusty

Turkey Creek Double carbon would be my pick.

Being the owner of only 1 longbow, I'm unable to write a top 5. But I really like my Tomahawk Diamond 'SS'.

I'm a recurve man (no throwing rocks please) and I shot a friends Cetaur last month and all I can say is WOW.

Fast, accurate, dead in the hand, quiet and stable. Not sure you could make a bow that was any better.

For me it is my Frank SanMarco.
Oberon

I would have said Pronghorn until recently, but I'd have to say my new Hummingbird is the champ.

A&H ACS CX, a great bow.

well I thought about it over night.    :)     still wanted one this morning.  I placed an order for the Borders Harrier Royale (royale is pistol grip riser).  66" mid 40#@29".  


I added a closer pic of the grip.

  http://sites.google.com/site/stringwalkerbowhunter/Home/harriermkiiglroyale  

I'll let ya know how it works out

rusty

My top 3 Picks, all fit me like an extension of my own arm, are smooth, quiet, and fast.

62" 80#@29" Monarch Imperial, My absolute favorite
66" 60#@29" Monarch Imperial,
66" 57#@29" Wes Wallace Royal TD

Can't believe that nobody mentioned a JD Berry bow!!!!

i'll put my mohawk up against any longbow out there....no shock,vibrations and plenty fast.shoots where you are looking....no more needed than that.

I think we are limited to what we have shot or owned so that's what we will recommend, if we liked the bow, but your gonna have to do the same its like whats the best car or truck  like the ol addage its like ass ----- we all have one.
Its a journey just enjoy the ride its all good.

Three pieces: Morrison Shawnee with carbon foam Dakotas; A&H ACS-CX, Brackenbury Non-Typical

One-piece: Thunderstick MOAB, Morrison Cougar

Those are in order of prefference, and don't make me pick between the MOAB or Shawnee!  I love them both!

Love my Pronghorn

I would have to say that a Shrew would be right at the top of my list.

I shoot a Bob Beeler longbow and I really like it. So, let's put it at number 2. It's so quiet that I don't even use silencers on the string. Also, it's plenty fast with it's D97, ten strand on it. Nice and short too, so it's the ideal tree stand/pop-up blind bow as well.

My dad had a Roy McIntosh made "Kentuckian" longbow and it was a great shooter. Very well made and just a great bow. I don't know if he still makes bows or not but if he does, I would have to rank his in the top five longbows that I've ever shot.

MOAB

Whisperstik Voodoostik

Whip

Thunderstick III

I will vote silver fox and also roy hall navajo bows. Good shooters, both.

-Charlie

1) Morrison
2) Morrison
3) Morrison
4) Morrison
5) Morrison

Can you tell I love my Morrison Dakota ? Very quiet, dead in the hand and very fast. Real nice to look at as well.

Pronghorn
Shrew
Cactus Cal's Saguaro
HOOTS
FireFly

No order to the above I have shot a lot of LB's. For take downs the Pronhorn is tough to beat a close second is the Firefly. Both well made by great guys. They are both fast and silent.

I have a Shrew and a Saguaro they are both very similar and are once again fast and silent.

I have shot but do not yet own a HOOTS I will soon. I will be placing my order shortly, once again fast and silent.

D

My Bears paw is pretty nice!

Every year I go to a number of shoots and try all the different bows.
There are many good ones out there today and I have shot most of the ones mentioned, however, I always come home to shoot my Craig Potter St. Joe River Bow, and nothing else compares.
Smooth, quick, hard hitting and forgiving. I probably have one of the last, if not the last bow Craig built.
Many bows are close, but nothing is better for me!

chris <><

Jack Kempf "Lil Grizzly" flat bow and his new "Raven", a 3 piece take down that shoots awesome. You guy's know about his Kwik Styk, don't hear much about these though and they are good.

Terry

As someone already said, all we have to go on is the bows we have actually owned or shot. I'm obviously partial to Jason Kendall's Kanati bows. They are probably the best value out there in a short R/D bow...handy, fast, quiet and deadly!

I've had a Caddo by Roy Hall. The fit and finish was second to none, but it was a used bow and the grip was just too big for my hand. I'd still say Hall makes a fine bow.

My first longbow was a Mahaska. Kent Ostrem makes some great bows, but they are not rated for FF string. Mine is old, so I padded the loops and served them with yarn and shoot D97 now. The handshock disappeared and the speed increased. Now it's a pleasure to shoot.

