[rocketshooter]

I've been bit by the traditional bug and have been looking into which bow to buy. Are the Black Widows worth their price? Do you get what you pay for? I love the looks of their bows,but looks doesn't make it a shooter! Help me.....

 

[LBR]

Whoo-weee........here it comes!

That is a question only you can answer, because it's going to depend on the individual. For me, the answer is no. I haven't found a bow yet that is worth anywhere near $1,000 due to the way it shoots, although I have seen two works of art that I would have paid that for (if I'd had it to spare) to put on display--neither of them would have ever been shot. One was an original Fred Bear td, hand signed, with gold td hardware and a display case (also signed by Mr. Bear), the other was one of Mike Treadaway's Black Forrest longbows--both were absolutely beautiful.

I say that I haven't found one that's worth that price to me because I've shot and owned gobs of bows (including having 2 BW's and shot several more), and price does not make the bow. I've shot very expensive ones (several that cost more than BW) that weren't worth $5 to me, and I've shot cheap ones that were among the best I've had in my hands--and vice-versa. I've seen big tournaments won with cheap bows, expensive bows, and bows that the winner made themselves (and they didn't make bows for a living). I've scratched my head after shooting a bow that I'd heard rave reviews over, wondering what all the fuss was about--and I figure someone has scratched their head wondering just what I see in my favorite.

BW does make a good, solid bow--no doubt about it. Will it be the best for you? Only one way to find out. I'm assuming you are pretty new to the sport--if you are, then most likely you haven't had enough time to figure out just what does work best for you. My advise would be to get more time in behind some bows, take notes, shoot as many different ones as you can (not just a dozen arrows--get to know as many bows as you can), and go from there. Shoot bows that fit you--if you draw 26" and shoot a bow that was made for a 31" draw, you won't be learning much about it, and vice-versa.

There's a LOT of opinion in this sport, but let me offer you two facts: First, there is no such thing as a magic bow. You have to put your time in behind it to become proficient, and no bow is going to make you an expert overnight, regardless of what it costs or what others say about it; Second, there is no one bow or brand of bow that is going to be perfect for everyone. There's lots of great bows on the market these days, some cost more than BW, some cost less, but only you can decide which one feels best in your hand.

Good luck!

Chad

 

[rocketshooter]

Thank you,I don't want to get into a bashing thread here,I am really excited about traditional archery and just like the looks of the Widows,but if there are some other bows out there that will fit me,then that's great!

 

[RHC]

I agree with Chad that you have to make that choice. Whatever you buy shoot it first. If you haven't shot many different bows you need to before spending a lot of money on any bow. BW does have a few things going for them. They have a faster than most delivery time. They make a tough solid bow.They have exellent customer service. They have a try before you buy program. If you get one used at a good price you can sell it and get your money back if you decide you don't like it. To me the customer service is worth a lot. You should get good service anytime you spend that much money but there a lot of bowyers that will not treat you as good as BW will.

 

[PineLander]

There are many trad bows that are in the $1000 range these days.

If this is your first plunge into a recurve or longbow, I would not recommend spending that kind of money until you know more about shooting them. Buying the newest high-end model or most popular model means very little, how they shoot for you means more.

Many bows are worth the money you pay for them, some are not, and some are even worth more.

 

[Fl archer]

I think LBR hit the nail on the head. I own three Black widows because I have a terrible condition called Bowcollectus. They are nice bows, but I would have a tough time parting with $1000 for one. I bought a Black widow TD MAII with Two sets of limbs (64# and 58#) Sights, and quiver, for $550 on Ebay. Use caution and check the sellers feed back. You can find some decent deals if you ask the sellers questions and don't get caught up in the auction and over bid.
The bow I shoot best is a Vintage Hoyt 70'' Pro medalist. I found it on Ebay for around $200. Good luck

 

[Jack NZ]

Not long ago I shot a black Widow and a Samick copy of the same bow.
The Samick shot just as well an cost a third of the Widows price.
I've had the same with a PSE Talon,but this time the Samick shot better than the PSE for half the cost.
If you have the money an want the name go ahead,if you just want a good shooter you can do better or just as well for less money.

 

[tmarch]

Another consideration might be the resale value should you decide to sell it. Widows are known for holding their value well.

 

[dcwhite55044]

Simply put the shooter makes the bow not the bow itself. Black Widow makes a damn fine bow, but so do many other bowyers. Lots of great choices in today's traditional world. Don't dicount some of the production line bows either. Martin makes one hell of a bow!

 

[BLACK WOLF]

When I decided to get a Black Widow it was primarily based on looks but what sold me COMPLETELY was their reputation based on the research I did.

I love the shape of them over any other bow but I have seen prettier bows in regards to wood combonations such as Acadian and Blacktail but once you shoot a bow that has AMAZING stability, performance, speed and quietness it can become the most beautiful bow in the world...and THAT is EXACTLY what happened when I started shooting my DAS.

If a person has the money to invest in a hobby or sport they KNOW they are going to LOVE and stick with, I see no problem putting up the money to buy something you will be completely happy with based on looks, research and reputation.

Ray

 

[splintergunn]

Simplified answer:
Are BW worth the price? - YES, Absoulutely! Very smooth, fast, and forgiving.

Is it the right bow for you? - Only you can answer that question. BW makes several models to satisfy a variety of shooters. Try the demo bow program before you make your final decision. If you decide not to buy one, you will only be out shipping charges.

 

[Jakes Cronje]

They are good bows, but I'm not sure they're worth a grand. Buy a Chek-Mate Falcon, and spend your cash on arrows and trvelling costs to all the local 3-D shoots. Come fall you'll be well prepared for deer.

Just my tuppence worth...

