Just curious about everyone's opinion on Black Widow bows? Whether its a longbow or the recurve Id like to know your opinion?

The look of the recurve never appealed to me looks wise with the limbs coming of the back of the riser... just a cosmetic thing to my eye. I have never shot a widow though.....

I think they're beautiful looking bows. They shoot nice, but I don't think they'll kill an animal any more dead than a used Bear for 1/3 the price.

Ive also never shot one, but for most people that have shot them they either love them or hate them. For the ones who hate them say they are way over rated. Lol

buckhorn70 Just sent you an email. My Widow is one of the smoothest bows in my collection. It is a take down recurve so is much heavier than the bow we were speaking of but it is a fine bow. Like some have said you either love them or hate them. They are different but have a good rep. & have been in business a lot of years. I like it. Always wanted to try there longbow but somehow never got around to it.>>>---> Ken

Probably a rally great bow from what I hear. Like Glock pistols however, I think they are ugly as a hedge fence. I wont be getting one. My opinion.

Long Bows are nice don't care for the RC

Have had several.......best customer service in the industry. Very good fit and finish. Performance.....I would say average. I don't have one right now.......would I buy another.....maybe.

Black Widow has been around and only under a few owners since the mid 50's, so I suspect the quality speaks for itself. Your question should be, "do I want one and will it fit me?". They are great bows and if looks turn you off, that's not a reflection on the bow or the company at all. I could never shoot them well, but it was more a balance thing for me. That's also a me thing and not a Black Widow thing. Should try one and see how well 'you' like it and don't worry about what others think. I think they look great...and that's my opinion. )

ron w x2 Regards

Had one... most beautiful bow I ever owned. Hated it... didn't shoot where I looked and was loud. I had got it on trade I would have been mad if i paid new money for it and waited

I've owned several, including the longbow. I still own three, an SAIII, An MAIII, and an older HS with the metal riser. They are great bows. They have a lot of preload, but are smooth. They are heavy in physical weight, which helps them to be stable. The MAIII I own is a 62"er and I believe it is near the perfect recurve. I also love the Rocky Mt Recurves. If I had to pick just one, it would be the Rocky. Still, the Widows are hard to beat.

I've owned my MAII Graybark since I purchased it new in 1986 and hunted with it for over 25 years. I can't say enough good things about it. I've owned and shot a lot of other recurves but for me, it's the best. I believe Black Widow Bow Co. has a program where it will allow you to "test drive" their bow(s) to see how you like them.

I have a 3 piece takedown. I think we all have to agree the workmanship is fantastic. Whether or not you like the looks or think it’s a real shooter is a personal thing.

I like them, have a PMA and PSA, I tried several bows before, for me, I would have been money ahead to start there but used to think they were too expensive. Go figure!

I own seventeen Black Widows; longbows and recurves enough said.

Some will love them.Some will like them.Some will be indifferent and some wont like them.Just like any other bow in that regard.

Thier built like tanks.One of the toughest bows around IMO.They have stood the test of time and always get the highest marks in customer service and satisfaction after the sale and before.

Perhaps you would like the 1 piece bows for aesthetics more than the rear mounted T.Ds.You have 3 options thier with the PA,PTF and KB.Also the PSR which is a different animal as far as the 50s style riser.I find the one piece bows very attractive personally.

I always put SBD strings on my Widows with wool puffs and they shot way better and quieter than the stock 14 strand D-97 string.I shot heavier arrows as well.No problem with noise when set up right.

I’ve had several and never kept one long term. They are a solid bow from a great company. I’m keeping the one I have now just to scratch the itch whenever it pops up but shooting Bears.

I inherited one of the last Wilson Bros Black Widow one piece bows made and it is pretty nice for an old bow. Would never get rid of it.

I've hunted with them for about 25 years. I shhot them better than any others. I had mine on Kodiak Island this past fall. I had to use it as a walking stick. It's the only bow I'd trust being that rough with.

I'll just add that Black Widows are solidly and ruggedly built.

Hookedspur just beat me to the punch :)

Great workmanship and one of the smoothest draws you'll ever pull. All I can say.