I hope the Kota Prairie Nomad 3 piece takedown is also a great bow because I just sent Spike an MO for one! I may be adding to this post in a few days I hope.   :bigsmyl:

I might be the only guy to say this but I love my Gary Sentman (Moose Jaw Bow) Strickforce Longbow. It has a lot of reflex deflex and very flat and fast shooting. I have never see another left hand Gary Sentmen bow. I get a lot of looks with it.

The boys came over one weekend and we strung up all my bows. Yup, took a while.  Then we shot them all side by side.  The one that we all agreed had the best arrow cast, no hand shock and arrows all fell "too close" for smacking nocks was a; O.L. Adcock 62" 52#.  I am really lucky to have it. Finding one for sale, well, you might get lucky too. The close second we thought was an Elburg.  A&H was next after a couple of my other Adcocks. Just make sure one feels good with your hand grip.

striker stinger
striker stinger t/d

I'm still fairly new at all this, but....of the handfull of bows I've shot, I know I'll never sell my Toelke Whip.

Only you know what will work for you, but it is fun finding out.  I am very new to the R/D long bow.  I started getting into shooting some only in the last year.  I have always shot curves.  I am still looking, trying, and collecting info on them.  I draw 29 1/4" and like a bow to shoot like a long LB, but not be any longer than necessary for blinds and trees.  I like at least a locator grip with a preference for a low grip.  Most every one was a great bow for someone, but for me maybe they were not as smooth as I want, longer than I want to be smooth for me, grip not a good fit, couldn't get used to it, a little slow, a little hand shock, not in my price range, and so on.  

Here is what I have shot.  Some a little, some a lot, and some I have owned.

Northern Mist Baraga (2)
Great Northern (4)
Toelke Whip (3)
Black Widow (3)
Fox Archery (2)
Crow Creek (1)
MOAB (4)
Thunderstick III (3)
Thunder Stick Mag (2)
stewart slammer (1)
Super Shrew(3)
Super CH (3)
Whisperstik Voodoostik (1)
Kohanna Furry and Furry extreme (4)
Black Creek Banshee (1)
Cari-Bow Perigrine (1)
Ancient Spirits short riser 3 piece TD (1)
Lost Creek (3)

It would be hard to order my current top 5.  I would have to have them all in hand to shoot again, but I think this is close.

1. Lost Creek - I have shot three, and just traded for my first one.  Love this bow! 58" is very smooth, fast, quiet, feels like 62", and fits me well.  Flat out awesome shooting bow for the $.  Shoots faster than most R/D's with 5# more draw weight, and it is faster than many recurves I have shot.  It is very dead in the hand.  I want one with 5 more pounds.  I have not shot a better one piece shorter R/D LB for the $.

2. Cari-Bow Peregrine – Shot one a few months ago and was blow away by this one.  Just great in every way.  The finish is great and different.  It was whisper quiet with almost nothing on the string.  The limb action was like a fly rod.  Zero hand shock or vibration.  It is just a little high $$ for me.  I am watching for a deal.

3. Super Shrew – Shot it and liked it a lot.  I need to shoot one more to see if the cost is worth it to me.  Now I just need a great deal on one.

4. MOAB – Have shot a few and had one that was a little too heavy for me at the time.  Great bow and hard hitting with heavy arrows.  Reasonably priced.

5. Shrew CH – Nice, but felt a little short for me at the time.  I will be trying them more to see if I like them as much or more than the SS.

I am really interested in a 3-piece TD with a short riser right now for a little more weight, and better travel.  I have not shot any of them so I can't put them in my top 5 yet.  In my price range for a new bow the FireFly and Kajika look real good.  I really want to try this list out.

Morrison
Pronghorn
A&H ACS CX
FireFly  
Kota Prairie Nomad
Black Creek TD
Whisperstik Kajika

Well that is my take on it for what that it worth (.02).  :D  , but Pete Ward liked the Cari-Bow Peregrine and Lost Creek so I guess I am on totally without a clue.

One for Holm Made Ospray

if a three piece is on your agend it is hard not to add Wingnut's (Dryad Bows) three piece Orion. It may be the best kept secert today   :)  

of course the camo dipped with the sight bosses and stabilizer boss is mine.  it is a pig hunting sone of a gun (well bow maybe)

http://sites.google.com/site/stringwalkerbowhunter/dryadorion

rusty

62" Great Northern Fireball followed by:
64" Silvertip 1 piece

After that I could not tell you because these two bow are so GOOD I stopped looking!

