Hey guys, was just dreaming of Norms gorgeous looking Blacktail Legacy bows. If you are familiar with them what is your favourite one to date? I'll get the ball rolling. I like the Black Walnut legacy featuring the stag and acorns. Just awesome!

The big thing with bows like that is they are all better looking in hand than they are in pictures so tough to decide...Norm and Alan get some of the best pictures in the business and they will still not be able to show the subtle differences of grain and colouration...the Legacy bows are not my cup of tea really...if I was buying another Blacktail it would be a Snakebit like the one I bought and sold earlier this year, only this time it would be a one piece lefty

DDave

Fully agree Camodave. I'm sure they would look much better in the flesh. I am lucky enough to own a snakebit takedown and it is a bow of sheer beauty. Also one of the best shooting bows I currently own. Hope you get the one piece lefty one day! The other Legacy I like at the moment is the Sitka with the two fighting bears....Pure aesthetic bliss!

Too ornate for me. Looks more like museum grade furniture than a hunting tool. Don't get me wrong, Mr Johnson dose a fine job. I just can't relate the wood carving, inlay work, ect. With traditional archery. The same for metal riser bows but that's just me.

A fully engraved custom Randall knife with carved or scrimshawed ivory handle and gold inlays is a gorgeous thing, but most won't ever own one or even think about dipping it in blood. A basic Randall will do just as well.

I've seen the Legacy bows in-hand and they are phenomenal works of working, sporting, weapon-art. Breath-taking to hold and look at. Obviously they would shoot wonderfully.

I'd love to own one but would not be inspired to hunt with it. I simply prefer a 'quieter' bow in the woods...a tool if you will. If a guy buys a $2,000 Randall and loves using it for everyday hunting chores, more power to him!

My favorite would be the Walnut one with the two bears on it.

I would like to see Blacktail introduce a basic bow with perhaps one straight accent stripe and black glass front and back, a basic working-man's bow - sell for about $700-800??? (sorry, off topic I know...I'd just like to see a blacktail the average guy can afford and not be terrified to hunt with because it's too pretty).

I'm an average guy, but I just ordered my 3rd blacktail last week. Still own the first two. I skimp, I save, I work extra, I keep my credit cards at zero or very low, my oldest Blacktail is from 2002, I've spaced out the buying. Sure the legacy is nice, the carving in the photos is something many of us have never seen on a bow. I'm sure some folks really like them. If I owned one I'd sure for shoot it, Most of my equipment gets used sooner or later. Yes the legacy, snakebit and Higher Tier models are priced more than I'm willing to pay, But I'm at point in my life where I'm going to buy the bow I like, at a cost reasonable to me, and I like Blacktails.

I sure admire the workmanship that goes into the Legacy bows but they are a little too fancy for my taste...and I own two Snakebits...lol. Beautiful work though, very much investment grade gear and well deserving of the "Legacy" brand.

Every bow I own I would take hunting, my Blacktail Snakebits are my go-to bows at the moment. Admittedly, my hunting is relatively easy on gear though and I am somewhat careful with them in the woods. The few marks and dings I get on my bows are thought of more as "character" than damage. With a little care I can hunt without getting too much character on them.

Oh my god why did you guys have to bring up Blacktail bows? I dream and surf Norm's web site at least once a week. Living in Oregon it's even worse not owning a blacktail. I have slowly convinced my self that at some point I will own a blacktai Sitka most likely. Just waiting for the right one to pop up under the stock bows. Dang now I have to go check out his web site again.

the one with the 2 bears on the riser, it cost $5200, extra set of limbs $12oo, does look nice,, goldentrout,, norm used to make a simple looking one back than, maple with a straight stripe in the riser,,

I look at it this way, those bows are in the category if you have to ask how much you can't afford it. If you don't have to ask you just buy it and go hunting with it...along with your $15000.00 shotgun.

If I had more more money than brain cells I'd buy one in a heart beat just cause I love fine wood and craftsmanship like that, but even if I was rich it would probably just be a show piece or 3D bow.

I've owed two Blacktails and they are fine shooting bows no doubt but these bows are on a whole different level...just too pretty to be considered a hunting tool in my opinion.

Allways backtails but could never afford the legacy so why look.

