You ever saw ???

For me, even above my bows, and above a BW i saw once in Bubinga & Osage,

It is Martin's Dream Catcher. The prettiest bow i ever saw & owned.

I love the elegance and simplistic beauty of an english longbow made of yew with horn nocks. I once owned a great northern bush bow that was made of all osage that I wish I never traded to a friend,it was a beautiful bow. Some of the bows being made today with all of the exotic hardwoods are just a little too much for me,they are almost too fancy looking for my taste.

The black and white Ebony on my whippenstick whipplash looks amazing.

Had TWO of those. The risers cracked on both of them.....within days of first shooting them. They were the last NEW bows I've owned.

Anything black & white ebony gets my vote!

Blacktail bows usually have some of the best looking woods, then Stalker

I have a Schafer 1 piece bow that has cocobolo handle with becote limbs . One of the most beautiful bows I eve saw . It is the bow laying on work bench when you open the Schafer web site .

A thread like this could quickly become a heated debate! Rather than see that happen, I'll just show you the four leading candidates now:

The top is the original "pretty" bow, the 1960 Howatt Monterey. Brazilian rosewood with rock maple accents is still hard to beat.

Next down is Skookum's combination of Mexican cocobolo and Pacific yew, in his Mojo recurve--exquisite!

Third one down is cocobolo and maple in a Marc Moriez Chek-Mate Hunter II--the prettiest takedown bow ever.

Bottom bow is my current sweetheart, a Craig Potter St. Joe River recurve in curly maple that's been toasted to perfection, and given curly purpleheart limb veneers to boot.

Choose any of the four you like, but I can't see any other possible contenders emerging. Now let's keep this debate-free, LOL.

MY longbow by our very own Jeff Freeman. I don't believe I have ever seen a blacktail look that good. Of course. I may be a bit partial. Nothing wrong with the above, we all have a different taste.

-Bones

The Brazillian rosewood of the 1959 to 1963 Bows are the best looking woods in recurves made in the past. The prettiest bow I ever owned and best looking recurve I ever shot was my 1963 Tamerlane. It was just too light of a draw weight for me when I got out of the Navy in 1970, so I traded it for a fancy risered magnesium takedown a friend said he saw several shooting in the his Instinctive Division at the NFAA Nationals. The first Tamerlanes had the best looking woods in them. Mine arrived January of 1963 and its woods were beautiful. Now, it would just be an ornament on the wall as it still does not match to what I need for shooting.

Kerry, have you been taking lessons from Frisky....Ha!Ha!

No debate!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will take the last bow you posted, it's by far the prettiest and best performing bow of them all, light weight, and I'm partial to longbows.

Number 4

We're reasonably safe from Frisky and any photos of his doggy old bows in this thread; I expect he'll be asleep for the next few hours...plenty of time for the guys with truly pretty bows to post.

Poor old Frisky prolly thinking. Why is everyone picking on me!

LOL

Kerry you may be right about the checkmate,that one will be hard to beat

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I've seen some really ugly bows folks on here have called beautiful. Red elm can be really nice or really plain depending on the piece. I have some pretty limbs of red elm.

Big Jim builds the best looking bows ever you will see. And among them, zebrawood is the most beautiful bow wood.

The first Bear Tammerlane I shot!!

X2 ny yankee, beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Black and white ebony for me.

There are many different pretty woods I have seen,now cocobolo comes in many different shades and colors.A truly orange cocobolo in a very pretty color of cocobolo.Mostly you see a red colored but when you see an orange cocobolo seems to be alittle rare from most cocobolo.

Too Me its the 1960 Kodiak Deluxe Just Beautiful !!!

Blacktail! The woods are beautiful and the craftsmanship is just outstanding. Would love to own one. Well, maybe next Christmas. :)

I really like the looks of black and white ebony also . But the cocobolo on my new thunderchild sandwiched between the rich Dard look of the leadwood is outstanding also

I really like the looks of black and white ebony also . But the cocobolo on my new thunderchild sandwiched between the rich Dard look of the leadwood is outstanding also

That black and white ebony has me drooling. Really nice.