HANDS DOWN____J D BERRY

I've shot many of the longbows listed as "the best". But if you have not tried out an Abbott Longbow hand made by Steve Abbott, man-o-man are you guys missing out. EXCELLENT Longbow guys, EXCELLENT.

...the one in your hand !

My Lost Creek.

chad holm makes a great rd longbow

Easy

1) Morrison
2) Morrison
3) Morrison
4) Morrison
5) Morrison

McCullough
Shrew
Navajo Scout
Zipper
Fox High Sierra

Blackcreek Banshee need I say more

I have a Striker 2000 that I really like

Well have we named them all yet?

widow pl with lag grip.

i love my widow plv.only custom i own.wish i had more,but i'm poor at the moment.saving up for a zipper.

JD Berry
Centaur
Leon Stewart slammer

1-2 Shrew and Stewart Slammer SR these two bows just plain shoot for me
3-Widow PL
4-Big Jim Thunder Child
5-ACS By far the quickest just a little to touchy for my big dumb fingers

For me it would be:
Lost Creek
Shrew
Jona
Widow PL
Big Jim Thunder Child

1) Lost Creek

2) Morrison

3) Ed Mikuta

4) Bob Lee

5) Sentman

Ive owned most, if not all the , the "big names"...all I own now is Turkey Creek double carbons.....

Another vote for Lost Creek. Fabulous.

My top is Sapphire Hawk,  then Toelke WHip,  and OL Adcock ACS CX... think its whichever I am shooting that day.

Griffin
Griffin
Griffin
 :thumbsup:

Any Northern Mist. He has D or R/D or stringfollow.

MOAB.

1. Robertson
2. Robertson
3. Robertson
4. Robertson
5. Robertson

My two favorites are Morrison and Centaur!

MOAB, Thunderstick III, 7 Lakes, Spirit Bow by Bryan Holley, Mohawk.

I didn't put these in any ranking order, just ones I've owned. Maybe someday I'll get a chance to own some of the others mentioned here and maybe my top 5 will read differently but for now, this is it!

IMHO

Your Humble Servant
God bless,Mudd

1. Robertson Mystykal
2. Robertson Primal Styk
3. Robertson Tribal Styk

Do I sound biased???  :dunno:

1.  Fox Triple Crown
2.  Fox Royal Crown
3.  Crow Creek Black Feather
4.  Dale Stahl Hybrid
5.  Cook's Mountain Puma

Of all of the longbows I've owned I recommend   these.

Bill

1. Howard Hill Half Breed
2. Howard Hill Cheetah
3. Howard Hill Big 5
4. Morrison Mini Metal 13 with Morrison Foam Core Carbon limbs
5. Great Northern Critter Gitter

I have 2 that I like
Northwind Gem
& Don Dow Stik

1. Northern Mist Whisperstick
2. Northern Mist Baraga
3. Bob Brilhart Yew Slefbow
4. Thunderstick III

I will mention the three I have shot a lot or owned
in the order of how well I shot them.

1)Seven Lakes by Mike Ballenger & Rampart 3 piece

3)Mohawk

I am shooting a Mohawk now and its a fine bow. The Seven Lakes shot at least as well as the Mohawk does. Very under rated bows IMO and I should never  have sold it.

Anything you have read regarding a Mohawk is true and can be applied to a Seven Lakes bow.

Joshua

Fox Archery.  Very nice bows.
Frank

Mohawk!

(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj93/ruger1970/new007.jpg)

Hill style, Hill style, Hill style, Hill style, Hill style!! Are there any others?

All this proves is that the usual names that come up in the threads are someone's favorite/best bow. We're lucky/unlucky to have such choice... for our wallets DO suffer and we're constantly looking for that better bow. It's not the bow... it's the archer, people. Enjoy! And shoot as much as you can: that'll make your bow into the BEST bow.
Marco

Zipper SXT foam/carbon!

i have shot a lot of trad bows and while its not the fastest on the planet its one of the smoothest easiest to shoot pretty much a joy to shoot. MOHAWK....these bows are highly underated in my opinion.  :readit:

Black Widow PLX

Selway II, Saluki Grandeur, Morrison Cougar' Hill Badger, Pronghorn

Quote...MOHAWK....these bows are highly underated in my opinion.   :readit:  [/QB]

Thats pretty funny. Everything I have ever read about Mohawks has been anything but under enthused. I don't think Mohawks suffer from being under-rated. Half the time the guys are slobbering all over the keyboard with joy when they write about them...

