Best Custom Bowyer

[dlee56]

By "best" I'm looking for most consistent and most technically sound. I love my satori setup at the moment but there's still something about a custom stickbow. I know some of the giants like Wengard, Toelke, and Black Widow put out an bombproof product but I'm wondering what everyone else's favorites are.

I like having the high tolerances and consistency of an ILF, is it even realistic to expect that out of a custom bow?

 

[Foggy Mountain]

You’d be asking a loaded question. Everyone has their favorites, than companies like Black Widow claim custom but imo aren’t truly, lots of machining same as other companies.
I myself seem to favor Robertson for hunt bows some reason, I’ve got 3 but than again I’ve got 2 Widows, Toelkes and have had others from each.
Why don’t you start out with saying what you want? For instance Toelke and Widow are pretty different. One heavy and clubby the other one often not.
How much are you willing to spend? A silvertip is awful nice but pricey, same too a blacktail can be. Might be more than you want to bang through brush. Did I mention a silvertip lol

 

[Phil j]

Morrison makes a very nice bow I love mine.

 

[Arbowhunter32]

Bob lee makes an amazing bow. Headland custom bows is another I have and am pleased with, and for a long bow big stick archery is a nice hybrid. I’ve shot a toelke and stalker as well both were great bows. But I keep going back to my Lee every time I try to switch.

 

[Btaylor]

Stalker is another to add to the list. If South can make the ACS limb work in a super curve, that could be a pretty remarkable bow.

Are you more interested in a recurve or a long bow?

 

[msalm]

I’ve had several different custom recurves from an early Bighorn, Blacktail, Black Widow, and a Great Plains. Kept the Great Plains, it’s similar to their SR Swift, but an older model from the early 90’s. Great shooting bow that any of the others I tried just didn’t feel as good, weren’t as quiet, and didn’t shoot as fast. GP’s are excellent bows.

 

[LostArra]

Bob Sarrels in Texas
Dave Dwyer in Wisconsin

 

[Wrench]

Pretty much any of the makers who have been around for a decade or two will do you right. They all specialize in something slightly different. I have never owned one I didn't find something i loved and wish was different.

When i park my Toelke next to my stalker, the stalker 100% catches the eye faster. I shoot the Toelke better, my buddy shoots the stalker better....it is all about what YOU want.

I will mirror an above post about great plains. They make the tomahawk for 3 rivers. That very well could be the most underrated commercially available bow ever. Dead in the hand, quiet and fast.

Heck, i have a 20 year old martin hatfield that makes me look like a star when i shoot it.

I shot a striker which is a lower price point version that is closest to the stalker and it was a nice rig too.

Find the shape you want, the weight, materials, take down style (STRONGLY encourage the bow bolt) and weigh the availability and customers reviews, that will cut it down to 25 or so choices.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

South makes an amazing bow. His attention to detail and craftsmanship is top notch.

 

[oldgoat]

Ive been buying and selling bows for about ten years now, I'm lucky enough to have rmsgear as my local shop and I wouldn't even dream about buying a custom bow new without shooting one first, or at least shooting some models from that bowyer. I did buy a Toelke Whistler without shooting one first but I had at that time shot and or owned several models of Toelke!

 

[ScottinPA]

Like said above, its a lot of personal preference. I have 4 Schafer Silvertips but also have shot and like Stalker, Robertson, Wengerd, BW, Morrison, and Hummingbird. I recently picked up a Baltic Bows LB.
Owning multiple brands with all their minor differences could prevent you from shooting your best.

I'm always trying stuff and have been eyeing up an older BW to add to the stable.

 

[Beendare]

IME,

 

[butcherboy]

I’ve had two stickbows in the last 20 years. A Shafer Silvertip and a Marriah Thermal. I really liked both bows but preferred the Schafer. The Marriah was a little to heavy for me at 60#. I sold them both and patiently waiting on my Stalker Coyote. I ordered it with both longbow and recurve limbs, 62”, 50# @ 28”

 

[Btaylor]

Like said above, its a lot of personal preference. I have 4 Schafer Silvertips but also have shot and like Stalker, Robertson, Wengerd, BW, Morrison, and Hummingbird. I recently picked up a Baltic Bows LB.
Owning multiple brands with all their minor differences could prevent you from shooting your best.

I'm always trying stuff and have been eyeing up an older BW to add to the stable.

How do you like the Baltic? He makes some really nice looking bows.

 

[OSU Fisher]

My great uncle makes liberty bows. Been around a long time and are extremely nice imo.

 

[ScottinPA]

How do you like the Baltic? He makes some really nice looking bows.

It's nice. Still haven't finished tuning it but fit and finish are pretty good.

 

[Brucebarker024]

I absolutely love my wengerd ibex. I don’t have another custom bow to compare it to but I like it way more than my satori.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dixiemagnum80]

I love my Black Widow SAIII that I bought in 2002 but it’s just a little heavy for me at 56#. I’m still building strength towards it again. I just ordered a new Mike Treadway longbow a month ago or so. That will be an exciting addition. Other than that, I shoot mostly old Wing bows which are amazing for their age.

 

[wytx]

Herb Meland, Pronghorn Custom bows, Casper Wyoming
I now shoot a Predator Longbow made by Robert Lutkenhaus in Muenster, Tx. It has carbon lams and shoots like a dream for me.

 

[ODB]

Herb Meland, Pronghorn Custom bows, Casper Wyoming
I now shoot a Predator Longbow made by Robert Lutkenhaus in Muenster, Tx. It has carbon lams and shoots like a dream for me.

I shoot a Bill Kerner that I had him build me in 1994. I’ve had Wallace’s and Robertson’s but can’t shoot anything as well as my kerner. It has what he called the Competition Speed Limb which has a full-length strip of carbon. I don’t remember any other bowyers who did that in 1994. That was a fun project as I would stop over at his house and watch him build my bow. When it came time to shape the handle we spent a full day tweaking it. Good memories of a great guy.