There's been too many, please don't make me choose just one!

I've never thought of 'prettiest' in the context of archery bows, though some are good to look at. It is a personal opinion and as someone mentioned above, I've seen bows that were taken from nice to gaudy and called beautiful. In the eye of the beholder is correct. I won't mention one because I think they all are "pretty" in their own way.

My buffalo black and white ebony also.

I have one on the way. When it gets here I'll post a picture.

Oh good, a riser pic thread. Been a while.

RonG, you may be right about the St. Joe being the prettiest of those four, but in terms of performance I believe the Monterey is faster at 51# shooting B-50 than the St. Joe is at 57# shooting fast flight...and I know for sure that it's quieter.

Those Montys really were the whole package...which is why they don't come up for sale all that often. But... the St. Joe is just perfect to my eye, which I suppose is the point of this thread.

It would be impossible for me to choose from all the beautiful wood bows shown on this site. The talent of so many amazes me. The prettiest I have actually held is a G.W. Flannigan, I saw at the MCAAP shoot a few years ago. The prettiest piece of wood I own is on a Ruger Red Label over and under. My favorite killing bow, most on here make fun of but to me my Samick Sage from 3 Rivers is priceless. It produces meat just like my Zebco reels do. Good luck

"RonG, you may be right about the St. Joe being the prettiest of those four, but in terms of performance I believe the Monterey is faster at 51# shooting B-50 than the St. Joe is at 57# shooting fast flight...and I know for sure that it's quieter."

I'm calling bogus on that in the absence of a Frisky. Ain't likely going to happen with those differences. Of course, it depends since you likely can't shoot the same arrow out of both, so how do you get to such a claim?

Prettiest I ever saw had a cocbola and osage riser with juniper veneers. Some of the woods , though interesting, just get too busy for me.

George, I'm just basing it on the fact that after shooting the same 75#-spined cedar arrows from the 51# Monterey and a 51# Tice & Watts all through August and September, and getting my hand/eye wired into their trajectories...I had to re-learn it all when I got the St. Joe in October. Shooting those exact same cedar arrows, I had to elevate noticeably higher with the St. Joe recurve, especially as I went out to 35 and 40-yard shots.

Now that hunting season is past and flight-shooting has begun, I'll do a head-to-head and see how the St. Joe compares to those other two for cast, using the same arrows. In fact, I might even sneak up and do it today. Nobody calls bogus on the imaginary King of New Bowmania, LOL! ;-)

The dictionary defines pretty (and prettiest) as

"attractive in a delicate way without being truly beautiful or handsome."

As with people, there are lots of pretty bows and some that are truly gorgeous. I can't pick which are the prettiest or even the most gorgeous bows I've ever seen, but I know that bows get better looking when they are a pleasure to shoot.

Some of mine

Brack Quest

My Thunderhorn

My Silvertip

Browning Cobra is hard to beat

Another one of my Silvertip

Vintage 59' and 60' Bear and Shakespear

My vote for B&W Ebony!

What's better then 1 Thunderhorn?

I have a black and white ebony "Silver Fox" special edition by Abe Penner at Cari-bow that ranks up there with the prettiest bows I've ever seen. That is exactly why I bought it and I couldn't be happier.

Howard Hill Redman. Simple and beautiful. Never fades

Another view..

Here's a bow marketed by Sears...yep...Sears!

Designed by Buddy Watson from Indian Archery. The stamps in the riser don't seem to be Indian's style so not sure if they actually made it.

A work of art...and a shooter too!

Another view...

The whole bow...

A 1962 Howatt Monterey...X2 what crookedstix said about them.

Fast and easy on the eyes...

I think you would be hard pressed to beat any Fred Anderson bow... Alex

The whole bow...both this one and the Sears bow have turquoise glass.

here.

