Hello everyone,

First time poster, thank you for your input in advance.

I been reading and researching about hybrid bows. I am really drawn towards the design of the Shrew Classic Hunter 2. But it is a little outside my price range. Looking at the mass production Bodnik Slick Stick as possible options. Have anyone owned both or can tell me what are some differences between them? They look very similar to me. Thank you.

I can tell you they are both made by the same company in Germany, good things in both, I know that doesn’t help much, + Welcome to the wall + Quick Sticks are nice too.

Bodnik makes great bows. I’ve had 2 Slick Sticks and a Super Slick Stick, all good bows. Haven’t shot a Shrew but they obviously have more D &R so probably quicker and more woods available and the purty factor for the price.

I have owned 52" shrew, 54" shrew, 3 slick sticks , all 40 #'s But actually all scale between 43-45#. and I have an exact 28" draw And only shoot 45-50 # wood arrows, with 125 grain field points or Eskimo's. They are both made by Bodnik, both have 30 year warranty. To me they are both very light and comfortable and immediate point and shoot where you want right out of the box bows. No hand shock, smooth to draw, quiet and no noticable speed difference. ( but the later is an intuative thing by mentally counting and watching the arrow arch etc... they seem the same).

The shrew does have more pronounced R&D but when strung they do look more similar.

The main diffrence is /are the grips. The shrew is lower, forward and longer ,very comfortable always just right. The Slick stick is a little higher, smaller and more like a mini recurve grip. At first I did not care for it too much but after a while I find/found that though shorter it puts the web of hand pressure at the right spot every time as well. I have also leather wrapped (fuzzy side out) the slick stick which also adds gurth and comfort for my med to large hands. I also have the 58" mohawk hybrid with 13" riser and that grip is almost the same as the shrew.(too me)

I believe you won't go wrong with either. They are both great quality, pretty ( to me), super easy to shoot right where you are looking bows. I have sold off the shrews and decided to keep the slick stick and mohawk so I could have a 1 piece and a take down for when I'm traveling. My decision was strictly financial. I was able to acquire both of these for less then 1 shrew and thus couldn't justify the higher priced bow anymore since they all shoot the same....( to me). I am also selling a Great Northern for the exact reason. Yes I greatly dis- appreciate my idiot moments!

Just like a lot of us I bet, I am extremely guilty of making spur of the moment, out of my budget, gotta have that new shiny thing right now decisions. It definitely did sting a bit (tears falling) though to send away that All osage beauty. But I know thats just an ego thing, and I know ultimately I am always happier with less debt and the ability to sell a much lower priced item quickly if needed.

Anyway, hope my long sad sob story helps.

peace!

I am familiar with the shrew but have never shot one, I did own a s stick and the fellow I sold it to refused to sell it back to me.he loves it. A good bow with a 30 yr warrantee and as the man said both made by the same German Co. The Quick stick is an upgrade on the slick stick.,I beleive, but I haven't seen it yet. Jigger

I own a Slick Stick, and have shot several of the Bodnik-made Shrews. I can say that the Shrew design is noticeably different, despite the seeming similarities. The Shrew is specifically designed to be a short longbow, and so it has (in my opinion) distinct advantages of feel and performance. The Slick Stick (again, in my opinion) is designed to be more of a middle-of-the- road bow, in all aspects. Good performance, not great. Plain woods, not elaborate. I have an older, 60" model and I really like it. It behaves well, feels comfortable, and performs well. If you want a bow that is easy and fun to shoot, I believe the Slick Stick will serve you very well, at a good price. If you want more performance, at a shorter (or same) length, and a refined feel, the Shrew would be a better, although more costly, option.

I had a coffee made shrew samari 2. Great bow I enjoyed hunting with it.

Thank you for the replies everyone. Right now I'm cutting my teeth on a Samick Sage at 25 lbs. I'm enjoying it a lot and I'm conflicted in saving up for is a single piece bow. I'm not at a level that I can tell real quality or how different bows shoots. Still just enjoying shooting. But as I learn, some logic just escape me so I was looking for more insights. Like I understand limbs material and R&D affect speed. But when I hear that not all 40 lbs bows feel the same, that good quality custom bows will feel better than mass produced. I can't seem to understand the logic of that. Pulling at 28 inches, does not 40lbs feel the same no matter the bows???? The string angles might be different, but how can 40lbs feel different???

40 pounds is 40 pounds - as you pull it. It's at the release things happen differently. it's called CAST, it amounts to the forward propulsion. all 40 pound bows do not accelerate equally. different designs, geometry and materials combine to the point 2 40 pound bows can shoot way differently.