They are one of the most solid built hunting bows ever built.

They are not speed demons but they are accurate and reliable.

I have several PTF one piece recurves from Black Widow, they are great bows that point very naturally where I'm looking. I too am not crazy about the looks of the takedowns but love the one piece PTFs. Call Widow and have them send you one to test drive.

Love mine (PTF), even if I consider it a little noisy, but those shooting with me say it is quiet. Mine is "slow", but when you have a 24 inch draw you cannot expect it to be a rocket.

I regards to my earlier post, I had a MA that I bought at the Whittingham N.J. shoot back in 2007. 62" 51# @ 29", it was an older model. It liked me and I liked it........I should have never traded it off. Should have kept it and hunted it. That why I said I might buy another.

I’d give you $20 for a barrel full of ‘em!

:-)

I was given two older B.W. with the metal risers. I think they are 71 or 72 models, one is the ghost. It is all white and the other if a hunting bow. I have never shot the white bow but that little hunting bow throws an arrow like a dart.

I don't know about the newer B.W but the older ones serial numbers are on record. I called on the two that I have and they told me the date they were sent out and who they were sent to.

I keep waiting for Frisky to refer a disappointed seller my way....

LOL

I really wanted one in the worst way... for a while. Just had the Thing for one of the TDs, and now I look at 'em and wonder what I was thinking?? I also wondered how I ever thought one would be in my price range!

If you're serious about one, I'd go with the Test Drive program and see how you like each other before you commit, but like all the guys have said - solid rep as a high quality product and you either want one or you don't and that has next to nothing to do with the bow itself.

I do know that you don't see them often in the classifieds, but when you do they seem to fetch a hefty price. So if you were to buy one used, you could probably deal it off without losing much.

Joey Ward, when you buy that barrel full for $20 please let me know. I'll gladly give you $40 for them so you can double your money.

the best for me.

If it's not a Wilson Bros.bow...you can have it.

I don't own one. I shot some at Denton Hill last summer to see what so many people like about them. I shot a psax. Best shooting bow I ever shot. I think it was the mass wright of it. I didn't like how heavy it was but shot 7 arrows and pulled them out with one hand. I don't usually shoot that good. I was impressed. I was t sure I'd be happy with the weight or the looks. Maybe some day... I bought a Satori instead and love it. My two cents. Jim

Ive shot them and they are nice.

Bear TD's and Bighorns are what got me into this 'game'. I luv them both; Also own a Widow SAV that I ordered new in 2001 at Kalamazoo. Sold it many times and bought it back many times. But if I were just getting into this tradional archery thing, I would go with Black Widow and never look back. Yes, I still own the SAV. Shick

I had one and three sets of limbs. It was the MA111. Built like a tank, yes, had 80# limbs for it. Only issue I had was the fat grip. Didn’t realize I could correct that or send it to BW for refit. I sold it to buy a Bear TD, a bow I always wanted.

The Black Widow is one of the best bows you can buy, hands down for those of you who have read Vipers book, he describes the mechanics involved in bow design for optimal performance and it is a bow design which has rear mounted limbs, this is how the Black Widow is designed. Customer service is second to none, they bend over backwards to serve their customers. They make their bows in numerous wood combinations, you can build as beautiful of a bow as you desire. They are forgiving, quiet. Smooth and very fast. I have no idea why anyone would bad mouth a Black Widow. They also have a try i5 before you buy it program.

I have the pma,pch, and psr.I love mine and have no plans of getting rid of um anytime soon.I am more consistent with the pma and pch but when I'm on can shoot the psr just somedays cant get that grip to cooperate lol...btw all 3 where bought used and are like new except the pma has a scuff or 2 but ive used and owned it a lot longer.seems like u can always trade/sell a widow.they dont last long in the classifieds especially if its a good deal.after saying all that there just like anything else some will like some will not and otherz dont care.

I have owned several over the years and will buy more. Hands down the best recurve I ever have shot.

I'm not buying one because Toby dropped me from their catalog list. I could have had myself a Widda and now have a new Bear TD!