Joshua, just poking fun.

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/ad2877/hunting/012.jpg)

1. My St. Joe carbon/boo!!!!
2. (tie) Shrew Model T / Whisperstick
3. Javaman Sweetgrass
4. Thunderstick Mag
5. Northern Mist Baraga

MY LIST WOULD BE AS FOLLOWS:

TOELKE
THUNDERHORN
MIAMI VALLEY
THUNDERSTICK
TREADWAY

I dont have the experience that most of yall do, but heres my shot-

1- Toelke Whip, I like the Classic, by far the quietest and most "dead" in hand bow ive shot.  Not even a "hint" of vibration, shock, twang or any other explanative having to do with bow feel upon release.

2- Dwyer Dauntless,  very similar to the Whip, not as quiet, a tad of "feel" on release,  but I actually prefer this grip to the Whip.  A super "pointable" longbow.

3- JK Kanati,  while more of a highly R/D hybrid,  i think it still qualifies to be on the list.  Very smooth, fast, great grip, all in a very compact package.

I see alot of folks mentioning the Turkey Creek.  and I would agree they are dxmn good bows,  I just dont know whats going on with the bowyer.

Ive not shot many others enough to judge, but I am ordering or eventually going to own the followig-

Mohawk
Fox Traditional
Treadway (my names up in October)

1. Big River
2. Big River
3. Big River
4. Big River
5. Big River


For my top 5, I would have to go with Big River!

I would have to say the martin savannah its better than all the custom bows ive ever shot and it won In the 50 pound longbow flight divsion the year it came out.

There is one bow that I would really like to own besides my own EagleWing Longbow and that is a Centaur. Then I could fight with myself over which one to hunt with. Oh I got a Sapphire Hwwk coming that I got in bowyers trade off. It is another one I have really wanted to shoot . But so far I'll stick with the EagleWing double carbon until I shoot something better.

OK, the Border Griffon GL beats all of the bows mentioned! I just HAD to have the last word!   :bigsmyl:

QuoteOriginally posted by Eric Sprick:
Mohawk!

 (http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj93/ruger1970/new007.jpg)

Thats by far the best looking Mohawk I ever seen! Very nice!

I can only give you one because there is no other. Lone Wolf Autumn Storm Ultra. Since finally finding two of these used in over 6 years of searching, I have been able to thin the herd down because this is the "ONE" for me   :)    . I highly reccommend this longbow and I would put it against any longbow out there when it comes to the following:speed, quietness and craftsmanship.

60" and 60#@27!!!!
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/Limbow/002-1.jpg)
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/Limbow/005.jpg)

62" and 52#@28" !!!
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/Limbow/DSC_1022.jpg)
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/Limbow/DSC06239.jpg)
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/Limbow/DSC06240.jpg)

:)

I judge a longbow for its ability to perform...and on that note I would rate the bows made by Gary Sentman at the very top of my list. Accurate, forgiving/extremely stable, fast whisper quiet, gentle in the hand, and very durable. As he puts it...he doesn't worry if a nat "poo-pooed" on his bow nor does he carry it in a purple velvet case. He bows were made to shoot, hunt, and perform. That's what I like...because they do this better than any other I have found. They have been so forgiving that I have always been able to bareshaft them...even with broadheads...which isn't supposed to be possible according to some.

Changing my vote to a Lost Creek NAT.

That's somewhere around a 2-3 in. group from 20 yards (minus the one flyer). That's dang good for me.

Quick, quiet, dead in the hand...

 (http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac46/Imnotted/DSC00931.jpg)

Wes Wallace makes truly great longbows. I have been shooting them for about 13 years. Ive shot some just as nice but nothing I felt was any nicer.

thunderstick moab; john mcullough griffin; gary sentman moosejaw. i've owned and shot others; these 3 stand apart.

Allen Boice / Liberty Bows is starting back up this Spring. He had to take sometime off due to a job change which involved moving to another community and finding a home where he could set up his shop.

Kinda like asking who has the prettiest wife.

I really like my TimberHawk longbow. Quiet and fast.

Mohawk, Mohawk, Mohawk, mohawk , &    :archer:    :archer:

Had to go through this one to make sure I haven't answered it before  :)  I can only come up with four out of five.

Centaur
Griffin and A&H ACS****tie
Treadway

my top 5 that have impressed me in the past based on  looks, stability, quietness, cast,speed, and uniqueness (sp) also in no perticular order.

