I’ve been searching for a Handcrafted Black Widow in Graybark to replace the one I used to have. Just recently one came up for sale in the weight I wanted but it was 58” instead of 60” or 62” in length.
I would have never ordered a 58” for the same reason most of us like longer bows because they’re smoother to draw.
Now for the good news. Not only is it in really good shape but it’s amazingly smooth to draw.
This is one good shooting recurve and it's really quiet with the spider string silencers. I'm still surprised how smooth of a shooter it is at 58".
Have had a number of MAs, their mass makes them very stable but heavy to carry. Not particularly fast but that's not a huge issue. Louder than most recurves, they need some dedicated tuning to get quiet. Their best quality is durability, probably the toughest recurve on the market. Unfortunately their price is a downside, but it's a good hunting bow in the overall especially if owning only one.
Tom, l think the perfect R/D longbow is an Impala Express or BW PL, can’t go wrong with either of those two.
Unless you’re looking at a Hill longbow, HHA or Northern Mist both make fine bows.
Darren, I have shot a few over the years. A couple when I attended the Fred Asbell seminar one year. I had one I really liked, all Osage. Shot great was going to buy it and someone bought it first. The bow I really wanted to shoot well was the PSR. I just like the looks of that bow but to no avail. The bow that surprised me was the PTF. I shot it as well as a PMA and I don’t care for a high wrist type bow.
Darren, I also have several PL’s and yes they are a treat to shoot.
bhbinder, I agree that the forward handle makes a difference. When holding the bow and pushing out, the bow balances perfectly.
The foreward handle is the key to their success.
James, My draw length is 27.5”, and I agree the 58” length limbs really open up.
Tom, Black Widow makes a nice longbow too. I haven’t owned one, yet, but I have shoot them.
My PMA Graybark is 58” and all I draw is 27”. At my draw the 58” allows the opening of the limb tips to utilize the full potential of the recurve tips. It is very smooth to draw.
Nice looking bow. I am sure you will enjoy it. Just something about a Widow. Last time I visited their showroom a 64” PMA Greybark almost went home with me. At 45#’s it was so smooth to draw. But alas, I was looking for the perfect LB.