Joe

Well you will get a lot of opinions here. Widow threads often go bad.

With that said I got one in 2006 after shooting one at Compton. For me that test bow was a good fit. I got the Asbell grip on my PSA. That first year I killed a Caribou in AK and a good buck in Wi.My impression from the AK hunt was how tough this bow seemed. The weather was typical AK weather and not all my gear survived, My binos for one failed. The BW was on target when I needed it most.

I'm a big fan and I killed my latest trad harvest buck last Nov. with that same PSA.

As far as customer service BW really is excellent.

If you can get to a shoot try one. They will be at Kalamazoo and Compton for a couple suggestions.

Hope that helps, Bill

Back when I used to be trying out bows looking for the perfect bow I bought a used Widow TD recurve. This was before they were offering the X series so you either got a SA11 or SA111. Anyway, I had always thought they were on the ugly side but bought one anyway. Loved it , it was the best overall bow I had owned. I have owned probably 8 since then. All of them shot great. And I will always have one. This year though I only hunted with a Bear TD.

I have three ,two plx,and one pa lll the pa is as fine a recurve as money can buy ,that being said the four bear bows I have ar right there as far as accuracy is concerned. The bears fit and finish is beautiful to so flip a coin. Or as some people have said find the one that you shoot the best. Really it could be some garage find ya never know till ya try.

They are great bows!!

For what it is worth. A regular poster here was bad mouthing Black Widow Bows. Found out he lived close and offered to bring mine over and let him shoot it,to see if it had the same problem. Found out he not only had never shot one but didn't own a bow and hadn't shot one in many years. Now everytime I see one of the Widda haters here I just assume they have never shot one,or can't afford one,and are jealous.Are they the best? I wouldn't say that,I like many bows. I have never had a problem with it and as others are saying here they are tough and Black Widow stands behind them.>>>----> Ken

I bought a psax in kingwood, asbell grip.46@28. Had some trouble with it being alittle loud. For some reason I fixed that yesterday. Switched to two set of served in cat whiskers. Real quiet now. It feels at least 5lbs lighter than my other 45lb bows but shoots so much faster and smoother. It bumped up a spine it really burns an arrow. Can't go wrong. And you don't have to wait a year or more. Thinking about a blacktail just cause I've always wanted one but also on the fence of another widow cause there a he'll of a deal for what ya pay. I used to be the guy that said customs can't be 10x as good as a sage. I was wrong.

I had the PTF once, nice bow, one piece, easy to tune, pleasant to shoot, I believe you can get 3 different grips the G.Fred style being the most high wrist, thought it was a little noisy but I was shooting Assenheimers at the time, got it quiet with 4 silencers. I've shot a few of the take downs and they were just not for me, I felt they were blocky and too heavy. BW's customer service is 2nd to none and most important they have a try before you buy program.

killed a lot of deer with my widows over the years.i still have 2 sa2's one i would never sell that my old friend got me. took first place in some 3-d shoots with it, but would sure like to shoot a psr.

I had a PSA Ironwood recurve. I shot and hunted with that bow for 8 years. Don't ask me why but I sold that bow to buy another recurve I thought I had to have. I didn't like that bow and was wishing I would have never sold my widow. The smoothest most stable bow I ever shot. After trying a number of different bows Black Widow is the best for me personally. So I called Black Widow today and placed an order for a Graybark! Now for the wait. But I know it will be worth it! and I plan to hang on to this one. I hope to have it set up by turkey season.

I won't say that Black Widow is the best but anyone who says they are garbage is a damn fool. I hunted this season with one of my first Widows and it is approaching Thirty years old. Hunted in extreme heat and extreme cold and it never missed a beat. They are bullet proof and there customer service is second to none. If they don't appeal to you thats ok shoot something else but don't bad mouth them.

Good bows, great customer service. Try before you buy and if it is a style and fit that is good for you then you will be happy.

My first one I had was a little loud. My second is very quiet. The center of the limbs have a glass lamination. That’s one reason they are so tough. Carl

My first one I had was a little loud. My second is very quiet. The center of the limbs have a glass lamination. That’s one reason they are so tough. Carl

Love my pax recurves. I like the one piece models the best.

