Well I have been sitting out of traditional archery for a few years and have the urge to drift back in. As much as I love longbows and recurves I believe I want to settle on one last bow and I am choosing a classic longbow. I have shot a ton of bows over the years and know I will get several answers but for Bowyers building a classic bow these days either r/d or straight or backset profile with narrow limbs and small nocks with a straight or indexed grip who is building such bows these days that is at the top of their game? I am a stickler for perfection and know what to look for in a well built, properly aligned traditional bow. Thanks for opinions. Flint

Howard Hill, Northern Mist, Two Tracks and 7 lakes all make a very nice bow.

Steve Turay at Northern Mist makes a great bow and is good to deal with. I have one of his Shelton string follow bows that is smooth and quiet. Craig at Howard Hill is very good as well.

When the man is healed there is not a better longbow then Jeff Freeman makes. Handle here is BodymanBowyer. A few of us have one of his, and they all are as beautiful as they are sweet to shoot. Jeff is the real deal, do yourself a favor and at least look up some of his work.

-Bones

How much poundage you looking to shoot? Steve at Northern Mist has some in stock, or so says his website.

Robertson Stykbow, Dan Toelke, Northern Mist and Great Northern Bows all offer classic longbows...can't go wrong with any of these...Tim

Darkarcher around 48-50 at 28".

Well if i understand you to mean "classic" longbow as in ASL style then steve's got what u need in stock if you want a quick pull trigger. There is a 50lb classic with your name on it. Now if you are considering R/D bows or maybe even ILF rigs thats a whole nother story. If i could only have one longbow it would have to be my A&H acs. That being said i have ilfs and an ASL on the way cause i love all bows.

If cost is no object, then a Frank San Marco bow

For one , with pics, scroll down to the thread that's open right now on JD Berry longbows. He makes backset, reverse handle, string follow, straight hill style and I don't know enough about him to know if theres any more.

Bigfoot Bows or Eaglewing Archery

Look at this mentioned above (my favorite among them is Howard Hill) but also look at Welchman Longbow and John Strunk for classic American selfbows.

I'm surprised no one mentioned Wes Wallace. His longbow is awesome!

I have a Robertson Mystyk, which is a really nice bow, but I haven't seen a classic in their longbow lineup for a while. Maybe they added it back in with the surge that is going on now.

Obviously if you want an ASL, you might as well look at Howard Hill, David Miller, Sunset Hill (if you can get one), Jim Belcher. And the others mentioned.

If Howard were alive today, wouldn't you want one of his? OK then, next best thing is a Ferguson.

There is a lively trade going on in longbows, with guys buying and selling them every few weeks. Ideal opportunity to get one second hand that is better than new, or at least to get one second hand and then order that final bow. Partly because LBs are not normally that custom made, so long as you are in the pocket draw length to bow length ratio wise. Also check the tiller suits your style given that so many have switched to 3 under.

Dave Johnson builds a fine bow.

I just ran across a nearly new Ferguson for sale. A guy bought it and decided that he doesn't care for longbows.

Northern Mist or Liberty, as good as it gets ......

I have found Howard Hill Archery, Northern Mist, and Jim Belcher bows (American model or Union Jack) among the best I have shot.

I have a 61# northern mist I will sell you if the weight is not too much for you.

JD Berry.

Dan Toelke Super D!

You guys list lots of bows but what about Big Jim's bows ? They are as sweet to shoot as they are on the eye and tons of wood combos with horn or antler gems buck tips and overlays and a great Beaver tail grip made the way you want it.

I think we are ASSUMING that this individual is talking about an ASL/Hill type bow. That may not be the case though. I know that in my mind that's not the description of the "classic longbow" at all

Do some searching besides here. Maybe you are doing that. But remember that nearly any longbow maker that has been in business for a couple decades must be doing something well. And you say you want "one last bow" so that is an important consideration as well. Which kind, and what about fit? I know....I say that enough to piss off a lot of people but it's that important. If'n I were you, I would do some longbow touchy-feely with as many brands as you possibly can.

