In terms of smoothness, forgiveness, cast, and ease of shooting, what would anyone consider the best R/D hybrid longbow being made today.

From the looks of the thing, from an online photo, it seams the Blacktail one piece would be nice ???

Wes Wallace has a bow, the Royal. How does Wes' Royal stack up with others on the market.

Myself, I'm almost exclusively a Recurve shooter, but looking for a really fine R/D Longbow.

I love three…all of these are incredible shooters in my arsenal..

Big Jim ThunderChild (I have a 54 and a 58) beautiful wood

Toelke Pika ( i have a 54) incredible craftsmanship

Centaur (fastest) (i have a 54 and a 60)

I love all of them. I am sure you are gonna find others from this question. There are many I haven’t tried that I would probably love.

Honorable mention - Dwyer Endeavor

Oh gosh, Toelke, Centaur, A&H.

Some target style reflex/ deflex bows would include:

Toelke Whip

Fox Triple Crown

Javaman Impala Express

Timberpoint Kraken and Icarus

If you're talking about a mild R/D longbow and not a hybrid, it would be difficult to beat a Robertson.

Lots of good hybrids, start with JusPassin's list.

I am partial to Leon Stewart’s work. Here is my RD. This is different from the slammer.

There is no best, only what's best for you.

Oh, the Bear Montana. Without a doubt.

Widow, northern mist, widow and did I mention black widow.

Fox Triple Crown for me.

fdp: hit it best I think --"There is no best, only what's best for you."

big difference between a mild reflex -deflex and a Hybred and even with in those there is personal likes and dislikes

Its meaningless to say this one is better when the next guy might love the other one better

I have a very nice hybrid by all standards -and lots of folks love that bow -but for ME I just can't warm up to it

the ME in me just likes an ASL

Black widow

Smoothness and cast = A&H

Forgiveness and ease of shooting = Shrew

Both are very petite hybrids, what I like and what I shoot best.

""There is no best, only what's best for you.""

Best for me is one I build and can make the grip that shoots best for me...

To me, grip has to fit ya or you aren't gonna like her long...

Border, of course.

Great northern, tomahawk, Robertson stykbow, great plains, and a hummingbird if you can find one. All good shooters . Tomahawk was nice fit great. And a older Shawnee.

Kennym X2. Not a lot separates the upper tier but the grip makes or breaks it.

The best--- Toelke for sure.

fdp

"There is no best, only what's best for you."

I fully agree.

For me, its the Omega Royal Huntsman, others will like something else; choice and variety are good things. :)

Which one, why the one your always after of course.

Which one, why the one your always after of course.

Warning 100 % non scientific and long winded hunting based review forth coming.

I just went through this same thing coming from the recurve world to the world of Longbows. In the last month I have bought and shot four different longbows. For reference my recurve is a Morrison Cheyenne TD 60" 57lb at 28 and was used to judge speeds against the Peregrine. Also, I pull 30" for reference. (* speeds only judged by audible timing* ) I am judging these from a hunting perspective. This is strictly my new longbow guy opinion lol.

I used appropriately spined and moderately tuned arrows for each bow at around 550 grns for the 40lbrs and 590grns for the Peregrine vs Morrison. All bows at minimum now have 300 shots fired from each bow at 10, 15 and 20 yards. All were judged for speed with my GF and I judging timing of shot to impact of target audibly. Certainly not scientific at all. Caveat: I am hard on gear, a big guy that does clumsy things so please keep that in mind when you read my thoughts and don't flame me to hard lol. Take it all with a grain of salt please.

Caribow Peregrine 62" 52lb at 28"

Incredible craftsmanship, pretty stiff draw curve at start but ending in the smoothest of draw completions. Dead in the hand with a very minimum buzz in the hand upon shot release. Wonderful grip and incredibly large sight window. Makes a mechanical toink sound when shot that I am sure I could get rid of if so desired. This bow just flat out shoots to my point of aim, likely different for others. Very fast for it's poundage, judged against my Morrison there was the slightest audible gap. Moderate mass mainly in the riser. These limbs are what I would call "be careful with", not dainty per se but I could see a tree stand drop or misstep seemingly causing limb damage.