I have a PAX that I have shot for a little over a year. I have a PMA on order now that should be here in a moth or so. Black Widow Recurves are very shootable. High BH a considerable amount of deflex and nice mass.

The customer service is top notch. We had a -13 day here in Iowa this season. I took my Widow because I knew if something would have happened they would cover it.

as noted, customer service is outstanding. i have an SA 11 takedown, and 3 1 pc bows of various weight.....ive got about 25 other makes,a mix of custom bows and bear, howatt, browning, hanging on the wall, in my opinion, the TF is the fastest model, i have an older 1 pc that is fast and very quiet with ff string, my go to bow.......you cant go wrong choosing a black widow bow

My uncle had a pl longbow for about 5 years or so. One night he came out of the woods and leaned it up against his truck to put his other gear in. He forgot about the bow and drove home. He realized it was missing as soon as he got home. He went back to the woods and had ran over it. He called Toby at black widow and told him what happened. He sent them the bow and it was toast. The told him they appreciated his honesty and They built him another bow for half price. Now thats customer service.

I have an old Wilson Brothers H-101, Hunter..One of the best shooting bows I've ever owned..Still carrying it in the woods..I would buy every H-101 I could get my hands on if I could afford to..I just can't understand why Widow can't produce the H-101 these days or their short 50 inch model they made..There would be a market for these models if they used Rosewood or Toxinite in the handles,,Their present bows just look like colored plywood glued together..Not pretty wood at all.

Great guys to deal with! Their bows are tough as nails, and they also hold their value quite well. You cant go wrong with a widow!!

I have a Wilson Bros X 99

Shipped January 11, 1969

I need to get the correct arrows for it. It shoots very well.

I took it in as part payment on an AC repair.

I still haven't found a bow that I can shoot as accurately as my Black Widows, I own two PSAs,one @50# the other 56# very forgiving bows for me.

I have owned many recurves, and still hunt with one. I always thought they were ugly bows, and still do, but..... They are about bomb proof, and the customer service is second to none.

Used to own a wilson brothers one piece it was labeled 60 lbs but was probably 70-75 lbs great shooting bow that I couldn't shoot anymore so sold it. If it fits you and you can afford it buy one they are as good as any bow built today and like everybody say's they have world class customer service.

All of this talk about them being tough and bomb proof makes me want one more than anything. I used to think they were really ugly and still do depending on my mood. They have a great reputation and I'd like to get one but I won't drop that much money without trying one first.

Someone posted a brand new green black widow on here fairly recently and I think that bow looks amazing.

I have shot hundreds of bow since I started shooting archery in 1952 and the bow that shot best for me was and old one piece widow. This was in the late 70's and the bow belonged to a friend and he would never sell it to me.

James

I dont find them ugly at all. Had a whole bunch of them at one time and then got into Bear takedowns. Still have this one.

Had a PSA II in 2006. High quality bow.To loud and not very fast compared to the other bows I was shooting at this time. Great company to deal with.

If i did not like my Timberhawks, i would buy a widow. Probably a PMA. But i love my Timberhawks.

Remember the first time I shot one, I was really impressed, now I own 3 BW longbows and 1 BW recurve and shoot nothing else.Also easy to sell a used BW compared to other bows.Plus they are bullet proof,and service is the best.Guess I like them.

I'm an ASL guy myself, but I don't see the one piece widows ugly at all,

I think they are rather good looking, and great shooters, Not a fan of the looks of the takedowns though

Nicely built, you can’t beat the craftsmanship. I’ve owned several but can’t find a design that agrees with me. I have PSRs now, nice shooters but short on stability.

What is it about their customer service that makes is so exemplary? Many cite the strong construction, nobody comments on having a problem. So what customer service do they provide that everyone raves about? Not slamming them at all, just want to know. I have nothing against BW bows and have shot a couple of the takedowns. I do really like the model that is like a 50s style recurve but not enough to pay that much.

Andy

Is that 1st pic Tulipwood ?