Thinking back on the best longbows I ever had, I would list Robertson at or near the top, and Northern Mist a close second for the deflex/reflex. I'm talking enths of degrees of difference here also, so keep in mind my top picks are not heads-above some lesser picks other than personal experience with them.

You may want to take a day trip to 3Rivers and fondle....I mean handle some there. A last bow is worth time looking for it so don't go by someone else's choice alone. I will also tell you there is no better place to find one than ETAR at Denton Hill, in Pa., on the last weekend of July.

Lots of good choices everyone. By classic I mean a couple of things yes it could be an ASL or a slight Reflex/Deflex that looks like a D when strung up. Thanks

The Toelke Super D also is really nice !!!!

BigJim's bows are excellent but they are not "classic longbows".

For your "one last bow" it would be best to shoot as many as possible before you buy. Otherwise, it probably won't be your last. LOL

What bones said! He loves his and mine is better than that. Maybe yours will be better than mine? Thats a tall order but Jeff can do it. Hi bones lol

Ps there is a build along here. Type in 2017 build along. Its my bow hes building.

I have a 7 Lakes and am mighty pleased. It's like comfort food! Matthew

Mild R/D - Liberty Contender

Straight- Belcher Union Jack or Howard Hill Redman or Wesley Special or a David Miller Ol' Tom.

'curly' Longbows - Widow, Toelke Whip or Big Jim

Let us know what you pick !

My last classic longbow is a Howard Hill Archery Redman. But I suggest you go to Libertybows.net and look at the Contender. Mild reflex deflex which braces and draws to the classic D profile, legal for all competition rules. Either a straight grip or a nice full locator grip. The material choices and workmanship are second to none.

We will be interested in pix of your choice. - lbg

Check out RMS Gear. Many nice previously owned longbows, unless used is out of the question. http://www.rmsgear.com/bows/

Ok if the new criteria is a true D shape when strung then i suggest tolkie super D or fox traditional longbow. If you think you may enjoy some target shooting, 3d, indoor, nfaa, ibo longbow class and hunting combined I suggest fox triple crown.

If you are going howard hill then northern mist or JD Berry was the top from my research. Havent shot them yet though

Northern Mist "Classic"

Can't say enough about Dave Miller's "All Bamboo" longbow. Nothing but bamboo goes into it.

You described a Toelke Super D perfectly in your description.

Depending on budget, I would second the Montana. I shoot mine as well as my custom longbow that cost over twice as much. Also, since you're looking for your last bow, you could purchase two Montana's, say a 50# and a 40-45# for the price of one and have "two last bows."

I had a Mahaska built for me about 20 years ago. It has had countless thousands of arrows loosed from it and gets shot on a very regular basis to this day. She is smooth at my 31" draw and very quiet. One of the quietest bows I have ever shot or owned. She does have a little "thump" when the string goes home but not bad. I have read many mixed reviews in regard to Kent's bows but I am very happy with mine and would not have to think twice about ordering another one. In fact I have been contemplating having him build me a recurve.

Howard Hill

7 Lakes Archery's "Silent Night" is what you are looking for. It won't break the bank and shoots as well or better than any other I've tried.

Mohawk

What do you mean by "classic longbow?" Most of the popular longbows have a fair amount of reflex/deflex in the limbs and many have dished-in locator groups. That would disqualify many depending on how you define "classic longbow."

You will get everybody telling you there bows are the best, so if you can come to the Compton's Rendezvous in Berrien Springs MI. in June and shoot a bunch. Big Jim, Northern Mist are always there plus a bunch more of top notch bow builders that how I found out my Northern Mist Longbows are the ones I like the best.

Flint, no disrespect but I remember in the past you basically posted many times how you thought David Miller was the only guy that could time, tiller, and align a bow properly and had the quality you wanted. So why aren't you just getting another Miller longbow? He builds great bows.

None taken Nate and I stand by my past comments. I have been out of the archery game for about 4 years now and want to purchase one last bow. Not sure exactly what I want but for sure David's name is already on the list. Flint

Sentman

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here