Recommendations for a traditional bow?

Barbarossa

Barbarossa

Joined
Nov 14, 2007
Messages
701
I want to get back into archery and want to try the traditional route. I know there are a lot of traditional bow makers out there. Which ones are the top of the line and which ones should I stay away from?
 
What kind of traditional bow are you looking for?

Longbow
Longbow with Reflex/Deflex
Reflex bow
Snap bow

Do you have a preference between a selfbow (made from only one piece of wood) or a laminated bow?
If laminated, do you want an all wood laminate or a wood/glass or wood/cloth laminate?

When narrowing down a bow maker, you should figure out what you want and then look for a maker that specializes in that type of bow.
 
I scored a Martin x-200 a while back.. it is the best shooting bow I;ve ever seen... it is just a joy topay with and the fit and finish are second to none. despite the fact that it is there "budget model" (around 250 new)
 
Martin makes a hell of a bow-I have a Hunter myself. Super light, real natural feeling. Howard Hill is a good place to start for wood laminates... their stuff is top of the top of the line, and their prices are actually pretty reasonable.
 
Register at www.stickbow.com and look around. Theres some good information there on all different kinds of stickbows. There are so many styles to chose from. Whether a production bow or a custom made, etc.

You'll find a lot of help there.
 
You could do a lot worse than Bear Archery. If you are looking for a recurve, then the Bear Grizzly would be a nice, inexpensive choice. If you want a longbow, then maybe the Bear Montana.

Martin / DH also makes some good production stuff. In fact many will argue that the old Damon Howatt Hunter was the best production longbow ever made. I loved mine until a broken string thrashed the upper limb.

If you want to go the custom route without spending a fortune, checkout the ChekMate Falcon (recurve) or any model by Howard Hill Archery (longbow).

My son hunts with a Bear Kodiak Magnum and I hunt with my Howard Hill Halfbreed.

Let us know what you're looking for and we can give better advice.
 
Hello fellow returning archer! After being unstrung for too many years or more I too have felt the call to return.

I can only suggest to pick one you think is cool looking.

My dream bow is Jaap Koppedrayer's South Indian, or an eastern woodland style D with a semi-active handle-which is what I used to shoot i bent recurve ears on mine.

A bow is not too hard to make but I just wanted to start shooting and a Fred Bear longbow appeared which I am now hunting with.

In the end what one bow does vs the another is not such a big deal as having good, straight shooting arrows that hit where you point them.

I guess what I'm saying is first get some kinda bow and arrows and then you can relax and take the time to find out what you really want.
 
Barbarossa said:
I want to get back into archery and want to try the traditional route. I know there are a lot of traditional bow makers out there. Which ones are the top of the line and which ones should I stay away from?
Click to expand...

Bar none the finest I have tried is a Bob Lee. Bar none I say!
 
I have a Hoyt Dorado. I love it. I have 50 lbs limbs. I can order more limbs. It breaks apart. No hand shock. Consistent/forgiving.

I tried the gamegetter or game master and did not like the feel. I have taken it rabbit hunting. I haven't shot a deer with it. I can put in my pack and go. It's lightweight and accurate.

Lester
 
+1 on the Fred Bear range of bows.

if you're not after a custom job, Bear makes some lovely stick slingers.

Martin also has some very nice offerings.
 
There are a number of really good bowyers out there - if you're looking for a reflex/deflex type longbow I can recommend a Slammer by Leon Stewart - he's in Pennsylvania I believe. Really really nice bow.
 
Agreed on Bear bows. I think the Grizzly is the best bang for the buck out there. I probably need to be shooting a draw length of 27" instead of the standard/stock 28," but I make do just fine with the Griz. My favorite bow.

Professor.
 
I have a Ben Pearson flatbow made in the late 50's. Got it odd CL for 30 bux.

Get something simple like that. Low tech is cool.
 
Thanks for all the info guys. I'll check all of them out. I wasn't really specific on what I wanted because I want one of each. :) Really I would like a selfbow longbow to start and then a Reflex/Deflex longbow laminate that is a 3 piece take down for the pack.
 
Bear Black Bear for me. Cost me $50 bucks :) Shoots better than I do.

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Have a Bear Grizzly and a Ranger, both great bows and you can get pretty good deals on them on ebay
 
Not to take over the thread but if one was interested in learning archery, especially with traditional bows where would you start? There has to be something local here in Portland that I could go visit or take lessons are whatever, right? Also I would love to learn along with my 8 year old boy. Is 8 years old to young to start pulling a bow string back?
 
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