Big JIm Buffalo 64" 46lb at 28"

Incredible craftsmanship. Absolute smooth draw to completion. Dead as dead can be in the hand with zero hand shock. Wonderful grip and sight window. Incredibly quiet, think of thumping a watermelon, actually that might even be louder. Medium fast for it's poundage beat the widow lost to the JT by minimal margins I would say. I wouldn't call this a daintily built bow nor a tank. I wouldn't toss it out of the tree or step on it purposefully but don't doubt that it would keep on trucking.

JT Apollo 62" 44lb at 28" Carbon backed

Again beautiful craftsmanship. Very smooth draw to completion. Dead in the hand with no hand shock to speak of. Wonderful grip and sight window. Makes a Tonk when shot that I am sure I could get rid of easily. Great speed , beat the Big Jim by a minimal audible gap. Moderate mass. Built like a tank in the riser but the limbs are similar to the Peregrine but slightly more sturdy and could seemingly get damaged in a tree stand drop or misstep.

Black Widow PLX 62" TD 45lb at 28" Very smooth draw, exceptionally dead in the hand with no hand shock. I have the Toby grip, seems a little bulky but it positions repeatable and easy. Great sight window. Very small audible thud upon shot just a bit more than the Big Jim. Not the fastest but wouldn'tsay slow though it came in behind the JT and Big Jim audibly. This is the tank in my opinion. It carries great mass, not to much not to little. The limbs have an angular chamfer at the distal edges and are not to thick or thin. If this one was dropped from 20' or a small misstep happened it seems like it would keep on trucking.

Of those four I am keeping the Widow and the Peregrine for now, though my gut says the Peregrine will be on the selling soon. The Widow will stay with me unless the perfect trade arises.

For hunting I would rate them in this order:

First: Black Widow

Second: Big Jim

Third: JT Apollo

Fourth: Peregrine

For Target / 3d comps:

First: Caribow Peregrine

Second: JT Apollo

Third : Big Jim Buffalo

Fourth: Black Widow

I will hopefully find a Centaur to try out soon and will most definitely be looking for another PLX in the 55lb range.

Please don't flame me to hard !!

Crowned Eagle

Blacktail Columbian

JT traditional archery. Smooth and fast

That Omega is a nice looking bow

CStylea

Thats my 66" Omega Royal Huntsman, Jacaranda Spectraply riser, mass weight 24 oz.

I also have a 68" Omega Royal Huntsman, Dymalux riser, mass weight 40 oz.

The lighter mass 66" Huntsman does not have any hand shock that I can detect. I have a sophisticated measuring device, an arthritic left elbow ;)

The 68" also has great shooting characteristics; I really like them both, they keep me from shopping for other bows.

Bigdog 21:

"... hummingbird if you can find one."

I believe Hummingbirds are available here:

https://www.huntworthyproductions.com/copy-of-products

Yellowstone Longbows

Yellowstone

Kennym writes:

"To me, grip has to fit ya or you aren't gonna like her long..."

I say: Yes, sir. Been there. Tough trying to order a bow without having had one in your hand. Too many of us have to do it that way. That said, I've been lucky buying my recurves over the years in that most have held good in the hand for me.

Yellowstone Longbow, slight R/D the one above that I posted is his Hunter model, little more R/D

Varcher, those are not the original Hummingbirds. AND, there are LOTS of good bows. I am currently learning the feel of a new to me Stewart R/D. Not the slammer, but a really neat bow.

-Bones

Plenty of good bows that meet your criteria. It’s comes down to personal preference.

Dry Bones,

Good to know.

I had (mis)understood this thread

https://leatherwall.bowsite.com/TF/lw/thread2.cfm?forum=23&threadid=333632&messages=61&CATEGORY=9

to mean that Mr. Parker was using the same design/forms.

Thanks!

Toelke Whip

Varcher, just pointing out that it is not the originals, yes, I believe Mr. parker is using the same forms. Nothing mis-understood, only clarification for those looking at the Hummingbirds.

-Bones

Dry Bones,

Even better to know! Thanks (again) for the clarification!

Varcher

Hard to say,, the classifieds always seem to be full of them.

JMO, the fastest isn’t going to be the smoothest isn’t going to be the quietest, and while there’s a chance that I do shoot one of my bows better than the rest…. I can’t say that I have ever handled a bow that I just couldn’t work with. Most bows I pick up seem to shoot wherever I point them.

