What is it when looking at trad bows? What is the general consensus on what hardcore trad hunters look for in a bow? (Not speaking of bells and whistles here) Wood? Riser length? Shelf? Limb tips? Like to hear your experience/opinions. Thanks
Not hardcore, but regarding "looks" only, its jsut something that strikes my eye. NO particular aspect at all. However, since it is used to kill things, my most critical aspect of a trad bow is that it shoots where I look without having to "work" at it. Unfortunately that can't always be firugred out until after its bought.
Its a combination of a couple of things. First its looks, gotta catch my eye! If I don't like the looks of it I most likely will not check it out! If I like the looks and get interested I'll look at the grip! I'm kinda getting the idea of what type of grip I can shoot! I've shot s few different bows nowadays and can tell right away if i can shoot it or not, almost by looking at it! The length of a bow is a toss up right now! I have a 64" Longbow that I can shoot very well, at least I feel I do! I recently picked up a 58" Longbow because I wanted to try a shorter bow! This bow is a beauty, a real looker. I wasn't sure about the grip at first but I'm coming around. I need to give it some serious shooting time, tomorrow its warming up into the mid 40's and I'll spend quality time with it! I shot it yesterday very well! I like to be able to pick up a bow and shoot it with out having to think about my grip, I have found that in the standard RER grip, this WILL be my next bow!
I guess I may have worded my thread a little off or something. Aesthetics is not at all a concern to me. If the bow shoots well, I could care less about who's M-in-Law it looks like. The grip, is a point of interest BHF. Why do certain grips "fit" better? And how does this make the bow shoot better, or more comfortably? And the Bow length? How does this differ in shooting capability? Expound on this a little more please Jeff. Thanks
Bobby its not that the grip makes the bow shoot better it makes you shoot better! With the right grip your hand goes to the exact same position EVERY time your shoot! With good form your going to shoot better, hence the bow shooting better so to speak! I like the palm swell certain grips have! This pic shows the palm swell. To me the grip on this bow is hands down the best I've ever shot! I have a feeling I will compare all the bows I shoot from here on out to this grip, we'll see!
These are the things I was looking for. What makes a trad bow the easiest to shoot and hunt with. Also, I am still up in the air on how the different woods effect the bow's performance. By the way, BHF, that riser looks sharp. And Jeff, the dullness of the bow you ordered is what I intend to do to my recurve. (Idea going on.) What makes you guys desire the takedown over the one-piece? Anyone else who wants to chime in, please do so. (Where ya at Russ?) Thanks Thanks
I already have 2 one piece Longbows now. My next bow will be a RER LX, which is a takedown! Like Jeff, I like the ease of travel as well maybe getting a different set of limbs, heavier or lighter!
* What makes a trad bow the easiest to shoot and hunt with. Do you mean easiest apart from compounds or one trad bow to another? * the dullness of the bow you ordered is what I intend to do to my recurve. You might also think about cloth camo tape. It goes on very well comes in various patterns and comes off easy. I like the beauty of high gloss on wood. * What makes you guys desire the takedown over the one-piece? Travel is always the main reason but also consider if you have a limb failure or a riser split you only need to replace the part not the whole bow. With a TD you can have different weight bows in one using different limbs. I personally prefer the look of a one piece to a TD but I have both.
One trad bow to another. No worries VA, not going to harm my glossy finish. Got something similar to what you are referring to in mind. This would be my only reason for ever owning one, unless it was just one "I had to have" because of shootability.(Is that a word?) Thanks VA for the input.
I never foresee flying to go hunting unless someone pays my way or I hit the lotto. (And I don't even play)
I dont even own one yet but am in the process of getting my first..i am starting by looking at what catches my eye in the criteria i am looking for...then weighing the options between reviews/ratings/shootability/quality vs cost. I am limited funds here, which limits the bows I can look at. I THINK I have it down to 1 of 3-4 bows for a starter here, but can't be sure until I finally get one.
The biggest thing for me Is the GRIP size and shape of the handle! If It feels good In my hand, were going to get along well. But a person can also get used to something different also. When I got my custom takedown recurve 14 years ago the handle had a huge high wrist to It and I had the option of sanding the handle/grip to what I wanted. I got lazy and was sick of sanding so I settled on the grip and went with It. I had never liked a high wrist grip before but over time I grew to like It and now It just seems the norm for me. I also want a recurve that's not going to have much stack to it. Stacking sucks and It can be a pain In the ass when shooting high draw weight traditional bows. My recurve stacks terribly, It's not a very smooth drawing bow. My next one will not stack this bad! I prefer a takedown recurve for the simple fact that you can get different limbs If one has trouble. Otherwise I'd never own one for the simple fact that there heavier then any other traditional bow, at least the ones I've owned are heavier anyway. Appearance of the bow (looks) Is really playing a key role also In my next purchase for a recurve. I wasn't that way before but I've seen allot of sharp looking takedowns with some awesome combination's of wood that have really peaked my Interest as of late. I also want a recurve that's going to have some get up and go to It. Something that's going to be in that 200 fps range like my recurve I have now. When I shoot something I like to knock It on It's ass when I hit It!! Before I had limb trouble with the recurve I have now I was hitting about 210 fps drawing 73lbs shooting a 561 grain arrow and man did they knock an animal good. Always excellent penetration and my arrows hit with an authority, that's what I want with my new set up and plan on finding just that. As far as wood combination's In bows for performance factors, you got me there. I know nothing!
I'm very far from hardcore, but I looked for asthetics and comfort in my hand right off the bat. Then after shooting several it needed to feel smooth. I do not think I could buy a traditional bow without holding/shooting it first.
Bobby. Been busy chasing my tail trying to get caught up on a few things. But as most have said the biggest thing is the grip, if the grip dont fit you then you are not going to shoot worth a crap:d
Not sure what "that" fit is all about yet, I guess. I know I have shot a few compounds and I felt pretty comfortable with all of them. I always just kinda let my hand fit to the grip. My palm area is all I usually have putting any pressure on the riser. If that is what the "fit" is all about, then I am ok with what I have. I have always felt (with any bow), that if my form does not suffer because of the way the grip hits my palm, I'm good. By the way, any of you guys ever used a wrist lanyard on your trad bows? I am seriously considering this due to the fact that I relax my hand so much, and have trained myself not to grip/torque at the shot. I sometimes worry my bow (recurve) might end up at the base of my tree if I am not careful. LAEq