The old Howatts were good looking bows and great performers for the most part, even w/ B50 strings. Bear has made some beauties, the '59 they make now is a fine looking bow. As for customs, Big Jim's bows are really sharp.

How about a FASCO Phantom? 1960!

one more.

one more.

one more.

one more.

Closeup of the Phantom...

Sorry guys, that browning cobra just kicked everyones butts,lol.

Wow, awesome looking bows Peter!!! Can I rent them out? :)

I was hoping Joe would post. Not only some of the prettiest bows, but the best bow photography.

OK, now I have to post one or two of my bows. Here's a Whippenstick Phoenix, cocobolo and some macassar.

One more. RER Arroyo, macassar and zebrawood.

For me the prettiest woods are Black and white ebony, zebrawood, and bocote. If I had to pick one it would be zebrawood.

My Drake is likely the best of all-time! Hard to beat the woods in this riser, and the glass color is amazing! That said, I've seen some snakey selfbows that are fantastic works of art, and that 1960 Kodiak Deluxe is a beauty!

Joe

I will vote for this combo, fresh off the mail truck, from a guy we all know in Pa.

Frisky, show us the "amazing glass color"!

By special request, here's the amazing glass color.

Joe

Torquise ?

Hard to beat that one Frisky.

Hands down Koa. It's the most varied and beautiful wood I've ever worked with

Thanks joe vt

Here's a 1960 Monterey...I love laminations!

A Tall Tines that is easy to look at...

X3 for the Chek-Mate Hunter II.

What a beautiful bunch of bows...like that checkering ruffedges!

LOL..."Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream-Bow"! Who could have guessed that Frisky would post that photo on this of all threads!

Since we are pushing black and white ebony, here is my bushman.

Joe VT, what ever that table or slab of wood your bows are on would make a beautiful riser!

My latest Tall Tine. Brian is quiet an artist.

My Super Necedah has it going on also.

The limbs to my Tall Tine.

The limb tip to my new Tall Tine. Musk Ox Burl.

Send that tall tines this way... that wood has more going on in it than the eye can consider.

another shot of my bow

Another shot of my new Tall Tine. Does it get any prettier.

Here’s mine

60's Howatt Diablo.........Nice.

Purely subjective topic, but this Macassar ebony and tulipwood bow is one of the nicest that I've ever made.

Yes Brandon, that combination and the Pierce Points look "real nice"! Makes me think of Jerry Pierce's bows and some one that owns one should post a picture for the rest of us to enjoy. Never get tired of looking at pretty wood.

Here's a pic of my Jerry Pierce Choctaw.

Who said they like zebrawood best? This Kodiak Special Deluxe w/a zebrawood flair is hard to beat.

This Kodiak Deluxe is a pretty bow too.

Recurve Crafter- That ebony and tulipwood bow is a beauty!

RA- Hard to beat the Kodiak Deluxe!

Joe

Thanks Frisky. Agree re the ebony and tulipwood bow too. What a work of art!

I also love the simple elegance and beauty of a 62 Kodiak Special. This one may not be the most beautiful out there, but it's mine so I think it's pretty nice! Just one wood, one cool limb color.

Really neat! I bet it's a shooter too!

Joe

"Sunset" Cocobolo and Bocote.

My Jack Kempf Kwik Styk which I pried loose from C Dave at great cost.

Trying for picture

Sorry folks! Sandy

Javaman Inferno.

Colt Huntsman Hi-Power...How could a 12year old kid resist THAT Name? Haha...Made by Wing...It was Flawless until that 12yr Old got his hands on it...4finger

...4finger

...4finger

older model super diablo and black widows are beautiful.

and then there is the opposite end of the spectrum, UGLY and expensive bows. YUCK!

Schafer 1 piece

Pretty only goes so far. Here's one

Well, it certainly proves only that our idea of pretty is in the eye of the beholder. We'll let it at that. I will say there are a lot of great looking bows on this thread.