A couple of votes so far for the fighting bears on the walnut! I am a bit like you too Easykeeper, I am very careful with my snakebit in the bush. I often use my little Shakespeare sierra that I bought for $120 off ebay. Its a good shooter! I would love to see a howling wolf with a mother of pearl full moon in the background on one of the legacy bows. Out of my price range at the moment, but it doesn't hurt to look...

This is way too long for a Blacktail thread to go without any pictures...just a plain old Snakebit

DDave

Nice bow Dave! Here's another Snakebit.

This photo was taken just after I got it a few years back. The snakewood has deepened and become richer in tone with age. I need to get some new pictures, I like the wood better with a little patina.

Your right, what's a Blacktail thread without pictures?

2X!

X 3, Snag do you possibley reconize that 1 piece in the back? pretty sure that was yours at one time. It since left this stable too.LOL

BTW I really like the Legacy bow I never know what I will get next myself. Its not for the faint of heart that bow.LOL

This one hahaha

TTT

If you hit the lottery would you buy one of these bows?

I think I would...it would be shot in the backyard and then hung over the mantel.

Still not a hunting tool in my opinion but is in reality,just a pretty one.

These Blacktail Legacy bows just keep getting better and better! Choose your poison. These guys are master crafters thats for sure.

I'll try a little bigger!

Here's another one. I just love the mother of pearl in this bow.

if i ever get ritch i will by one

Wow, I did not know what they have been doing at Blacktail! Beautiful artwork indeed!

My brother has a beautiful Blacktail recurve that a guy sold on eBay. He had no reserve and a starting bid at $100. It was in the summer and nobody was interested so there were no other bids. The seller was angry but shipped it to my brother.

Wow, that would've been a good score for $100 Fisher!

Yes, the bow was like new. It is the current 3 piece take down model. Very nice bow indeed at quite a discounted price.

Talked to Alan a few months back and he assured me the performance of the various Blacktail models is the same. Paying only for the exotic wood upgrades, engraving, etc. Since then picked up a nice used one piece Elite VL. Not that long into traditional archery but I am truly impressed with this bow's performance. Pretty darn fast as far as I'm concerned but what really blows me away is the wide range of arrows and spines this bow can handle. When I found out they are once again offering the Columbian longbow, I put in a call to Alan, and long story short, one is on the way. Hopefully before hunting season kickoff. I don't have as many hunting seasons left as I would want, so decided to live a little and go out in style.

I've owned 7 or 8 of Norms bows back when they were just wonderfully made and not so fancy...this new line of his bows is just georgous..but way out of my price range..I'm sure they shoot well but I can't see myself ever even being able to afford a used one.

Dewayne Martin

I haven't been shooting traditional very long and am not familiar with Blacktail bows. I went to their website to see what the fuss was all about. Holy !?!hit That is just beautiful art. I think these bows go beyond archery and into the realm of fine art. With silver inlay, mother of pearl, woods I have never heard of, it's a revelation. If you don't know Blacktail, treat yourself and go to the website. It's like looking at the art books I used to sneak out of the library when I was a kid (but without the nudes).

Come on 30guy. You can tell us why you really snuck those art books out of the library. We were all kids once too.

I really enjoy seeing all the new Legacy bows coming out. They all have different subject matter and wood combos. Check them out if you havent already done so. Functional works of art!

Most expensive bow on the planet. Putting my kid in colleage is more important.

I personally am not that attracted to the legacy bows. I love Blacktails and have owned 3 of them, one being the 3 piece Sitka I had made and am currently hunting with. I'm less interested in the ornate and more interested in solid craftsmanship and quality wood grains.

But I have to say, these Blacktail threads make my heart flutter a little bit! If, IF, I won the lottery or something I would probably splurge and order a legacy, maybe something with a Mtn Goat or 2 Big Horn Sheep sparing, just because I'm such a Blacktail fan.

I thought I read in TBH recently that BT is going to offer a "working mans" bow once again. Did anyone else read that? Also, it looks like the legacy bows have some nice checkering on the grips... although the stipple is nice, it doesn't compare to the checjering on a Silvertip!

RymanCat, you sold that one piece to me. I hunted with it last year, then sold it to fund the purchase of my Sitka. Beautiful bow...

Wow is your Sitka, Mark? I'd like to order one when things straighten out a little hopefully in coming months.