 

[Okie1bow]

Black Widows, Ya or Na

I've been bit by the traditional bug and have been looking into which bow to buy. Are the Black Widows worth their price? Do you get what you pay for? I love the looks of their bows,but looks doesn't make it a shooter! Help me.....

Everything you see advertised anywhere is usually not worth the price aka.
M.S.R.P.......? But, I've owned and shot almost everything BW make at one time or another including X-99, X-101, X-200,Target bows, 1200 T/D
Ma series hunting bows and more. Yes I've shot PSE, Hoyts, Wings also.
BW's are very fast, very stable, balanced extreemly well and overall "one"
of the best 2 or 3 ever made. They still represent fine American craftmanship.
Try to find any good bow slightly used. Take your time. Get good pictures and you will be just a happy as if you bought it new.

 

[arbuck]

I think BW bows are worth their price. In 1992 I bought a maIII for $610, I can sell it for over $400 today. To shoot one of the best bows in the world for 14 yrs. for $210 sounds like a bargain to me. Buck

 

[LBR]

Ok, I'm trying to be good, but I want to add one more statement to my list. When anyone makes a general statement about ANY bow (or most anything else) such as "it's the best", it should always be preceeded by "In my opinion". I had a very pleasant phone conversation with Mr. Ken Beck a couple of months ago, and even he said that when it comes to performance, there isn't a nickle's worth of difference in the better bows today.

BW recurves have good speed, are well made, are generally pleasing to the eye, etc., BUT a whole lot of bows meet this criteria. If there's a set of standards put out by an independant council to rate the "best", I have never seen or heard of it, so it boils down to opinion.

I couldn't begin to name all the bows I've owned, much less the one's I've shot. Some I knew intimately, some I shot very little. I wouldn't consider myself an expert on any of them. At best, I have above average knowledge of a few, and even though I've probably owned well over 100 different bows, there's hundreds more I haven't owned, or even shot. There's quite a few of the big names I haven't owned, not to mention the smaller and/or lesser known bows, plus the new ones that seem to be popping up on a regular basis. I don't think anyone could live long enough to have intimate knowledge of them all--from a shooter's prospective--so how could anyone say that one or another is the absolute best, period?

Even the part about BW (or any bow) being a bargain depends on your point of view. Shoot one for 14 years, only loose $210 of the original retail on it. That's great, but 14 years ago you could buy a nice bow for less than $210 and still sell it today for near that. There's a few out there, including some older BW bows, that will bring more now than they sold for new (now THAT is a bargain!).

Anyhow, to get to the point, it's all relative and boils down to personal opinion. Very, very few things in this sport are set in stone. That's my opinion anyway.:wink:

Chad

 

[Frank1107]

Bw

Chad:

Well said.

Frank

 

[Okie1bow]

Carefull Chad, you're making way to much sense there !!!

 

[RHC]

Ok I just want to say this. The question was are Widows worth the price. The answer is yes and no. All bows are worth the price. No bows are worth the price. You could make a bow from a limb in an afternoon and kill a deer with it. You could buy a collector bow for many times the price of a Widow and kill a deer with it. You could do anything in between. I guess my point is don't hate Widows just because of the price. Widows are not the most expensive bows out there. They are very close in price to any top custom bow in my experience. Shoot whatever you want and like. Don't dump on somebodys bow by saying yours is just as good but costs less. Be happy for someone that loves what they have. Love what you have or save and get whatever you want. I am not talking about anyone, just everyone. LOL RC

 

[Stealthycat]

They are horrible shooting bows, thats what they are behind in production, very sought after, thats why they hold their value, have a loyal following and its why so many people shoot and love them

:thumbs_up

It doesn't matter what product you're talking about, if it has all the above characteristics, OF COURSE its a great product.

Black Widow bows are not my personal choice, but they are fantastic bow none the less

 

[LBR]

Thanks Frank and Okie--every once in a while I slip up and do that!

RHC, I agree 100%. For my part, I'm not busting on BW, just stating my opinions. Yep, there are bows that cost a lot more than BW, and I can think of at least one that I shot that wasn't (in my opinion of course) anywhere close to a BW in looks, speed, stability, etc. Shoot, I'd take an old Shakespeare or Browning or Pearson, etc. over that bow if I had to use it.

I do think the price tag on a lot of bows is nuts, but if people are buying them I can't fault the bowyer or company for selling them. I do respect and appreciate those who work to keep their prices more at a "working man's" level though. I do know there are lots of folks that get hung up on a name (BW or otherwise), advertising, strong opinions posted on message boards, etc. I can say I "know" this because I've shot with many of them--they barely knew how to string a bow, and bought one based on what they'd heard or read rather than doing their homework. A lot of those guys give it up rather than continue the search, I think in many cases because they bought "THE BEST" (at least according to what they'd heard and read) and if they couldn't shoot that, what chance did they have? That's why I get on the boards and try to make some clarifications when posts like this pop up, especially concerning folks just getting into the sport.

On a side note, most any good bow is a good investment if you want to look at it from that standpoint. Even bows that are no longer in production--old Bear, Pearson, Root, original Harrisons, Sley, Stewart, Massie etc. bows that have been kept in good condition will still sell for dang near what they cost new, and a few for quite a bit more. However, like any other investment, you have to come up with the money to invest in the first place and hope you chose the right one to invest in. I don't buy a bow with the intention of selling it later, at least not anymore. I've about figured out what I like and what fits me, so when I put out the money I aim to shoot it for all it's worth then pass it on to my son.

Black Widow bows are not my personal choice, but they are fantastic bow none the less

SC, you should have preceded the last part of your statement with "in my opinion". :wink: :tongue:

Chad