Everybody wants the best of everything all at once and in one place and if it’s not ALSO a jawdropping piece of Art, some will still find grounds for complaint.

That’s ridiculous. Not gonna happen.

Don’t let the pursuit of Perfection prevent you from enjoying that which is perfectly good. They pretty much ALL shoot better than we do.

My buddy Jim Martin seems to be getting a lot of attention right now , so here’s my pick - Mahantango Kestrel.

I’ve had dozens and sold them all for the most part, the only ones in my stable now are made by South Cox of stalker stickbows. Those acs limbs on his coyote riser are the best imo. Smooth, silent, and nothing faster than those acs limbs.

Handle shape is a top priority for me too. Funny how you can often tell at a glance, or a few specs, whether a bow would suit you or not. For instance, from what I can see, there's not a grip pictured here so far that would be on a favorite bow of mine... but you guys love em, and thats fine. It just speaks to how subjective it all is, and it's just one feature, the tip of the iceberg.

I would say a Toelke Whip takedown.

There is no best just lots of great choices, my favorite is the Northern Mist Baraga its not a radical R&D and has a great profile when strung.

NM Baraga was the last and best R/D I ever had. Been sticking strictly to ASLs, and I wasn't really into that slender locator grip. I had a hard time missing the mark with that Baraga. And it was silent (even with lo-stretch string w/o silencers) compared to others of similar design I had tried.

None of the above, and all of the above. I've tried bows that some guys swore were the best they ever shot, and I put some of them down after two arrows. Ain't no way you should ever buy a bow on someone else's idea of what's best. Check the classifieds across the internet, they are full of the best of the best. If you want the best bow for you, then get off your butt-end and go find some to shoot.

If he's still making them I would put James Berry' Taipan II on the list.Another would be Frank San Marco' Eagle.Provided you have a healthy amount of green and patience.

great northern fireball for traditional handle, robertson's are nice

Wes Wallace is the best. I have two.

I can't believe Javaman Elkheart is not mentioned more , it's defiantly in the top 5 of R/D bows out there. No Question about it. Period

Elk hart .Java man. ??

Crooked Stick by Mike Miller is as good as any in my opion.

I have a Original 1 piece Hummingbird Longbow built by Ben Graham AND a Beautiful 1 piece built by James Parker and the Bow built by James shoots just as Good as the one that Ben made for me. And they Both shoot Great, I won a lot of shoots with Ben’s Bow but had a detached retina in the right eye and had to switch to shooting left handed so I had James build me a Left handed Bow and now I’m shooting about as well Left handed. Thanks James. Don’t be afraid to try one of James Bows. Kurt

Moosejaw Strikeforce, only one I thought was a decent shooter, wish I'd kept it.

That's easy! It's the one I shoot....;))

And which one is that? Well it's the one of many I happen to be shooting that day.

There is no one best, but there's a bunch of great ones!

SBC X2 --- If you think about it in dollar for dollar terms, well...... :)

Lots of great ones out there…!! Centaur, Elkheart, Thunderchild, Kanati a few that I’ve tried and all very good..!! My favorite so far is the 1 pc. Thunderhorn.

Elkhart

Buy every best bow listed here and keep the one you like the best.

Only problem is its gonna cost you about 30,000 $.

All the bows listed here are very good bows no doubt.

Many that are not listed above that are very good bows as well.

I think if I had not had the chance to shoot alot of bows and was looking for a great longbow for me.I would go to a few of the bigger trad shoots where are alot of venders and shoot everything alot for like 2-3 days and narrow it down and put an order in on a custom in the length you like and poundage.

Talk about the grip and other details.Some Bowyers have 2 or 3 grip options or will build you something custom in the grip.

May not be possible for you to travel to do that.But it would be one way to find that magic bow for you.

Pennsylvania has a few thats not to far for you.Michigan as well but further from N.Y.New York might have a few for you to check out?

The Wes Wallace Royal longbow and Blacktail you mentioned are certainly fine bows and superbly crafted.

Hope you find the one!

Najavo Aztec!

Tall Tines Stickflinger…..

The Tall Tines is the best 3 piece I’ve ever shot. Never leaving me.

I just got an Arnette made Tall Tines Stickflinger, I'm pretty darn impressed thus far.

