Custom Bows

[Vulcanman]

Hey Guys, I'm looking to picking up a traditional bow and give it a shot.
Instead of going to a big box store I'd like to go the custom route. Who is a good custom bow maker in Texas? The closer to DFW the better.
What should I look for in a bow?
In advance, thanks for the help.

[edwardv]

If your looking for a good, easy to shoot, easy to learn with trad bow that won't blow a huge hole in your wallet, you shoud look at Quinn bows. David's Stallion has an aluminum riser and awesome limbs, RH only though. They sell for $250 for the regular Stallion and $280 if you want Bubinga limbs. He also has his Longhorn. It has a nice wooden riser and the same awesome limbs. They go for $380'ish. I sell them and I can't remember the exact price.

If you're in the market for a bow that is a little more attratcive, but still easy to shoot and easy to learn with, you could consider Bob Lee. Awesome bows. I absolutly love hes bows. The start at $515 for his hunter model takedown recurve and longbow.

A more expensive but also awesome bow maker is Hornes Archery. He builds a very fast bow. Not very forgiving, though. You have to be pretty good to get the benefit out of a very fast bow like a Horne.

Mike Palmer in Sabinal, TX makes an awesome bow. He learned from Bob Lee. I've owned a couple of his bows. He's only making one model right now and it's about $1200.

Roland Jenkins makes awesome longbows. I've shot a few of his bows, never owned one, though.

There are a few more that I just can't think of their names right this second.

Good luck.

Edward

[edwardv]

Just noticed I didn't answer the second half of your question.

First, don't get too much bow. Don't expect to be pulling 60#+ like most people pull on a compound. If you've never shot trad before, 45# is plenty to start with so you can learn good form and technique and not hurt yourself in the process.

Second, you want to look for a bow that is comfortable to pull at your draw length. If you are like me and pull 29" you need a bow that can go back that far without stacking. The standard in the US is 60" for some reason, but not all 60" bows are the same. For example, I can't shoot a 60" Palmer or a 60" Bob Lee because they begin to get uncomfortable at my 29" draw length. I need a 62" Palmer or Bob Lee.

You have to look at the length of the riser in relation to the length of the bow. Bob Lee and Palmer have long risers (about 19" - I'm going off memory I don't have one infront of me right now), David Quinn has a short riser (about 17"). I own a 60" Quinn Stallion that I shoot just fine.

I've also owned short Chek Mate's that had short risers and short Fedora's that also had short risers. I could pull them to 29" with no problem. I got a 60" Palmer and quickly resold it because I couldn't get it back to 29" with out it stacking.

Just a few pointers. If you want more, shoot me an email. sureshotarchery@peoplepc.com

Later,
Edward

[broken arrow]

Bob Lee, Navajo bows by Roy Hall, 21st century longbows, David Oakes Brush country bows, Bob Sarrels bows. those are my favorite Texas bowyers.

Like Edward said, don't overbow, start out around 45-50 #'s at 28" draw. If your draw is 29" with a compound, you will more than likely lose 1-1 1/2" draw with a trad bow. I prefer longer bows around 64-66" just because they draw smoother for me, but i am a 30-31" draw.

Good luck~!

[Graybow]

Great Plains in Pampa.

[stikshooter]

It is a matter of what bow fits you,my suggestion would be to go to a trad 3d shoot and shoot several different kinds,recurve,longbow,selfbow etc..There usually are several bowyers at the larger shoots and you can meet them and shoot their bows,also there are usually used bows for sale at really good prices.
The ideal of not starting too heavy is a good one,too heavy of a bow just causes bad form and bad habits.

[Bisch]

My vote is for Bob Sarrels longbow or recurve. Bob lives in Austin but has sold bows to archers all over the state. For a truly custom bow you get the most for your mobey in one of Bob's bows. I own 3 of these bows and love them. As was stated above start with a lower poundage bow and practice a lot to develop good form and release. You can look at Bob's bows at www.sarrelsarchery.com. As Stikshooter said, if you go to a 3-D shoot in Texas you will see many trad shooters and most will let you try their bow at the parctice range. Good luck with this. There is no better feeling than when you take your first animal with trad equipment and you will probably be hooked after that. Also, when you decide on a bow and buy it, start your practice close (10 yds) and stay ther until you get consistent there and then move out to 15. when you start meeting other trad shooters in your area you will be able to find someone who will help you "figure it out" as you are learning.

Good Luck and hopoe to see you at a 3-D shoot with a longbow or recurve in your hand,

Bisch

[Longstick]

Ron Foley in Groesbeck makes a fine bow..Im about to sell a LB of his to upgrade into a BlackWidow.. is 60" 49@28" . I added Arrow Wraps Unlimited Diamondback to the backing which can remove easily..am selling for $400 shipped..is a nice bow for sure and less than a year old

[delriowil]

I have to say Bob Sarrels. I have two of his longbows and they shot great FOR ME. Bob Lee also has a nice longbow and recurve. Where are you located. Someone might be close by you to where they might let you shoot something they have.

[Longstick]

Just happened to think of Mark Horne..he builds a nice bow and lives in Boyd kinda 'tween Ft Worth and Decauter

[Live2Hunt]

I would start with a nice Wing Archery recurve off eBay for under a $100.00 in a very low poundage.

I currently shoot a Bob Lee recurve and its a great bow. Shoots good and hits HARD.

With that said they next bow I buy is gonna be a custom Bob Sarrels longbow. Mr. Sarrels makes an amazing bow. I shot one and now I am hooked. The danger is once you start you cant stop and wind up with half a dozen of his bows or so. I mean just look at the signature of the guys on this site with his bows. It looks like a resume or something.

[Feederwatcher]

IMHO its had to beat a Massie Longhorn, but it would have to be a used one. They're around.

FW

[Superdog]

Got any websites or phone numbers for these guys.

[stykshooter]

http://www.bobleearchery.com/

http://www.sarrelsarchery.com/index.html

https://www.foleycustombows.com

[BowBuddy]

Personally i think David Oakes Bows have a lot of hand shock, like Bob Lees,hornes and that is all i can tell you from the above list. if you want a sweet bow for a decent price get a Martin Savannah or a Check Mate raven, I have one of these and it is a great short bow. I have a bruin deflex express on another link, it is a sweet bow but i have a widow and need the cash right now so the bruin is a sweet shooter, but I have to get rid of it.
Paul