Can we see some pictures I like short risers. I like all the legacy exotics and maybe get some Mt. Lion if available one day things done up?

Check out their website...I believe that working man's bow is already there

DDave

Yep...it is called the Hunter

DDave

I just picked up a Sitka T2 Special Edition with a thuya burl and gaboon ebony riser and tiger myrtle veneers back and belly footed with thuya burl. Gorgeous bow and shoots like a dream at only 40 lbs. The Legacy, for me anyway, is way too ornate. Interferes with the aesthetics of the wood combos. Sort of like a beautiful woman wearing too much makeup.

Anyone shooting the Columbian longbow? I know a man who has 25+ Blacktails! He wins.

Blacktails are DISGUSTING! Send me ALL of your blacktail bows so I can DESTROY! Please try and keep them in the 50# range! I only own 3 but would like more and MORE! Good Luck this FALL!

I'm shooting the Columbian Snag. It's 43 @28 and while not blazing fast, does the job as the doe I took with it during early season would attest if she could. Mine is tillered for three under and is very quiet and smooth drawing. As with all Blacktails, the workmanship is top notch. I would not hesitate to recommend it. Of course I'm biased.

Here's a photo of the Sitka I had made last year: Wenge and Rosewood with Mertle in the limbs. 60" 58#@30" It's a lovely bow. My first new bow and my first custom bow!

I checked out the Hunter models on the website. I'm not sure I'd order one. Part of my biggest attraction to trad bows is the wood. To have it covered up with a camo pattern kinda defeats it for me... but I'm sure if I had one in hand and shot it I might change my mind. I wish they would make a simple laminate hunter model. A tip of the hat to the Brackenburys maybe...

I like the subject matter on this one! I know some say they are too ornate, but I love them.

Chrome dont getcha Home ............Ol Fred Bear will Though !!! Hehehehe

Snag, I second what Stykman states about the Columbian. Great bow, workmanship topnotch, draws really smooth and very quiet. Here is a picture of mine . . . Camphor Burl riser and limb veneers, riser footed with ebony, limbs footed with Wenge.

Michael

A picture of the Columbians bottom limb showing the Camphor Burl veneers and footing of Wenge . . .

Michael

Would love to have a Legacy, just to much for my pocket book! They sure are pretty . . . If I had one, I would have to take something with it, I think they are made to hunt with, at least a little bit!

Here is a picture of my Sitka, 56", 50lbs @ 28", Bolivian rosewood riser and limb footings, Myrtle riser footing and limbs . . .

Michael

Here is a picture of the top limb . . .

Michael

Here are the arrows I made for the Sitka -

Michael

Thanks for sharing your pics Stringmaker. Your Sitka and longbow are stunning bows! I own a Snakebit, which is my go to hunting bow. I would love to try a Sitka one day. Nothing like a set of nice arrows to complement a good looking bow!

Time for another legacy series bow!!

Beautiful bows Stringmaker!

They have had some stunning Legacy bows recently. I usually don't like animal inlays since they rarely look right. They look right on the Blacktails though, really stunning work.

Everybody talks about how expensive Blacktails are, and they really can reach astronomical prices. For a "normal" one though, they really aren't much different in cost compared to most other top of the line customs. Another favorite bow of mine is the Schafer Silvertip, put a few options on one of them and you can quickly get the price up to the point where it really hurts.

The Legacy bows are a tour de force of the bowyers craft. You certainly could hunt with them but I don't think that's really what they are made for.

Just like a detailed flintlock rifle, doesn't mean you can't hunt with them, but you would be upset if you nicked one. To fancy to use......wing

Blacktail is to stickbows as Holland and Holland is to SXS shotguns. I'm surprised the bows aren't 2X what they ask. They are a cut above everything else.

Not my cup of tea. For that kinda money I would expect that kinda workmanship but not so much of it and would also expect a "one of a kind" with top performance.

Somebody gimme a rasp so I can scrape some of that fruit salad off those bows...

I always said there was no price to much for a bow I guess I'm a lyer about 1800-2000 and that's my max my wife might have a different max but I can alway try to squeeze out another hundred. Too sweet to even hunt with. If you ever wanted to see a guy freak out about a scratch I would freak out if I scratched any of them bows. Works of art.

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