Actually, beauty is in the eye of the bow holder.

Joe

I expected more from you Joe Frisk. )

To my eye, and without any doubt at all, a well tillered osage selfbow that has some age to it, is THE most beautiful of all bows. That and all hand made shoot or cane selfarrows. That's the acme in my book. Next in line is bamboo backed.

As for modern lam bows, Blacktail with ebony in the riser will set off dang near any wood paired with it. The key is the ebony. Like a svelte woman in a black dress, absolute killer.

Yew is my hands down favorite for selfbow wood

walnut and mesquite burl

I like these carved and inlaid risers from Blacktail.

Beautiful bunch of bows, Recurve Crafter, that bow is totally amazing.

Come-on Brandon, that Myrtle bow you made is sure a # 1 in my book

This 1961 Diablo had a nice riser... it exploded but was rebuilt by JamesV and now resides with him.

This bow is more elegant than "pretty"...it has nice lines.

Now as for the shooter...he's nothing to look at!! HAHA!

A better picture without me in it to spoil the view!

I have no idea who made this bow...

Here is my home made longbow, black & white ebony and Amboyna burl.

Another one: Ebony in combination with black & white ebony beauty I made for a friend.

Beautiful work!

Wow, some beautiful bows being made out there by not so famous bowyers. What you guys are doing in your garage (I guess) is amazing. Rivaling the work of the $1,000+ cult bows out of factories that you need to wait a year to receive. Keep up the good work and keep the pictures coming, I know there is more out there!

Weakness a pretty Zipper...

from the UK circa 1965 Marksman Forest Princess - luvverly bit 'o rosewood! ;-)

....can't believe there's no George Birnie bows, yet!

Here's one made in Scotland by his Royal Scots Bows circa 1965, but he made a similar one in Texas as TexTox & Birnie Bows 1961- 62'ish, so should be relevant to those on the other side of the pond.

....can't believe there's no George Birnie bows, yet!

Here's one made in Scotland by his Royal Scots Bows circa 1965, but he made a similar one in Texas as TexTox & Birnie Bows 1961- 62'ish, so should be relevant to those on the other side of the pond.

That Birnie was the best!

V-Archer gets my vote. That bow is just flat out beautiful.

Cocobolo and Bocote

Stalker Wolverine FXT

Wood is good. I enjoy, and appreciate every aspect of a beautiful bow. But, it must perform, feel good in my hand, draw smooth and easy. And shoot where I want it to. LOL! Sometimes, there is nothing better than a vintage 50's style recurve. Sometimes, there is nothing better than a new to me custom.

I probably shot this bow more than any bow I have ever owned. Kevin built a lot of great looking bows, but I would have to believe this was one of his very best. Not a lot of bows out there with bloodwood in them.

DDave

Another view on the Kodiak Deluxe that moved to Shandor's house. About the nicest zebrawood I have ever seen. And I think the best feature, of the many that bow has, is the subtle purpleheart accents. I believe the bowyers who built Kodiak Deluxe's were some of the very best.

DDave

Not all good looking bows are made with wood. The risers on the Hoyt Desperado are a work of art in metal. The bow with the Limbsavers on it is the Kwyk Styk that ended up with the Codjigger. Turns out that selling it to him was a great idea. That got me thinking about not having one of Jack's bows to shoot at The Kempf Traditional shoot, which got me to Jack's workshop, which got me one of the best longbows I have ever shot. Nothing special to look at, just a special bow from a great bowyer who started building them when I was just a kid.

DDave

59 Kodiak Special

Thin, sleek and gorgeous. A work of art. 40# at 28” by New Wood Longbows. I call it “Magic.”

Just picked up this beauty of a Timberhawk for my son's Christmas... Thanks David! Swag

Timberhawk an she shoots as good as she looks.....

Cocobolo and bamboo Falco Trophy.

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