Saluki Grandeur
Thunderstick 3
Elburg Cherokee
Ron Maulding
Torges Firestik

Best I ever had was a Windstorm Archery longbow by Tom Cable. Too heavy for me now and passed to my son-in-law. Really like my Two Tracks Longwalker, 64" 48#@28".

i really like my wes wallace.

Schulz, Pete George, Robertson and my own, all glass backed and bellied, are my best.

Horne Take Down Brushbow is what I shoot.

I have shot a Toelke Whip one time and liked it.

Maddog Mutt is a good shooter as well and I have one on order.

I bought a Jodie Cole R/D longbow last week and it is a good shooter as well.

As far as top 5, I would have to shoot all of them to narrow that down and that ain't happening anytime soon.

Tomahawk Diamond Series(woodland hunter), fast, smooth, quite, and dead in the hand! Oh, did I mention fast,smooth,quite, and dead in the hand?  :thumbsup:    :campfire:    :archer2:

Dwyer
Kohanna
Moab
Dwyer bows are my first choice, there are alot more I would like to shoot. But the Dwyers are so smooth and ultra quite.

tossup between centaur and griffin.i can't pick one over the other.

Black Widow LBS
Black Widow PLX
Rose Oak Companion
Navajo Caddo
Tomahawk Diamond series

If I had to explain, you wouldn't understand.

Big River R/D

Big River by John McDonald, especially the 66" 21st Century style. Awesome bows, super great guy, great price. Harvested 11 critters(deer, a bear,turkey)in 3 years,amazing hunting bow...

Shrews!!!  :thumbsup:

tolke whip
Griffin
thunderstick MOAB
ACS CX
Mohawk

Horne's flint quest

Bim Jim
Shrew
Whisperstik
Mohawk
Northern Mist

haven't tried and Apex Predator yet, but once I do I have a feeling it'll make my list as well

Bought my nephew an Abbott w/carbon arrows. Only r/d I've shot. 57# but lightning fast & easy to shoot w/those arrows. Still prefer my D style Hills w/big straight handles.

Ask Roy Hall,Jim Reynolds or Bill Dunn they will be able to tell you.          MIKE

Dang,  I wish someone had posted the answer 30 some odd years ago.  I'm still trying to figure that out  :)   Doc

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/basement4.jpg)

Dang tippit, you have more bows than I do arrows!!     :notworthy:

The Leon Stewart Slammer is kind of an amazing bow! Shoot one and you will see! The two that are comparable , (in my opinion), are the McCullough Griffin and LaClair Shrew. Big Jims' look interesting as well but I haven't seen one in person yet. I was not originally a Stewart fan...but became one when shooting at Baltimore and you could see one just lasering its arrows, (1916's according to the shooter),into the bales.  A used Stewart 46# slammer he was demoing and consequently bought. My friend also recently bought one and ordered another...he's the most serious bow shooter I know.......a 45# ...for his all around hunting-3-D bow! (you listening Monkeyball???).....M.O....john

widow pl,just my opinion.

if you can find a used fred anderson skookum buy it, they were the best I ever shot.

QuoteOriginally posted by tippit:
Dang,  I wish someone had posted the answer 30 some odd years ago.  I'm still trying to figure that out   :)    Doc

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/basement4.jpg)

Now that is a well organized space.
I love that photo Doc.

Oh and to the orginal question I am rather fond of Pronghorns.

D

The Toelke Whip, one of the smoothest and quietest longbows made. But I still may have too try them all.

Cari-bow "wolverine"
        "Silver fox"
        "tundra wolf"
        " Peregrine"

I own them all. And I just ordered another "wolverine" Take down yesterday for a grizz hunt in 2012. Abe makes some of the best bows out their. I would also recomend a Shrew, And Big Jim's "Thunderchild"

Good Luck

From my experience

Morrison Dakota
Dryad Orion
Dwyer Defiant
Leon Stewart
Griffin

But I'm always looking for another one...got about ten on the list of must trys, including Centaur, Big Jim, Caribow Silver Fox, Hornes, and a Stewart Slammer 3 piece.

Good luck, afterall...the fun is in the searching!

Travis

I've tried a few and for me the Cari-Bow Peregrine is lonely at the top. Superb craftmanship, sweeeeeet to pull, and a blistering speed. They hit were you look, they sure are shooters!