There’s gonna be a huge difference in the grip from the Samic to the Shrew or Bodnic. Finding a bow with the right grip for you is very important. And the only way to know is to try different bows. Enjoy the journey.

If possible attend as many shoots/gatherings, try lots of different bows/ designs. Easier then to decide on your next bow. You may like the Sage enough and just be content with it, and maybe some additional weight limbs.

I've shot the Shrew and the Slick Stick. I own and shoot daily a Javaman Elkheart 54" 50# @27. The Elkheart is very similar to the Shrew. And I can tell you, besides price. A short bow will keep you honest on your form. If you're off on your release you'll see it. Longer bows are more forgiving on your form mistakes. That's something to keep in mind. But Bodnik make great bows. I just got a Kiowa and I'm getting it tuned. It also shoots great, the only problem I found is, the serving on their stings, is wrapped to loose. So whatever bow you get get yourself a good string for it and use the other as a backup. It'll save you a headache. But you can't go wrong with any of your choices, if money is limiting you to those choices.

"40 pounds is 40 pounds - as you pull it."

If you change "pull" to "hold", I'm on board, but the design differences that change what happens from bow to bow when you release the arrow also affect how it feels when you draw. The recurve will load up much earlier in the draw cycle whereas a straight limbed longbow will load more linearly with draw length.

Travis your In Maryland, Baltimorebowmen.com Traditional Classic, shoot is coming up May 12th - 15th. Good luck

I just bought a used Bodnik Quick Stick 40#, plus a couple of other RF/DF design 60" bows. Keeping the quick stick because it's the one I seem to grab every time and is still challenging me to be on my game learning to shoot lonbow coming from recurves. 40# is still a bit much but liking the progression. These bows shoot fast but need to have a properly spined arrow for sure.

Was hoping to find a Shrew, but a used Slick or Quick can be found for around 300 and the 30 year warranty is transferable to any owner. You really can't go wrong with either and they tend to hold their value if buying used.

Good luck with the search!

Get everything down form wise and all with your 25# Samick…….once you have that mastered then go looking for a new or different bow.Hopefully you have your Samick tuned now with the correct spine arrows,if you master your form and release with 25# you will be able to shoot any bow with ease.

Made here in the beginning, new ones made overseas, Germany I think! I would look for a older used one !!! But that’s just me !!

Welcome Travis and X2 Wayne Hess. Go to a shoot for sure.

Deno

Bodnik bows are made in Germany. Before that they were made in the Czech Republic.

They are or were part of the Bearpaw Products Group which is or was owned by Jim Belcher.

Wayne Hess. Thank you so much for the info! I never heard of it but looking it up look like fun! For sure going to try. Worth the hour drive.

Well updates. Funny thing is, my wife just got me a bow she found from Goodwill Online store for Valentine's Day. She knew that I was looking around and surprised me! It is not going to be here until this Saturday. It is a AMF Wing Archery Slimline Red Wing Pro! Poundage unknown and a few scratches, but it look straight from the pictures. I'm really excited to see it and maybe do some refurbishing on it. Its coming all the way from the west coast!

https://shopgoodwill.com/item/138406310

Some great deals if you keep an eye out.

Wow that's a find if the limbs are straight and no other issues! Well done wifey

Yep that Wing is a dandy.

The Wing Slimlines are excellent bows. Just a classic vintage recurve. Good find, you owe her big time!

fdp, Jim Belcher has never had anything to do with Bodnik bows

I designed the Shrew bows and my signature is on every bow. Henry Bodnik designed the Slick Stick bows.

https://shrewbows.com/the-history-of-shrew-bows/

Hmmm....I was obviously given bad information tgen Ron. Is he associated with Bear Paw?

Glad you came along with the truth Mr. LaClair.

I believe it was Tim Cosgrove that had a hand in the development of the slick stick. He told that to me directly.

Thank you for the input Mr LaClair!

Pleasure to hear from you and love your bow! I have a internet buddy that has one of your Siberian Tiger left handed. I'm going to be able to try it out in a few months at the Baltimore Bowmen Traditional Classic.

Just so I understand completely, the Slick Trick or Quick Stick are not related to your Shrew at all except that Bodnik is the one that is building the Shrew?

I seriously doubt a bow company would use different glues & materials on their bows. That said pick the one you like the design of & that fits your budget. Good bows with different names & different prices. >>>----> Ken

A noticeable difference I felt when shooting a slick stick and my 60" Shrew super samurai which was built prior to bodnik bldg them, was how light the slick stick felt in the hand. Too light for me. A strap on quiver loaded w/ arrows made it feel more comfortable. IMHO nothing compares to me Shrew.

Ttt

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