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!    

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!