Just started to shoot lbs.  Tried them whenever I could get someone to let me shoot a few arrows through them at gatherings.  I bought a Horne takedown from Robtattoo a couple of months ago, and I surprise myself constantly with the accuracy of it while stumping.  It is dead in the hand, quiet and fast.

Toelke
Mohawk
Black Swan
Morrison
Treadway

cari-bow perigrine or wolverine, love them both equally.

If tippit don't know its a trick question !!!

 :dunno:

Try top 15 or so best. No way could I ever place a top 5/ First we would have to establish what a longbow is. then what attributes it is being judged by. fastest may not be the best. Slow may not be the worst./ shock and smoothness , shootability . options, degree of craftsmanship , fit and finish. finish quality, all would have to be brought into consideration.

I will put my Eaglewings up against any bow made when you consider every aspect. If I could not do that I would do what it took to make it that way.

God Bless you all, Steve

F.Anderson Skookum
KimSha Mattahwoman
Strunk Spirit Longbows
Robertson Stykbows
Laclair Shrew


and really like the Protoge Longbow that Lee Roberson is making under some mentoring by Gary Senteman...I tested his diamondback and was great shooting bow.

anneewakee archery addiction longbow, smoothest bow period. very fast aswell.

Hill country are very sweet shooters. Take a peek at the k2

Definitely check out Lost Creeks!

One more vote for the better Martins, Also have a bow called a Chinook from 21 st. Archery,I shoot this bow very well[ for me]3" group at 25yd.It's a mid  R/D very stable and smooth, likes a heavy arrow.  Shoot alot and you'll shoot well.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Martin/Howatt custom bushbow 50# @ 28                                                      21 street  Chinook 58# @ 28"

Toelke Classic
Great Northern Critter Gitter
Howard Hill Cheetah
Tomahawk
Great Northern Critter Gitter Special

Thunderhorn coup stick
Fedora excellerator
Caribow wolverine

I like the feel of my thunder horn coup. But have a Dwyer enderver being built and eager to see how it performs

:biglaugh:     :biglaugh:    :laughing:       :dunno:    

I like em all

Man,  that's a loaded question!!

For me:

Shrew Classic Hunter (if I could only pick one)
Super Shrew
Treadway Black Swamp

Leon Stewart slammers- just great bows that work !!

Big Jims are my favorites,Wes wallace bows are preformance personified,and toelke bows from Montana are bad to the bone too.Now the ultimate of course is one that you made yourself and took meat with!Good Luck,so many great bows,so lil time to shoot em.

I also nominate 7-Lakes.  Great prices, excellent product.

Rick

1. Shrew Classic Hunter
2.Centaur

Ran a couple hundred thru a Mohawk several months back. Would absolutely have been my best shooting experience, if I could have shot it straight instead of left. The arrows used may have contributed some and the experience was so special that I want to give the Mohawk another go.

Gotta throw Hummingbird in here .. my Alpha Male is shooting very well for me.. not the quietest though .. also my Shrew model T which is very quiet ..neither are slouches.

If I was only allowed to have one bow for the rest of my life it would be my Thunderhorn Coup Stick. 62", 47# @ 27".

this is a pretty useless thread that serves only as a "crowing" vehicle for those that have taste tested maybe a few bows to a whole lotta bows.  

still, just other people's opinions and none of that is gonna do you any good when it comes to the most important part of getting a bow - no, not about the design, materials, build, finish, brand, etc - it's how the bow PERFORMS for YOU and not me.  

so it's really ALL about the bow that chooses you, and to do so you need to shoot a bunch, a gaggle, a heckuva whole lotta bows.  

can't do that?  yer in good company, join most of the folks looking to buy (and gamble their dollars).  

it's also a gamble to have a bow made for you, as the vast majority involve hand craftsmanship that will vary from bow to bow from the same bowyer.

so, in the best of all worlds, go out and test drive as many as you can that are for sale, find one that likes you "best" (and vice versa), and maybe if it'll ease yer mind post here for more info about yer prospective new stick for real world feedback.

good luck.

QuoteOriginally posted by Friend:
Ran a couple hundred thru a Mohawk several months back. Would absolutely have been my best shooting experience, if I could have shot it straight instead of left. The arrows used may have contributed some and the experience was so special that I want to give the Mohawk another go.

not unusual with any bow - yep, the arrows you used were the wrong ones indeed.

tomahawk diamond series with a black widow running second

My picks are:

Morrison ILF's

Morrisons in General actually..just partial I guess.lol

Treadway Black Swamp

ACS