Well, that narrowed down. LOL!

A&H…..my favourite

I bounce back and Forth between a classic whip, classic pika and a widow PLX.

The Toelkes are better bows, but there’s something that pulls me to the PLX.

Liberty Longbows are also tough to beat.

I certainly haven't shot them all but a Pronghorn Takedown is my favorite. I'm sure it's just middle of the road for speed but for me it's smooth as butter and sends an arrow where I want more often than many other bows I've shot.

I really like that PLX Dicky. It’s such a sheep looking bow. I had a toelke Pika takedown and it was a very easy bow to shoot

Sorry meant sharp looking

Big fan of the Yellowstone bows.

That’s a thorough and descriptive comparison , Stick9. I have spent the most time with a Classic Whip, and it shoots really well for me. I also recently got a TD PLX and a 2 piece A&H that have very similar profiles. I agree with the posts above that you really need to shoot as many as you can because so much of it is personal preference. It’s great to have so many choices of good bows to choose from these days!

Lots of choices out there whatever an individual likes. We all have different taste or preferences when it comes to what we shoot.

Based on what you mentioned about shooting exclusively recurve. I'd look into hybrid r/d's that have characteristics of a recurve. For example the grip/riser shape and wider thinner limbs opposed to deeper core & trap limbs. If you like recurves you probably like speed and heavier mass weight. So looking at hybrids that store energy at the tips (flat out near nock) and weight in riser/ibeam will narrow down your choices. Big Stick Gremlin, Javaman Elkheart Magnum, Harvey Archery Raptor. All of the bows mentioned in this thread are legit. Just gotta find what you like in bow manners, feel in hand and quite honestly the GRIP.

Coltin Hurst of Hurst bows out of Montana.

Plx for me. Looker and a shooter.

Fox Triple Crown

Had a couple guys tell me to get a Toelke whip and they were right!

So many bows and not enough time. Of the RD bows I have tried,I'm really liking the stuff Gregg Coffey "Javaman" is making. Also a guy here in IOwa named John Sturdevant Is really making some great RD bows.

It is hard to beat a St Joe River bow. I have their Classic longbow and their Torrent longbow.

Lots of good bows out there I haven't been able to try. I'm pretty partial to my Wild Horse Creek Destiny.

My three favorites are Black Widow PL, Javaman Elkheart, and Toelke Pika. I'm looking at adding a Javaman Elkheart Magnum and a Toelke Whistler to my collection as well. Of the three I have I can't pick a favorite, they're all amazing bows.

Big River D/R - 21st Century clone, fastest and smooth, 60" MOAB D/R - fast and part of your arm.

Neither, of these bows will be made any longer, so I'll be careful.

In my opinion there is no "best" due to the fact that each of may have a different sense for the "feel" of a bow. Lots of great ones out there.

I've owned quite a few listed above, I currently have a Treadway Black Forest that will hold it's own with any of them listed. Smooth shooter and the build is impeccable.

Best I ever shot, Robertson Vision, Best all around Kanati, one I need to try Black Widow PLX

Forgot to add, I never tried a Wild Horse Creek!!!

I have had many of those already named and all fine bows. I picked up a Two Tracks Longwalker here a couple weeks ago and am very impressed Smooth,quite and fast.

I’ve had a lot of r/d longbows. The ones I remember liking are :

Shrew classic Hunter

Pronghorn

Elkheart

Liberty Chief

The ones I still have and like are:

Liberty Classic

Black Widow PLX (Middle bow)

If I were going to buy another it would be a Shrew Classic Hunter 56”

An Elkheart 56”

Or a Black Widow PLX 62-64”

I like some of the three piece bows as well, but some are close enough to a recurve that I think I might as well have a recurve. So I bought one.

Sorry I got off topic and was going to send a photo of my Tall Tines recurve, but you know what they look like.

Hmmm

Thought I deleted that. Sorry again.

You have good taste in bows, Dicky. There is something about a PLX; I know a few other guys that feel the same way about them.

3 piece Pronghorn for me. No speed demon but dead in the hand, and for me it is hands down one of my "most forgiving" and easiest to be consistently accurate with bows. Like others said, it all depends on your preferences

Guess its settled now.Now we know!All cleared up!

Clear as mud.

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