I am about to buy my first Black Widow bow. I have wanted one since I used to stare at the BW catalog at my grandparent's house more than 30 years ago. I'd like y'all's expert opinion. Are the different woods simply an aesthetic choice or are there performance benefits to the different kinds/combos?  For example, would a Curly Maple limb on an Osage riser shoot faster than a Cocabola riser with Bocote limbs, etc. Etc?  Thanks for your thoughts and opinions.

It's all just cosmetic.

Have y'all seen any limb/riser combos that are particularly good looking?  So many choices. 😁

For limbs it's cosmetic....unless you get boo cores or carbon.

Riser ...it could bump up weight of the bow.

Look at a lot of bows and pick what you like I doubt you will feel the difference in performance....So many choices so little time.   [attachment=1]  I think black and white ebony looks good....

If you gotta have the latest and greatest get something with carbon limbs.  Here is one with carbon limbs and an osage riser... good luck and make sure you post what ya get.... [attachment=1]

I've always liked the gray bark and autumn oak

If you like some weight in your riser, Kingwood is very heavy. I have a PASX with Kingwood and Osage and it's heavier then my MA11 gray bark.

If you go with Kingwood the curly Maple would be a nice contrast. I Osage I have turned quite dark and for me I should of went with a lighter wood.

Let us know what you picked and don't forget pics. Good luck.

Pics People, he needs pics.

I always thought graybark would be what I'd buy but then these showed up. First is Tiger Myrtle limbs.

The second is my favorite Black and White Ebony.

You have probably thought about these also, but I'll throw them in also.
Length
Which grip? There are a lot of options.
(I like the Asbel grip in a recurve and Toby grip in the PL.
And weight of riser.

Here's mine and I love it. I think the laminated riser is pretty heavy. I think thus green leaf and elm look good. I shot it just a while ago,and did really well this morning. This bow lends itself to the first shot being right on.

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There is also a black glass riser I've heard about. But havnt seen one. That might be nice with carbon limbs.

They have done some risers in G10. Super heavy. Adds some extra cost too.

It's mostly cosmetic.  Different woods have different densities which can affect overall bow weight and limb weights.  Heavier limbs will theoretically shoot a little slower but you aren't talking about much, just a few FPS but nothing of any real world significance.  More mass in the riser will make it feel more steady in the hand and during the shot cycle as compared to a lighter riser.  All that said, 95% or more of performance comes down to simple design/geometry, overall mass, draw weight, and to a lesser degree limb core type.  So, if you like light bows pick something that's known for light weight like maple or if you want the stability of more mass go for something more dense like ironwood or cocobolo.  Other than that it just boils down to aesthetics.

Check out there website for pictures of bow wood combo's. Just had one on Facebook that was drop dead gorgeous. Performance, they don't make any outrageous claims on being the fastest nor are they. But they are stable and easy to shoot. The carbon adds more stability than speed according to them. Personally I am staying away from exotic woods, our very dry climate does play well with them.

Does anyone else remember the all black versions and then for a brief time a camo option back in the day?? Don't remember the years as I didn't have internet or cell phones so had to order the catalogs and day dream about one day owning one. Lol. I was young and poor. Man I feel old now!!!!

Yes Tim the MB was an all black model.  I have pics of mine somewhere.  That was my daydreaming time as well late 80s early 90s...

I had a all black HS. 76#! I couldnt pull that 1" now lol!

Quote from: ROSCO on December 07, 2022, 07:53:50 PM
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That's a good looking bow! Got any pics of the limbs?