EF Hutton;

Had Toby build with a Riser of a reddish cocobolo and Tulip wood veneers with a reddish cast over bamboo core

Ok.

I don't own BW's simply because as George mentioned, I don't shoot them well either.

But here's an example of their customer service, I've posted this before.

My good friend Robert Feller from Lexington,Texas (the best bow hunter I;ve ver known by the way. He's a BW guy.

He was outside at his house one afternoon getting tuned up for a black bear hunt. Pulled his BW to full draw, and it absolutely disitegrated. The most dramatice recurve failure I've ever seen.

After he got over the shock, he called the guys in Missouri and told them what had happened. I THINK he talked to Ken.

Any way, they took all his information and asked him to send the bow to them. At the same time, they put a brand new bow (same model and either the same draw weight, or at least close enough he didn't have to change arrows) in the mail to him. They replaced the bow at no charge. He took the new bow and killed a bear with it the 2nd day of his hunt.

The on'y other bow I ever knew of Robert owning was a Curtis Byrd Commanche.

Can't go wrong with a black widow. I've shot two almost exclusively for almost 15 years.

If you are new to traditional archery getting an ILF bow is a great choice due to interchangeable parts and tunability.

As has been said check out black widows test drive program. You pay them the pics of the bow as a deposit, they ship the bow, you mail it back and get your deposit returned so you're out just the cost of shipping. Their warranty is the best in the business too. 5 years pro rated. They can do this because their bows are extremely durable.

I bought my first MA|| thirty years ago,got another ten years later. Switching to a longbow I bought a 68" BW one piece. There is not one negative thing I can say about their products or service. I would still be using them if I didn't start making my own longbows.

Guess I'm the only one to have one blow up.

Randy, I posted about a BW blowing up.

There was a waller who posted a year or two ago about running over his widow longbow, breaking it and was bummed. Apparently someone at Black Widow was reading the thread and called him and said they would build him another bow for free. That's above and beyond customer service.

This was the thread

http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/TF/lw/thread2.cfm?threadid=273363&category=88#3907114

I’ve owned most of the high priced customs out there, and have finally settled on a PSA. I shoot it lights out, and like everyone on here says, you simply can’t beat their customer service.

I had a 83# PLX Bocote that one of my buddies nicknamed "Bubonic" because everything that it touched died. I gave it to him for his Birthday one year and I dropped in draw weight, one f those getting older things.

I have been shooting BW recurves for years. They all shot well for me but I could never get them quiet. I had a PSAV that was very loud and I sold it out of frustration and shot longbows for several years. I decided to give them another try and bought a PCH a couple years ago. It is the quietest recurve that I have ever owned. This bow is only 56" long and I am shooting it as well as I have ever shot any bow in my life. I think it is a good looking bow too.It is so quiet that I have even gotten remarks on how quiet it is at 3D shoots.

I’ve seen some really beautiful WIDOWS in pictures. I’d like to have one. I don’t think I want to pay their asking prices though. Like others, I like their 1 piece recurves most. I especially like the one that’s like a 50’s styled recurve. That’s the one I’d get first.

How can you say they have great customer service when they sold me an extra-large glove marked small and then cancelled my catalog out of spite?

Joe

Had a PSAV that I had bought used. After having it a while it developed a small crack in the edge of a limb. Being it was deer season I went ahead and hunted with it. It still shot fine and the crack did not get any bigger. After hunting season I contacted BW and they said to send the limbs back so they could look at them. I sent the whole bow as I wanted the riser refinished if they replaced the limbs. Even had discussed the cost of refinishing the riser with them. They replaced the limbs and refinished the riser,,,no charge. I call that great customer service, especially since I wasn't the original owner. I had one custom bow by a very well known Boyer (not a Widow) that had some problems with the finish. The Boyer admitted that he did have some problems with finishes, but since I wasn't the original owner he wouldn't refinish it. Had another custom that had a few air bubbles in the finish when I got it. Called the Boyer and he proceeded to tell me how to fix it. Point being, not all Boyer will stand behind their products. BW really impressed me with their customer service.

Your reputation must have preceded you Joe.

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